ISO 13937-2:2000

Overview

ISO 13937-2:2000 - Textiles - Tear properties of fabrics - Part 2 describes the trouser-shaped (single tear) method for determining the tear force of fabric specimens. It defines specimen geometry, conditioning, test apparatus and the single-tear test procedure using a constant-rate-of-extension (CRE) tensile testing machine. The method is mainly intended for woven fabrics and certain nonwovens and is used to measure the force needed to propagate a pre-initiated tear.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Test principle: A rectangular specimen is cut to form two “trouser legs”; the legs are gripped and pulled apart to propagate a single tear while force is recorded.
• Specimen dimensions: Standard narrow specimen - 200 ± 2 mm long × 50 ± 1 mm wide with a central slit 100 ± 1 mm. End-of-tear mark at 25 ± 1 mm from the uncut end. (Annex D permits 200 mm wide specimens if agreed.)
• Machine and settings:
  • CRE tensile testing machine (constant-rate-of-extension).
  • Rate of extension: 100 ± 10 mm/min.
  • Gauge length: 100 ± 1 mm.
  • Data acquisition frequency: at least 8 samples/s for electronic recording.
  • Apparatus accuracy: Class 1 per ISO 7500-1 (force error ≤ ±1%, jaw separation error ≤ ±1 mm).
• Clamping: Jaws should hold specimens without slip or cutting; jaw width preferably 75 mm or not less than specimen width.
• Sampling and specimen count: Cut sets parallel to warp and weft; minimum five specimens per direction (reject criteria and additional testing rules provided).
• Conditioning: Preconditioning and test atmosphere per ISO 139.
• Limits of applicability: Not generally applicable to knitted or elastic woven fabrics; unsuitable for highly anisotropic or very loose fabrics where tear direction may change.

Applications and who uses it

• Textile test laboratories and certification bodies for quality control and acceptance testing.
• Manufacturers of woven fabrics, technical textiles and apparel assessing tear resistance and fabric durability.
• Product development and R&D teams comparing fabric constructions and finishes for performance.
• Procurement and specification writers embedding standardized tear requirements in contracts or product specifications.

Practical benefits include repeatable tear-force data for design decisions, quality assurance, and benchmarking materials for garments, workwear, upholstery and industrial textiles.

Related standards

• ISO 13937-1 - Elmendorf (ballistic pendulum) tear method
• ISO 13937-3 - Wing-shaped single tear method
• ISO 13937-4 - Tongue-shaped double tear method
• Normative references used: ISO 139 (conditioning), ISO 7500-1 (machine verification), ISO 10012-1 (metrological confirmation)

Keywords: ISO 13937-2:2000, trouser test, tear properties, tear force, textiles, CRE testing machine, fabric tear test, woven fabrics.