ISO 12945-3-2020 PDF

Full title and description

Textiles — Determination of fabric propensity to surface pilling, fuzzing or matting — Part 3: Random tumble pilling method. This International Standard specifies a laboratory test method using a random-tumble pilling tester to assess resistance of woven and knitted fabrics (including napped fabrics) to pilling, fuzzing and matting under defined conditions.

Abstract

This document specifies the random tumble pilling method for determining the propensity of textile fabrics to surface pilling, fuzzing or matting. The method is applicable to most woven and knitted fabrics and to napped constructions, and is not suitable for fabrics that cannot tumble freely. It defines apparatus, specimen preparation, test procedure and reporting requirements.

General information

• Status: Published
• Publication date: October 2020 (Edition 2, published 2020‑10).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
• ICS / categories: 59.080.01 (Textiles in general)
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2020)
• Number of pages: 12 (ISO edition) — national/adopted publications may include additional front matter.

Core bibliographic and lifecycle information is taken from the ISO record and recognized national/adopted versions.

Scope

The standard defines a laboratory test procedure using a random tumble pilling tester to determine the resistance of textile fabrics to pilling, fuzzing and matting. It applies to most woven and knitted fabrics, including napped fabrics (for example fleeces and inlay fabrics). The method is not applicable to textile constructions that cannot tumble freely or where the sample geometry prevents the tumbling action required by the tester. Test conditions, specimen size, number of specimens and assessment intervals are specified so results are reproducible between laboratories.

Key topics and requirements

• Apparatus: requirements for the random tumble pilling tester (cylindrical chamber, abrasive media, rotation and impact conditions).
• Specimen preparation: conditioning, specimen cutting, labelling and number of specimens per test.
• Test procedure: loading specimens and abrasive media, tumble cycles or time, environmental conditions during testing.
• Evaluation: assessment intervals, visual assessment scales (often used in conjunction with ISO 12945‑4 for visual grading), rating methods and reporting of results.
• Limitations: not applicable to fabrics that do not tumble freely; notes on interpretation for heavily napped or specialty constructions.

These requirements and topics are summarized from the ISO standard text and official national/adopted versions.

Typical use and users

Used by textile test laboratories, quality control teams in textile and apparel manufacturing, product development engineers and materials researchers to quantify fabric propensity to pilling and surface change. Typical applications include comparison of fabric constructions, evaluation of finishing treatments, verification for product specifications and conformance testing for buyer/supplier agreements. Laboratories often pair results from the random tumble test with visual assessment methods (e.g., ISO 12945‑4).

Related standards

ISO 12945 is a multipart series. Closely related documents include ISO 12945‑1 and ISO 12945‑2 (other pilling test methods) and ISO 12945‑4 (visual assessment of pilling, fuzzing and matting). Regional and national adoptions exist as EN ISO / BS EN / NEN / NF EN variants. Users commonly reference multiple parts of ISO 12945 when specifying a pilling test program.

Keywords

pilling; fuzzing; matting; random tumble; pilling tester; textiles; woven fabrics; knitted fabrics; napped fabrics; test method; ISO 12945‑3.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 12945‑3:2020 is an International Standard that specifies the random tumble pilling method for determining the propensity of textile fabrics to surface pilling, fuzzing or matting.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers apparatus requirements, specimen preparation, the tumble test procedure, assessment intervals and reporting formats for the random tumble pilling test. It is intended for most woven and knitted fabrics, including napped constructions, and excludes fabrics that cannot tumble freely.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Textile test laboratories, QC and R&D teams in textile and apparel manufacturing, material scientists and specification writers who need a standardized method to assess and compare pilling performance.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 12945‑3:2020 (Edition 2) is the current ISO edition published in October 2020; it replaced the 2014 edition and is subject to ISO periodic review. National/adopted versions (EN/BS/NF/etc.) may show different publication metadata but reflect the same international text.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 12945 is a multipart series addressing pilling and related surface change. Part 3 is the random tumble method; other parts describe alternative test methods and visual assessment (for example, ISO 12945‑4 for visual grading).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Pilling, fuzzing, matting, random tumble, pilling tester, textile test, woven, knitted, napped.