1. Running Head: WEAR TEST REPORT 1
Wear Test Report
Stephanie Harris
April 5, 2015
MDSE 3650 Advanced Textiles
2. WEAR TEST REPORT 2
Abstract
This wear test was constructed in order to test Hanes Cushion No Show Socks
against ASTM and AATCC standards using standardized tests to determine whether the
product is serviceable to the end consumer or not. In the wear test, stain resistance, pill
resistance, snag resistance, and dimensional stability are tested. Depending on if each
category passed or failed the test, recommendations are given in order to improve the
serviceability of the product, if needed.
3. WEAR TEST REPORT 3
Purpose
Importance of the Wear Test
The purpose of this sock wear test is to measure the serviceability of the brand’s
product. It is necessary to test how a product performs through use and care by the
customer for many reasons. One of the key reasons for this test is because a customer’s
potential loyalty to a brand lies in the serviceability they receive from the product they’ve
purchased. They expect a certain quality from the product based on their knowledge of
the brand. Another reason to test how well a product performs is because the customer is
likely to share their experience with the product with their peers, determining if they too
will purchase from the brand which effects the image of the brand. For the actual brand, a
wear test can tell the manufacturer if the methods of production they currently use are
effective or not, helping them with future product development and production.
Target Market and their Expectations
The target market for this particular product is for women who want to spend a
low amount of money for quality socks. Having a top of the mind reputation among the
consumer when it comes to underwear for men and women, Hanes has a high reputation
to uphold. Therefore, customers automatically expect serviceability and beyond from the
socks. Customers want the sock to last longer than another sock that they might have
purchased, because Hanes is known as a strong brand. When purchasing socks, a
customer needs a product that will keep their feet comfortable as well as protect their feet
when worn.
4. WEAR TEST REPORT 4
What the Wear Test Tells Us about the Product
Performing a wear test tells the company if their product meets AATCC and
ASTM regulations, as well as telling the metric of how well they meet these standards.
The standards are meant to guarantee a serviceable product that should satisfy the
customer. The standards that are to be met include staining, pilling, snagging, and
dimensional stability. Reaching or exceeding the ratings suggested by ASTM and
AATCC will tell the manufacturer if their product is made well enough to service the
customer’s needs. This information is important to the manufacturer because it will tell
them if they are doing a good job or not and if not, they know how much they need to
improve by. This tells them exactly what part of production needs to be changed and
improved or kept the same. For the retailer, this information tells them whether they are
selling a good product that will make the customer want to return next time they need this
product. To the customer, they can determine whether they can depend on the product to
meet their needs and if so, they will likely return to the same retailer for the same product
if needed.
Background
In the wear test, the pilling propensity, snagging propensity, dimensional stability,
and stain resistance are being tested. The pilling and snagging contribute to the aesthetic
of the socks while the dimensional stability and stain resistance tell us about the
maintenance.
Aesthetic
Pilling. The pilling propensity of the sock measures the small balls that form on
the surface of the item as a result of fibers tangling and balling up through use and
5. WEAR TEST REPORT 5
washes. It is important to keep this rating low because the more pills that form, the less
appealing the aesthetic of the product becomes due to the visibility of the pills.
Snagging. The snagging propensity of the socks measures the amount of loose
yarns that are visibly out of place on the surface of the fabric. Like pilling, snagging is
visually unappealing on a product when it is excessive. It is important to keep the
snagging of the product low in order to maintain an aesthetically pleasing product after
use by the customer.
Maintenance
Dimensional stability. The dimensional stability of the sock measures how much
the product stretches or shrinks over time through wear and proper care procedures.
Dimensional stability is measured length-wise and width-wise to specifically tell which
direction the changes are occurring. Shrinkage or growth can be caused by the size of the
wearer’s foot in relation to the size the sock is originally and/or the elasticity in the
product’s fiber content. It is important to measure the dimensional stability so that you
know how much the product will change in size after being used and cared for. If the
product increases or decreases in dimension by too much it can affect the consumer’s
ability to comfortably wear the product.
Stain Resistance. The stain resistance of the socks measures the ability of the
product to avoid or release discoloration due to wearing by the customer. So long as the
customer properly cares for the item as instructed, they expect that the product will not
stain too easily. Because the product is worn on the feet, staining can occur through
normal everyday wear depending on if the wearer has on shoes or not. It is important that
the product releases staining in order to maintain the original (or close to original) color
6. WEAR TEST REPORT 6
of the product. If the product does not have good stain resistance, it can make the socks
appear older and more dingy before the life of the product is complete.
