Standard Method to Measure Tear Strength of Conventional Vulcanized Rubber and Thermoplastic Elastomers
Vulcanized rubber and thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) often fail in service due to the generation and propagation of a special type of rupture known as a tear. This test procedure measures the resistance to tearing action. Tear strength may be subjected to a high degree of stress-induced anisotropy i.e. mechanical fiber, strain rate, test piece size and stress distribution. The results attained in a tear strength test can only be observed as a method under the conditions of that particular test and may not have any direct relation to service performance. The importance of tear testing must be determined on an individual application or product performance basis.