Pilling Photo Standards (EMPA)

Textiles – To determine the
fluffing and pilling tendency on
a textile’s surface.
Part 2: modified Martindale –
Procedure

article 991
Degree of pilling, wovens only
article 992
Degree of pilling, knits only
article 990
(article 991+992)
Degree of pilling,
wovens and knits
An objective evaluation of the pilling tendency of woven cloth and knitted fabric
is a broad requirement of the textile industry.
To evaluate the pilling tendency in accordance with SN EN ISO 12’945-2 a photo
standard can be used. Such photo standards have been developed by the
EMPA in St. Gallen, Switzerland. The complete set consists of 6 series (3 for woven
and 3 for knitted fabrics).
Each photo standard consists of a series of 4 comparable photographs. Each comparable photograph shows the boundary between 2 marks (mark 4 –5, 3– 4, 2–3, 1–2).
The surface condition of each test sample is judged against a photo standard, it can
then be decided if the test sample is better, equal, or worse than the photo standard,
resulting in a pilling mark.
Marking system
Mark 5 = no or very little pilling
Mark 4 = light pilling formation
Mark 3 = moderate pilling formation
Mark 2 = distinct pilling formation
Mark 1 = strong pilling formation
(Half marks are allowed)
Each photograph is fixed to a nonreflecting plastic disc and is protected
by a slightly raised rim.