This standard specifies three test methods for the determination of the tear strength of vulcanized and thermoplastic rubber, namely:
——Method A, using a trouser test piece;
——Method B, using an angle test piece, with or without a nick of specified depth;
——Method C, using a crescent test piece with a nick.
The value of tear strength obtained depends on the shape of the test piece, speed of stretching, temperature of test and calendering effect of vulcanized rubber.
Method A: Using a trouser test piece
Using the trouser test piece is preferred because it is not sensitive to the length of the cut, unlike the other two test pieces in which the nick has to be very closely controlled. In addition, the results obtained are more easily related to the fundamental tear properties of the material and are less sensitive to modulus effects (provided that the leg extension is negligible) and the rate of propagation of the tear is directly related to the rate of grip separation. With some rubbers, the propagation of tear is not smooth (knotty tear), and analysis of results may be difficult.
Method B, procedure (a): Using an angle test piece without nick
This test is a combination of tear initiation and propagation. Stress is built up at the point of the angle until it is sufficient to initiate a tear and then further stresses propagate this tear. However it is only possible to measure the overall force required rupturing the test piece, and, therefore, the force cannot be resolved in two components producing initiation and propagation.
Method B, procedure (b): Using an angle test piece with nick
This test measures the force required to propagate a nick already produced in the test piece. The rate of propagation is not directly related to the jaw speed.
Method C: Using a crescent test piece
This test also measures the force required to propagate a nick already produced in the test piece and the rate of propagation is not related to the jaw speed.
Note: A method for the determination of the tear strength of small test pieces of rubber (Delft test pieces) is specified in ISO 34-2.
1 Scope
2 Normative References
3 Terms and Definitions
4 Principle
5 Apparatus
6 Test Pieces
7 Number of Test
8 Temperature of Test
9 Procedure
10 Expression of Results
11 Precision
12 Test Report
Appendix A (Informative) Guidance for Using Precision Results
Appendix B (Informative) Formulations for Compounds A, B and C Used in ITP
Bibliography
