Tag: textured upholstery fabric

Posted on

Upholstery Textiles / Upholstery Textile

Upholstery textiles from KOTHEA offer the very best Martindale / rub test values for contract and residential usage. KOTHEA never compromise on elegance in design throughout their extensive range of collections that encompass many textured upholstery textiles and hard wearing textiles such as mohair velvet and faux leather. Much more textile information can be found about our products and company elsewhere here in The Fabric Blog.

Try searching for particular technical characteristics like ‘Martindale’ or ‘ the specific type of product like ‘Mohair’ or ‘upholstery fabric’ or ‘textured upholstery’ .

Alternatively ask a question by commenting on this page and it will be answered.

Posted on

Upholstery Fabric / Upholstery Fabrics

Upholstery fabrics from KOTHEA offer the very best Martindale / rub test values for contract and residential usage. KOTHEA never compromise on elegance in design throughout their extensive range of collections that encompass many textured upholstery fabrics and hard wearing fabrics such as mohair velvet and faux leather. Much more information can be found about our products and company elsewhere here in The Fabric Blog.

Try searching for particular technical characteristics like ‘Martindale’ or ‘ the specific type of product like ‘Mohair’ or ‘upholstery fabric’ or ‘textured upholstery’ .

Alternatively ask a question by commenting on this page and it will be answered.

Posted on

Martindale Rub Count Thresholds for Hotel and Restaurant Upholstery

For guidance on Martindale rub count thresholds for hotel and restaurant upholstery — including recommended rub counts by room type and how to specify for contract environments — see our complete guide: Hotel Fabric Specification Guide: Martindale, Crib 5, Cleaning and Dye Lots.

For the Martindale rub test explained in full, see our Martindale rub test guide. For Crib 5 fire certification for contract upholstery, see our Crib 5 guide.

Request Samples

Order cutting samples of any fabric from our current collections. Trade accounts only.

Order Cuttings
Posted on

Sheer Fabrics & The Rub Test

Kothea was recently asked: do sheer fabrics have a rub test?

The Martindale rub test is an abrasion test. It mimics the wear a fabric experiences when used on upholstered seating. Any fabric can be put through the test procedure.

Sheer fabrics are used for curtains and blinds, not for upholstery. So the answer is no. A rub test is not relevant to sheer fabrics because they are not used on sofas.

For sheer fabrics and contract curtains the most important performance test is for flame retardancy. If you need guidance on fire rating standards for curtain fabrics, contact Kothea directly.

Posted on

Quirky, New Textured Weave Fabric For Contract & Domestic

KOTHEA Release New Fabric For Interiors

LONDON, England. 06-JULY-2009 11.30 AM: KOTHEA today announced it has expanded its extensive upholstery fabric collection by the addition of KOCAFELATTE. KOCAFELATTE is a somewhat quirky and hard wearing fabric with an unusual, fine patterned design. It is a striking fabric with a high Martindale result, achieved whilst maintaining the highest levels of exclusive design. It is well suited for a range of uses but targeted towards upholstery and cushions in either domestic or contract installations.

KOCAFELATTE
Reference: 02-002-415

Colour Shown: Champagne

Other colourways: 3

Width: 135cm

Repeat: V9 – H9cm

Composition: 100% Viscose

Martindale: 40,000 ‘rubs’

Primary Usage: General upholstery or window treatments, contract & domestic.

Type of fabric: Textured Weave

About KOTHEA.

KOTHEA are a top-market fabric house based in London serving customers throughout all of Europe and The Middle East. Founded in 1999 they have since continued to develop and sell an extensive range of timeless fabrics to the top architects, interior- and yacht-designers for projects ranging from mega-yachts to boutique hotels and from luxury spas to penthouses.

KOTHEA operate on a trade-only basis and their fabrics are available to the public through interior designers and specialist interior design shops such as Gotham, Interiors Bis and Fiona Campbell. KOTHEA also supply beautiful hand-woven linen fabrics and finished goods – throws and table linen.

KOTHEA’s trade customers would perceive their signature fabrics to include several ranges of velvet including the exclusive ‘cashmere silk velvet’, silks, linens, double-width sheers, faux leather and interesting weaves for upholstery often with high Martindale ‘rub tests’ making them highly suited to both contract and residential projects.

Founder and Executive Director, Lisa Parsons started KOTHEA more than 10 years ago after 11 highly successful years with Nobilis Fontan in Chelsea and Donghia in Chelsea Harbour. She says, “At KOTHEA we like to think we bring something a little different to the market. Our difference will be reflected in our customers’ eyes by unusual fabrics that complement our core fabric ranges; all augmented by our excellent levels of customers service, market knowledge and attention to detail.”

