Designation: D 3786 – 01

Standard Test Method for

Hydraulic Bursting Strength of Textile Fabrics—Diaphragm
Bursting Strength Tester Method1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3786; 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.

1. Scope conditions, which will result in the rupture of a textile.

1.1 This test method describes the measurement of the 3.1.2 knitted fabric, n—a structure produced by interlooping
resistance of textile fabrics to bursting using the hydraulic one or more ends of yarn or comparable material.
diaphragm bursting tester. This test method is generally appli- 3.1.3 nonwoven fabric, n—a textile structure produced by
cable to a wide variety of textile products. bonding or interlocking of fibers, or both, accomplished by
1.2 This test method may also be applicable for stretch mechanical, chemical, thermal or solvent means and combina-
woven and woven industrial fabrics such as inflatable re- tions thereof.
straints. 3.1.3.1 Discussion—The term does not include paper or
1.3 The values stated in S. I. Units are to be regarded as the fabrics that are woven, knitted or tufted.
standard. 3.1.4 woven fabric, n—a structure produced when at least
two sets of strands are interlaced, usually at right angles to each
NOTE 1—For the measurement of the bursting strength by means of a other according to a predetermined pattern of interlacing, and
ball burst mechanism, refer to Test Method D 3787.
such that at least one set is parallel to the axis along the
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the lengthwise direction of the fabric.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 3.1.5 stretch woven fabric, n—a woven fabric which is
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- capable of at least 20 % stretch in either warp or filling
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- direction, or both, under loads and conditions encountered in
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. use and of almost complete recovery on removal of the load.
3.2 For definitions of other textile terms used in this test
2. Referenced Documents method, refer to Terminology D 123.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 123 Terminology Relating to Textiles2 4. Summary of Test Method
D 5034 Test Methods for Breaking Load and Elongation of 4.1 A is clamped over an expandable diaphragm. The
Textile Fabrics2 diaphragm is expanded by fluid pressure to the point of
D 1776 Practice for Conditioning Textiles for Testing2 specimen rupture. The difference between the total pressure
D 3787 Test Method for Bursting Strength of Knitted required to rupture the specimen and the pressure required to
Textiles—Constant-Rate-of-Traverse (CRT) Ball Burst inflate the diaphragm is reported as the bursting strength.
Test3
2.2 Other Standard: 5. Significance and Use
TAPPI T 403, OM.91 Bursting Strength of Paper4 5.1 This method for the determination of diaphragm burst-
ing strength of knitted, nonwoven and woven fabrics is being
3. Terminology used by the textile industry for the evaluation of a wide variety
3.1 Definitions: of end uses.
3.1.1 bursting strength, n—the distending force, which is 5.2 In cases where test results obtained using the procedures
applied at right angles to the plane of the fabric, under specified in Test Method D 3786 have not been correlated with actual
performance, Test Method D 3786 is considered satisfactory
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D13 on Textiles for acceptance testing of commercial shipments of textile
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D13.59 on Fabric Test Methods. fabrics for bursting strength since the method has been used
General. extensively in the trade for acceptance testing. In cases where
Current edition approved Dec. 10, 2001. Published March 2002. Originally
published as D 3786–79. Last previous edition D 3786–87.
disagreement arising from differences in values reported by the
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 07.01. purchaser and the supplier when using Test Method D 3786 for
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 07.02. acceptance testing, the statistical bias, if any, between the
4
Available from Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry, 1 laboratory of the purchaser and the laboratory of the supplier
Dunwoody Park, Atlanta, GA 30341.

