Recent research into the formation, growth, and wear-off of pills is summarized. A sequential staining process is described allowing the identification of the pull-out/ roll-up mechanism of pill growth. A number of common pilling situations are considered with reference to five pilling rate differentials; if pill formation, pull-out, and roll-up continue at a high rate, the process of pill growth can remove sufficient fiber from a localized area to precipitate yam breakdown and fabric failure.
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