Tear Strength
Tear strength is the performance that indicates the strength of a textile’s resistance to the spread of a tear when a cut or damage is pulled farther apart.
Contents6 sections
Definition and Overview
Tear strength is an item used to evaluate the resistance of textile to the spread of a tear starting from a cut in the textile. While tensile strength is the strength needed to pull the entire textile from both sides until it breaks, tear strength assumes a situation in which a tear progresses from a damaged area.
Factors that Affect Performance
Tear strength is determined by a combination of the fiber type, thread thickness and strength, weave or knit structure, density, and finishing process. In general, if there are enough threads to absorb the tearing force and the structure allows the threads to move appropriately, the tear tends to progress less easily.
However, a thick textile with a high fabric weight does not necessarily have high tear strength. Resin finishing, coating to make the hand feel firmer, and surface lamination may affect how the material tears depending on the applications and construction. It is important to check not only the numerical value but also the textile structure and actual use conditions together.
Main Applications and Textile Selection
Tear strength is emphasized in outerwear, pants, workwear, outdoor gear, bags, and other products that are prone to snagging, friction, and bending. Ripstop, which arranges reinforcing threads in a grid pattern even in lightweight textiles, is a typical structure intended to suppress the spread of a tear if damage occurs.
During planning, consider the product’s use environment, expected snags, and areas where force is applied locally, such as pocket openings and the crotch. For garments that prioritize lightness and flexibility, it is important to balance the required performance with the hand feel.
- Because the results differ depending on the warp and weft directions, or the direction of the knit fabric, check data for both directions.
- In addition to the performance of the textile alone, also consider the load on the finished product, including seams, accessories, and reinforcing fabric.
Handling and Sewing Precautions
If the fibers or finish change due to washing, drying, chemicals, ultraviolet light, or abrasion, tear strength may decrease. Check shrinkage and washing instructions, and for products intended to be laundered, confirm the condition of the textile and sewn areas before and after washing through testing or samples.
In sewing, needle holes and excessive resewing can become localized damage. For lightweight or high-density textiles, match the needle size, thread thickness, and stitch density to the textile, and make sure the specification prevents tears from progressing from frayed seam allowances or cut edges.
Differences from Similar Terms
Tensile strength is the resistance to breaking when an uncut specimen is pulled. Burst strength indicates resistance to being forced open in situations where force is applied from multiple directions, such as knit fabrics or bag-shaped parts. Abrasion strength is the resistance to surface wear caused by rubbing, and the type of damage evaluated differs from tear strength in each case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a textile with high tear strength be said to be hard to tear?
A textile with high tear strength can be said to be resistant to the spread of a tear from a snag or cut. However, resistance to thread breakage caused by snagging, abrasion, seam failure, and holes are separate performances. Depending on the applications, also check tensile strength, abrasion strength, burst strength, and more.
Should tear strength also be checked after washing?
For garments intended for product washing or repeated washing, it is desirable to check it. This is because performance and tear behavior may change due to shrinkage from washing and drying, changes in finishing, or deterioration of the fibers. Check both the textile and the sewn areas in a state close to the final washing conditions.
