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ISO 13937-1 Fabric and textiles Tearing test by Pendulum Elmendorf method

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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.


Test Principle of ISO 13937-1: 

The test measures the tear force by using the energy loss of a falling pendulum. A rectangular specimen is cut to create a tongue. One part of the specimen is clamped to the pendulum, the other to a fixed clamp. The pendulum is released, and as it falls, it tears the fabric. The work done in tearing is absorbed from the pendulum, reducing its upward swing. The tear force is directly read from a calibrated scale, which translates the energy loss into force (Newtons or centiNewtons).

ISO 13937-1 Fabric and textiles Tearing test by Pendulum Elmendorf method


Test Equipment required: 

Elmendorf tear tester (ballistic pendulum machine)

A freely moving, weighted pendulum.

A fixed clamp and a moving clamp attached to the pendulum.

(The movable clamp is integrated with the pendulum, and the fixed clamp is integrated with the frame. 

The clamps are spaced 3 ± 0.5 mm apart to allow the blade to pass through. 

After placing the fabric sample into the fixture, it should be parallel to the axis of the pendulum. 

This plane forms an angle of 27.5 ± 0.5° with the perpendicular line to the axis. 

The distance between the axis and the upper edge of the fixture is 104 ± 1 mm. 

There is no strict specification for the size of the clamping surface of the fixture; 

the width is generally 30-40 mm, the height is 20 mm, but anything not less than 15 mm is suitable.) 

A pointer and a calibrated energy scale (in N or cN).

A cutting device for making the initial slit.

ISO 13937-1 Fabric and textiles Tearing test by Pendulum Elmendorf method

Sample preparation tools

Precision sharp cutter make a cut of 20±0.5mm between the two clamps on the fabric before tearing it.

Template for specimen cutting.

Conditioning cabinet (per ISO 139)


ISO 13937-1 Test Specimen Information: 

Typically rectangular, e.g., 100 mm x 75 mm. One side has a groove 15mm wide and 12mm deep. And opposite side have longitudinal cut of (20 ± 0.5) mm is made from the center of one short edge. 

A minimum of 5 specimens in the warp direction and 5 in the weft direction. 

Minimum of 5 specimens in the warp direction and 5 in the weft direction. Specimens must be cut precisely parallel to the fabric's warp or weft yarns. They should be free of folds, creases, or visible flaws.

ISO 13937-1 Fabric and textiles Tearing test by Pendulum Elmendorf method


Test procedure: 

1. Select the pendulum mass so that the measurement value falls within 15% to 85% of the scale range. Check the zero position of the instrument and raise the pendulum to the starting position.

2. Secure the fabric sample by placing it in the clamp, ensuring that the long side of the fabric is parallel to the upper edge of the clamp. Clamp the fabric in the center of the clamp with the bottom edge against the bottom of the fixture. Use a cutter to make a 20±0.5mm notch so that the length to be torn is 43±0.5mm.

3. Press down the pendulum stopper to release the pendulum. When the pendulum swings back, stop it without interfering with the pointer position. Read the measurement in N from the scale or digital display. Depending on the type of instrument used, multiply the scale reading by the appropriate factor to convert it to a result in newtons. Check that the result is between 15% and 85% of the full scale, and repeat the test for at least five fabric samples in each direction.

4. Observe that the tearing process occurs along the direction of the force. The following conditions are considered correct: a) No yarns slip out from the fabric; b) No slippage occurs in the clamp; c) After complete tearing, the notched area remains within a width of 15mm. Otherwise, the result should be discarded.

5. If three or more test results are rejected, this method is not applicable.

6. Test Results

a) The average tearing strength in the warp and weft directions, expressed in N. If only 3 or 4 fabric samples are properly torn, record the tearing strength results of the properly torn samples separately.

b) If required, record the coefficient of variation of the tearing strength, expressed as a percentage.

c) If required, record the 95% confidence interval of the tearing strength, expressed in N.

d) If required, record the minimum and maximum tearing strength in each direction, expressed in N.


Related test standard of ISO 13937-1: 

ASTM D1424Standard Test Method for Tearing Strength of Fabrics by Falling-Pendulum (Elmendorf-Type) Apparatus
GB/T 3917.1Textiles.Tear properties of fabrics.Part 1:Determination of tear force using ballistic pendulum method(Elmendorf)
ISO 13937-2Determination of tear force of trouser-shaped test specimens (Single tear method).
ISO 13937-3Determination of tear force of wing-shaped test specimens.
ISO 13937-4Determination of tear force of tongue-shaped test specimens (Double tear test).
JIS L 1096 8.17.4Method D (Pendulum Method) is mainly applied to textiles as Elmendorf tear methods.
ISO 1974Paper - Determination of tearing resistance (Elmendorf method)
ASTM D5734
Standard Test Method for Tearing Strength of Nonwoven Fabrics by Falling-Pendulum (Elmendorf) Apparatus


Importance for the Textile Industry

Predicts Durability & Performance: Tear strength is a critical indicator of a fabric's durability and serviceability. It directly relates to how a product will perform under stress in real-world use, impacting quality perception and longevity.

