Textile testing Instruments

1. Ms.S.Priya
Asst Prof
Bon Secours College for Women
Thanjavur

2.  Sample Preparation
 1. When cutting specimens, avoid wrinkles, folds or creases.
 2. Avoid getting oil, water, grease, etc. on the specimens when handling.
 3. Using the smallest cutting die, cut six circular specimens from the fabric to be
tested with each specimen being 1.5 inches (38mm) in diameter. Take care not to
apply too much pressure on the cutting die as it will break the razor blades.
 4. Weigh one specimen to determine pre-test mass.
 5. Also use this measurement to determine mass/unit area. Preparation of Test
Apparatus (see manual)
 1. Make all tests in the standard atmosphere for testing.
 2. Remove the specimen holders from the Martindale tester
 3. Note that all three parts of the specimen holders (handle, face, and ring) are
numbered1-6 and correspond to numbers on top of the Martindale tester.
 4. Assemble the holder by:
 5. Place the assembled holders into the machine, replacing silver caps and black
knobs.
 6. Add the required weight (9kpa for apparel, 12kPa for upholstery) by resting the
weights on the ends of the handles. (kPa = 1 kilo Pascal = # pounds) Note that the
weights are also numbered 1-6. 7. Set the counter system to record the desired
movements using the third black button from the right.

3.  The test method covers the measurement of
the air permeability--the rate of air flow
passing perpendicularly through a known
area under a prescribed air pressure. Air
permeability is an important factor in the
performance of such textile materials as gas
filter, fabrics for air bags, clothing, mosquito
netting, parachutes, sails, tentage, and
vaccum cleaners. It can also be used to
provide an indication of the breathability of
weather-resistant and rainproof fabrics.

4.  How the Test Works: A circle of fabric is
clamped into the tester and through the use
of a vaccum, the air pressure is made
different on one side of the fabric. Airflow will
occur from the side with higher air pressure,
through the fabric, to the side with the lower
air pressure. From this rate of air flow, the air
permability of the fabric is determined in
mm/sec.

5.  A lea strength tester measures the strength
of one lea yarn. One lea means 120 yards.
Strength is a measure of the steady force
necessary to break a material and is
measured in pound. The m/c works in
constant rate of extension. Assuming the
specimen to be extensible and an absence of
any dynamic effects.

6.  Working procedure
 At first one lea cotton yarn is measured by
wrap reel and in this way 20 samples are taken
for testing. Now, the first sample is fixed with the
upper jaw and the lower jaw. The m/c is started
and observed the dial until the sample is torn
out. When the sample is torn out the m/c is
stopped and the reading is taken. By this way the
others’ reading are taken. Then all the samples
are weighted and counts are calculated. C.S.P or
C.L.S.P of the all samples are calculated. At last
average and CV% are calculated

7. Thank you