Tensile Strength
Tensile strength is a quality performance measure that indicates the amount of force a textile or thread can withstand when pulled in a certain direction until it breaks.
Contents6 sections
Definition and Overview
Tensile strength is a strength measure evaluated by the maximum force required to pull a test piece until it is cut or breaks. It is affected not only by the textile itself, but also by the fibers, thread, weave or knit structure, density, and processing that make it up.
The evaluation value varies depending on the pulling direction and test conditions. In woven fabrics, there may be differences between the warp and weft directions, and in knits, it is necessary to check with the knitting direction and stretchability in mind.
Features and Relationship to Hand Feel
A textile with high tensile strength tends to be less likely to break in applications where force is applied by pulling. However, high values alone cannot be used to uniformly judge thickness, stiffness, weight, abrasion resistance, or durability.
Hand feel is not the same performance as tensile strength. In general, thick thread and high-density structures tend to contribute to strength, but depending on the material and finish, it is also possible to maintain suppleness and lightness while providing strength. Because it is difficult to judge strength accurately from appearance alone, check the test data together with the actual material.
Main Applications
Tensile strength is an important check item for clothing in which force is applied to the textile through putting on and taking off, movement, or load. For pants, jackets, outerwear, uniforms, workwear, bags, and the like, the required level is set according to the intended area of use and load.
Even in thin shirts, blouses, dresses, and innerwear, local force is applied around seams, button attachment areas, and pocket openings. For lightweight materials for spring and summer, confirm the necessary strength while balancing it with lightness and breathability.
Selection and Handling Precautions
When selecting a textile, check not only the tensile strength value, but also tear strength, abrasion strength, bursting strength, and seam strength according to the application. For example, the risk of a cut spreading into a tear is more related to tear strength, while resistance to force that pushes and bursts knit fabric is more related to bursting strength.
Strength may decrease due to washing, drying, ultraviolet light, chemicals, friction, and aging. Even when straightening the grain or scouring with hot water in anticipation of shrinkage, it is important to check the dimensional change after washing and the strength before mass production.
In sewing, needle holes becoming too densely packed, excessive thread tension, or seam allowances that are too narrow can become starting points for tearing. For thin or stretchable textiles, match the needle, thread, and seam type to the textile, and check for damage and puckering near the seam with trial sewing.
Differences from Similar Terms
Tear strength is the resistance to force that tries to tear a textile with a cut. Even if tensile strength is high, it does not necessarily mean it is strong against tearing from a cut. Abrasion strength refers to resistance to damage caused by repeated rubbing, and the type of load being evaluated is different.
Bursting strength is resistance to force that pushes and spreads a surface textile. In knits, stretch materials, and bag-like or three-dimensional areas, it is practically important to check bursting strength in addition to tensile strength.
Frequently Asked Questions
If tensile strength is high, can the textile be said to be tear-resistant?
It can be said to be strong against breaking when pulled in a certain direction, but it does not indicate overall tear resistance. To cut spreading into a tear, abrasion to rubbing, and for the force that pushes and spreads knit fabric, tearing strength, abrasion strength, and bursting strength also need to be checked.
Can tensile strength be judged only by the thickness or fabric weight of the textile?
Thickness and fabric weight are factors related to strength, but they are not enough on their own to make a judgment. It varies depending on the type of fiber, yarn thickness and twist, density, structure, processing, and pulling direction. The performance required for the application is confirmed through test data and prototypes.
