A property of paper referring to the degree to which a paper can maintain its surface and structural integrity under prolonged rubbing, scratching, and scuffing. Abrasion resistance is important not only for packaging papers and paperboard, which must be able to withstand sliding and other abrasive forces encountered in shipping and handling, but also for writing and typing papers, which may need to stand up to an eraser.
Abrasion resistance is measured in a laboratory by rotating a paper sample under abrasive wheels for a set length of time, and then measuring the sample's change in weight. Wet or dry abrasion resistance tests can be performed.
The term abrasion resistance also refers to a printing ink's ability to resist scuffing and scratching with increased handling, an important consideration in the printing of packaging and other materials destined to be subjected to abrasive forces.