Are you going to buy upholstery fabric? You’ll first see Martindale rub scores written on the fabric labels. Not understanding this score can be disastrous, and you might buy the wrong fabric quality. But what is a Martindale Rub Test? How is it so crucial in the fabrics market? These questions can be confusing to the core!
This test tells us about the durability and quality of fabrics. Fabrics with higher rub scores will be more durable, and vice versa. I know many people are unaware of this test, but it is critical for buyers and manufacturers. This guide will ease life by giving all the ins and outs of this test. So, let’s get started!
Overview of Martindale Rub Test
Martindale rub testing tells us about the quality and durability of the fabrics. It checks the sample fabric by rubbing it. The fabric that faces more rubs before getting damaged is considered durable. It helps both manufacturers and customers make and choose suitable fabrics.
In the past, there was no way for manufacturers to check the quality of fabrics. It resulted in inconsistent outcomes in fabric quality. However, in the early 1900s, James Martindale came up with the idea of a testing machine. He made the first manual machine for testing fabrics. It proved to be very helpful in improving the durability of fabrics.
Over time, the machines underwent many transitions. Initially, human efforts were used to rub the sample (fabric). However, semi-manual and automated machines were invented. Right now, the machines are automated and need negligible human effort. They have a system that counts the number of rubs the material undergoes.
You might be wondering how these Martindale machines work. They mimic real-world conditions. The fabric’s face rubs of the abrasive surface are similar to those it should face when in use. It helps better understand how long a fabric will remain in good shape before deteriorating. The fabric with higher Martindale rubs will be durable and vice versa.
How to Conduct a Martindale Rub Test?
Testing fabrics via the Martindale rub test requires a dedicated machine. It consists of a motor that rotates the abrasive surface against the sample or subject. Let’s dive down and discuss how one can conduct this test.
- First, take a small piece of fabric. While testing, you won’t need a full fabric. Instead, cut a small part as a specimen or sample. This will tell you the characteristics of whole fabrics.
- Place this specimen or sample on the sample holder and secure it. Remember, different types of Martindale testing machines are available. Each of them has a different sample holder. You must secure the sample on it so it does not fall off.
- The Martindale machines come with a dedicated abrasive surface (pad). Position this pad just above the sample secured on the sample holder. This abrasive surface can be made of different materials. However, wool felt is the most popular material for this pad.
- Switch on the machine. The abrasive surface will start to move, and the sample will be rubbed. While rubbing the sample, the pad will move in eight directions. Confused? It will make a figure eight dimensions while moving and rubbing the sample.
- Martindale machines come with dedicated screens or interfaces. This interface will show the number of counts. Remember, the machine counts each cycle or rubs the abrasive surface. In this way, you’ll be able to conduct the test. You can keep an eye on the fabric and see how many rubs your sample can sustain.
How to Interpret the Results of the Martindale Rub Test?
Conducting the Martindale rub test is no rocket science. Right? However, interpreting the results can be tedious, especially if you’re new to this testing. There are two approaches that you follow. Here are the names:
- Set your own Martindale rub score.
- Switch on the machine and manually analyze the quality of fabrics.
Let’s discuss how these two approaches work. Modern Martindale machines come with advanced control systems. You can feed how many rubs you want on the sample. The machines will stop once the abrasive surface rubs at specific times against the sample. You can then analyze the conditions of the fabrics.
In this approach, you won’t have to keep your eyes on the sample when the machine runs. Instead, let the machine complete the number of rubs you fed and then analyze. The second approach is more suitable for old machines. They don’t allow you to set the number of rubs.
So, you’ll switch on the machine and keep an eye on the sample as it counts the number of rubs. Once you feel the fabric has started to damage, you can note the Martindale rubs score. If the fabric is of high quality and durability, it will remain in good shape for more rubs, and vice versa.
What Does Rub Test Scores Mean?
The rub test score indicates the number of rubs a sample sustains. For example, if a piece of fabric undergoes 25000 rubs before showing signs of wear and tear, its rub test score will be 25000. This score varies for different quality fabrics. Remember, the durable fabric will have more rub test scores and vice versa.
