When we are working with clients here at Century Upholstery the durability of a fabric is almost always an important requirement for their project. This is why it is helpful to be aware of a fabric’s Wyzenbeek rating number. In North America, the Wyzenbeek Test (ASTM D4157) is regarded as the standard for measuring the abrasion resistance of fabric. This rating will be listed on the fabric’s label, along with the fiber content, cleaning code, and other pertinent information.

This test is named after Andrew Wyzenbeek who was an inventor, and in the early 20th century developed a technique to test the strength of fabrics. He built a device that rates the number of double rubs a piece of fabric can resist before tearing. Today’s Wyzenbeek test uses a machine with cotton duck fabric as the abrading material and rubs it back and forth across the test fabric. Each pass back and forth is called a “double rub”. Operators run the test until there is noticeable wear in the area being rubbed.

With this Wyzenbeek method, a Heavy Duty rating begins at 30,000 double rubs and can go up to 100,000+. Therefore, the higher the number the better the rating. For textiles that receive constant use in commercial settings, such as airports, restaurants, and theater seats, a rating of 100,000 or more is most desirable. For residential purposes, 3,000 double rubs are estimated to be equivalent to one year’s use. So, a fabric that has a rating of 100,000 should be expected to last over 30 years in a residential setting.

At Century Upholstery our professional staff is here to assist you with choosing the upholstery fabric that will suit your specific needs, both aesthetically and practically. We appreciate the opportunity to work with you on your upholstery project.