Abrasion Testing: Wyzenbeek & Martindale Compared

Summary: Wyzenbeek (ASTM D4157) and Martindale (EN 14465) are abrasion tests for upholstery that assess a fabric’s resistance to wear, not its overall durability. Martindale uses a figure-8 motion and is common outside North America, with typical thresholds from 15.000 rubs for light domestic to 40.000+ for severe contract use. Wyzenbeek rubs along the warp and weft and reports double rubs, with residential and contract categories ranging roughly from 3.000 to 30.000+.

What are the Wyzenbeek (ASTM D4157) and Martindale (EN 14465) abrasion tests?

Both Wyzenbeek and Martindale are abrasion textiles tests that measure how well a fabric can handle use without showing any wear and tear.

Key facts:

• These tests assess how well upholstery material can hold up under continued friction, or 'abrasion'.
• They only measure abrasion resistance, not overall durability.
• Additional tests may be required to evaluate a fabric's full durability.

Although the two tests have similar outcomes (a good score means that your finished product will last longer!), just because your fabric sample performs well in one test doesn't mean it'll perform equally well in the other.

So what's the difference? Do you need them both?

The differences and similarities of the Martindale and Wyzenbeek abrasion tests

The difference here is the way they treat the upholstery fabric once it's in the testing chamber. Plus, the Wyzenbeek abrasion test is generally used in North America, and the Martindale test is used elsewhere around the globe.

How the tests work:

The Wyzenbeek test rubs along the warp and weft of a fabric whereas the Martindale method involves rubbing in a figure-8 pattern. The fabric sample is assessed at certain intervals to identify yarn breakages and different signs of damage, such as loss of pile or upholstery pilling.

Let's take a deeper look at both tests.

The Martindale test for fabric rub counts

As we said, the Martindale test is an oscillating test. Fabrics samples are laid flat in the Martindale machine and are rubbed in a figure eight like motion, like so:

The test is completed when the fabric sample reaches a specified number of broken threads or when the appearance of the fabric has substantially changed (see full classification figures below).

Wyzenbeek abrasion testing: introducing double rubs

During the Wyzenbeek textiles test, the sample fabric is clamped tight in a frame that keeps it still. Pieces of the fabric are cut in the warp and weft directions and then rubbed on a cylinder that's covered either in a wire screen or a cotton fabric, like so:

The test is completed when 2 yarns are broken or when the appearance of the fabric has substantially changed (see full classification figures below).

What Are 'Double Rubs'?

1 double rub = one full back-and-forth motion of a testing device rubbing against the upholstery fabric.

1. Forward movement → 1 rub (Sitting on a couch = friction)
2. Backward movement → 1 rub (Sliding across it daily = repeated friction)

Together = 1 double rub. The number of cycles it survives = its double rub rating.

⚠️ Remember ⚠️

Double rubs measure abrasion resistance only, not:

1. stain resistance
2. softness
3. overall quality

This means then that a fabric with 100,000 double rubs isn’t automatically “better”— it's just more resistant to wear.

That's a wrap on rubs

To sum up, understanding the Wyzenbeek and Martindale abrasion tests is fairly crucial for anyone involved in fabric selection.

⚠️ Remember ⚠️

The durability of a fabric is not solely determined by its rub or double-rub counts; designers, architects, and consumers have to factor in additional attributes such as stain resistance and overall quality.

As we move into the Q&A section, let's address common questions about these tests to further clarify their implications and help you navigate your fabric choices.

Q&A: Martindale, Wyzenbeek and Abrasion Testing

Question: Do you need to test with both Wyzenbeek and Martinedale methods?

✅ Short answer: The bottom line is that having results for both tests makes a fabric far easier to trust in different markets, and specify internationally.

You should use both especially if you sell internationally.

You want to:

1. Remove buyer confusion
2. Avoid spec friction with architects/designers
3. Increase trust in technical performance

👉 Many specifiers literally expect to see their system. If it’s missing, they hesitate.

Question: What are the Wyzenbeek (ASTM D4157) and Martindale (EN 14465) abrasion tests?

✅ Short answer: They're two different textiles tests that demonstrate essentially the same sort of information: both of them show how well a fabric stands up to friction. So how are they different?

• Wyzenbeek, used mainly in North America
  • Rubs specimens cut in the warp and weft directions against an abradant (wire screen for residential or cotton duck for contract) and reports “double rubs.”

• Martindale, common outside North America.
  • Rubs a flat specimen in a figure-8 (oscillating) motion and counts “rubs."

👉 A high result indicates better wear performance, but more tests are needed to judge total durability for a specific application.

Question: What rub or double-rub classification figures should I look for in residential versus contract upholstery?

✅ Short answer: Use the published thresholds as guidance:

1. Martindale (rubs):
   1. Light domestic 15.000
   2. General domestic 20.000
   3. Severe domestic 30.000
   4. Severe contract 40.000+.
2. Wyzenbeek (double rubs):
   1. Wire Screen (residential): Light Duty 3.000; Medium 9.000; Heavy 15.000.
   2. Cotton Duck (contract): Unrated <15.000; General Contract 15.000; Heavy Duty 30.000.

Question: What are “double rubs,” and how do they relate to everyday use?

✅ Short answer: In Wyzenbeek, one back-and-forth motion equals one double rub.

• It’s a practical proxy for routine use (like sitting and shifting on upholstery).
• Higher double-rub counts generally indicate a fabric can tolerate more use before visible wear, but always align the choice to the specific job and environment.

Question: Can I compare or convert Wyzenbeek and Martindale results?

✅ Short answer: No.

Each method stresses fabrics differently (warp/weft linear strokes versus figure-8 oscillation, different abradants), so results aren’t directly comparable or convertible.

Treat them as guidance, use the method specified in your region or project requirements, and combine the results with application needs and professional judgment when selecting a fabric.