Designation: D 2261 – 07

Standard Test Method for

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Tearing Strength of Fabrics by the Tongue (Single Rip)

Procedure (Constant-Rate-of-Extension Tensile Testing
Machine)1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 2261; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents

1.1 This test method covers the measurement of the tearing 2.1 ASTM Standards: 2
strength of textile fabrics by the tongue (single rip) procedure D 76 Specification for Tensile Testing Machines for Textiles
using a recording constant-rate-of-extension-type (CRE) ten- D 123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
sile testing machine. D 629 Test Methods for Quantitative Analysis of Textiles
1.1.1 The CRE-type tensile testing machine has become the D 1776 Practice for Conditioning and Testing Textiles
preferred test apparatus for determining tongue tearing D 2904 Practice for Interlaboratory Testing of a Textile Test
strength. It is recognized that some constant-rate-of-traverse- Method that Produces Normally Distributed Data
type (CRT) tensile testing machines continue to be used. As a D 2906 Practice for Statements on Precision and Bias for
consequence, these test instruments may be used when agreed Textiles
upon between the purchaser and the supplier. The conditions D 4848 Terminology of Force, Deformation and Related
for use of the CRT-type tensile tester are included in Appendix Properties of Textiles
X1. D 4850 Terminology Relating to Fabric
1.2 This test method applies to most fabrics including
woven fabrics, air bag fabrics, blankets, napped fabrics, knit 3. Terminology
fabrics, layered fabrics, pile fabrics. The fabrics may be 3.1 For all terminology relating to D13.60, Fabric Test
untreated, heavily sized, coated, resin-treated, or otherwise Methods, Specific, refer to Terminology D 4850.
treated. Instructions are provided for testing specimens with or 3.2 For all terminology related to Force, Deformation and
without wetting. Related Properties of Textiles, refer to Terminology D 4848.
1.3 Tear strength, as measured in this test method, requires 3.2.1 The following terms are relevant to this standard:
that the tear be initiated before testing. The reported value cross-machine direction, CD, fabric, machine direction, MD,
obtained is not directly related to the force required to initiate peak force, in tear testing of fabrics, tearing force, in fabric,
or start a tear. tearing strength, in fabric.
1.4 Two calculations for tongue tearing strength are pro- 3.3 For all other terminology related to textiles, refer to
vided: the single-peak force and the average of five highest Terminology D 123.
peak forces.
1.5 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units 4. Summary of Test Method
are to be regarded as the standard. The inch-pound units may 4.1 A rectangular specimen, cut in the center of a short edge
be approximate. to form a two-tongued (trouser shaped) specimen, in which one
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the tongue of the specimen is gripped in the upper jaw and the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the other tongue is gripped in the lower jaw of a tensile testing
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- machine. The separation of the jaws is continuously increased
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- to apply a force to propagate the tear. At the same time, the
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. force developed is recorded. The force to continue the tear is
calculated from autographic chart recorders or microprocessor
data collection systems.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D13 on Textiles
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D13.60 on Fabric Test Methods,
2
Specific. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved July 1, 2007. Published August 2007. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1964. Discontinued November 1995 and reinstated as D 2261–95. Last Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
previous edition approved in 2002 as D 2261–96(2002). the ASTM website.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 D 2261 – 07
5. Significance and Use 6. Apparatus
5.1 This test method is considered satisfactory for accep- 6.1 Tensile Testing Machine3, of the CRE-type conforming
tance testing of commercial shipments since current estimates to the requirements of Specification D 76 with autographic
of between-laboratory precision are acceptable, and the test recorder, or automatic microprocessor data gathering system.
method is used extensively in the trade for acceptance testing. 6.2 Clamps, having all jaw surfaces parallel, flat, and
5.1.1 In case of a dispute arising from differences in capable of preventing slipping of the specimen during a test,
and measuring at least 25 by 75 mm (1 by 3 in.) with the longer
reported test results when using this test method for acceptance
dimension perpendicular to the direction of application of the
testing of commercial shipments, the purchaser and the sup-
force.
plier should conduct comparative tests to determine if there is
6.2.1 The use of hydraulic pneumatic clamping systems
a statistical bias between their laboratories. Competent statis-
with a minimum of 50 by 75-mm (2 by 3-in.) serrated or rubber
tical assistance is recommended for the investigation of bias.
jaw faces having a clamping force at the grip faces of 13 to 14
As a minimum, the two parties should take a group of test
kN (2900 to 3111 lbf) is recommended. Manual clamping is
specimens that are as homogeneous as possible and that are
permitted providing no slippage of the specimen is observed.
from a lot of fabric of the type in question. Test specimens then 6.2.2 For some materials, to prevent slippage when using
should be randomly assigned in equal numbers to each jaw faces other than serrated, such as rubber-faced jaws, the
laboratory for testing. The average results from the two jaw faces may be covered with a No. 80 to 120 medium-grit
laboratories should be compared using the appropriate statis- emery cloth. Secure the emery cloth to the jaw faces with
tical analysis and an acceptable probability level chosen by the pressure-sensitive tape.