# # #

For Further Information

Please visit the company web site at https://www.kothea.com

Trademarks

KOTHEA is a registered trade mark of KOTHEA Limited. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Posted on

Match & Cigarette Tests :: Equivalents in USA

Flammability


The measurement of a fabric’s performance when it is exposed to specific sources of ignition.

Note: Association of Contract Textiles (ACT) guidelines specify different flammability tests dictated by the intended end use for the fabric.

Association of Contract Textiles Guidelines

Upholstery
California Technical Bulletin #117 Section E –
Class 1 (Pass)

Direct Glue Wallcoverings
ASTM E 84-03 (Adhered Mounting Method) –
Class A or Class 1

Wrapped Panels and Upholstered Walls
ASTM E 84-03 (Unadhered Mounting Method) –
Class A or Class 1

Drapery
NFPA 701-89 (Small Scale)* – Pass*NFPA 701-99 Test #1 is being phased in at this time, but is not yet cited in all relevant codes. Therefore, the small-scale test remains the ACT standard until further notice.

QuickTime Movies (click links to play)NFPA 701-99 (Small Scale) California TB #117 Section E

TEST METHODS
California Technical Bulletin #117
Section E* – Class 1 (Pass)
The California TB #117 Section E is a test method of the California Bureau of Home Furnishings and Thermal Insulation. It is a vertical flame test measuring the ease of ignition and the burning rate when a small open flame hits the surface of the test fabric for 1 second. A Class 1 (Pass) rating is assigned if:

1. A 5.0″ section of the fabric is consumed in 3.5 or more seconds (less than 3.5 seconds is a failure). For raised surface fabric, the minimum burn time is increased to 4.0 seconds.

2. The fabric does not ignite.

* For complete technical details about California Bulletin #117 Section E: https://www.bhfti.ca.gov/techbulletin/117.pdf

ASTM E 84-03* Tunnel Test
The ASTM E-84 test is a test method of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Commonly called the Tunnel Test, this test can be performed under two different methods adhered or non adhered where the only difference is in specimen preparation:

Adhered: The fabric is bonded to either a CA board substitute or gypsum board. This is the prescribed method for wall coverings whose actual use will be adhered .

Non adhered: If the fabric is a panel fabric or upholstered walls, it is tested in a frame without being bonded to any other material.

In each instance (adhered and non adhered), the fabric is placed in the ceiling of the test tunnel and subjected at one end to a high intensity flame which spreads over the first 4.5 feet of the 24 foot test specimen.

The distance of flame front progression and total burning time are used to calculate a flame spread index . Smoke monitors are used to calculate a smoke developed value. The flame spread index and smoke developed value are calculated from the results of the test fabric compared to the characteristics of cement board and red oak materials resulting in the indexes.

Typically, the code classes are as follows:

Class A: Flame Spread Index of 25 or less and Smoke Developed value of 450 or less

Class B: Flame Spread Index of 26 to 75 and Smoke Developed value of 450 or less

Class C: Flame Spread Index of 76 to 200 and Smoke Developed value of 450 or less

Caution: The ASTM E 84 test is only valid if the textile or vinyl wall covering is used in a sprinklered occupancy. If not, the Room Corner Test (NFPA 265 for textiles; and NFPA 286 for vinyl) is mandated in many jurisdictions.

* For complete technical details about ASTM E 84-03: https://www.astm.org

NFPA 701-89 (Small Scale)*
The NFPA 701-89 (Small Scale) is a test method of the National Fire Protection Agency. It measures the ignition resistance of a fabric after it is exposed to a flame for 12 seconds. The flame, char length and flaming residue are recorded. The fabric will pass the test if all samples meet the following criteria (if one sample fails the fabric fails):

1) An after flame of less then 2.0 seconds

2) An average char length of less than 6.5″ or an individual specimen of 7.5″.

3) The specimen does not continue to flame after reaching the floor of the test chamber

Note: NFPA 701-99 Test #1 is being phased in at this time, but is not yet cited in all relevant codes. Therefore, the small-scale test remains the ACT standard until further notice.

* For complete technical details about NFPA 701: https://www.nfpa.org

Revised October 2003:

Source: Association For Contract Textiles

Posted on

Martindale vs Wyzenbeek – Rub Test By Abrasion Explained

Both Wyzenbeek and Martindale are abrasion tests, also referred to as rub tests. They are different tests which measure different properties, and success in one does not infer success in the other. Wyzenbeek involves rubbing along the warp and weft of the fabric whereas Martindale uses a figure-of-eight motion. This article gives summary information to assist interior designers in specifying the right levels of abrasion resistance for upholstery.

