Tearing is a common mode of failure for textile materials. The two types of tear tests conducted are the trouser or tongue tear test and then trapezoidal tear test. Both tests are used to determine the force required to propagate a tear that has already been created in the material. The difference between the two tests is in the method of tear propagation. The trouser tear test clamps the fabric on each side of the tear, perpendicular to the tear line, and pulls in a ripping motion. The trapezoidal tear test clamps opposite sides of the fabric so that the non-clamped edges of the fabric forms a trapezoid with the grip faces. This set up is then pulled perpendicular to the tear line, with the force acting in the plane of the fabric. Textile tear tests are largely motivated by quality control needs and ASTM and ISO standards. Popular tear test methods for textile materials are ASTM D2261 for tongue tear of textile fabrics, ASTM D5735 for tongue tear of non-woven fabrics, ASTM D4533 for trapezoidal tear of geotextiles, ASTM D5587 for trapezoidal tear of textile fabrics, and ASTM D5733 for trapezoidal tear of non-woven textiles. Textile tear tests are conducted using tabletop constant rate of extension tensile test machines. The nature of the force applied to the fabric sample as it tears requires high resolution load cells and data acquisition software to fully capture the load profile and accurately assess the test data. The machine and grip families below are configurable to meet industry, ASTM, and ISO standards for tear tests of textile fabrics.
Applicable Testing Standards
- ASTM D1424 Tearing Strength of Fabrics by Falling-Pendulum (Elmendorf-Type) Apparatus
- ASTM D2261 Fabric Tear Strength Tongue Testing Equipment
- ASTM D4533 Trapezoid Tearing Strength of Geotextiles
- ASTM D5587 Tearing Strength of Fabrics by Trapezoid Procedure
- ASTM D5733 Trapezoidal Tear of Nonwoven Fabrics
- ASTM D5735 Tear Test of Nonwoven Fabrics by the Tongue Procedure
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