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two parties before testing is begun. If a bias is found, either its 6.3 Cutting Die or Template, having essentially the shape
cause must be found and corrected, or the purchaser and the and dimensions shown in Fig. 1.
supplier must agree to interpret future test results with consid-
eration to the known bias. 7. Sampling and Test Specimens
5.2 The force registered in a tear test is irregular, and as a 7.1 Lot Sample—As a lot sample for acceptance testing,
consequence, empirical methods have had to be developed to randomly select the number of rolls or pieces of fabric directed
obtain usable values related to tear strength. In spite of the in an applicable material specification or other agreement
empirical nature of the reported values, the values are consid- between the purchaser and the supplier. Consider the rolls or
ered to reflect comparative performance of similar fabrics pieces of fabric to be the primary sampling units. In the
tested and measured in the same way. No known procedure is absence of such an agreement, take the number of fabric rolls
available that can be used with all fabrics to determine the specified in Table 1.
minimum tearing strength.
NOTE 1—An adequate specification or other agreement between the
5.3 Depending on the nature of the specimen, the data purchaser and the supplier requires taking into account the variability
recording devices will show the tearing force in the form of a between rolls or pieces of fabric and between specimens from a swatch
peak or peaks. The highest peaks appear to reflect the strength from a roll or piece of fabric to provide a sampling plan with a meaningful
of the yarn components, fiber bonds, or fiber interlocks, producer’s risk, consumer’s risk, acceptable quality level, and limiting
individually or in combination, needed to stop a tear in a fabric quality level.
of the same construction. The valleys recorded between the 7.2 Laboratory Sample—For acceptance testing, take a
peaks have no specific significance. The minimum tearing swatch extending the width of the fabric and approximately 1
force, however, is indicated to be above the lowest valleys. m (1 yd) along the machine direction from each roll or piece in
5.4 Most textile fabrics can be tested by this test method. the lot sample. For rolls of fabric, take a sample that will
Some modification of clamping techniques may be necessary
for a given fabric due to its structure. Strong fabrics or fabrics
made from glass fibers usually require special adaptation to
3
prevent them from slipping in the clamps or being damaged as Apparatus is commercially available.

a result of being gripped in the clamps.

5.5 The CRE-type is the preferred tensile testing machine.
This test method allows the use of the CRT-type tensile
machine when agreed upon between the purchaser and the
supplier. There may be no overall correlation, however, be-
tween the results obtained with the CRT-type machine and the
CRE-type machine. Consequently, these two tensile testers
cannot be used interchangeably unless the degree of quantita-
tive correlation has been established between the purchaser and
the supplier. In any event, the CRE-type machine shall prevail.

