ISO 12625-4 is a test method for measuring tensile strength, stretch at maximum force, and tensile energy absorption for tissue paper and tissue products using a constant-rate-of-elongation tensile tester.
Labs and manufacturers use these tensile results to compare tissue grades, monitor process stability, and support product performance targets across converting and finished-goods formats. If you need help aligning the right edition, specimen direction, or reporting outputs to your workflow, talk with our team.
ISO 12625-4: Tissue paper and tissue products — Part 4
This standard defines a tensile testing approach for tissue paper and tissue products, focused on strength and energy-related tensile properties generated during a controlled pull-to-break test.
In addition to the measured properties, the standard includes calculation guidance for tensile index and tensile energy absorption index (index values normalized to material basis weight).
Quick definition
Document type: Test method.
What it measures: Tensile strength, stretch at maximum force, and tensile energy absorption for tissue paper and tissue products.
How it is run: A constant-rate-of-elongation tensile test using a tensile-testing apparatus.
What this standard covers
ISO 12625-4 covers tensile testing of tissue paper and tissue products to determine key tensile properties that describe how the material carries load and extends before and up to failure.
It is written around a tensile-testing apparatus operating at a constant rate of elongation and includes calculation steps for index-based reporting where required.
Why this standard matters in testing
Tensile strength and stretch are frequently used as practical indicators of tissue performance in manufacturing and converting, where web handling and end-use expectations depend on consistent tensile behavior.
Tensile energy absorption adds a work-to-break perspective that can help differentiate materials that show similar peak strength but different toughness or extensibility behavior under load.
Common materials, product types, or applications covered
This method applies to tissue paper and tissue products. It is commonly used in quality control and product development where tensile properties are tracked across production lots, grades, or converting conditions.
Because “tissue products” can include a range of finished formats, setup choices (such as grips and capacity) are typically selected to match the specific product form and expected force range.
Common test or verification workflow
Most labs use ISO 12625-4 as part of a routine tensile verification workflow for tissue, where specimens are prepared, tested on a constant-rate tensile tester, and results are reported as measured properties and/or index values.
Common outputs: Tensile strength, stretch at maximum force, tensile energy absorption, tensile index, and tensile energy absorption index.
Workflow note: Exact preparation, conditioning, and reporting requirements can vary by the cited edition and any customer or internal specifications that reference ISO 12625-4.
Equipment commonly used for this standard
ISO 12625-4 points to a tensile-testing apparatus capable of running a constant-rate-of-elongation test and capturing force and extension data appropriate for tissue materials and finished tissue products.
- Universal testing machine (UTM): Electromechanical tensile tester with suitable load cell capacity and control for constant-rate-of-elongation testing.
- Grips/fixtures for tissue: Gripping solutions designed to hold low-basis-weight materials and finished tissue products without excessive slippage or premature grip breaks.
- Extension measurement and software: System capability to record force vs. elongation and calculate tensile properties and energy-related results used for tensile energy absorption reporting.
- Specimen preparation tools: Cutting tools to produce consistent test pieces suitable for tensile testing.
Equipment selection caution: For tissue, the practical limiting factors are often grip performance (slip vs. grip damage) and choosing a force range that maintains resolution at low loads while still covering peak-force events for the specific product.
How to read this designation or revision
Designation format: ISO 12625-4:YYYY.
What “Part 4” means: This document is Part 4 within the ISO 12625 series for tissue paper and tissue products, and it is specifically focused on tensile strength, stretch at maximum force, and tensile energy absorption.
Revision note: ISO 12625-4:2022 is a published edition (Edition 3). Earlier editions such as ISO 12625-4:2016 have been withdrawn and replaced, so purchase specifications and lab reports should match the exact year cited in the requirement.
Related standards, methods, or frameworks when useful
ISO 12625-4 is part of the ISO 12625 series for tissue paper and tissue products. Many organizations reference multiple parts of the series together to build a broader tissue testing program (for example, combining tensile results with other physical property measurements).
When a customer specification cites additional standards alongside ISO 12625-4, confirm whether those documents affect sample preparation, conditioning, or reporting conventions for your tensile results.
Get a tensile testing system configured for ISO 12625-4
If you are selecting a tensile tester, grips, and software outputs for tissue testing and need a configuration that matches your force range and reporting needs, you can request a detailed quote for an ISO 12625-4-ready setup.