The tear resistance of nonwovens may be determined using the test method specified in ISO 9073-4. The test provides information on the fabrics ability to resist a continuous tear from sharp objects such as nails or screws. The trapezoid specimen shape method is used and requires the specimen to be cut in the shape of an isosceles trapezoid and then have a small cut made on one side of the specimen. This specimen is then supported as defined in the standard by clamping of the non-parallel sides of the trapezoid in the jaws of a tensile testing machine. The application is to pull at a continuous increasing extension the test piece in such a way that a tear propagates across the specimen width as the jaws move apart. The result determination is the average maximum tear resistance in Newton’s.