ISO 8067 is an ISO test method for determining tear strength in flexible cellular polymeric materials (commonly flexible foams). It is typically used to compare foam formulations, qualify incoming materials, and support QA/QC release criteria where resistance to tearing is a performance requirement.
If you are unsure whether ISO 8067 is the right tear method for your foam type, thickness range, or product geometry, talk with our team about edition matching and practical test setup options.
ISO 8067: Flexible cellular polymeric materials — Determination of tear strength
ISO 8067 describes laboratory procedures for measuring the tear strength of flexible cellular polymeric materials. The standard includes two alternative specimen styles, allowing labs to select the method that best fits their material behavior and specimen preparation capability.
Because tear testing outcomes can be sensitive to specimen preparation and the exact method selected, labs typically lock the method and edition in their control plan and report them with results.
Quick definition
What it is: An ISO test method for determining tear strength of flexible cellular polymeric materials (flexible foams).
What it outputs: A tear strength result based on one of two specified test piece types.
Two method options: Method A (trouser test piece) and Method B (angle test piece without a nick).
What This Standard Covers
ISO 8067 specifies two methods for determining tear strength in flexible cellular polymeric materials.
| Method | Test piece style | Typical selection driver |
|---|---|---|
| A | Trouser test piece | When a trouser-style tear propagation approach is preferred |
| B | Angle test piece without a nick | When an angle specimen is preferred and a non-nicked preparation is required |
Document type: Test method (determination of tear strength).
Scope note: ISO 8067 is focused specifically on tear strength determination; it is not a general-purpose mechanical-property specification for foam products.
Why This Standard Matters in Testing
Tear strength is often used as a screening and quality metric for flexible foams because it can correlate with damage tolerance during converting, upholstery assembly, packaging, and end-use handling. ISO 8067 gives labs a standardized way to run and report tear testing so results can be compared more consistently between batches, suppliers, and internal development trials.
When tear performance is part of a customer requirement, the method choice (A vs. B) and the cited edition can materially affect comparability, so it is common to align the test plan early in a program.
Common Materials, Product Types, or Applications Covered
ISO 8067 is commonly applied to flexible cellular polymeric materials such as flexible polymer foams used in industrial and consumer products where tearing during processing or use is a concern.
Typical use cases: Incoming material verification, production quality checks, supplier comparisons, and R&D formulation benchmarking for flexible foam materials.
Common Test or Verification Workflow
Most ISO 8067 workflows follow a controlled sequence: prepare the correct specimen type for the selected method, pull the specimen on a suitable test frame, and report tear strength using the method-specific calculation and reporting requirements.
Common workflow elements: Specimen cutting (consistent geometry), identification of Method A or Method B in the report, controlled pulling on a test machine, and documentation of results in a format traceable to the cited ISO 8067 edition.
Equipment Commonly Used for This Standard
ISO 8067 tear testing is typically performed on a universal testing machine (UTM) or tensile tester configured for low-to-moderate force measurements (as common for flexible foams) and equipped with grips/fixtures appropriate for the selected specimen type.
Common equipment: Universal testing machine or tensile tester, suitable grips or tear fixtures for trouser or angle specimens, and specimen preparation tools (cutting dies/templates) to maintain repeatable geometry.
If you are comparing load capacity, grip/fixture options, or test-space requirements for foam tear testing, you can request a detailed quote for a configuration matched to your specimen type and throughput.
How to Read This Designation or Revision
ISO 8067:2018 identifies the ISO standard number and the publication year of that edition (2018). ISO also tracks the edition number internally (for example, ISO 8067:2018 is Edition 3).
ISO 8067 has historically been revised and reissued (for example, ISO 8067:2008 was withdrawn and replaced by ISO 8067:2018). When tear requirements are part of a purchase contract or product specification, results should always be tied to the exact cited edition and method (A or B).
Related Standards, Methods, or Frameworks when useful
ISO 8067 is one of several mechanical property test methods used for flexible cellular polymeric materials. In many lab programs it is paired with other foam characterization tests (for example, strength or durability metrics) to build a broader performance profile, but ISO 8067 itself is specific to tear strength determination.
Talk to an applications engineer
If you need help selecting Method A vs. Method B, aligning a customer requirement to the correct ISO 8067 edition, or configuring fixtures and force capacity for foam tear testing, contact our team with your material type and specimen preferences.