This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: D5034 − 21

Standard Test Method for

Breaking Strength and Elongation of Textile Fabrics (Grab
Test)1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5034; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.

1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents

1.1 This test method covers the grab and modified grab test 2.1 ASTM Standards:2
procedures for determining the breaking strength and elonga- D76 Specification for Tensile Testing Machines for Textiles
tion of most textile fabrics. Provisions are made for wet testing. D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
1.1.1 The grab test procedure is applicable to woven, D629 Test Methods for Quantitative Analysis of Textiles
nonwoven, and felted fabrics, while the modified grab test D1059 Test Method for Yarn Number Based on Short-
procedure is used primarily for woven fabrics. Length Specimens
1.2 This test method is not recommended for glass fabrics, D1776 Practice for Conditioning and Testing Textiles
or for knitted fabrics and other textile fabrics which have high D5035 Test Method for Breaking Force and Elongation of
stretch (more than 11 %). Textile Fabrics (Strip Method)
D4848 Terminology Related to Force, Deformation and
NOTE 1—For the determination of the breaking force and elongation of Related Properties of Textiles
textile fabrics using the raveled strip test procedure and the cut strip test
procedure, refer to Test Method D5035.
D4849 Terminology Related to Yarns and Fibers
D4850 Terminology Relating to Fabrics and Fabric Test
1.3 This test method provides the values in both inch-pound Methods
units and SI units. Inch-pound units is the technically correct
name for the customary units used in the United States. SI units 3. Terminology
is the technically correct name for the system of metric units 3.1 For definition of textile terms used in this test method:
known as the International System of Units. The values stated breaking force, breaking load, elongation, extension, tensile
in either acceptable metric units or in other units shall be test, refer to Terminology D4848.
regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each
system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system 3.2 For definitions of textile terms used in this test method:
must be used independently of the other, without combining in constant-rate-of-extension (CRE tensile testing machine,
any way. constant-rate-of-load (CRL) tensile testing machine, constant-
rate-of-traverse (CRT) tensile testing machine, refer to Termi-
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
nology D4849.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 3.3 For definitions of textile terms used in this test method:
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- grab test – in fabric testing, and modified grab test – in fabric
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. testing refer to Terminology D4850.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor- 3.4 For all other textile terms used in this test method, refer
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- to Terminology D123.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- 4. Summary of Test Method
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical 4.1 A 100-mm (4.0-in.) wide specimen is mounted centrally
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. in clamps of a tensile testing machine and a force applied until
the specimen breaks. Values for the breaking force and the
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D13 on Textiles
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D13.60 on Fabric Test Methods,
2
Specific. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Feb. 15, 2021. Published March 2021. Replaces Grab contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Testing sections of Test Method D1682 – 90. Originally approved in 1990. Last Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
previous edition approved in 2017 as D5034–09(2017). DOI: 10.1520/D5034-21. the ASTM website.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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 D5034 − 21
elongation of the test specimen are obtained from machine 5.5 Comparison of results from tensile testing machines
scales, dials, autographic recording charts, or a computer operating on different principles is not recommended. When
interfaced with the testing machine. different types of machines are used for comparison testing,
