Designation: D 624 – 98

Standard Test Method for

Tear Strength of Conventional Vulcanized Rubber and
Thermoplastic Elastomers1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 624; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1. Scope 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:

1.1 This test method describes procedures for measuring a 3.2.1 complete trace—the section of the graphical plot of
property of conventional vulcanized thermoset rubbers and force versus jaw separation distance between the point at which
thermoplastic elastomers called tear strength. the first peak occurs and the point at which the test is
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the terminated.
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information 3.2.2 Die A (nicked crescent) tear strength— the maximum
only. force required to rupture the specified test piece, divided by the
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the thickness of the test piece. The force acts in a direction
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the substantially along the length of the test piece.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 3.2.3 Die B (nicked tab end) tear strength—the maximum
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- force required to cause a nick or cut in the specified crescent-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. shaped test piece with tab ends to grow by tearing of the
rubber, divided by the thickness of the test piece.
2. Referenced Documents 3.2.4 Die C tear strength—the maximum force required to
2.1 ASTM Standards: cause a rupture by tearing action of the right angle test
D 412 Test Methods for Vulcanized Rubber and Thermo- specimen; the force divided by the thickness of the specimen.
plastic Rubbers and Thermoplastic Elastomers—Tension2 The force acts parallel to the tab ends of the specimen or at 45°
D 1349 Practice for Rubber—Standard Temperatures for to the 90° center angle.
Testing2 3.2.5 Die T or trouser tear strength—the mean or median
D 3182 Practice for Rubber—Materials, Equipment, and force, calculated in accordance with the Annex (see Annex,
Procedures for Mixing Standard Compounds and Prepar- Methods A & B) required to propagate a cut or tear in a
ing Standard Vulcanized Sheets2 specified trouser-shaped test specimen, divided by the tear
D 3183 Practice for Rubber—Preparation of Pieces for Test thickness of the test specimen, the grip force acting in a
Purposes from Products2 direction parallel to the two legs.
D 3767 Practice for Rubber—Measurement of Dimensions2 3.2.6 Discussion—Other information can be extracted from
D 4483 Practice for Determining Precision for Test Method the tear curve using the methods described in Annex A1.
Standards in the Rubber and Carbon Black Industries2 3.2.7 median—if n measured values are arranged in increas-
2.2 ISO Standard: ing order of magnitude and numbered 1 to n, the median of
ISO/34 Rubber, Vulcanized—Determination of Tear these n values is the (n + 1)/25th value, if n is odd. If n is even,
Strength (Trouser, Angle, and Crescent Tear Pieces)3 the median lies between the (n/2)th and (n/2 + 1)th values and
is not defined uniquely.
3. Terminology 3.2.8 Discussion—Unless otherwise specified, it may be
3.1 Definitions: taken to be the arithmetic mean of these two measured values.
3.1.1 thermoplastic elastometer (TPE)—a diverse family of 3.2.9 peak—a point at which the slope of a trace changes
rubber-like materials that, unlike conventional rubbers, can be from positive to negative.
processed and recycled like thermoplastic materials. 3.2.10 range—the difference between the greatest and the
smallest observed test values.
1
3.2.11 tear strength—the force per unit thickness to (1)
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-11 on Rubber
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D11.10 on Physical Testing.
initiate a rupture or tear of the material, or (2) to propagate a
Current edition approved March 10, 1998. Published April 1998. Originally tear in circumstances where continued application of a force on
published as D 624 – 41T. Last previous edition D 624 – 91 (1996). a suitable test specimen results in a quasi-equilibrium tearing
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 09.01. action.
3
Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 West 42nd St., 13th
Floor, New York, NY 10036. 3.2.12 valley—a point at which the slope of a trace changes

Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 D 624
from negative to positive. 5006 50 mm/min for Die A, B, or C pieces. A low inertia
machine having autographic recording of force is essential
4. Summary of Test Method when using the trouser test, Die T.
4.1 This test method includes test procedures using speci-
NOTE 1—Inertia (pendulum) type dynamometers are apt to give results
men shapes as follows: that differ one from another because of frictional and inertial effects. A low
4.2 A razor-nicked crescent specimen (Die A), inertia (electronic or optical transducer) type dynamometer gives results
4.3 A razor-nicked crescent specimen with tab ends (Die B), that are free from these effects and is therefore to be preferred.
4.4 An unnicked 90° angle specimen (Die C), and 7.2 The test may be conducted at elevated temperatures
4.5 A specimen described as a trouser tear piece, which is using equipment specified in Test Methods D 412.
designated as Die T. 7.3 Grips—The machine shall be provided with a type of
4.6 No correlation of results, one specimen versus another, grip, for example air-actuated grip, that tightens automatically
obtained with any of these specimens is implied as an inherent as the tension increases and exerts a uniform pressure across
characteristic of this test method. the widened end of the test piece. Each grip shall incorporate
4.7 Also included in this test method is Appendix X1, which a means for positioning so that the test specimens are inserted
describes a modified trouser tear specimen test designated as a symmetrically and in axial alignment with the direction of the
constrained path tear test. Refer to Appendix X1 for more pull. The depth of insertion shall be such that the test specimen
details on this type of tear test which shows substantial promise is adequately gripped, within the parallel portion, when testing
for measuring a realistic tear strength that has been shown to be Die A, B, or C test pieces. Trouser test pieces shall be inserted
correlated with certain rubber product performance. in the grip in accordance with Fig. 1.
5. Significance and Use 7.4 Specimen Cutting Dies—The specimens for tear resis-
tance tests shall be cut out with one of the steel dies
5.1 Conventional vulcanized rubbers and thermoplastic conforming to the dimensions shown in Fig. 2, the cutting
elastomers often fail in service applications due to the genera- edges of which shall be kept sharp and free of all nicks to avoid
tion and propagation of a special type of rupture called a tear. leaving ragged edges on the specimens. It is important that the
This test method measures the resistance to tearing action.
5.2 Since tear strength may be affected to a large degree by
stress-induced anisotropy (mechanical fibering) of the rubber
as well as by stress distribution, strain rate, and size of
specimen, the results obtained in a tear strength test can only be
regarded as a measure of the strength under the conditions of
that particular test and not necessarily as having any direct
relation to service value. The significance of tear testing must
be determined on an individual application or product perfor-
mance basis.
5.3 Injection molded thermoplastic elastomers are known to
be anisotropic in properties. The tear strength measured in
different directions can differ markedly.
6. General Principles
6.1 The test consists of measuring the force required to
completely rupture or tear the specified test piece, as a
continuation of the cut or nick initially produced in the test
piece or, in the case of Die C, completely across the width of
the test piece.
6.1.1 The tearing force is applied by means of a tensile
testing machine, operated without interruption at a constant
rate of cross-head traverse until the test piece is completely
torn. For Die A, B, and C samples, the maximum force
achieved is used to calculate the tear strength. For Die T, the
mean or median force is most commonly used but other ways
of interpreting the data are given in Annex A1.
7. Apparatus
7.1 Testing Machine— The testing machine shall, in gen-
eral, conform to the requirements as specified in Test Methods
D 412. It shall be capable of registering the applied forces
within 2 % of the total force range or capacity during the test
while maintaining the specified constant rate of separation of
the jaws of 50 6 5 mm/min for the trouser test piece Die T and FIG. 1 Trouser Tear Test Specimen

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 D 624

FIG. 2 Dies for Tear Test Specimens

apex of the 90° angle due (Die C) be sharpened to provide a important that the last 1 mm (approximately) of the cut is made
sharp corner. Good cutting edges can be obtained by careful with a razor blade or a sharp knife.
honing. Care shall be taken that the cut edges are perpendicular 7.5.2 The essentials of a suitable apparatus for introducing
to the other surfaces of the specimen and have a minimum of the nick required for the nicked angle or crescent test piece are
concavity. as follows:
7.5 Nick Cutter: 7.5.2.1 Means shall be provided for clamping the test
7.5.1 A sharp razor blade or a sharp knife free of ragged specimen firmly, especially in the region where the nick is to be
edges shall be used for producing a cut or a nick in the Die A introduced. The cutting tool, consisting of a razor blade or
and B specimens. The trouser test piece shall be cut to a depth similar blade, shall be clamped in a plane perpendicular to the
of 40 6 5 mm in the direction indicated. (See Fig. 1.) It is major axis of the test piece, and positioned so as to introduce

