Introduction to tear resistance testing

Tear resistance testing is a critical mechanical property assessment for flexible materials such as plastics, elastomers, coated fabrics and textiles. It evaluates how well a material resists the initiation and propagation of a tear once a cut or defect has been introduced. This property is essential for ensuring durability, safety and performance, particularly when materials are subjected to mechanical stress during use.

One widely used approach for measuring tear resistance is the wing tear testing method, also known as the Winkelmann or Graves method. This technique uses a specially shaped specimen to create a consistent tear path, producing reliable and repeatable results for quality control, product development and compliance with international standards.

What is wing tear testing (Winkelmann/Graves method)?

Wing tear testing is a tensile-based method for flexible materials, in which a wing-shaped specimen is subjected to a controlled force until it tears. The specimen shape, either the classic Winkelmann crescent or the Graves 90-degree configuration, ensures that tearing initiates at a precise location and propagates along a predictable path.

This method is particularly effective for:

The key difference between the Winkelmann and Graves variations lies in specimen geometry. The Graves method uses a symmetrical 90-degree angle cut to create two wings, whereas the Winkelmann method uses a rounded crescent shape. Both designs initiate a tear at the narrowest point, ensuring uniform stress distribution.

Why is tear resistance testing important?

Tear resistance is more than a quality metric, it is a safeguard for performance and safety. Low tear resistance can result in premature failure, creating safety hazards, increasing waste and leading to costly recalls.

Industries where tear resistance testing is critical include:

  • Packaging, where films, bags and wraps must resist tearing during handling and transport
  • Automotive, where interior materials and elastomer seals require long-term durability
  • Textiles and apparel, where protective clothing and outdoor gear must remain intact under stress
  • Rubber products, where gaskets, membranes and seals must resist crack propagation
  • Construction, where membranes and barriers need to withstand environmental loads over time

By quantifying tear resistance, manufacturers can validate designs, select appropriate materials, meet contractual specifications and demonstrate compliance with relevant standards.

How wing tear testing is performed

Specimen geometry and preparation

Testing accuracy begins with correct specimen preparation. For wing tear tests, samples are cut into shapes with two projecting wings joined by a narrow central region where the tear initiates.

Key considerations include:

  • Geometry, Graves (90-degree) or Winkelmann (crescent) shape depending on the required standard
  • Dimensions, cut to standardised sizes for consistent comparison between laboratories
  • Conditioning, maintaining defined temperature and humidity before testing to minimise variability
  • Notching, adding a small pre-cut notch at the narrowest section to ensure a consistent tear start point

Correct preparation is critical, as any deviation can cause uneven stress distribution and invalidate results.

Equipment setup and procedure

Wing tear testing is carried out on a tensile testing machine equipped with grips to hold each wing of the specimen securely.

A typical procedure includes:

  • Mounting the specimen symmetrically in the grips to avoid torsional forces
  • Setting the crosshead speed in line with the applicable standard, such as 250 mm/min for plastics in ASTM D1004
  • Initiating the tear as the crosshead moves, pulling the wings apart
  • Recording the peak force required to propagate the tear
  • Capturing force-extension data for detailed analysis

Accurate alignment is essential, as even slight misalignment can skew results. Digital control systems ensure consistent speed and precise force measurement.

Mecmesin equipment for tear resistance testing

Precision testing for plastics, textiles and rubber

Mecmesin’s tensile testing frames are designed to handle a wide range of flexible materials, from thin plastic films to thick coated fabrics and elastomer sheets. High-resolution loadcells provide accuracy for both low and high tear strength materials, while crosshead speeds can be configured to match the requirements of specific ASTM or ISO methods.

Compliance with international standards

Mecmesin’s systems meet the requirements of major tear resistance standards, including:

Configurable fixtures and gripping solutions

Specialised grips hold wing-shaped specimens securely without slippage or surface damage. Mecmesin offers a range of fixtures to accommodate variations in thickness, finish and compliance requirements.

Software-controlled testing and reporting

VectorPro software allows operators to:

  • Automate test sequences for repeatability
  • Record and display force-extension curves
  • Calculate peak tear force and other metrics automatically
  • Export data for quality assurance, R&D and compliance documentation

Standards for tear resistance testing

While the core principle of wing tear testing remains the same, each standard specifies unique specimen shapes, notch sizes and test speeds. Adhering to these requirements ensures results are valid and comparable.

The most common standards include:

Applications of tear resistance testing across industries

Wing tear testing is used in:

Speak to an expert

Speak to an expert at Mecmesin about your tear resistance testing requirements, from selecting the correct wing tear method to configuring equipment for compliance with ASTM, ISO and other industry standards.

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