ISO 12625-4 Tensile Testing of Tissue Paper and Tissue

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ISO 12625-4 Tissue Paper Tensile Strength, Stretch & TEA Tester | UnitedTest

ISO 12625-4 defines CRE tensile testing methods for tissue paper and tissue products, measuring tensile strength, stretch at maximum force, and tensile energy absorption (TEA). UnitedTest manufactures fully compliant ISO 12625-4 tissue tensile test machines for paper lab QA and material analysis.

ISO 12625-4 is the authoritative international standard for mechanical performance testing of tissue paper and finished tissue products. It specifies a precise constant rate of elongation (CRE) tensile testing procedure to accurately determine three core material properties: tensile strength, stretch at maximum force, and tensile energy absorption (TEA).

Beyond basic property measurement, ISO 12625-4 provides standardized calculation formulas for deriving tensile index and tensile energy absorption index, enabling consistent, comparable quality grading and performance benchmarking across tissue manufacturing facilities and third-party laboratories worldwide. The CRE tensile testing principle ensures steady, uniform elongation speed throughout every test, delivering highly repeatable and reproducible mechanical test results for lightweight, soft tissue substrates.

Tensile strength, maximum stretch, and TEA values are essential quality indicators for evaluating tissue durability, flexibility, and structural integrity during conversion, packaging, and end-use applications. Manufacturers rely on ISO 12625-4 data to optimize pulp formulations, control production consistency, and validate finished tissue product quality.

UnitedTest designs and manufactures high-precision ISO 12625-4 compliant CRE tensile testing machines purpose-built for tissue paper and tissue product testing. Our equipment delivers accurate tensile strength, stretch, and TEA measurements with standardized index calculations, supporting tissue factory quality control, paper material R&D, and independent laboratory certification.

Test Principle

A prepared tissue test‑piece of defined dimensions is clamped and stretched continuously at a constant elongation rate until rupture. The instrument records tensile force versus elongation throughout the test. From the force‑elongation curve, operators derive tensile strength, stretch at maximum force, and tensile energy absorption. Either vertical or horizontal tensile testers are acceptable for execution. Elongation measurement starts only after reaching a pre‑load force of (0.25 ± 0.05) N to eliminate slack from the specimen.

Specific Test Methods

Parameter	Definition	How it is obtained
Tensile strength	Maximum tensile force per unit width that a test piece withstands before breaking.	From the peak force recorded during the test.
Stretch at maximum force	Ratio of elongation at the moment of maximum force to the initial test span length, expressed as a %.	Calculated from the elongation value at peak force.
Tensile energy absorption (TEA)	Amount of energy absorbed per unit surface area of the test piece up to the onset of break.	Area under the force‑elongation curve (numerical integration of raw data).
Tensile index	Tensile strength divided by grammage.	Calculation after grammage is determined (ISO 12625‑6).
TEA index	TEA divided by grammage.	Same as above.
Tensile modulus (optional)	Slope between two force points on the force‑elongation curve.	Determined according to Annex B if required.

Test equipment required for ISO 12625-4 Tensile Testing of Tissue Paper and Tissue

Universal Testing Machine

Recommend UnitedTest tensile testing machine with a constant Elongation Rate. Speed set to 20 ± 10 mm/min (Part 2) or 100 ± 10 mm/min (Part 3).

Apply a constant rate of elongation of 50 % of the initial test span length per minute (i.e., 50 mm/min for a 100 mm span, 25 mm/min for a 50 mm span).

Record force versus elongation (strip‑chart recorder or equivalent).

Measure elongation with an accuracy of ±0.1 mm; elongation measurement starts when the force reaches (0.25 ± 0.05) N.

Have a force‑measuring system (usually a load cell) with an accuracy of ±1 % of the reading or ±0.025 N, whichever is greater, and be calibrated to ISO 7500‑1.

