Abstract: The generation of fiber fragments (FF) from textiles through friction under daily-life has recently attracted attention due to their contribution to microplastic pollution. In this study, a long-term worn lab coat was examined using SEM to characterize location-specific frictional degradation. Distinct features were observed: fiber fracture and subdivision at corners and folds, surface degradation under surface-to-surface loading, and fiber twisting under multidirectional stresses. To reproduce these features, artificial rubbing tests were conducted using the Gakushin-type rubbing tester and Martindale tester. The Gakushin-type rubbing tester demonstrated the potential to reproduce characteristic degradation features in SEM images by adjusting the counterface and plastic bars. By contrast, the Martindale tester showed relatively low selectivity and versatility in degradation conditions, limiting the range of reproducible targets. These results suggest that frictional reproduction using the Gakushin-type rubbing tester provides a practical approach for evaluating FF generation and may contribute to the development of textile products with reduced environmental impact.
Sakamaki et al. (Thu,) studied this question.