Elmendorf Tear Testing Machine
Professional laboratory instrument for measuring tear strength of paper, cardboard, plastic films, packaging materials, and textiles using the pendulum principle. Precisely determines energy absorbed during tearing.
Measuring how easily film, paper and fabric tear
A small cut in a bag, film or carton can turn into a full tear during handling. The Elmendorf tester measures tear propagation resistance with a falling pendulum: the specimen is clamped, a starter slit is cut, and the released pendulum tears it — the energy the pendulum loses gives the tear force. It is used for plastic film, paper, cardboard and textiles to ISO 6383-2, ISO 1974, ASTM D1922 and ASTM D1424.
- Pendulum principle operation
- Precise energy absorbed measurement
- Compatible with paper, film, textile, cardboard
- Accurate and repeatable results
- 1-year warranty
- On-site installation & training
Standards
- ISO 1974 — Paper — determination of tearing resistance (Elmendorf method)
- ISO 6383-2 — Plastics — tear properties of films and sheets (Elmendorf method)
- ASTM D1922 — Propagation tear resistance of plastic film by pendulum method
- ASTM D1424 — Tearing strength of fabrics by falling-pendulum apparatus
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Elmendorf test measure?
The force required to propagate a tear from a pre-cut slit through a specified length of material, calculated from the energy the pendulum loses while tearing the specimen.
Which materials can be tested?
Plastic films and sheets, paper, cardboard and textiles — each with its own standard (ISO 6383-2 / ASTM D1922 for plastics, ISO 1974 for paper, ASTM D1424 for fabrics).
Why test film in both directions?
Blown and cast film behave differently in the machine and transverse directions, so tear resistance is normally measured and reported for both.
Is installation and training provided?
Yes — on-site installation and training are included, with a 1-year warranty.