The purpose of this research was to investigate and compare the effects of different abrasion treatments on the liquid-fabric interaction of selected nonwoven barrier fabrics. The abrasion treatments included moderate and severe abrasion, flat and flat/flex abrasion, and dry and wet abrasion. The liquid-fabric interactions included wetting/wicking, retention, and penetration through nonwoven fabrics using water/surfactant solution. Results of this study indicated that abrasion treatments increased the wetting/wicking rate of fabrics. The flat/flex abrasion caused a greater increase in the wetting/wicking rate of fabrics than the flat abrasion. Abrasion treatments also increased liquid penetration. The flat abrasion increased liquid penetration more than flat/flex abrasion. On increasing abrasion severity, there was a significant increase in liquid penetration. There was no consistent effect on liquid retention. It was highly influenced by fabric types. Wet abrasion did not differ significantly from dry abrasion in its effects on liquid/fabric interaction. Six nonwoven fabrics used in this study included a hydroentangled cotton fabric with a fluorochemical finish (HCF), a hydroentangled cotton fabric laminated with a microporous film (HCE), a spunbonded polypropylene with microporous film (PSM), a four layer laminated nonwoven including spunbonded polypropylene, microporous film, hydroentangled cotton layer, and spunbonded polypropylene (PECP), a spun-bonded, melt-blown, spun-bonded polypropylene (SMS), and standard Tyvek®. Among the six fabrics, the cotton fabrics with a fluorochemical finish (HCF) and the cotton fabric with a microporous film (HCE) showed an excellent potential as protective material, since they provided high liquid resistance before and after abrasion. However, there was no consistent trend for microporous film fabrics or for cotton containing fabrics to provide a good liquid protection. In general, it was concluded that abrasion significantly decreased liquid protection of protective fabrics. / Master of Science