Information on the most widely used ASTM standards within the materials testing industry
ASTM D5035 : Standard Test Method for Breaking Force and Elongation of Textile Fabrics (Strip Method)
ASTM D5035 is the standard test method for determining breaking force (tensile strength) and elongation at break of textile fabrics using the strip method. It defines two core procedures--raveled strip (for woven fabrics) and cut strip (for nonwovens, coated/felted fabrics)--and supports both dry and wet testing.
Test Principle of ASTM D5035:
A fabric strip is clamped in the grips of a tensile tester. The grips separate at a constant speed, applying uniaxial tension until the specimen breaks.
Gripping: The full-width strip specimen is mounted centrally between grips, aligned with the tensile axis, with no initial slack or pre-tension.
Loading: The CRE machine stretches the specimen at a constant speed until rupture.
Data Capture: The machine continuously records force vs. elongation until failure.
Result Extraction: Identify breaking force (Fₘₐₓ) (peak force at rupture) and elongation at break (E₈) (strain at rupture) from the curve.
Calculation: Compute average values and standard deviation for warp and filling directions from 5+ valid specimens.

ASTM D5035 specifies two distinct strip test procedures, plus wet testing capability:
1, Raveled Strip Test (1R/2R)
Applicable: Woven fabrics (most common use case).
Process: Cut a wider strip, then ravel (remove) edge yarns to reach the target test width (25 mm / 1 in. for 1R; 50 mm / 2 in. for 2R).
Purpose: Ensures edge yarns do not unravel during testing, yielding accurate woven fabric tensile dataASTM.
2, Cut Strip Test (1C/2C)
Applicable: Nonwovens, felted fabrics, coated/dipped fabrics, and woven fabrics that cannot be raveled.
Process: Directly cut specimens to the target width (25 mm / 1 in. for 1C; 50 mm / 2 in. for 2C) without raveling.
Test machine and fixture required for ASTM D5035 fabric tensile test:
| Tensile testing machine | Constant Rate of Extension (CRE) (preferred), Constant Rate of Loading (CRL), or Constant Rate of Traverse (CRT) machines; Speed: Standard 300 ± 10 mm/min (12 ± 0.5 in./min); adjusted to achieve a 20 ± 3 second time-to-break. Elongation Measurement: Via crosshead travel or extensometers; gauge length fixed at 75 ± 1 mm (3 ± 0.05 in.). |
| Test grips | Flat-faced pneumatic or mechanical screw grips; jaw faces ≥10 mm wider than the specimen and ≥25 mm in the load direction. Rubber-faced or serrated to prevent slippage; parallel alignment is critical. |
Test Specimen Information:
| Specimen Type | Width | Length | Gauge Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1R / 1C | 25 mm (1 in.) | ≥150 mm (6 in.) | 75 mm (3 in.) |
| 2R / 2C | 50 mm (2 in.) | ≥150 mm (6 in.) | 75 mm (3 in.) |
Direction: Test in warp (machine) and filling (cross-machine) directions;
Quantity: Minimum 5 specimens per direction.
Details ASTM D5035 test procedures:
| Step 1: Machine Setup |
| Set gauge length to 75 mm (3 in.) and test speed to 300 mm/min (adjust for 20 ± 3 s time-to-break). (for most fabrics 300mm/min; other rates allowed if specified). Install appropriate flat test grips (rubber/serrated) to prevent slippage. |
| Step 2: Specimen Mounting |
Clamp the specimen centrally in the upper grip, aligning with the tensile axis. Let the specimen hang freely to eliminate slack; clamp the lower end centrally, ensuring uniform tension across the width. |
| Step 3: Test Execution |
Start the machine; stretch until complete rupture. Discard invalid tests: Specimen slippage, breakage at grip edge, or failure outside the gauge length. |
| Step 4: Data Recording & Calculation |
Record breaking force (N/lbf) and elongation at break (%) for each valid test. Calculate average and standard deviation for warp and filling directions. |
| Step 5: Wet Test Procedure |
| Follow Steps 1–4 using pre-wetted, blotted specimens; test immediately after preparation. |
Importance of the ASTM D5035 Tensile Test:
Performance Benchmarking: Tensile strength indicates fabric durability under stress (e.g., stretching during wear, industrial loads).
Safety Assurance: Critical for load-bearing textiles (seatbelts, parachutes, lifting slings).
Process Optimization: Helps manufacturers select fabrics suitable for cutting, sewing, or coating processes.
