ISO 1974

Introducing ISO 1974 – Industrial Physics

ISO 1974 is an international ISO standard that uses the ‘Elmendorf method’ to determine the (out-of-plane) tearing strength resistance of paper or some low grammage boards.

This ISO approach can’t be used for corrugated fiberboard, but it may be applied to the components of such materials. It’s also unsuitable for determining the cross-direction tearing strength resistance of highly directional paper, or board.

More about the Elmendorf test

The Elmendorf test belongs to a group of fast tear strength test techniques and is also known as the pendulum method. Plus it’s similar to another approach known as the tongue-tearing.

So, what’s the purpose of elmendorf testing? It’s essentially to determine a material’s ability to resist the progression of an initial tear. It can be used for a range of materials and relates to the force required to create a tear. This tear needs to go right through the sample material, so it starts to create two separate parts.

As well as paper and board, other materials that are commonly used span all sectors and industries and include: elastomers, textiles, polymers, packaging and rubber.

ISO 1974 devices

So, how can Industrial Physics improve your ISO 1974 testing?

Elmendorf Tear Tester 83-76

Designed and built by our popular materials inspection brand, Testing Machines Inc, this automatic, digital tear tester is just what you need for accurate elmendorf testing. It’s equipped with an optical encoder that measures the angular position of the pendulum which converts to tear strength units.

Another great feature is the large, full-color touchscreen display. It includes intuitive, easy-to-use software that provides a revolutionary new approach to tear testing and data review.

Click here to find out more.

Your global test and measurement partner for ISO 1974