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

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 D 3786
should be determined with comparison based on testing speci- within a value of 1 % of its maximum capacity. The capacity of
mens randomly drawn from one sample of material of the type the gage shall be such that the individual readings will be not
being evaluated. less than 25 % nor more than 75 % of the total capacity of the
gage.
NOTE 2—The kind of load transfer and stretch that occur when knitted
goods and nonwoven fabrics are worn are prevented by clamping them as 6.1.4 Hydraulic Pressure System—A mean of applying
described in this method. controlled increasing hydrostatic pressure to the underside of
the diaphragm until the specimen bursts through a fluid
6. Apparatus and Materials displaced at the rate of 95 6 5 mL/min. The fluid is displaced
6.1 Hydraulic Diaphram Bursting Tester5— A testing ma- by a piston in the pressure chamber of the apparatus. The
chine that meets the requirements of 6.1.1-6.1.4. In cases of recommended chamber fluid is USP chemically pure 96 %
dispute, a motor-driven tester shall be used unless the pur- glycerin. The hydraulic system, including the gages shall be
chaser and the supplier agree otherwise. mounted so as to be free of externally induced vibrations.
6.1.1 Clamps, for firmly and uniformly securing the test Means shall be provided at the instant of rupture of the
specimen between two annular, plane, parallel, and preferably specimen for stopping any further application of the loading
stainless steel surfaces, without slippage during the test. Use pressure and for holding unchanged the contents of the
sufficient pressure to effect the practicable minimization of pressure chamber until the total bursting pressure and the
slippage. pressure required to inflate the diaphragm indicated on the gage
6.1.1.1 The upper and lower clamping surfaces shall have a have been recorded.
circular opening at least 75 mm (3 in.) in diameter and coaxial NOTE 4—Ethylene glycol may be substituted for the glycerine if
apertures of 31 6 0.75 mm (1.22 6 0.03 in.) in diameter: The desired.
surfaces of the clamps between which the specimen is placed 6.1.5 Aluminum Foil For Calibration of Tester6—Pieces of
shall have concentric grooves spaced not less than 0.8 mm pretested aluminum sheet having a known bursting strength in
(1⁄32in.) apart and shall be of a depth not less than 0.015 mm the range of 70 to 790 kPa (10 to 115 psi) are use for checking
(0.0006 in.) from the edge of the aperture. The surfaces of the the overall performance of the tester.
clamps shall be metallic and any edge which might cause a
cutting action shall be rounded to a radius of not more than 0.4 7. Sampling
mm (1⁄64 in.). The lower clamp shall be integral with the 7.1 Lot Sample—As a lot sample for acceptance testing,
chamber in which a screw shall operate to force a liquid take at random the number of rolls of fabric directed in an
pressure medium at a uniform rate of 95 6 5 mL/min against applicable material specification or other agreement between
the rubber diaphragm. the purchaser and the supplier. Consider rolls of fabric to be the
primary sampling units.
NOTE 3—Since the clamping mechanism and clamping surfaces are
subject to considerable wear and distortion, they should be examined NOTE 5—An adequate specification or other agreement between the
periodically and repaired or replaced when necessary. The effectiveness of purchaser and the supplier requires taking into account the variability
grooving the clamping surfaces in the manner specified has not been between rolls of fabric and between specimens from a swatch from a roll
determined. of fabric to provide a sampling plan with a meaningful producer’s risk,
6.1.2 Diaphragm5—A 48 mm (1.875 in) diaphragm of consumer’s risk, acceptable quality level, and limiting quality level.
molded synthetic rubber, 1.80 6 0.05 mm (0.070 6 0.002 in.) 7.2 Laboratory Sample—As a laboratory sample for accep-
in thickness with reinforced center, clamped between the lower tance testing, take a full width swatch 1 m (1 yd) long from the
clamping plate and the rest of the apparatus so that before the end of each roll of fabric in the lot sample, after first discarding
diaphragm is stretched by pressure underneath it the center of a minimum of 1 m (1 yd) of fabric from the very outside of the
its upper surface is below the plane of the clamping surface. roll. From each roll or piece of circular knit fabric selected
The pressure required to raise the free surface of the diaphragm from the lot sample, cut a band at least 305 mm (1 ft) wide.
plane shall be 30 6 5 kPa (4.3 6 0.8 psi). This pressure shall 7.3 Test Specimens—Cut ten test specimens from each
be checked at least once a month. To test, a bridge gage5 may swatch in the laboratory sample with each specimen being 125
be used, the test being carried out with the clamping ring mm (5 in.) square.
removed. The diaphragm should be inspected frequently for 8. Calibration
permanent distortion and renewed as necessary. 8.1 Routine Verification of Testing Machine—Check the
6.1.3 Pressure Gage—A maximum-reading pressure gage operation of the testing machine at least once each month by
of the Bourdon type of appropriate capacity graduated in bursting five specimens of standard aluminum sheet. The
pounds and accurate throughout the entire range of its scale to average of the indicated bursting resistance for the five
specimens of aluminum sheet should be between 65 % of that
5
marked on the package of the pretested aluminum sheet
The Hydraulic Diaphragm Bursting Testers, hand driven Model LC (Fig. 1A)
and motor driven Models C (Fig. 1B) and (Fig. 1C), and accessories, manufactured
standard.
by B. F. Perkins & Son, Inc., have been found satisfactory. The motor driven Model
6
A (Fig. 1D) has been found to be satisfactory for heavyweight fabrics, but may be Standardized aluminum sheets for this purpose, bursting over the range from 51
unsuitable for some lightweight fabrics. Model C and Model A have different to 150 psi (350 to 1035 kPa) may be obtained from the Pulp and Paper Research
pumping rates and different diaphragms therefore it is not likely these two machines Institute of Canada, 3420 University St., Montreal, Canada; from Testing Foil
will give the same result. The testers also can be obtained from Testing Machines, Service, 304 N. Stevens St., Rhinelander, WI 54501; and from Testing Machines,
Inc., 400 Bayview Ave., Amityville NY Inc., 400 Bayview Ave., Amityville, NY 11701.

