What does the term "abrasion resistance" test in textiles?

Abrasion resistance in textiles refers to the fabric's ability to withstand wear and tear caused by friction or rubbing. This characteristic is crucial for determining how well a material will hold up under repeated use, particularly in applications where fabric may encounter rough surfaces or be subjected to movement, such as in clothing, upholstery, and outdoor gear. A fabric with high abrasion resistance will demonstrate minimal loss of strength, surface degradation, or pilling when subjected to abrasive forces, thus ensuring its durability and longevity.

The other options relate to different properties of fabric: color retention deals with how well a fabric maintains its dye over time, water absorption capacity focuses on how much water a fabric can take in without compromising its integrity, and weight distribution pertains to how evenly the weight of the fabric is spread out, which is more relevant to its drape and handling rather than its durability against wear. Each of these aspects is significant in its own context, but they do not address the specific resilience tested by abrasion resistance.