What is BS 4655 – Pile upholstery fabrics about?

BS 4655 is an international standard that focuses on the determination of pile loss of cut-pile and non-loop pile upholstery fabrics.

BS 4655 describes a method of determining the tendency of all types of cut-pile or non-loop pile upholstery fabrics to lose pile by abrasion against underlying fillings to the extent whereby the loss of pile is visually significant when the surface of the fabric is viewed.

BS 4655 is primarily intended for plain velvets or patterned velvets containing a pile of uniform height.

Who is BS 4655 - Pile upholstery fabrics for?

BS 4655 on the determination of pile loss of cut-pile and non-loop pile upholstery fabrics is useful for:

Textile manufacturer
Clothing industries
Textile testing laboratories
Regulatory authorities
Quality control personnel

Why should you use BS 4655 - Pile upholstery fabrics?

Fabrics made from both natural and manufactured fibres have been extensively used for clothing, decoration, and industrial applications. The physical and mechanical properties of these fabrics are affected by the fibre type, yarn construction, and fabric structure, as well as any treatment that may have been applied to the materials.

BS 4655 informs that the reverse side of a fabric specimen is rubbed, with a reciprocating motion by a reference abradant fabric, under controlled conditions, after which the effect on the face of the fabric, in terms of pile tufts or fibre removed, is visually assessed against a grading scale.

The objective of BS 4655 is to specify a method of determination to pile loss of cut-pile and non-loop pile upholstery fabrics.

BS 4655 has been designed to indicate large losses in mass due to pile removal known to occur in some upholstery fabrics in use, was based on an abrasion machine specified.

BS 4655 also informs that the test report shall include the following particulars:

The date of the test
The pile loss rating for each specimen tested
If, in the case of patterned velvet, the loss of pile is restricted to, or more noticeable on, specific areas of the pattern

BS 4655:1986

Method for determination of pile loss of cut-pile and non-loop pile upholstery fabrics

Current, Under Review

Published:

29 Aug 1986