FIG. 1 Template for Marking and Cutting Tongue Tear Specimens,

All Tolerances 60.5 %

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 D 2261 – 07
TABLE 1 Number of Rolls or Pieces of Fabric in the Lot Sample 9.1.1 Precondition the specimens by bringing them to ap-
Number of Rolls or Pieces
Number of Rolls or Pieces in Lot Sample
proximate moisture equilibrium in the standard atmosphere for
in Lot, Inclusive preconditioning textiles as specified in Practice D 1776, unless
1 to 3 all otherwise specified in a material specification or contract order.
4 to 24 4
25 to 50 5
9.1.2 After preconditioning, bring the test specimens to
over 50 10 % to a maximum of 10 rolls or pieces moisture equilibrium for testing in the standard atmosphere for
testing textiles as specified in Practice D 1776 or, if applicable,
in the specified atmosphere in which the testing is to be
exclude fabric from the outer wrap of the roll or the inner wrap performed, unless otherwise specified in a material specifica-
around the core of the roll of fabric. tion or contract order.
7.3 Test Specimens—From each laboratory sampling unit, 9.2 Condition 2, Wet Specimen Testing Conditioning:
take five specimens from the machine direction and five 9.2.1 When desizing treatments are specified prior to wet
specimens from the cross-machine direction, for each test testing, use desizing treatments that will not affect the normal
condition described in 9.1 and 9.2, as applicable to a material physical property of the fabric as specified in Test Method
specification or contract order. D 629.
7.3.1 Direction of Test—Consider the short direction as the 9.2.2 Submerge the specimens in a container of distilled or
direction of test. deionized water at ambient temperature until thoroughly
7.3.2 Cutting Test Specimens—Cut rectangular specimens soaked (see 9.2.2.1).
75 by 200 mm (3 by 8 in.). Use the cutting die or template 9.2.2.1 The time of immersion must be sufficient to wet out
described in 6.3 and shown in Fig. 1. Take the specimens to be the specimens as indicated by no significant change in tearing
used for the measurement of machine direction with the longer force followed by longer periods of immersion. For most
dimension parallel to the cross-machine direction. Take the fabrics this time period will be about 1 h. For fabrics not
specimens to be used for the measurement of the cross- readily wet out with water, such as those treated with water-
machine direction with the longer dimension parallel to the repellent or water-resistant materials, add a 0.1 % solution of a
machine direction. Make a preliminary cut 75 mm (3 in.) long nonionic wetting agent to the water bath.
at the center of the 75-mm (3-in.) width as shown in Fig. 1.
When specimens are to be tested wet, take the specimens from 10. Procedure
areas adjacent to the dry test specimens. Label to maintain 10.1 Test the conditioned specimens in the standard atmo-
specimen identity. sphere for testing textiles, which is 21 6 1°C (70 6 2°F) and
7.3.2.1 In cutting the specimens, take care to align the yarns 65 6 2 % relative humidity, unless otherwise specified in a
running in the long direction parallel with the die such that material specification or contract order.
when the slit is cut, the subsequent tear will take place between 10.2 Secure the specimen in the clamp jaws with the slit
these yarns and not across them. This precaution is most edge of each tongue centered in such a manner that the
important when testing bowed fabrics. originally adjacent cut edges of the tongues form a straight line
7.3.2.2 Take specimens representing a broad distribution joining the centers of the clamps and the two tongues present
across the width and length, preferably along the diagonal of opposite faces of the fabric to the operator.
the laboratory sample, and no nearer the edge than one tenth its 10.2.1 For wet testing, remove a specimen from the water,
width. Ensure specimens are free of folds, creases, or wrinkles. and immediately mount it on the testing machine in the normal
Avoid getting oil, water, grease, and so forth, on the specimens setup. Perform the test within 2 min after removal of the
when handling. specimen from the water. If more than 2 min elapse between
taking the wet specimen from the water bath and starting the
8. Preparation of Test Apparatus and Calibration tensile testing machine, discard the specimen and take another.
8.1 Set the distance between the clamps at the start of the 10.3 Start the machine and record the tearing force on the
test at 75 6 1 mm (3.0 6 0.05 in.). recording device. The tearing force may increase to a simple
8.2 Select the full-scale force range of the testing machine maximum value, or may show several maxima and minima, as
such that the maximum force occurs between 10 and 90 % of shown in Fig. 2.
full-scale force. 10.4 After the crosshead has moved to produce approxi-
8.3 Set the testing speed to 50 6 2 mm/min (2 6 0.1 mately 6 mm (0.25 in.) of fabric tear, record the single-peak
in./min). When agreed upon between the purchaser and the
supplier, the testing speed may be set to 300 6 10 mm/min (12
6 0.5 in./min).
8.4 Verify calibration of the tensile testing machine as
directed in the manufacturer’s instructions.
8.5 When using microprocessor automatic data gathering
systems, set the appropriate parameters as specified in the
manufacturer’s instructions and Specification D 76.
9. Conditioning FIG. 2 Typical Tongue Tearing Force-Extension Curves for
9.1 Condition 1, Standard Testing Conditioning: Individual Specimens

