Do I need the assessment mask as specified in ISO 12947-2?

ISO 12947-2 Textiles – Determination of the abrasion resistance of fabrics by the Martindale method, Part 2: Determination of specimen breakdown, specifies the procedure for determining the breakdown, or end point of a fabric under test.

Woven, knitted, raised or pile fabrics are typically assessed for broken threads using a magnifying glass.

Flocked fabrics (also pile fabrics) are assessed by identifying a fully worn off area. This is specified as an area at least ¾ of the exposed surface which is denuded of pile or flock so that the ground fabric is exposed.

A partially worn off area is specified as visual loss of pile or flock in discrete locations, so that no pile is visible and the ground fabric is exposed when viewed through the template.

The end point of nonwoven fabric is reached by the identification of a hole in the fabric. A hole is specified as having a diameter of at least 2.5mm and the surface layer is worn away so that a layer with a different appearance or a backing fabric is visible through a template.

Template/mask

‘A mask made of a rigid transparent material with a hole of diameter (2.5 ±0.1 mm) through which the test specimen can be viewed (to get an approximately viewing area of 4.9mm2).’