Tensile Test Grips

Mminimum 50 mm width, adjustable clamping force. Jaw lines parallel within 1° and perpendicular to pulling direction. Standard test span length 100 ± 1 mm; alternative 50 ± 1 mm for small‑size finished goods.

ISO 12625-4 Tensile Testing of Tissue Paper and Tissue

Cutting device

Capable of repeatedly cutting test pieces (50.0 ± 0.5) mm wide with undamaged, straight, smooth, and parallel edges.

Test Specimen Information:

Width	50.0 ± 0.5 mm
Length	At least 150 mm (if the product allows). For finished products where a longer piece cannot be cut, the longest possible piece is used and the clamp span is reduced to 50 mm.
Number of specimens	At least 10 in the machine direction and 10 in the cross direction (≥ 20 total per sample).
Quality	Free from perforations, creases, kinks, wrinkles, folds, or other non‑inherent faults.
Ply	Unconverted tissue is tested as a single ply unless otherwise agreed; converted products are tested as received (e.g., a single finished sheet).

Test Procedure of ISO 12625-4 Tensile Testing of Tissue Paper and Tissue

Cut required MD and CD specimens, visually screen for defects.

Mount specimen between clamps: eliminate obvious slack, but do not apply tension over 0.25 N before starting test. Do not manually touch the clamped test‑zone area.

Align specimen parallel to pulling axis, firmly clamp, start tensile run until specimen breaks.

Reject individual results where fracture occurs within 5 mm of clamp lines. Continue testing until 10 valid results are obtained for each direction. If over 20 % of specimens break near clamps, discard all data of that specimen batch; inspect equipment and perform corrective maintenance before retesting.

Perform calculations for tensile strength, stretch‑at‑max‑force, tensile‑energy‑absorption, tensile index and TEA‑index according to clause 9 of the standard. Tensile modulus calculation is optional.

Complete the formal test report including any deviations (e.g. use of 50 mm reduced‑span length).

Core Test Parameters

Elongation rate: 50 % of initial test‑span length per minute. That equals 50 mm/min for 100 mm span; 25 mm/min for 50 mm span.

Pre‑load trigger for elongation measurement: 0.25 ± 0.05 N (to remove specimen slack).

Standard test span: 100 ± 1 mm; reduced span 50 ± 1 mm for small‑dimension finished products (e.g. some toilet‑tissue sheets).

Industry Application

ISO 12625‑4 is essential for the tissue paper and tissue products industry, which includes:

Toilet paper

Facial tissues

Paper towels

Napkins

Handkerchiefs

Industrial wipes and other converted tissue articles.

Manufacturers, quality‑control laboratories, and research institutions use this standard to:

Verify that products meet contractual or regulatory specifications.

Compare performance across different basis weights or pulp formulations.

Develop new tissue grades with optimized strength‑softness‑absorbency balances.

Related standard:

ISO 1924-2	Paper and board - Determination of tensile properties - Part 2: Constant rate of elongation method (20 mm/min)
ISO 12625‑5	Determination of wet tensile strength (complementary dry‑vs‑wet mechanical performance)
ASTM D828	Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Paper and Paperboard (similar CRE method, but primarily for paper and board, not specifically tissue).
BS 4415-1	Determination of the tensile properties of paper and board.-Constant rate of loading method
ISO 1924-3	Paper and board - Determination of tensile properties - Part 3: Constant rate of elongation method (100 mm/min)
ISO 12625-4	Tissue paper and tissue products — Part 4: Determination of tensile strength, stretch at maximum force and tensile energy absorption

Keywords: ISO 12625-4 tissue paper tensile test, tissue paper tensile strength tester, stretch at maximum force tissue test machine, tensile energy absorption TEA tester, CRE constant rate of elongation tensile equipment, tissue product tensile index test, tissue paper mechanical performance analyzer, lightweight tissue tensile testing system, ISO 12625-4 paper quality control machine, tissue pulp strength and flexibility tester, finished tissue product TEA measurement instrument, UnitedTest ISO 12625-4 compliant tensile tester

WDW Series Computer Control Electronic Universal Testing Machine made by UNITEDTEST range from 100N to 600KN load capacity with various models like single columns, table type, door frame type etc., is used to perform tension, compression, flexure/bending, shearing, peeling etc., test for metal and nonmetal specimens.

