Abrasion ASTM D3884 is a method to determine textile fabric abrasion resistance by using rotary platform, double-head tester(RPDH).

Abrasion test is also used to evaluate abrasion resistance of coated fabrics, artificial shoe uppers/linings, leather, organic coatings, rubber and other materials with a thickness of less than 5mm. Wear resistance cannot indicate the practicability of materials in practical applications, but the judgment of fabric practicability can be evaluated by combining wear resistance tests with actual end use. Wear resistance can at least provide a reference for fabric practicability.

We mainly focus on textile fabric abrasion resistance test (dry abrasion) – abrasion ASTM D3884. This method is conducted by abrasion tester which would rub sample under specific pressure and load on the rotary platform with abrasive wheel.

The sample to be tested is fixed on a platform, the platform rotates, and the sample rotates and rubs against the two abrasion wheels. One wheel rubs the outer surface of the sample outward toward the circumference, and the other rubs the inner surface of the sample inward toward the center of the circle. The final friction trajectory travels a cross arc with an area of about 30cm2.

ASTM D3884 Test Procedure

Step 1: sample preparation:

5 test samples, if you need to evaluate the color change, you need to cut out 5 samples as a comparison sample, the diameter of the sample is 105±2, and there is a 6mm diameter hole in the middle. Pay attention to ensure that the sample has no wrinkles, creases or wrinkles, and avoid oil, water, and grease during operation.

Step 2: Taber abraser Requirements

Rotating platform diameter (107±2) mm, tightening ring inner diameter (100±2) mm, load selection: 250g, 500g, 1000g, vacuum suction system, speed: (60±2) r/min or (72±2) r/min )

Step 3: Abrasive wheel pretreatment

For the pretreatment of the abrasive wheel, the new wheel needs to be pre-ground 100 cycles with sandpaper (S-11) (Each resurfacting disc is good for one 25 or 50 cycles resurfacing ooperation, after which it must be discarded.)

Step 4: Abrasion Wheel Cleaning

For abrasion wheel cleaning, when the test cycle is more than 1000 cycles, it is necessary to use sandpaper (S-11) to pre-grind 50 cycles to clean the taber abrasion wheel. If the test cycle is less than 1000 cycles, it is suitable to rub the s-11 for 25 cycles.

Step 5:How to choose the abrasion wheel

Choose a abrasion wheel suitable for the sample material, or use a suitable abrasion wheel as specified by the parties concerned. Below is a abrasion wheel table from ASTM D3884.

Install the resurfacing disc (S-11) evenly on the rotating platform, make sure the surface is flat and without wrinkles, tighten the middle nut, and gently tighten the clamping ring to secure the s-11 disc. Put down the grinding wheel carefully. Put the vacuum nozzle down, 7±1mm away from the surface of the disc. Start the vacuum system first, then zero the equipment operating cycle, start the taber martindale abrasion tester to the specified operating cycle (25 or 50 times) and then stop, complete the refurbishment of the abrasion wheel.

Test environment, test in the environment of temperature (21 ± 1) ℃, humidity (65 ± 5)%, or (23 ± 2) ℃, humidity (50 ± 2)%.

Step 6: install the test specimen

Place the sample on the rubber pad of the platform with the test side up. Gently secure the clamping ring and knurled nut to lock in place and apply tension when the fabric is secured to the platform. Then tighten the clamping ring and nut to avoid creasing the fabric when tightening.

If the sample is thin and fixed on the rubber pad, wrinkles may occur during the test. You can stick the sample on the sample mounting card. Before installing the sample, clean the back of the sample and the marked surface of the mounting card with a brush. Make sure that the specimen and the specimen installation card are flat and without wrinkles on the platform. It is important that the sample is flat and free of wrinkles.