Method
Sock Information
In this wear test, Women’s Hanes Cushion No Show Socks were tested. These
specific socks were made with ComfortBlend and spandex for a superior fit with ultimate
durability due to extra reinforcement in the toe and heel. They were made with
cushioning in the foot bottom for extra comfort without added bulk as well as a comfort
toe seam. Hanes Cushion No Show Socks are made in the United States and sold at
discount retailer, WalMart for $6.97 for a 6 pack of standard and extended sizes. The
fiber content of the product consists of 68% cotton, 29% polyester, 1% latex rubber, 1%
spandex, and 1% nylon. There is a satisfaction guarantee that promises the customer
satisfaction with the product, or a replacement or refund to compensate for any
dissatisfaction. In order to care for the product, it is instructed on the packing that the
customer is to machine wash warm with like colors using non-chlorine bleach, if needed
and tumble dried on a medium setting.
Testing Methods
In order to properly test the socks, the socks were worn for at least two hours then
properly washed and dried according to the care instructions on the packaging. After
being worn for at least two hours and washed, the pilling propensity, snagging
propensity, dimensional stability (length and width), and stain resistance were tested
before repeating the wear and wash cycle.
7. WEAR TEST REPORT 7
Pilling test. In order to test the pilling rate of the socks, the evaluator visually
diagnosed how severe the presence of pills was on the surface of the fabric. According to
the ASTM pilling scale, the severity of pills was rated between 5 (no pilling) and 1 (very
severe pilling) and recorded.
Snagging test. To test the snagging of the socks, the evaluator visually diagnosed
how severe the presence of snagging was on the surface of the fabric. According to the
ASTM snagging scale, the severity of the pills was rated between 5(no snagging) and 1
(very severe snagging).
Staining test. In order to measure the stain resistance of the socks, the evaluator
used the AATCC grey scale to compare the difference in the original color of the bottom
of the foot compared to the product’s color after wear and wash on the bottom of the foot.
Using the grey scale, the product was given a rating between 5 (no staining) and 1
(completely stained).
Dimensional stability. To test the dimensional stability of the sock, benchmarks
were placed on each side of the sock to measure width as well as marks on the ends of the
foot and heel to measure length. Prior to the first wear and wash, the original dimensions
were recorded for the sock. After the first wear and wash of the socks, the benchmarks
were measured again and compared to the previous week’s recorded dimensions to see if
the sock shrunk, stretched, or stayed the same. By subtracting the previous week’s
measurements from the new measurements, then dividing the difference by the previous
week’s measurements and multiplying that by 100, the evaluator is able to find the exact
percentage change in the length and width.
8. WEAR TEST REPORT 8
Analysis of Data
Staining Results
As a result of the staining test, the evaluators found that there was staining present
in the socks after being worn. In Graph 1, it shows that for the first two to three weeks,
staining was minimal in the socks, rating between 4.5 and 4, only a half step or a step
under the original color of the sock with no staining. Over the course of all four weeks of
testing, the staining averaged out to a 4.3, which is only 0.7 under the original color. The
socks performed well in the staining test and should be serviceable to the consumer,
meeting their wants and needs of the product.
Pilling Results
As a result of the wear test, the socks were very susceptible to pilling. As seen in
Graph 2, after just the first wash, each evaluator recorded at least light pilling on the
socks. Overall, the socks ended with an average of 3.3 on the pilling scale, meaning the
pills were moderate after 4 weeks of testing. This is due to the presence of cotton,
polyester, and elastic fibers in the fiber content. The contrast between the different fiber
types may cause some fibers to break off and roll up into the small balls all over the
socks. Because of the increase in pills after each wash, the consumer might not choose to
purchase this brand again when they purchase socks again because the more they pill, the
less durable they become.
Snagging Results
Over the course of the wear test, the socks experienced some snagging. After the
very first wash there was little to no snagging and throughout the wear weeks, snagging
did not become a huge problem. The average snag rating of the overall test was only 4.10
9. WEAR TEST REPORT 9
(Graph 3). This is not a bad number to rate overall seeing that 5 rates as having no snags
at all. Therefore, the socks tested well and would be pleasing to the consumer in the
category of snag resistance. According to the ASTM the ability of the socks to resist
snagging is dependent upon the use by the consumer as well as the care and maintenance
done to them (ASTM, 2013).
