For a long time it was considered that the tests of wear resistance i.e. abrasion resistance of textiles was a procedure providing an assessment of product durability i.e. its suitability for the intended purpose. However, over time, research has shown that it is not always so, but this does not mean the procedure has lost any of its importance. This is confirmed by the development of measuring techniques over the years, aimed to get the truer results, closer to reality. Eventually it has become clear that it is not even theoretically possible to construct a machine for measuring fabric wear generally, and systems should be improved for measuring wear of fibres, yarns and fabrics for specific loadings and for each type of textiles.
Abrasion occurs with textiles (test bodies) running relatively to some means of resistance, and is caused by friction, resulting in textile material wear. Investigations in real time can only deal with textiles and/or abrading agents, simultaneously or separately. The process of wear i.e. abrasion can proceed for some time with no visible damage. The term "to abrade" is used for this procedure. If the process is carried out to visible damage or failure of the material, the appearance of holes in the fabrics, then the expression "specimen breakdown" is used . Resistance to abrasion is evaluated measuring the following values:
The wear of textiles, abrasion, and hence the results of the tests, are affected by numerous factors related to the textile material, the environment in which the tests are conducted and testing conditions. Factors concerned with textile material are: fibre type, fibre properties, yarn twist,fabric structure and surface characteristics (hairiness, smooth, finishing, etc.).
