Crease Recovery and Wrinkle Resistance Testing

Crease recovery testing (ISO 2313, AATCC 66) measures the ability of a fabric to return to its original flat form after being folded and compressed — the functional property addressed by easy-care and wrinkle-resistant fabric finishing for cotton and viscose garments. ISO 2313 procedure: 40 mm × 15 mm specimen folded along its 15 mm dimension, placed under 500 g weight for 60 ±5 seconds in standard atmosphere (20°C, 65% RH), then transferred to recovery measuring device where free end is held vertically and recovery angle measured after 5 minutes (ISO 2313 5-minute method) or 30 seconds (BS rapid recovery). Crease recovery angle (CRA): pure cotton ring-spun woven (unfinished) 90–130° warp, 80–120° weft (low recovery — wrinkles easily); resin-finished cotton (DMDHEU, 5–8% owf): 140–170° warp + weft (improved but reduced tensile 20–30%); polyester-cotton 65/35 blend: 135–160° (polyester elastic recovery improves blend CRA by 25–40%); 100% polyester: 170–190° (near-perfect recovery). Combined CRA (warp + weft total, 280–360° scale): specification for easy-care shirts ≥ 280° (EN ISO 2313); machine washable wool suiting ≥ 260°. AATCC 66 (Wrinkle Recovery Tester, fold under 2.27 kg weight, measure angle): widely used in North America — AATCC 66 results approximately 10–15° lower than ISO 2313 for equivalent fabrics due to different recovery time and load. 3D wrinkle appearance rating (AATCC 124, ISO 7768 — fabric after ISO 6330 machine wash, rated 1–5 against AATCC photographic standards under D65 illuminant): easy care minimum grade 3.5 for cotton shirting; durable press minimum grade 3.5 after 5 home launderings for label compliance.