Tensile & Tear Strength Fabrics

THS conducts BS EN ISO 139: 2005 – Textiles, Standard Atmospheres for Conditioning and Testing, as part of our comprehensive product testing program. This includes tensile and tear strength tests for fabrics used in high-risk environments. For materials intended for explosive, high-tension, or high-stress applications, such as protective clothing, we offer a customised testing program to ensure their reliability and performance.

Tensile strength and tear resistance tests are conducted for a minimum of 24 hours at 65% ± 4% relative humidity and 20°C ± 2°C to ensure consistent and accurate results. The following standards are used in these tests:

• BS EN ISO 13934-1: 1999 – Measures tensile strength in both the warp and weft directions of the fabric.
• BS EN ISO 13937-4: 2000 – Assesses tear resistance, with the fabric torn across both the warp and weft.
• BS EN ISO 4764-1: 2003, Method A – Tongue tear test to evaluate the fabric’s resistance to tearing from a starting point.
• BS EN ISO 4764-1: 2003, Method B – Trouser tear test to assess fabric tear resistance when subjected to force in a trouser-like manner.

THS have tested five fabrics to the various tensile and tear standards, including polyesters and wire reinforced E-glass fabrics.

FAQs

Why are Tensile and Tear Strength Important in Industrial Fabrics?

These properties determine how well a fabric can withstand force, tension and mechanical stress without failing. This is critical in high-risk or load-bearing applications.

What is the Difference Between Tensile Strength and Tear Resistance?

Tensile strength measures how much force a fabric can bear before breaking, while tear resistance measures how well it resists the growth of an existing tear.

Are High-Strength Fabrics Always Rigid or Heavy?

Not necessarily. Modern technical textiles can offer high tensile and tear strength while remaining lightweight and flexible, depending on the fibre type and construction.