Also Known as Trafficking as the reference implies this is
where the surface pile crushes down in areas of concentrated use. i.e. down the centre
walkway of a corridor.
Crushing is when the face yarn fail to maintain its retention while
Matting is when the fibres fuzz and entangle so that the yarn appears as
one. This is usually found on areas where walking from smooth vinyl flooring
onto carpet, the carpet is absorbing the dirt and grease as if it were a
door mat. It also occurs after poor cleaning has taken place and soap
residue is left in the carpet.
The degree of the flattening is dependant usually on the density of the tufts of pile.
The quality of yarn and quality of the underlay.
Your face yarn is an important issue in
determining why your yarn is crushing. Also, is there is a warranty covering
your problem but for it to be covered, an installation that meets British
Standards Institute standards will be necessary.
The tighter and closer the pile, the less the flattening and the
appearance is retained as one tuft holds up the next.
The tighter and closer the pile will usually generate a higher
price because the quality will be greater.
When looking at flattening and trafficking complaints certain factors
require to be considered.
- Is the material specification correct for
the installation?
- Is the correct type of vacuum cleaner
being used? (See Vacuum cleaners)
- Is the correct cleaning and maintenance
procedures taking place? (See Cleaning)
- Is there a soil attracting residue in the
carpet left during the manufacturing process?
- Has the underlay been under specified?
Pile flattening / trafficking which result
in carpet shade changes do not constitute as a form of complaint UNLESS
the carpet specification is incorrect and the carpet is unfit for the
purpose to which it is intended to be used. This may be a complaint directed
to the place of purchase rather than the manufacturers.
If your carpet meets minimum installation standards, then if there is
still an argument Laboratory testing will normally be required for a
manufacturer to honor a warranty.
 |
The following is an
example of some of the performance tests offered: |
| Dupont pilling & fuzzing
(TRL-609 severe random tumble) |
| Accelerated soiling (AATCC 123) |
|
Roll chair testing
|
| Tetrapod walker (ASTM
D-5251) |
|
The picture and reference in this frame is
being used with permission from:
|
| INDEPENDENT
TESTING LABORATORIES. |
| Stain resistance |
| P.O.
Box 1948 |
| Moisture Impact
Penetration |
| Dalton,
Georgia 30722-1948 |
| Hexapod Testing (ASTM
D-5252) |
|
| Foot Traffic Testing
(CRI TM-100/ASTM Draft |
Corn Bowing
Description
At times, your carpet or rug seems to have well defined areas or rows of
tufts that appear to have fallen with their tips embedded in the carpet
pile.
Cause
The problem of "corn bowing" happens when the overall density of
pile yarns is not adequate, vis-à-vis the height and the thickness of the
yarn, to support them. Specially, softer, more pliable yarns may do not
have the elasticity to spring back up. This problem is not caused by the
cleaning process, though it may become more obvious just after cleaning.
Description
Vacuuming and raking the pile yarn perpendicular to the traffic pattern
helps to correct corn bowing of a moderate degree. But it may not treat
acute problems of this nature.
