ISO 13935-2:2014

Overview

ISO 13935-2:2014 - "Textiles - Seam tensile properties of fabrics and made-up textile articles - Part 2: Determination of maximum force to seam rupture using the grab method" specifies the grab test procedure for measuring the maximum force to seam rupture when force is applied perpendicular to a straight seam. The standard is intended primarily for woven fabrics (including those with elastomeric fibres or stretch treatments), and is restricted to use with constant-rate-of-extension (CRE) testing machines.

Key topics and requirements

• Test principle: A specimen with a seam at mid‑length is gripped in the centre (grab) and extended perpendicularly to the seam until rupture; the peak load (newtons) is recorded.
• Machine and accuracy: CRE tensile-testing machine set to 50 mm/min (±10%) and gauge length 100 mm (±1 mm). Force measurement accuracy aligned with ISO 7500‑1 (class 1 recommended, ±1%).
• Clamping dimensions: Effective clamping area for the grab test is 25 mm × 25 mm (±1 mm), achieved by specified jaw arrangements (alternatively one jaw 25 × ≥40 mm and a second 25 × 25 mm).
• Specimen preparation and sampling: Seams may be taken from sewn articles or prepared under agreed sewing conditions (threads, needle, seam type, stitch density). From each sample, cut at least five specimens of 100 mm width following the preparation rules in the standard.
• Conditioning: Preconditioning and testing atmospheres follow ISO 139; recommended conditioning at least 24 hours in the relaxed state.
• Results and reporting: Record maximum force and failure mode (fabric tear, seam rupture, thread breakage, pull‑out, etc.). Exclude results where rupture is a fabric or jaw tear; further tests required to obtain five valid seam ruptures.

Practical applications and users

ISO 13935-2 is used for:

• Quality control and incoming inspection of seams in garment, upholstery, home textile and industrial woven fabrics.
• Performance benchmarking of seam constructions, sewing threads and stitch specifications.
• R&D for seam durability, textile product development and failure analysis. Primary users: textile and apparel manufacturers, testing laboratories, product engineers, certification bodies and material suppliers seeking standardized seam tensile data.

Related standards

• ISO 13935-1 - Strip method for seam rupture (complements Part 2)
• ISO 13934 series - Fabric tensile testing (use consistent test types when comparing fabric and seam strengths)
• ISO 139 - Conditioning atmospheres for textiles
• ISO 7500-1, ISO 10012 - Machine verification and measurement management

Keywords: ISO 13935-2, seam tensile properties, grab test, textile seam testing, seam rupture, CRE testing machine, seam maximum force.