Textile Term: Pill Resistant
Pill resistant is a term used to describe the ability of a fabric to resist the formation of pills. This quality of textile fabrics helps them retain their appearance and texture even after repeated use and washing.
Pilling happens when fibers in a fabric loosen and gather on the surface, creating unsightly balls or clusters. This problem is common in both natural fibers like wool, cotton, and silk and synthetic fibers like polyester.
To produce fabrics that are pill-resistant, manufacturers utilize various techniques during the production process, such as blending fibers with distinct properties, altering the knit or weave structure, and utilizing chemical treatments. Fabrics with high-quality fibers that are tightly woven or knitted are less prone to pilling than those with low-quality fibers or looser weaves.
To make fabrics pill-resistant, a number of treatments are employed, including singeing, mercerization, and anti-pilling finishes. Singeing involves burning away any loose fibers on the fabric's surface, while mercerization enhances the strength and shine of the fibers. Anti-pilling finishes are chemical treatments that form a protective coating around the fibers to prevent them from rubbing together and creating pills.
Pill resistance is a significant quality for textiles used in clothing and home furnishings, as it helps them maintain their fresh appearance and texture over time, despite repeated washings and uses.
