Strip Test | Fabric Tensile Strength Test

A common tensile test method for textile materials is the strip test. The strip test method is more closely related to the familiar tensile test and is used to determine the breaking force and elongation of textile fabrics and geotextiles. Unlike the grab test method, the strip test method takes into account edge effects. One method of the textile strip test requires the removal of fabric yarns, running parallel to the direction of force application, to create raveled edges in the test sample. The strip test method also requires clamping of the entire width of the fabric test specimen, so force is being directly applied to the whole sample cross section.

Specimen Preparation

• The fabric should be without any defects like damages or creases.
• Prior to preparing the test specimens carry out Three Wash/ Three Tumble Dry cycles in accordance with the appropriate Home Laundering method 4.02 or 4.03 on full width fabric of suitable length to prepare the necessary specimens for test.
• Prepare the test specimens, randomly selected from the fabric so that they do not contain the same warp and weft threads.
• Cut 3 rectangular specimens parallel to the warp direction and 3 rectangular specimens parallel to the weft direction.
• Each specimen should measure 300mm in length and 60mm in width
• Place a direction line parallel to the warp (length direction) on each specimen prior to removing from the fabric.

Conditioning

Condition the specimens for a minimum of 4 hours in a conditioned atmosphere of 20 ± 2°C and 65 ± 2% RH before testing. Carry out the test in this atmosphere.

Test Procedure

Using an Automatic Constant Rate of Extension Tensile Tester

1. The programme is automatic. The test speed is 100mm per minute.
2. Use the 75mm x 25mm rubber faced grips on the rear and 25mm x 25mmm grips on the front.
3. With the correct grips in place set the distance between upper and lower sets of grips to 200mm, this should be checked using a calibrated metal ruler.
4. Select the correct programme and input the appropriate machine settings and fabric details etc.
5. Fix the specimen in the upper grips, so the specimen hangs perfectly vertical and horizontal to the warp and weft yarns.
6. Close the upper grips.
7. Allow the fabric to hang under its own weight and secure the fabric in the lower grips.
8. Close the lower grips.
9. Set the cross head in motion.
10. The maximum force at which the fabric ruptures (breaks) will be recorded.
11. Repeat the above procedure for the remaining specimens.

Note:

- Any break which occurs within 5mm of the clamping line of the grips it should be reported as a grip break

- If the grip break falls below the lowest normal break results then it should be disregarded and further samples tested

- If it falls above the lowest normal break result, then it can be included