Dimensional Stability Results – Length
As a result of the wear test, the evaluator found that the dimensional stability of
the length of the socks fluctuated each week of the test. All evaluators besides Evaluator
4 experienced a significant amount of shrinkage after the first wash. By the last week of
the test, all evaluators recorded 0 change in the dimensions of the socks. In conclusion,
the socks’ average percentage change in stability of the length was -0.44 (Graph 4). The
socks experienced a small amount of shrinkage in the length and therefore still passed the
test of being serviceable to the consumer.
Dimensional Stability Results – Width
In the width of the socks, there was some fluctuation but not as much as the
length. In the first week, only two out of the five evaluators experienced stretching while
the rest of the evaluators experienced no change. Like the dimensional changes in the
length, all stretching and shrinking seized by the fourth week of tests. The sock tested at a
0.86 stretch overall (Graph 5). This is a passing rating for the sock, meaning the sock
would not have changed in size too much to the point of being unserviceable to the
consumer. The elastomeric fibers of the sock’s fiber content helped to maintain the sock’s
dimensions without it becoming too big or too small to effectively serve the wearer.
10. WEAR TEST REPORT 10
Recommendations
Overall, the socks tested fairly well in the categories of staining, snagging, and
dimensional stability in the length and width. The only test that was not satisfactory was
the pilling test. Although the pilling was not severe, it could have been better. The pilling
of the socks being the only small issue does not affect the overall serviceability of the
sock to the consumer, but if it were any worse it might. In order to fix this issue, the
manufacturer could make very minor changes in fiber content. There isn’t a need for a
completely different type of fiber within in the sock, but the increase or decrease of one
of the current fibers may help to lessen this issue. Outside of fiber content, pilling is
contingent upon how the consumer uses the product and not always based on something
that can be controlled or tested in a lab (ASTM, 2014). Other than this, the manufacturer
did a good job of constructing the product with a suitable fabric and knit method that
makes for a serviceable product. For the price and the target market, this sock upholds the
standard of quality expected from the brand while not costing too much.
Data Collection
Wear Test Data
Hanes CushionNo Show Socks
Staining Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Average
Stephanie Harris 4.5 4.5 4.0 3.5 4.13
Katelyn Hootman 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.0 4.38
Ebony Calderon 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.50
Anna Robertson 4.5 4.0 4.5 4.5 4.38
Jennifer Himes 4.5 4.5 4.0 3.5 4.13
4.30
12. WEAR TEST REPORT 12
Graphs
Graph 1
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Average
ASTMStainRating
Staining
Stephanie Harris
Katelyn Hootman
Ebony Calderon
Anna Robertson
Jennifer Himes
13. WEAR TEST REPORT 13
Graph 2
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
5
Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Average
ASTMPillRating
Pilling
Stephanie Harris
Katelyn Hootman
Ebony Calderon
Anna Robertson
Jennifer Himes
14. WEAR TEST REPORT 14
Graph 3
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Average
ASTMSnagRating
Snagging
Stephanie Harris
Katelyn Hootman
Ebony Calderon
Anna Robertson
Jennifer Himes
15. WEAR TEST REPORT 15
Graph 4
-10.00
-8.00
-6.00
-4.00
-2.00
0.00
2.00
4.00
Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Average
PercentChange
DimensionalStability- Length
Stephanie Harris
Katelyn Hootman
Ebony Calderon
Anna Robertson
Jennifer Himes
16. WEAR TEST REPORT 16
Graph 5
-4
-2
0
2
4
6
8
Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Average
PercentChange
DimensionalStability-Width
Stephanie Harris
Katelyn Hootman
Ebony Calderon
Anna Robertson
Jennifer Himes
17. WEAR TEST REPORT 17
References
ASTM D5362-13 Standard Test Method for Snagging Resistance of Fabrics (Bean Bag).
(2013). Doi: 10.1520/D5362. http://www.astm.org/Standards/D5362.htm
ASTM D3512 / D3512M - 10(2014) Standard Test Method for Pilling Resistance and
Other Related Surface Changes of Textile Fabrics: Random Tumble Pilling
Tester. (2014). Doi: 10.1520/D3512_D3512M-10R14.
http://www.astm.org/Standards/D3512.htm
