Textile Testing and

Quality Assurance

Title
Elmendorf tear testing

Submitted by:
Tauqeer Raza (06-NTU-97)
8th semester
Section D

Submitted to:
Mr. Salman sb
GMD
NTU Faisalabad
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Abstract:
This test method for the determination of tearing strength by the falling pendulum type
apparatus is used in the trade for the acceptance testing of commercial shipments of fabrics, but caution
is advised since technicians may fail to get good agreement between results on certain fabrics.
This test method applies to most fabrics including woven, layered blankets, napped pile,
blanket, and air bag fabrics, and provided the fabric does not tear in the direction crosswise to the
direction of the force application during the test. The fabrics may be untreated, heavily sized, coated,
resin-treated, or otherwise treated. Instructions are provided for testing specimens with, or without,
wetting
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Contents
Abstract:...........................................................................................................................................2
Introduction:....................................................................................................................................4
Principle:..........................................................................................................................................4
Apparatus:.......................................................................................................................................4
Types of gram scales:.......................................................................................................................4
Procedure:.......................................................................................................................................4
Calculation:......................................................................................................................................5
Results:.............................................................................................................................................5
Conclusion:......................................................................................................................................5
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Introduction:
Elmendorf Tearing Strength
Elmendorf Tear Tester consists of a brass sector pendulum pivoted on anti friction ball bearings
over a vertical bracket fixed on a rigid metallic base. The test specimen, in shape of a rectangular, is held
between two clamps, one of which is mounted on a pendulum and the other is mounted on the vertical
bracket. The clamps are mounted in such a manner that their holding faces are aligned with each other
when pendulum is released by lifting a release lever the action cause the pendulum to fall down under
its weight & to tear the test specimen while doing so. The energy absorbed during tearing is indicated on
a scale fitted on pendulum by a low friction pointer pivoted on the axis of the pendulum. An adjustable
knife is also mounted on the pendulum upper bracket is centered between the two clamps & is used for
making the initial slit in the test specimen. A check weight is supplied with the tester for verification of
the scale. The instruments is finished is metallic painting and bright chrome plating to give it a corrosion
resistant finish.

Principle:
Its principle is simple oscillating pendulum. At one side fabric is hold and on other side weight is
mounted.

Apparatus:
Elmendorf tear tester, two samples of fabric of 100*63.5 mm dimensions.

Types of gram scales:

There are 3 scales:
a. 0-1600 gram scale (one division is of 20 gram)
b. 0-3200 gram scale (one division is of 40 gram)
c. 0-6400 gram scale (one division is of 80 gram)
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Procedure:
 Our gram scale is 0-3200. First dry sample is taken and clamped b/w the two jaws of the
Elmendorf tester. With the tester a cut is produced at 20mm on the sample.
 Then the pendulum is fallen and the force required to tear that sample is measured on the scale.
 Similarly, with wet sample this procedure is repeated within two minutes after wetting the
sample. Force is noted.

Calculation:
Wet sample has tearing force of 2120 gram force
Dry sample has tearing force of 1280 gram force

Results:

Conclusion:
Wet sample has more force to tear while the dry sample. Because on absorbing water the
sample strength increases.