Tensile test fixture for plastics is based on the test standatd ASTM D638, determination of the tensile properties of unreinforced and reinforced plastics in the form of standard dumbbell-shaped test specimens when tested under defined conditions of pretreatment, temperature, speed.

Q1: What is ISO 12625‑4:2022 used for?

A: ISO 12625‑4:2022 is an international test standard for dry tensile performance of tissue paper and finished tissue products (toilet tissue, facial tissue, paper towels, kitchen wipes). It measures tensile strength, stretch at maximum force, tensile energy absorption (TEA), plus derived tensile index and TEA index under constant‑rate‑of‑elongation tensile testing. The 2022 edition adds Annex B for optional tensile modulus calculation and replaces the older 2016 version.

Q2: Why is ISO 12625‑4 testing important for tissue products?

A: Tissue is low‑density, low‑basis‑weight fibrous material. Test results directly reflect real‑world usability:

Tensile strength tells you how much pulling force tissue can resist without tearing during converting or consumer usage.

Stretch at maximum force reflects ductility; higher stretch means the sheet tolerates sudden pulling.

TEA evaluates material toughness, better than raw tensile strength for predicting brittle snapping.

Tensile‑index normalizes strength by grammage, enabling fair comparison between different‑weight tissue grades.

These objective lab data replace subjective hand‑feeling, supporting quality control, raw‑material screening and global supply‑chain agreements.

Q3: What specimens are required for ISO 12625‑4 test? How many samples do I need?

A: Standard specimen dimension: width 50.0 ± 0.5 mm, length ≥ 150 mm. You must cut minimum 10 specimens in machine direction (MD) and 10 in cross‑machine direction (CD), total ≥ 20 specimens per sample. For small‑size finished goods (short toilet‑tissue sheets that cannot reach 150 mm length), use 50 mm reduced test span and record this deviation on the test report. Specimens shall avoid holes, creases and abnormal defects; converted products are tested “as‑received” with original ply count, base tissue normally tested single‑ply.

Q4: What test‑span length and test speed does ISO 12625‑4 specify?

A: Standard test span 100 ± 1 mm, cross‑head speed 50 mm/min (50 % span‑length per minute). If you adopt reduced 50 ± 1 mm span for small‑size products, set speed 25 mm/min accordingly. Elongation measurement only starts after pre‑load force reaches 0.25 ± 0.05 N, to eliminate specimen slack.

Q5: My specimens keep breaking very close to the clamp jaws (within 5 mm). How should I handle this?

A: Breaks inside 5 mm from clamping line are invalid test results. Continue testing until you collect 10 valid results for each direction. If > 20 % of specimens break near jaws, discard all data for this batch. Check clamp alignment, jaw surface condition and clamping pressure; repair or adjust equipment before retesting. Jaw misalignment, worn jaw pads or over‑clamping pressure are typical root causes.

Q6: What is the difference between tensile strength and tensile index?

A: Tensile strength = maximum breaking force per unit specimen width (N/m). Tensile index = tensile strength divided by grammage (N·m/g). The tensile index removes grammage influence, so you can fairly compare tissue samples of different basis‑weights. Same rule applies for TEA and TEA‑index.

Q7: What is Tensile Energy Absorption (TEA) in ISO 12625‑4?

A: TEA means total energy absorbed per unit specimen area up to maximum‑force break. It comes from integrating the area under force‑elongation curve. TEA describes tissue toughness: two samples with similar tensile strength can have very different TEA values; higher‑TEA tissue resists sudden‑pull rupture better.