Global Standardization: As an ISO standard, it provides a universally recognized and repeatable method. This ensures consistent communication between suppliers and buyers worldwide, facilitating fair trade and reducing disputes over quality specifications.

Safety & Suitability Assessment: For technical and protective textiles (e.g., parachutes, tarpaulins, industrial workwear), minimum tear strength is often a key safety and performance requirement. This test verifies if the material is fit for its intended purpose.

Efficiency: The Elmendorf test is relatively quick and simple to perform, making it ideal for routine quality control in manufacturing and inspection processes.

Material selection: Compares fabrics for end‑use suitability (e.g., canvas vs. lightweight apparel).

Related products and device

ISO 13937-1 Fabric Elmendorf Tearing Tester

Elmendorf Tearing Tester is designed for the tearing test of films, sheets, flexible PVC, PVDC, waterproof films, woven materials, polypropylene, polyester, paper, cardboard, textiles and nonwovens.

ISO 13937-2 Single column tensile/tear tester

A single column tensile tester is a sophisticated material testing instrument designed for measuring mechanical properties of various materials under tension, compression, bending, shear, and other loading conditions. As the name suggests, it features a single vertical column supporting a moving crosshead that applies force to test specimens.

fabric and textile tear test fixture

Tear fixture ASTM D1004, vise grip or self-tightening roller grips are the most popular for this application and the least expensive. They can be provided with a rubber faced surface to measure the tear resistance strength of flexible plastic film and sheeting.

Related Standard

ASTM D4533 Trapezoid Tearing Strength Test of Geotextiles

ASTM D4533 test used to measure the force required to continue or propagate tearing in woven or non-woven geotextiles, using the trapezoidal method for testing. The trapezoidal tearing method is a test that generates tension along a reasonably defined path, allowing the tear to propagate across the width of the specimen. The trapezoidal tear strength of woven fabrics is mainly determined by the characteristics of the yarns clamped in the fixture.

ISO 13934-2 Grab method tensile test fabrics

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.  

FAQs about ISO 13937-1 (Elmendorf tear test)

Q1: What is ISO 13937-1 mainly used for?

A: It is the international standard test method for measuring the tear force of fabrics using the ballistic pendulum (Elmendorf) method. It determines how much impact force is needed to propagate a pre-cut slit in a fabric.


Q2: Why test both warp and weft directions?

A: Woven fabrics are anisotropic—tear resistance is usually different in machine (warp) and cross‑machine (weft) directions. Both must be reported for complete performance.


Q3: What factors affect the test results?

A: Fabric structure (yarn, weave, density), pre‑conditioning (temperature & humidity), pre‑cut length, pendulum range, clamping tightness, and test direction.


Q4: Why is tear strength important for fabrics?

A: Tear strength is a critical indicator of durability and serviceability. A fabric with high tear resistance will last longer, resist damage from snagging or puncturing, and is essential for safety in applications like protective workwear, tents, parachutes, and upholstery.


Q5: What is the main difference between ISO 13937-1 and ASTM D1424? Aren't they both Elmendorf tests?

A: Yes, both use an Elmendorf pendulum, but they are not directly comparable due to key differences:

Specimen Size: ISO uses a 100mm x 75mm specimen with a 20mm slit. ASTM uses a 100mm x 63mm (or 76mm) specimen with a 43mm slit.

Results: The different geometry affects how the tear propagates. Therefore, a fabric will yield different numerical values for each standard. You must test and report according to the specific standard required by your buyer or specification.


Q6: How many specimens do I need to test?

A: The standard requires a minimum of 5 specimens in the warp direction and 5 in the weft direction. Testing both directions is crucial because fabric strength often differs significantly between them.


Q7: What are common reasons for high variation in test results?

A: High variation (coefficient of variation) can be caused by:

Improper Specimen Cutting: Specimens not cut precisely parallel to the yarns.

Fabric Irregularities: Slubs, thick/thin places, or uneven weave.

Clamping Errors: Misalignment of the slit with the clamp edges, or inconsistent clamping pressure.

Conditioning: Testing fabric that has not been properly conditioned to the standard temperature and humidity.

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