Theory 167/Textile wear/Threshold lens
Pilling Needs a Fibre Threshold
The claim
Pilling occurs above a threshold in the ratio of loose fibre to anchorage, so a tight weave resists pilling despite weak fibres.
01Mechanism
Pills form when fibres migrate to the surface and entangle but are not pulled away; the ratio determines whether they anchor.
02Prediction
Pilling should track the ratio.
03Refutation
Pilling tracking fibre strength would remove weave structure.