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3
 D 2261 – 07
force or multiple-peak forces, as indicated for the type fabric 12.2.1 Tongue tearing strength for each testing direction and
and tearing action observed. Stop the crosshead motion after a condition as requested.
total tear of approximately 75 mm (3 in.) or the fabric has torn 12.2.2 Calculation option used, single-peak force or average
completely, and return the crosshead to its starting position. of five highest peak forces.
10.4.1 If a fabric slips in the jaws or if 25 % or more of the 12.2.3 Condition of the specimens when tested with or
specimens break at a point within 5 mm (0.25 in.) of the edge without wetting.
of the jaw, then (1) the jaws may be padded; (2) the fabric may 12.2.4 When calculated, the standard deviation or the coef-
be coated under the jaw face area; or (3) the jaw face may be ficient of variation.
modified. If any of the preceding modifications are used, state 12.2.5 For computer-processed data, identify the program
the method of modification in the report. (software) used.
10.4.2 If 25 % or more of the specimens break at a point 12.2.6 Make, model, and capacity of testing machine.
within 5 mm (0.25 in.) of the edge of the jaw or does not tear 12.2.7 Type of clamps used.
substantially lengthwise after making the modifications de- 12.2.8 Any modification of this test method.
scribed in 9.9, consider the fabric untearable by this test
method. 13. Precision and Bias
10.5 Record if the tear occurs crosswise to the direction of 13.1 Summary—In comparing two averages, the differences
applied force. should not exceed the single-operator precision values shown
10.6 Remove the tested specimen and continue as directed in Table 2 for the respective number of tests and for materials
in 10.2-10.5 until five specimens have been tested for each having averages similar to those shown in Table 3. In 95 out of
testing direction and condition from each laboratory sampling 100 cases when all the observations are taken by the same
unit. well-trained operator using the same piece of equipment and
specimens randomly drawn from the sample of material.
11. Calculation Larger differences are likely to occur under all other circum-