Are you thinking about the ideal Martindale rub score? The ideal score can vary with the needs and purpose of fabrics. So, you should select the fabric according to your needs. Let me simplify it for you. We use fabrics for different purposes. For example, we use them to make household upholstery such as sofas.
Similarly, we use it to make the covers for cinema seats that are always in use. The home sofas are not used very frequently, right? So, we buy fabrics with relatively lesser rub scores, around 20000. However, cinema chairs are constantly being used, so using durable fabrics would make sense.
So, it is suitable to use fabrics with 80000 rub scores. Remember, different fabric compositions impact the Martindale rub score. Choosing the fabric with the highest rub score never means an ideal choice. Gentle usage does not require highly durable fabrics with a very high number of rubs.
Different Martindale Rub Score Ranges
As I said earlier, the best approach is to select a specific rub score after analyzing your needs. However, some ranges are trusted when buying fabrics for different purposes. Let’s discuss the details of each of those Martindale rub score ranges.
1- Low Martindale Score
Martindale Score | Durability Level | Common Applications |
Up to 3,000 rubs | Very Low | Light-use items, decorative pillows |
3,001–6,000 rubs | Low | Curtains, light upholstery |
6,001–10,000 rubs | Moderate | Cushions, occasional-use furniture |
2- Medium Martindale Score
Martindale Score | Durability Level | Common Applications |
10,001–15,000 rubs | Moderate | Household chairs, sofas |
15,001–20,000 rubs | Medium | Daily-use furniture, car seats |
20,001–30,000 rubs | High | Family room furniture, office chairs |
3- High Martindale Score
Martindale Score | Durability Level | Common Applications |
30,001–40,000 rubs | High | Public waiting areas, café furniture |
40,001–50,000 rubs | Very High | Hotel lobbies, reception areas |
50,001–70,000 rubs | Commercial | Restaurants, conference room chairs |
4- Very High Martindale Score
Martindale Score | Durability Level | Common Applications |
70,001–80,000 rubs | Heavy Duty | Train seats, airport lounges |
80,001–100,000 rubs | Extra Heavy Duty | Cinemas, stadium seating |
100,000 rubs and above | Industrial | Extreme wear environments, military applications |
The tables above show different ranges of Martindale scores. Fabrics with lower Martindale scores are suitable for objects that are not used aggressively. Conversely, fabrics with higher rubs are ideal for making durable things. Remember that you don’t need to choose fabrics with 80000 rubs for house chairs. Why?
Because chairs in the horse are not used aggressively, using fabrics with 20000 rubs on a cinema chair won’t make sense. The cinema’s chairs are constantly in use, so the fabrics on those chairs must be solid (around 60,000 rubs). I hope this makes sense. Consider your needs, and don’t get fooled by the attractive higher Martindale scores.
Frequently Asked Questions
My fabric has a high rub test result. Is it invincible?
Generally, fabric with higher rub test results is considered durable. However, it does not mean that fabrics are 100% invincible. There are many other factors that can affect the durability of the fabrics. Those include fabric quality, proper care, washing, cleaning, and environmental conditions.
What is a Wyzenbeek test, and is it better than a Martindale test?
The Wyzenbeek test also checks the durability of fabrics. However, its working differs from the Martindale test, which is only used in America. However, the Martindale test is universal and widely accepted. Both of these tests have good and evil.
How do I read a Martindale test result?
Martindale test results are in the form of Martindale scores. Fabrics with higher scores are durable and resistant to wear. The score indicates the number of rubs a fabric sustains before showing physical signs of damage or tear.
What is a good Martindale score?
It majorly depends on the needs and purpose of your use. Generally, fabrics with Martindale scores of around 2000 to 25000 are considered optimal. Fabrics with such rubs usually are decent in terms of longevity.
Conclusion
Martindale rub test is beneficial for both manufacturers and customers. Manufacturers try to make fabrics that achieve higher Martindale scores. It helps them stand out from the hot competition in the fabric industry. Similarly, customers can understand the quality of fabrics by reading Martindale’s ratings.
It is a win-win situation for both fabric manufacturers and customers. I’ve explained everything related to the Martindale rub test in this article. Remember, this test is universal, and its score is accepted worldwide. Being an international standard makes this testing more reliable and popular.