4.2 This test method describes procedures for carrying out constant-time-to-break at 20 6 3 s is the established way of
fabric grab tensile tests using two types of specimens and three producing data. Even then the data may differ significantly.
alternative types of testing machines. For reporting, use the 5.6 Although a constant-rate-of-extension is preferred in
following identification system of specific specimen and ma- these procedures, in cases of dispute, unless there is agreement
chine combinations. to the contrary between the purchaser and the supplier, a
4.2.1 Type of specimen: constant-time-to-break (20 6 3 s) is to be used.
4.2.1.1 G—Grab 5.7 The grab test procedure is applicable to the determina-
4.2.1.2 MG—Modified grab tion of the effective strength of the fabric; that is, the strength
4.2.2 Type of tensile testing machine: of the yarns in a specific width together with the fabric
4.2.2.1 E—Constant-rate-of-extension (CRE) assistance from the adjacent yarns. The breaking force deter-
4.2.2.2 L—Constant-rate-of-load (CRL) mined by the grab procedure is not a reflection of the strength
4.2.2.3 T—Constant-rate-of -traverse (CRT) of the yarns actually gripped between clamps and cannot be
4.2.3 Possible combinations can be identified as follows: used for direct comparison with yarn strength determinations.
Type of Tester Grab test specimens require much less time to prepare although
Constant-Rate- Constant-Rate- Constant-Rate- they require more fabric per specimen. There is no simple
Test Specimen of-Extension of-Load of-Traverse
Grab G-E G-L G-T
relationship between grab tests and strip tests since the amount
Modified Grab MG-E MG-L MG-T of fabric assistance depends on the type of fabric and construc-
For example, Test Method D5034, G-E refers to a grab test carried out on a tion variables.
constant rate-of-extension tensile testing machine.
5.8 The modified grab test procedure is applicable to the
5. Significance and Use determination of the breaking force of fabrics with construc-
tions in which the application of tensile stress on raveled strip
5.1 The grab test procedure in this test method for the specimens produces further unraveling. This test method is
determination of breaking force and elongation is considered particularly applicable to high-strength fabrics.
satisfactory for acceptance testing of commercial shipments of
most woven or nonwoven textile fabrics, and the modified grab
test procedure is considered satisfactory for acceptance testing
of commercial shipments of most woven textile fabrics, since
the procedures have been used extensively in the trade for
acceptance testing.
5.1.1 In case of disagreement arising from differences in
reported test values when using this test method for acceptance
testing of commercial shipments, the purchaser and the sup-
plier should conduct comparative tests to determine if there is
a statistical bias between their laboratories. Competent statis-
tical assistance is recommended for the investigation of bias.
As a minimum, the two parties should take a group of test
specimens which are as homogeneous as possible and which
are from a lot of material of the type in question. The test
specimens should then be randomly assigned in equal numbers
to each laboratory for testing. The average results from the two Metric Equivalents
laboratories should be compared using Student’s t-test for in. 1 2
unpaired data and an acceptable probability level chosen by the mm 25 50
two parties before testing is begun. If a bias is found, either its
FIG. 1 Schematic Illustration of Jaw Faces for Modified Grab
cause must be found and corrected, or the purchaser and the
Test
supplier must agree to interpret future test results in light of the
known bias.
5.2 This test method is not recommended for knitted fabrics 6. Apparatus, Reagents, and Materials
because of their high stretch.
6.1 Tensile Testing Machine, of the CRE, CRL, or CRT type
5.3 Some modification of technique may be necessary for conforming to Specification D76, with respect to force
any fabric having a strength in excess of 200-N/cm (1140-lb/ indication, working range, capacity, and elongation indicator,
in.) width. Special precautionary measures are provided for use and designed for operation at a speed of 300 6 10 mm/min (12
when necessary for strong fabrics. 6 0.5 in./min); or, a variable speed drive, change gears, or
5.4 All of the procedures are applicable for testing fabrics interchangeable weights as required to obtain the 20 6 3-s
either conditioned or wet. time-to-break (see 5.5 and 5.6).