For a complete guide to the Martindale test including its history, full methodology, rub count classifications, what the test does not measure, and detailed specification guidance, see our comprehensive article: The Martindale Rub Test: A Complete Guide for Interior Designers and Specifiers.

Heavy Duty Usage

For heavy duty upholstery applications, specify a minimum of 30,000 double rubs to the Wyzenbeek method, or 40,000 cycles to the Martindale method.

End use examples where fabric rated at 30,000 Wyzenbeek double rubs is appropriate include single-shift corporate offices, hotel rooms and suites, conference rooms, and dining areas.

More demanding environments may require higher figures. End uses that may require above 30,000 double rubs include 24-hour transportation terminals, 24-hour healthcare emergency rooms, 24-hour casino areas, and high-traffic public gathering spaces such as theatres, stadiums, lecture halls, and fast food restaurants.

Rub counts above 100,000 do not generally provide meaningful additional value in use. Higher abrasion resistance does not necessarily indicate a significant extension of service life.

Test Methods

Wyzenbeek. A sample of the test fabric is pulled tight in a frame and held stationary. Individual specimens cut from the warp and weft directions are rubbed back and forth using an approved fabric as the abradant. The number of double rub cycles achieved before two yarn breaks occur, or noticeable wear is observed, is recorded as the fabric’s abrasion rating.

Martindale. Fabric samples are mounted flat and rubbed in a figure-of-eight motion using a piece of worsted wool cloth as the abradant. The number of cycles the fabric can endure before showing an objectionable change in appearance, such as yarn breaks, pilling, or holes, determines the abrasion rating. Results are recorded in multiples of 5,000 cycles.

Can You Infer One Result from the Other?

No. There is no reliable correlation between Wyzenbeek and Martindale results. It is not possible to estimate the number of cycles a fabric would achieve on one test from the results of the other.

For heavy duty usage, the two equivalent thresholds are 30,000 Wyzenbeek double rubs or 40,000 Martindale cycles. In that sense, for a given level of usage, the Martindale figure is approximately 33% higher than the Wyzenbeek figure. This is a directional guide for specifying purposes only. A fabric scoring 100,000 on one test cannot be assumed to score 133,333 on the other. The result could be higher or lower. The only way to know is to test to both standards independently.

Despite what appears on other websites, including those of well-known fabric houses, you cannot infer a Wyzenbeek score from a Martindale score or vice versa.

For further reading on the Martindale test, including its history, full methodology under BS EN ISO 12947, rub count classification bands, and guidance on what the test does not measure, see: The Martindale Rub Test: A Complete Guide for Interior Designers and Specifiers.

For information on specific collections see mohair velvet upholstery, faux leather upholstery, and upholstery linen.

Request Samples

Order cutting samples of any fabric from our current collections. Trade accounts only.

Order Cuttings
Posted on

What is the martindale rub test?



Most upholstery fabrics undergo the Martindale test to assess their durability and suitability for different applications, from domestic furniture through to heavy contract use. The test is also known as the rub test and measures abrasion resistance. Results are given as a score in thousands of rubs. The higher the score, the more resistant the fabric is to wear.

The video below shows a Martindale machine in operation.

For a complete explanation of how the test works, what the rub count figures mean for different applications, what the test does not measure, and how Martindale compares to the Wyzenbeek standard used in North America, see our full guide: The Martindale Rub Test: A Complete Guide for Interior Designers and Specifiers.

For a direct comparison of the Martindale and Wyzenbeek test methods, see: Martindale vs Wyzenbeek: Rub Test by Abrasion Explained.

Request Samples

Order cutting samples of any fabric from our current collections. Trade accounts only.

Order Cuttings
Posted on

Suitability of Linen Velvet For Upholstery

KOTHEA was asked if linen velvet fabric can be used for upholstery.

A. Yes

Our 100% linen velvet has a Martindale of 20,000 ‘rubs’.  So this is certainly suitable for domestic upholstery and also for light contract. As with all velvets a proper care regime should be in place to prolong the life of the fabric. Also check the Martindale figures of the specific fabric you intend to use as that test result is the most useful indication of suitability for upholstery.

Posted on

The Durability Of Silk Velvet For Upholstery

The durability depends on quite a few things: the tightness of the weave; thickness/strength of the yarn & fabric; back-cloth composition and strength; and so on.

Essentially you need to look at the Martindale or Rub Test result for the specific fabric in question. Two silk velvets can be quite different.

As with all velvets a proper cleaning regime is important to extend the life of the fabric.

One of KOTHEA’s silk velvets has a rub test/Martindale of 25,000. This is more than adequate for general upholstery.