Pilling: Pilling is a condition that arises in wear due to the formation of little 'pills' of entangled fibre clinging to the

fabric surface giving it an unsightly appearance. Pills are formed by a rubbing action on loose fibres which are present on the fabric surface.

The I.C.I. pilling box test:

Sample dimension: 5"5"

The sample is sewn so as to be a firm fit when placed round a rubber tube 6 in. long, 1.25 in. outside diameter, and 1/8 in. thick. The cut ends of the fabric are covered by cellophane tape and four tubes are placed in a box (9 in. X 9 in. X 9 in.) lined with cork 1/8 in. thick, which is then rotated at 60 rev./ min for 5 hours. The extent of pilling is assessed visually by comparison with the arbitrary standards 1, 2, and 3. Under test condition, fabrics of standard 1 become hairy but do not pill, fabrics of standard 2 become hairy and pill slightly, while fabrics of standard 3 become hairy and pill more severely.