ASTM D5035 is a standard test method used to measure the breaking force and elongation of textile fabrics using a strip-style tensile test. It is commonly used for comparing fabric strength across lots, suppliers, or process conditions and for supporting product qualification and QC release decisions.
The method includes both raveled-strip and cut-strip approaches, with provisions for wet testing. If you need help matching grips, specimen width, or machine control mode to your fabric type, talk with our team.
ASTM D5035: Standard Test Method for Breaking Force and Elongation of Textile Fabrics (Strip Method)
ASTM D5035 is a tensile test method for determining breaking force and elongation of many textile fabrics using a strip specimen held in grips and pulled to failure. It is widely referenced when a full-width strip behavior is desired rather than a smaller “grab” style specimen.
This standard is used for both routine quality testing and comparative evaluations, but it does not replace product- or contract-specific requirements for sampling, acceptance criteria, or minimum performance values.
Quick definition
What it is: A strip-method tensile test for textile fabrics that reports breaking force and elongation.
Key options in the method: Raveled strip (commonly used for woven fabrics) and cut strip (commonly used for nonwovens, felted fabrics, and some coated/dipped fabrics), with an option for wet testing.
Important limitation: It is not recommended for knitted fabrics or other high-stretch fabrics (high elongation behavior can make strip results less representative for those constructions).
What This Standard Covers
ASTM D5035 covers procedures for preparing and testing strip specimens to determine:
- Breaking force (maximum force reached before rupture), and
- Elongation associated with the break event (reported per the standard’s definitions and reporting requirements).
The standard includes guidance for both conditioned (dry) and wet testing, and it distinguishes when raveling a defined yarn-count strip is appropriate versus when a cut strip is more practical.
Why This Standard Matters in Testing
Strip tensile results are often used to benchmark fabric strength, evaluate process changes (fiber, yarn, weave/nonwoven parameters, finishing), and support acceptance testing where buyers and suppliers need a repeatable, comparable method.
Because results can vary with gripping, specimen preparation (raveled vs. cut edges), and machine control approach, consistent equipment configuration and clear reporting of the selected procedure are essential for meaningful comparisons.
Common Materials, Product Types, or Applications Covered
ASTM D5035 is commonly applied to a broad range of textile fabrics where strip tensile strength and elongation are relevant, including:
- Woven fabrics (often using the raveled-strip approach where feasible)
- Nonwoven and felted fabrics (often using the cut-strip approach)
- Dipped or coated fabrics where a cut strip is used when raveling is impractical
For fabrics that are difficult to ravel cleanly, or when the construction does not support raveled-strip preparation, the method’s cut-strip procedure is typically used to maintain practical test throughput.
Common Test or Verification Workflow
In a typical ASTM D5035 workflow, a lab will select the appropriate strip procedure (raveled or cut), define specimen direction (for example, warp/machine direction versus fill/cross direction as applicable), and test multiple replicate strips to characterize variability.
Common reporting needs: Procedure used (raveled vs. cut), specimen dimensions/width used, dry vs. wet condition, and the tensile tester control approach used for the run (since different machine/control approaches can affect comparability).
Equipment Commonly Used for This Standard
ASTM D5035 is typically performed on a universal testing machine (tensile tester) configured for fabric strip testing. The most important equipment considerations are stable specimen gripping and test control that matches the standard’s intent.
Common equipment elements: Universal testing machine with appropriate load capacity, fabric-capable grips/clamps that minimize slip and edge damage, and extension/elongation measurement capability suitable for the fabric being tested.
Practical setup cautions: Strong or low-slip fabrics may require additional gripping precautions to prevent clamp damage or slippage, and the standard highlights that comparisons across machines operating on different principles are generally not recommended. Where time-to-break control is used, the standard references a target break time window, so drive/control capability can matter for labs standardizing cross-lab comparisons.
If you are aligning a tensile frame, grips, and control package for routine D5035 strip testing, you can request a detailed quote for an equipment configuration matched to your fabric range and throughput goals.
How to Read This Designation or Revision
ASTM standards are commonly cited by designation and edition year. For ASTM D5035, you may see references such as ASTM D5035-11(2024) as well as formats that include a reapproval marker (for example, “R” in the designation).
For purchasing specs, audits, and inter-lab programs, it is a good practice to cite the full designation exactly as required by the customer or governing document, since procedural details and reporting expectations can change between editions or reapprovals.
Related Standards, Methods, or Frameworks
ASTM D5035 is commonly discussed alongside other textile tensile methods when specimen geometry or fabric type calls for a different approach.
Common related reference: ASTM D5034 is a grab-test method for breaking force and elongation and is often referenced when strip preparation is not appropriate or when a grab specimen is specified by a purchase document.
Talk with us about ASTM D5035 test setups
If you are standardizing D5035 across multiple fabric styles (woven vs. nonwoven, coated/dipped, dry vs. wet), contact our team to discuss grip selection, control approach, and a practical configuration for repeatable strip-test results.