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 D 3786
8.2 Calibration of Gage—Calibrate the gage, while inclined limitations of the tester. If slippage of the specimen is noted, discard the
at the same angle at which it is used, by means of a result and use a new specimen.
dead-weight tester of the piston type, or by means of a column 11.3 Motor-Driven Tester:
of mercury. Such calibration is preferably carried out with the 11.3.1 Insert the specimen under the tripod, drawing the
gage in its normal position in the tester. specimen taut across the plate, and clamp specimen in place by
8.3 Where agreement is not attained, check the tester bringing the clamping lever as far to the right as possible (see
according to the instructions given in Tappi Method T-403 Note 6).
OS-74.
11.3.2 Inflate the diaphragm by moving the operating
NOTE 6—Possible causes of low readings are gage error (bias or handle to the left.
nonlinearity), gage expansivity too high, excessive gage pointer friction, 11.3.3 While the diaphragm is inflating, take hold of the
air in hydraulic system or gage, diaphragm collapsed too far at zero, and
latch that is located below, or to the right, of the operating
low pumping rate (hand-driven tester). Possible causes of high readings
are: gage error (bias nonlinearity), loose gage pointer (overshoot), gage handle. At the instant of rupture of the specimen, swing the
pointer bent by stop-pin, insufficient clamping force (slipping), nonuni- latch as far as it will go to bring the operating handle to an
form clamping (partial slipping), stiff or inelastic diaphragm, diaphragm idling (neutral) position (see Note 8). Record the total pressure
above clamping plate at zero, multiple sheet testing, high pumping rate required to rupture the specimen.
(hand-driven tester), and double bursts. If a gage is accidently used 11.3.4 Immediately after rupture, and in rapid succession,
beyond its capacity, it must be recalibrated before it is used again.
release the clamping lever over the specimen. Immediately
9. Conditioning relieve the strain on the diaphragm by dropping the latch back
to its normal position, throw the operating handle to the right,
9.1 Bring the specimens (or laboratory samples) from the
and record the pressure required to inflate the diaphragm (tare
prevailing atmosphere to moisture equilibrium for testing in the
pressure).
standard atmosphere for textile testing as directed in Practice
D 1776.
12. Calculation
10. Selection and Number of Specimens 12.1 Calculate the bursting pressure of each specimen by
10.1 Unless otherwise agreed upon, as when specified in an subtracting the tare pressure required to inflate the diaphragm
applicable material specification, take ten specimens of the from the total pressure required to rupture the specimen.
laboratory sample(s) of fabric. Each specimen shall be at least 12.2 Report the pressure reading of each individual speci-
125 mm (5 in.) square, or a circle 125 mm (5 in.) in diameter. men and the average for each laboratory sampling unit and the
Specimens need not be cut for testing. No two specimens from lot.
knitted fabric should contain the same wale or course yarns. 12.3 Report the type of bursting tester used.
Take no specimens nearer the selvage than one tenth the fabric
width. This restriction does not apply to tubular knitted fabric. 13. Report
11. Procedure 13.1 State that the specimens were tested as directed in Test
11.1 Make all tests on specimens conditioned in the stan- Method D 3786 using the Hydraulic Diaphragm Bursting
dard atmosphere for testing textiles as directed in 9.1. Tester. Describe the material or product sampled and the
11.2 Hand Driven Tester: method of sampling used.
11.2.1 Insert the conditioned specimen under the tripod, 13.2 Report the bursting strength of each individual speci-
drawing the specimen taut across the plate, and clamp speci- men and their average in kPa (psi).
men in place by bringing the clamping lever as far to the right 13.3 Report the type of bursting tester used.
as possible.
14. Precision and Bias
NOTE 7—For specimens with considerable stretch, it may be necessary
to extend the fabric uniformly over the plate to remove some of the stretch 14.1 Summary—In comparing two averages of ten observa-
before clamping. tions each, the difference should not exceed the following
11.2.2 Rotate the hand wheel, clockwise at a uniform speed critical differences in 95 out of 100 cases when both sets of
of 120 rpm until the specimen bursts. observations are taken by the same well-trained operator using
11.2.3 Stop turning the hand wheel at the instant of rupture the same piece of test equipment and specimens randomly
of the specimen (see Note 8). drawn from the same sample of material.
11.2.4 Immediately after rupture and in rapid succession, Spun yarn in circular knit 41 kPa (6.0 psi)
Filament yarn in tricot knit 14 kPa (2.0 psi)
release the clamping lever over the specimen. Immediately
release the strain on the diaphragm by turning the wheel Larger differences are likely to occur under all other circum-
counterclockwise to its starting position and record the pres- stances. The value of the bursting strength of knitted goods can
sure required to inflate the diaphragm (tare pressure). Record only be defined in terms of a specific test method.
the total pressure required to rupture the specimen. Within this limitation, the procedure for bursting strength in
NOTE 8—If the pressure stops increasing, as indicated by the dial, and Test Method D 3786 has no known bias. Sections 14.2-14.4
the specimen has not broken, push the operating lever to remove the explain the basis for this summary and for evaluations made
pressure. Record that the stretch of the fabric exceeds the dimensional under other conditions.

