The ICI / Mace Snag Tester simulates fabric snagging during regular use. The process begins with sample preparation, where a piece of fabric is cut to a specific size and placed on a rotating drum inside the tester. A hammer, attached to the machine by a chain, is then positioned to rest on the fabric sample surface.

As the drum rotates at a constant speed, the hammer drags along the fabric. Due to its suspension by a chain, the hammer flips and bounces unpredictably, emulating the random snagging conditions fabrics encounter every day. This action causes the hammer to catch on the fabric’s fibers, creating snags or pulls by pulling threads out of the material.

The drum continues to rotate for a predetermined number of cycles so that the entire fabric surface is exposed to snagging action. After the test duration is complete, the fabric is removed, and the number and severity of snags are assessed by comparing the tested fabric to standard reference fabrics that display different levels of snagging. The fabric is then given a snagging rating based on how it compares to these standards, providing a clear indication of how likely it is to snag during normal wear. This process allows manufacturers to evaluate and select fabrics that offer better resistance to snagging.

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