Standardization: Enables consistent quality comparisons across suppliers and industries globally.
| Aspect | ASTM D5035 | ISO 13934-1 |
|---|---|---|
| Gauge Length | 75 mm (default) | 200 mm (default) |
| Test Speed | 300 ± 10 mm/min (for 75 mm gauge) | 100 ± 10 mm/min (for 200 mm gauge) |
| Conditioning | ASTM D1776 (21°C ± 1°C, 65% ± 2% RH) | ISO 139 (20°C ± 2°C, 65% ± 4% RH) |
| Grip Options | Flat grips | Typically flat grips only |
Related products and device
Related Standard
ISO 13934-1 Textiles -- Tensile properties of fabrics (strip methods)
ISO 13934-1 provides a testing procedure for determining the tensile properties of fabrics. This standard mainly applies to woven textile fabrics, but can also be applicable to fabrics produced using other techniques. it is not normally applied to woven elastic fabrics, geotextiles, nonwoven fabrics, coated fabrics, textile-glass woven fabrics, fabrics made from carbon fibers, or polyolefin tape yarns. This standard uses a strip method of testing to measure maximum force as well as elongation at maximum force. If required, it also records the force at rupture and elongation. Two sets of specimens are prepared, one in the warp direction and one in the weft direction.
ISO 13934-2 Tensile properties of fabrics (grab method)
ISO 13934-2 specifies a procedure for the determination of the maximum force of textile fabrics known as the grab test. The method is mainly applicable to woven textile fabrics including fabrics which exhibit stretch characteristics imparted by the presence of an elastomeric fibre and mechanical or chemical treatment. It can be applicable to fabrics produced by other techniques.
It is not normally applicable to geotextiles, nonwovens, coated fabrics, textile-glass woven fabrics, and fabrics made from carbon fibres or polyolefin tape yarns. The method specifies the determination of the maximum force of test specimens in equilibrium with the standard atmosphere for testing and of test specimens in the wet state. The method is restricted to the use of constant-rate-of-extension (CRE) testing machines.
ASTM D1424 Standard Test Method for Tear Strength of Fabrics by Falling-Pendulum (Elmendorf) Apparatus
ASTM D1424 specifies the procedure for determining the force required to propagate a single tear through a fabric using the Elmendorf (falling-pendulum) tester. The test method is a single-tear (tongue) test. A rectangular specimen is slit partway along its length to create two tongues. The tear propagates from the slit across the width of the specimen.
ISO 13937-1 Textiles - Tear properties of fabrics - Part 1: Determination of tear force using ballistic pendulum method (Elmendorf)
ISO 13937‑1 is the ballistic pendulum (Elmendorf) method for measuring fabric tear force under sudden impact. It is the most widely used impact‑style tear test for woven fabrics, giving a single‑rip tear propagation force value.It is known as the single tear method.
ASTM D6797 is a standard test method for measuring the bursting strength of woven and knitted textiles using a constant-rate-of-extension (CRE) tensile tester with a ball burst fixture, providing precise, repeatable data for fabric performance evaluation, quality control, and compliance, essential for validating high-elongation textiles in real-world applications.
ASTM D6797 titled "Test Method for Bursting Strength of Fabrics Constant-Rate-of-Extension (CRE) Ball Burst Test." While similar in name to ASTM D3787, it has a distinct focus and methodology.
ISO 9237 is a method of testing the breathability of a fabric. It can be applied to a wide range of fabrics, including woven, nonwoven, and industrial fabrics for technical reasons. In this method, the rate of airflow passing perpendicularly through a given area of fabric is measured. The differential pressure for the entire fabric test area and time has been determined. Nowadays, air permeability testers are very advanced because they require the machine to start and provide airflow values.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about ASTM D5035 Strip Method Test
1. What types of fabrics can be tested with ASTM D5035?
Answer: It applies to most woven, nonwoven, and felted fabrics. However, it is not recommended for highly elastic fabrics (e.g., stretch knits) or fabrics that easily slip in the grips—these may require the grab method (ASTM D5034) or modified grip setups.
2. What is the "wrapped grip" option, and when should I use it?
Answer: Wrapped grips involve wrapping the specimen ends around rods or rollers before clamping. This is recommended for:
Slippery fabrics (e.g., coated materials, satin weaves).
High-strength fabrics where jaw breaks or slippage may occur with flat grips.
3. What are common sources of error in ASTM D5035 testing?
Answer:
Specimen Slippage: Use wrapped grips or check jaw pressure.
Misalignment: Ensure specimen is centered and straight in grips.
Edge Fraying: Cut specimens with clean edges (using precision dies).
Non-standard Conditioning: Always condition fabrics per ASTM D1776.
4. What industries commonly use ASTM D5035?
Answer:
Apparel & Footwear: Testing denim, shirt fabrics, etc.
Home Textiles: Upholstery, curtains, bedding.
Technical Textiles: Geotextiles, medical fabrics, automotive interiors.
Military & Protective Gear: Uniforms, tents, load-bearing equipment.
5: Can ASTM D5035 results be compared with ISO 13934‑1?
Answer: No, because they have different gauge length, speed, and specimen details. They are similar but not directly comparable.
6: What is the difference between ASTM D5035 and ASTM D5034?
Answer:
D5035: strip method (full width gripped)
D5034: grab method (only middle part gripped)
Results are not comparable.
7: What is the difference between raveled strip and cut strip?
Answer: Raveled strip removes edge yarns for stable testing on woven fabrics. Cut strip is simply cut to width, used when raveling is not possible.
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