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 D 3786
14.2 Interlaboratory Test Data7—An interlaboratory test considered significantly different at the 95 % probability level
was run in 1977 in which randomly drawn specimens of six if the difference equals or exceeds the critical differences listed
fabrics were tested in each of four to five laboratories. Three in Table 2 (Note 9).
fabrics were circular knit fabrics containing spun yarns and NOTE 11—The tabulated values of the critical differences should be
three of the fabrics were tricot knit fabrics containing filament considered to be a general statement particularly with respect to between-
yarns. The components of variance for bursting strength results laboratory precision. Before a statement can be made about two specific
expressed as standard deviations were calculated to be the laboratories, the amount of statistical bias, if any, between them must be
values reported in Table 1. established, with each comparison being based on recent data obtained on
specimens randomly drawn from a sample taken at random from a lot of
NOTE 9—The difference in variability between the two groups of the material to be evaluated.
fabrics is thought to be the result of the differences between the source 14.4 Bias—The procedure in Test Method D 3786 has no
yarns rather than the type of equipment on which the fabrics were knit. known bias because the value of bursting is defined in terms of
There is no objective evidence to substantiate this belief. this test method.
NOTE 10—The interlaboratory test data were obtained with motor-
driven testers. The precision of the method using a hand-operated tester 15. Keywords
has not been determined. 15.1 diaphragm bursting pressure; knitted fabric; non wo-
ven fabric
14.3 Critical Differences—For the components of variance
reported in 14.2, two averages of observed values should be TABLE 2 Critical Differences for Bursting-Pressure for the
Conditions Noted, Percentage PointsA
Number of
Single- Within- Between-
Observations
Operator Laboratory Laboratory
in Each
Precision Precision Precision
Average
7
ASTM Research Report No. RR:D13-1061. A copy is available from ASTM
Spun yarns in 5 8.4 9.0 11.3
Headquarters. circular knit
10 6.0 6.7 9.6
TABLE 1 Components of Variance for Bursting Strength 20 4.2 5.2 8.7
40 3.0 4.3 8.1
Expressed as Standard Deviations, Percentage Points
Single-Operator Within-Laboratory Between-Laboratory Filament yarns 5 2.9 9.1 11.6
Component Component Component in tricot knit
10 2.0 8.8 11.4
Spun yarns in circular 6.8 1.1 2.5
20 1.4 8.7 11.3
knit
40 1.0 8.7 11.3
Filament yarns in tricot 2.3 3.1 2.6
A
knit The critical differences were calculated using t = 1.645, which is based on
infinite degrees of freedom.

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