Q8: Can I use ISO 1924‑2 instead of ISO 12625‑4 for tissue paper tensile test?

A: No. ISO 1924‑2 targets general paper & board, it explicitly excludes tissue‑paper products. Tissue uses special parameters: 50 %/min elongation rate, 0.25 N slack‑trigger point, special clamp requirements and specimen rules unique for soft tissue grades. Always use ISO 12625‑4 for tissue.

Q9. What happens if my product is too small for a 150 mm strip?

A: For finished items such as toilet‑roll sheets that are ≈ 98 mm wide, the standard permits a shorter specimen and a reduced test span of (50 ± 1) mm (which lowers the elongation rate to 25 mm/min). This deviation must be recorded in the test report.

Q10. Why is “stretch at maximum force” so critical for consumer tissue?

A: Stretch at max force is a proxy for softness and conformability. Facial tissues and toilet paper with higher stretch feel gentler on skin, while still needing enough tensile strength to avoid shredding. The ISO 12625‑4 test quantifies this trade‑off, allowing product developers to hit the sweet spot between “soft” and “strong”

Q11. How can UnitedTest help me perform ISO 12625‑4 testing?

A: UnitedTest manufactures a range of universal tensile testing machines (UTM) that can be configured for tissue paper testing:

High‑rigidity, compact frames with precise servo‑motor drive and digital load cells that meet ISO 7500‑1 accuracy requirements.

Adjustable crosshead speed from 0.0001 mm/min up to 300 mm/min, easily set to the required 50 mm/min (or 25 mm/min) elongation rate.

Custom‑made wide grips (≥ 50 mm) – including pneumatic or cylindrical‑flat designs – that gently but firmly hold delicate tissue strips without slip or damage.

Advanced software (SmartTest, English version) that records the full force‑elongation curve, numerically integrates the area for TEA, and automatically calculates tensile strength, stretch at max force, indices, and optional tensile modulus.

Compliance support – UnitedTest machines are verified to ISO 7500‑1 (and ASTM E4), ensuring the force‑measurement system satisfies ISO 12625‑4.

Worldwide service – installation, calibration, training, and spare‑parts support for tissue mills and QC labs globally.

ISO 12625‑4 Tissue Paper Tensile Testing Machine Solution from UnitedTest

ISO 12625‑4 is the globally‑recognized standard for dry tensile performance testing of tissue paper and tissue‑based consumer products. Tissue manufacturers, paper‑mills, third‑party testing laboratories require reliable CRE (constant‑rate‑of‑elongation) tensile testers to run ISO 12625‑4 tests for quality control, product R&D and incoming‑raw‑material inspection.

UnitedTest designs and manufactures professional tensile testing equipment fully aligned with ISO 12625‑4:2022 requirements. Our tissue‑paper tensile tester meets force‑measurement accuracy requirements of ISO 7500‑1, supports standard 100 mm and reduced 50 mm test‑span length, and provides accurate area calculation for tensile energy absorption (TEA). The test system automatically computes tensile strength, stretch at maximum force, tensile index, TEA and TEA‑index; it also supports optional tensile‑modulus calculation according to Annex B of ISO 12625‑4.

Equipped with tissue‑special clamping fixtures, UnitedTest tensile testers effectively reduce jaw‑break issues for soft, thin tissue specimens. Operators can test both machine‑direction (MD) and cross‑machine‑direction (CD) tissue samples. Test reports can be exported for quality records and customer‑supply‑chain documentation.

Suitable test objects include toilet tissue, facial tissue, paper towels, kitchen wipes and other converted tissue products. Whether you are doing lab R&D, production‑line quality‑check or third‑party‑lab compliance testing, UnitedTest provides complete ISO 12625‑4 test‑machine solutions and after‑sales technical support.

We offer customization to meet your specific needs. Our expert team will collaborate with you to develop the perfect product for you