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 D5034 − 21
6.2 Clamps and Jaw Faces—Each jaw face shall be smooth, NOTE 4—Results obtained on small hand samples (swatches) can only
flat, and with a metallic, or other agreed upon, gripping surface. be considered as representative of the sample swatch and cannot be
assumed to be representative of the fabric piece from which the hand
The faces shall be parallel and have matching centers with sample (swatch) was taken.
respect to one another in the same clamp and to the corre-
sponding jaw face of the other clamp. 7.3 Test Specimens—From each laboratory sample, take five
6.2.1 For grab tests, each clamp shall have a front (or top) specimens from the warp (machine) direction and eight speci-
jaw face measuring 25 6 1 mm (1.0 6 0.02 in.) perpendicular mens from the filling (cross) direction (if tested) for each
to the direction of the application of the force, and not less than testing condition.
25 nor more than 50 mm (1.0 nor more than 2.0 in.) parallel to 7.3.1 Testing conditions include the following:
the direction of the application of the force (Note 2). The back, 7.3.1.1 Warp or Machine Direction—Standard conditions
or bottom, jaw face of each clamp shall be at least as large as for testing textiles.
its mate. Use of a larger face for the second jaw reduces the 7.3.1.2 Warp or Machine Direction—Wet at 21°C (70°F).
problem of front and back jaw face misalignment. 7.3.1.3 Filling or Cross Direction—Standard conditions for
testing textiles.
NOTE 2—Front (or top) faces measuring 25 by 50 mm (1.0 by 2.0 in.) 7.3.1.4 Filling or Cross Direction—Wet at 21°C (70°F).
will not necessarily give the same value as 25 by 25-mm (1.0 by 1.0-in.)
7.3.2 When using the constant-time-to-break technique and
faces. For many materials, the former are preferable because of the larger
gripping area which tends to reduce slippage. While both sizes of gripping unfamiliar fabrics, prepare two or three extra specimens to
surface are permitted, the face sizes used must be the same for all samples establish the proper rate of loading (or speed for testing).
in the test and must be recorded in the report.
6.2.2 For modified grab tests, the top (or front) jaw faces 8. Conditioning
shall measure 25 by 50 mm (1.0 by 2.0 in.) or more, with the 8.1 For Conditioned Testing:
longer dimension parallel to the direction of load application. 8.1.1 If the samples have a higher moisture content than the
The bottom (or back) jaw faces shall measure 50 by 50 mm moisture present when at equilibrium in the standard atmo-
(2.0 by 2.0 in.) or more. (See Fig. 1.) sphere for testing textiles, precondition as directed in Practice
6.3 Metal Clamp, auxiliary, 170 g (6 oz) with at least D1776.
100-mm (4.0-in.) width anvils. 8.1.2 Bring samples to moisture equilibrium in the standard
atmosphere for testing textiles as directed in Practice D1776.
6.4 Distilled Water, for wet testing. Equilibrium is considered to have been reached when the
6.5 Nonionic Wetting Agent, for wet testing. increase in mass of the specimen in successive weighings made
6.6 Container, for wetting out specimens. at intervals of not less than 2 h does not exceed 0.1 % of the
mass of the specimen.
6.7 Standard Fabrics3, for use in verification of apparatus.
(See Annex A1.) NOTE 5—It is recognized that in practice, materials are frequently not
weighed to determine when moisture equilibrium has been reached. While
6.8 Pins, stainless-steel, 10-mm (3⁄8-in.) diameter by 125 conditioning for a fixed time cannot be accepted in cases of dispute, it may
mm (5 in.) long. Two are required if used. be sufficient in routine testing to expose the material to the standard
atmosphere for testing textiles for a reasonable period of time before the
specimens are tested. As a guide the following conditioning periods are
7. Sampling suggested:
7.1 Lot Sample—Take a lot sample as directed in the Minimum Condi-
applicable material specification. In the absence of such a Fiber tioning Period, h4
Animal Fibers (for example, wool, and regenerated proteins) 8
specification, randomly take rolls or pieces that constitute the Vegetable Fibers (for example, cotton) 6
lot sample using the following schedule: Viscose 8
Acetate 4
Number of Rolls, Pieces in Lot, Number of Rolls or Pieces in Lot
Fibers having a regain less than 5 % at 65 % relative 2
Inclusive Sample
humidity
1 to 3 all
4 to 24 4 8.2 For Wet Testing:
25 to 50 5
over 50 10 % to a maximum of 10 rolls or
8.2.1 Specimens to be tested in the wet condition shall be
pieces immersed in water at room temperature until thoroughly wetted
NOTE 3—An adequate specification or other agreement between the
(Note 6). To thoroughly wet a specimen, it may be necessary to
purchaser and the supplier requires taking into account the variability add not more than 0.05 % of a nonionic wetting agent to the
between rolls of fabric and between specimens from a swatch from a roll water. A test of any wet specimen shall be completed within
of fabric to provide a sampling plan with a meaningful producer’s risk, two minutes after its removal from the water.
consumer’s risk, acceptable quality level, and limiting quality level.
NOTE 6—The material has been thoroughly wet out when it has been
7.2 Laboratory Sample—From each roll or piece of fabric
taken from the lot sample, cut at least one laboratory sample
the full width of the fabric and 1 m (1 yd) along the selvage 4
These periods are approximate and apply only to fabrics, spread out in single
(machine direction). thickness, and exposed to freely moving air in the standard atmosphere for testing
textiles. Heavy or coated fabrics may require conditioning periods longer than those
suggested. If a fabric contains more than one fiber, it should be conditioned for the
period required by the fiber component which requires the most time (for example,
3
Apparatus and accessories are commercially available. 8 h for a wool and acetate blend).