This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: D2261 − 13 (Reapproved 2017)´1

Standard Test Method for

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 D2261; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.

ε1 NOTE—In 10.4.2, reference to 9.9 was corrected to 10.4.1 editorially in November 2017.

1. Scope 1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of the tearing safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
strength of textile fabrics by the tongue (single rip) procedure responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
using a recording constant-rate-of-extension-type (CRE) ten- priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
sile testing machine. mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
1.1.1 The CRE-type tensile testing machine has become the
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
preferred test apparatus for determining tongue tearing
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
strength. It is recognized that some constant-rate-of-traverse-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
type (CRT) tensile testing machines continue to be used. As a
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
consequence, these test instruments may be used when agreed
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
upon between the purchaser and the supplier. The conditions
for use of the CRT-type tensile tester are included in Appendix 2. Referenced Documents
X1.
2.1 ASTM Standards:2
1.2 This test method applies to most fabrics including D76 Specification for Tensile Testing Machines for Textiles
woven fabrics, air bag fabrics, blankets, napped fabrics, knit D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
fabrics, layered fabrics, pile fabrics and non-wovens. The D629 Test Methods for Quantitative Analysis of Textiles
fabrics may be untreated, heavily sized, coated, resin-treated, D1776 Practice for Conditioning and Testing Textiles
or otherwise treated. Instructions are provided for testing D2904 Practice for Interlaboratory Testing of a Textile Test
specimens with or without wetting. Method that Produces Normally Distributed Data (With-
1.3 Tear strength, as measured in this test method, requires drawn 2008)3
that the tear be initiated before testing. The reported value D2906 Practice for Statements on Precision and Bias for
obtained is not directly related to the force required to initiate Textiles (Withdrawn 2008)3
or start a tear. D4848 Terminology Related to Force, Deformation and
Related Properties of Textiles
1.4 Two calculations for tongue tearing strength are pro-
D4850 Terminology Relating to Fabrics and Fabric Test
vided: the single-peak force and the average of five highest
Methods
peak forces.
1.5 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units 3. Terminology
are to be regarded as the standard. The inch-pound units may 3.1 For all terminology relating to D13.60, Fabric Test
be approximate. Methods, Specific, refer to Terminology D4850.

1 2
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D13 on Textiles For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D13.60 on Fabric Test Methods, contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Specific. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved July 15, 2017. Published August 2017. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1964. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D2261–13. DOI: The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
10.1520/D2261-13R17E01. www.astm.org.

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

1
 D2261 − 13 (2017)´1
3.2 For all terminology related to Force, Deformation and 5.4 Most textile fabrics can be tested by this test method.
Related Properties of Textiles, refer to Terminology D4848. Some modification of clamping techniques may be necessary
3.2.1 The following terms are relevant to this standard: for a given fabric due to its structure. Strong fabrics or fabrics
cross-machine direction, CD, fabric, machine direction, MD, made from glass fibers usually require special adaptation to
peak force, in tear testing of fabrics, tearing force, in fabric, prevent them from slipping in the clamps or being damaged as
tearing strength, in fabric. a result of being gripped in the clamps.
3.3 For all other terminology related to textiles, refer to 5.5 The CRE-type tensile testing machine has become the
Terminology D123. preferred test apparatus for determining tongue tearing
strength. It is recognized that some constant-rate-of-traverse-
4. Summary of Test Method
type (CRT) tensile testing machines continue to be used.
4.1 A rectangular specimen, cut in the center of a short edge Consequently, these test instruments may be used when agreed
to form a two-tongued (trouser shaped) specimen, in which one upon between the purchaser and the supplier. The conditions
tongue of the specimen is gripped in the upper jaw and the for use of the CRT-type tester are included in Appendix X1.
other tongue is gripped in the lower jaw of a tensile testing
machine. The separation of the jaws is continuously increased 6. Apparatus
to apply a force to propagate the tear. At the same time, the 6.1 Tensile Testing Machine4, of the CRE-type conforming
force developed is recorded. The force to continue the tear is to the requirements of Specification D76 with autographic
calculated from autographic chart recorders or microprocessor recorder, or automatic microprocessor data gathering system.
data collection systems.
6.2 Clamps, having all gripping surfaces parallel, flat, and
5. Significance and Use capable of preventing slipping of the specimen during a test,
5.1 This test method is considered satisfactory for accep- and measuring at least 25 by 75 mm (1 by 3 in.) with the longer
tance testing of commercial shipments since current estimates dimension perpendicular to the direction of application of the
of between-laboratory precision are acceptable, and the test force.
method is used extensively in the trade for acceptance testing. 6.2.1 The use of hydraulic or pneumatic clamping systems
5.1.1 In case of a dispute arising from differences in with a minimum of 25 by 75-mm (1 by 3-in.) rubber gripping
reported test results when using this test method for acceptance surfaces or serrated having an appropriate clamping force at the
testing of commercial shipments, the purchaser and the sup- grip faces depending on the type of fabric under test. The
plier should conduct comparative tests to determine if there is pressure should be sufficient to prevent slippage of the speci-
a statistical bias between their laboratories. Competent statis- men in the gripping surface during the test, while ensuring the
tical assistance is recommended for the investigation of bias. specimen is not damaged at the grip edge. Manual clamping is
As a minimum, the two parties should take a group of test permitted providing no slippage of the specimen is observed.
specimens that are as homogeneous as possible and that are 6.2.2 For some materials, to prevent slippage when using
from a lot of fabric of the type in question. Test specimens then jaw faces other than serrated, such as rubber-faced jaws, the
should be randomly assigned in equal numbers to each jaw faces may be covered with a No. 80 to 120 medium-grit
laboratory for testing. The average results from the two emery cloth. Secure the emery cloth to the jaw faces with
laboratories should be compared using the appropriate statis- pressure-sensitive tape.
tical analysis and an acceptable probability level chosen by the 6.3 Cutting Die or Template, having essentially the shape
two parties before testing is begun. If a bias is found, either its and dimensions shown in Fig. 1.
cause must be found and corrected, or the purchaser and the
supplier must agree to interpret future test results with consid- 7. Sampling and Test Specimens
eration to the known bias. 7.1 Lot Sample—As a lot sample for acceptance testing,
5.2 The force registered in a tear test is irregular, and as a randomly select the number of rolls or pieces of fabric directed
consequence, empirical methods have had to be developed to in an applicable material specification or other agreement
obtain usable values related to tear strength. In spite of the between the purchaser and the supplier. Consider the rolls or
empirical nature of the reported values, the values are consid- pieces of fabric to be the primary sampling units. In the
ered to reflect comparative performance of similar fabrics absence of such an agreement, take the number of fabric rolls
tested and measured in the same way. No known procedure is specified in Table 1.
available that can be used with all fabrics to determine the NOTE 1—An adequate specification or other agreement between the
minimum tearing strength. purchaser and the supplier requires taking into account the variability
between rolls or pieces of fabric and between specimens from a swatch
5.3 Depending on the nature of the specimen, the data from a roll or piece of fabric to provide a sampling plan with a meaningful
recording devices will show the tearing force in the form of a producer’s risk, consumer’s risk, acceptable quality level, and limiting
peak or peaks. The highest peaks appear to reflect the strength quality level.
of the yarn components, fiber bonds, or fiber interlocks, 7.2 Laboratory Sample—For acceptance testing, take a
individually or in combination, needed to stop a tear in a fabric swatch extending the width of the fabric and approximately 1
of the same construction. The valleys recorded between the
peaks have no specific significance. The minimum tearing
force, however, is indicated to be above the lowest valleys. 4
Apparatus is commercially available.