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11.1 Tearing Force, Individual Specimens—Calculate the stances.
tongue tearing force for individual specimens to the nearest 0.1 13.2 Interlaboratory Test Data—An interlaboratory test was
mN (0.1 lbf) using readings directly from the data collection run in 1994–1995 in which randomly drawn samples of three
system using Option 1 or Option 2 as indicated by the tearing materials were tested in each of five laboratories. Two opera-
action of the material, unless otherwise agreed upon between tors in each laboratory each tested eight specimens of each
the purchaser and the supplier. fabric using this test method. Four of the eight specimens were
11.1.1 Option 1, Average of Five Highest Peaks: tested on one day, and four specimens were tested on a second
11.1.1.1 For fabrics exhibiting five peaks or more, after the day. Analysis of the data was conducted in accordance with
first 6 mm (0.25 in.) of tear, determine the five highest peak Practices D 2904 and D 2906. The components of variance for
forces to the nearest 0.1 mN (0.1 lbf). tongue tear strength expressed as standard deviations were
11.1.1.2 Calculate the average of these five highest peak calculated to be the values listed in Table 3. The three fabric
forces. types were:
11.1.2 Option 2 Single-Peak Force—For fabrics exhibiting Material 2—S/1016H, 2/1 Basket Plain Weave Sheeting, With Spun Yarns
Material 7—S/28305, Plain Weave, Continuous Filament Yarns
less than five peaks, record the highest peak force as the Material 12—S/9407R, Plain Weave
single-peak force to the nearest 0.1 mN (0.1 lbf).
11.2 Tearing Strength—Calculate the tongue tearing 13.3 Precision—For the components of variance reported in
strength as the average tearing force for each testing direction Table 3, two averages of observed values should be considered
and condition for each laboratory sampling unit and for the lot.
11.3 Standard Deviation, Coeffıcient of Variation— TABLE 2 Tongue Tear Strength, lb Critical Differences for the
Calculate when requested. Conditions NotedA
11.4 Computer-Processed Data—When data are automati- Number of
Single- Within- Between-
cally computer-processed, calculations generally are contained MaterialsB
Observations
Operator Laboratory Laboratory
in Each
in the associated software. Record values as read from the Average
Precision Precision Precision
direct-reading scale to the nearest 0.1 mN (0.1 lbf). In any
S/1016H, Material 2 1 1.85 2.38 2.64
event, it is recommended that computer-processed data be 2 1.31 1.99 2.29
verified against known property values and its software de- 5 0.83 1.71 2.05
scribed in the report. 10 0.59 1.60 1.97
S/28305, Material 7 1 10.55 11.55 19.77
2 7.46 8.79 18.31
12. Report 5 4.72 6.62 17.38
10 3.34 5.72 17.05
12.1 Report that the tongue tearing strength was determined S/9407R, Material 12 1 5.74 5.74 6.43
in accordance with Test Method D 2261. Describe the material 2 4.06 4.06 4.99
5 2.57 2.57 3.88
or product sampled and the method of sampling used. 10 1.82 1.82 3.43
12.2 Report the following information for each laboratory A
The critical differences were calculated using t = 1.960, which is based on
sampling unit and for the lot as applicable to a material infinite degrees of freedom.
specification or contract order: B
Refer to 13.2 for additional description.

4
 D 2261 – 07
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TABLE 3 Tongue Tear Strength, lb ences related to the fabric type and structure to warrant listing
Components of Variance Expressed as the components of variance and the critical differences sepa-
Standard DeviationsB rately. Consequently, no multi-fabric comparisons were made.
Grand
MaterialsA Single- Within- Between-
Average
Operator Laboratory Laboratory NOTE 2—The tabulated values of the critical differences should be
Component Component Component considered to be a general statement, particularly with respect to between-
Woven Fabrics
laboratory precision. Before a meaningful statement can be made about
S/1016H, Material 2 5.3 0.41 0.54 0.67 two specific laboratories, the amount of statistical bias, if any, between
S/28305, Material 7 54.4 3.81 1.68 5.79 them must be established, with each comparison being based on recent
S/9407R, Material 12 13.7 2.07 0.00 1.04 data obtained on specimens taken from a lot of fabric to the type being
A
Refer to 13.2 for additional description. evaluated so as to be as nearly homogeneous as possible, and then
B
The square roots of the components of variance are being reported to express randomly assigned in equal numbers to each of the laboratories.
the variability in the appropriate units of measure rather than as the squares of
those units of measure. 13.4 Bias—The value of tongue tear strength can only be
defined in terms of a test method. Within this limitation, this
test method has no known bias.
significantly different at the 95 % probability level if the
difference equals or exceeds the critical differences listed in 14. Keywords
Table 2 for tongue tear strength. There were sufficient differ- 14.1 fabric; strength; tearing tongue

APPENDIX

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. CONDITIONS WHEN USING CRT-TYPE TENSILE TESTERS

X1.1 General X1.1.3 Set the testing speed to 300 6 10 mm/min (12 6 0.5
X1.1.1 The following information is provided for determin- in./min). Disengage the pawls from the rachet to render them
ing tongue tearing strength using the CRT-type tensile tester inoperative.
with this test method. See 1.1.1. X1.1.4 Report that the tongue tearing test was determined
X1.1.2 Tensile Testing Machine, of the CRT type conform- using a CRT-type tensile tester.
ing to the requirements of Specification D 76 with autographic
recorder, or automatic microprocessor data gathering systems.

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