woman conducting fabric testing

The Role of Fabric Physical Testing in Quality Assurance

By: QIMA Mar 17, 2025

With the wide variety of testing methods available for fabrics, determining which physical tests are necessary for your product and understanding what each test assesses can be challenging.

This article explains the importance of physical testing for fabrics, identifies which fabric products may require testing, and provides insights into key physical testing methods and their purposes. After reading, you'll be able to confidently identify the necessary tests for your textile products, understand the benefits of each test, and ensure compliance with relevant standards to maintain high-quality and safe fabrics.

Why Physical Testing of Fabric Matters

Physical testing procedures are designed to evaluate the mechanical properties and performance characteristics of your fabrics. This translates into several key benefits for your business:

Which Fabric Products Need Physical Testing?

While the specific tests might vary slightly, most fabric products benefit from some level of physical testing. Most physical tests are not legally required, but are critical to ensure compliance with industry standards.

However, some categories require mandatory testing due to stringent safety regulations:

Key Fabric Physical Testing Methods

While there's a vast array of physical testing methods available, some are particularly crucial for textile manufacturers. Here's a breakdown of key physical tests and commonly applicable testing standards.

Tensile Strength

This test measures the maximum force a fabric can withstand before breaking. It directly translates to a fabric's ability to handle everyday stresses without ripping or tearing. Strong tensile strength is essential for garments, luggage, and other textiles that need to endure pulling or weight.

Applicable standards include but are not limited to:

Elongation

Related to tensile strength testing, elongation testing determines how much a fabric stretches under tension before breaking. This property significantly influences garment fit, comfort, and drape. Fabrics with high elongation provide a comfortable stretch and drape well, while those with low elongation offer a more structured fit. Understanding a fabric's elongation allows you to choose materials best suited for your desired garment characteristics.

Applicable standards include ASTM D2256 (commonly used for tensile testing of yarn textiles) and ISO 5079, which focuses on textiles for textiles in apparel. It measures elongation at break and elongation at specified force/stress levels.

Tear Strength

This group of tests evaluates a fabric's resistance to tearing under various forces and directions. It's crucial for a wide range of products, from clothing susceptible to snags to upholstery that might experience rips due to sharp objects. Unlike tensile strength, which focuses on a straight pull, tear strength considers how a fabric resists tearing forces from different angles.

Different ISO standards assess tear strength in specific scenarios, providing a comprehensive picture of a fabric's tear resistance. Applicable standards include but are not limited to:

Seam Strength

This test assesses the strength of seams, a critical factor in garment durability. Weak seams can lead to premature wear and tear, particularly at stress points like pockets or hems. This testing ensures seams can withstand the pulling forces encountered during everyday use.

Applicable standards include but are not limited to:

Colorfastness

This testing type measures a fabric's resistance to fading from different factors. By undergoing these tests, you can ensure your fabrics maintain their intended color over time, minimizing customer dissatisfaction due to fading after washing or cleaning.

Applicable standards include but are not limited to:

Abrasion Resistance

This test evaluates a fabric's ability to withstand wear and tear from friction. It's particularly important for upholstery, carpets, and other high-use fabrics that experience constant rubbing.

Applicable standards include but are not limited to:

Pilling Resistance

Pilling refers to the formation of small balls of fiber on the fabric surface. This test assesses a fabric's resistance to pilling, which can detract from the aesthetics and comfort of garments like sweaters or fleece. This type of physical testing is a key aspect of performance testing.

One common testing method is ISO 12945-2. Similar to the Martindale method described above, this standard outlines a modified Martindale method for determining a textile fabric's propensity for surface fuzzing, pilling, and matting. The test involves rubbing the fabric specimen against a woolen fabric under controlled conditions. The degree of pilling formation is then assessed visually after defined stages of rubbing.

Dimensional Stability

This test measures how much a fabric shrinks or stretches after laundering. Excessive shrinkage can lead to ill-fitting garments, while significant stretching can cause garments to lose their shape. Dimensional stability testing ensures fabrics maintain their intended size after washing, preserving garment fit and quality.

A key standard is ISO 5077. This standard outlines a laundering procedure specifically designed to evaluate fabric shrinkage and stretch. Fabric specimens are measured before and after laundering, and the percentage change in dimension is calculated to determine the fabric's dimensional stability.

These are just some of the most common physical testing methods employed in the textile industry. Other testing standards may be applicable depending on the fabric type, product type, and destination market. Consulting a reputable testing lab can help you determine the right testing regime for your needs.

Partnering for Success: Third-Party Physical Testing of Fabric

As a third-party testing lab well-versed in physical fabric testing standards, QIMA helps you ensure that your textile products meet in-house and regulatory standards of safety and quality. Our comprehensive testing protocols, tailored to your product and target market, allow you to stay ahead of industry and regulatory changes.

Learn more about our textile testing services or contact us today to book a test.

Or, keep reading to learn more about how physical testing plays a role in every part of textile production: Following the Fiber: Physical Testing For Textiles At Every Step


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