3
 D 624
the nick in the appropriate place. The blade clamping device 9.3 Thermoplastic elastomers shall be tested with the tear
shall prevent lateral movement and shall be fitted in guides to direction either parallel or perpendicular to the flow direction
enable the blade to be fixed and the test piece arranged to move of molten material in the injection molded plaque from which
in an analogous manner. Means shall be provided for fine the test specimens are die cut.
adjustment of the depth of the nick. The adjustment for the 9.4 The thickness of the specimen shall be measured in
position of the blade holder or the clamped test piece, or both, three places across the width of the specimen, near its center,
shall be determined for each blade by cutting one or two with a micrometer conforming to the description as specified in
preliminary nicks and measuring these with the aid of a Practice D 3767 and the median measurement used in the
microscope. The blade shall be wetted with water or soap calculations. One of the measurements shall be at the apex of
solution prior to nicking. the slit or the 90° angle, as applicable. The thickness of the test
7.5.3 The slit or nick shall be 0.50 6 0.05 mm (0.020 6 specimen should not fall outside the limits of 1.3 to 3.2 mm
0.002 in.) in depth. (0.05 to 0.13 in.). It may be necessary to determine the tear
7.5.4 To check that the depth of the nick is within the strength of finished goods that give specimens outside the
specified limits, any suitable means may be used, for example, above thickness limits. These results may not correlate with
an optical projection apparatus. A convenient arrangement is a results obtained on pieces of standard thickness.
microscope giving at least 103 magnification fitted with
travelling stage suitably illuminated. The eyepiece is fitted with 10. Number of Test Specimens
a graticule or crosswire by which to record the travel of the 10.1 Three specimens per item shall be tested for tear
stage and test piece through a distance equal to the depth of the strength. The value reported shall be the median of those
nick. The travel of the stage is calibrated with a stage observed. If any individual value deviates more than 20 %
micrometer. Alternatively, a travelling microscopy may be from this median, two additional specimens shall be tested, and
used. The apparatus shall have an accuracy of measurement of the median of all five specimens shall be reported.
0.025 mm or better. 10.2 Tear testing is inherently a highly variable measure-
7.5.5 Die C and Die T test specimens are not nicked. ment since it has many characteristics of fatigue testing that is
known to give widely dispersed test results, frequently with a
8. Preparation of Sample
non-normal distribution. For referee tear testing, the user of
8.1 Except as may be otherwise specified in this test this test method is urged to test at least five specimens.
method, the requirements of Practices D 3182 and D 3183 shall
be complied with and are made a part of this test method for 11. Time Interval Between Vulcanization and Testing
conventional vulanizer rubber. 11.1 The minimum time period between vulcanization and
8.2 Thermoplastic elastomer test specimens are prepared testing shall be 16 h.
from injectioned molded plaques prepared in accordance with 11.2 The maximum allowable time period between nicking
procedures described in the specification standard for said and testing shall be 24 h.
thermoplastic elastomers.
12. Conditioning Period for Test Specimens
9. Test Specimens
12.1 The test pieces of specimens shall be protected from
9.1 The test specimens shall conform in shape according to
light during the interval between vulcanization and testing.
Die T in Fig. 1 or to Die A, B, or C, as shown in Fig. 2.
12.2 The specimens shall be conditioned, after any prepa-
NOTE 2—Conventional vulcanized rubber and thermoplastic elastomers ration as necessary, at a standard laboratory temperature (see
often exhibit an anisotropic mechanical strength effect that influences their Practice D 1349) for at least 3 h before they are cut or nicked.
physical properties. The effect may produce a pronounced difference in
The specimens may be nicked, measured and tested immedi-
physical properties.
ately but, if not tested immediately, they shall be kept at 23 6
9.2 The milling or grain direction of conventional rubber 2°C or 27 6 2°C, as the case may be, until tested. If the
shall be clearly marked on materials to be tested. The usual preparation involves buffing, the interval between buffing and
practice is to test with the grain running the long way of the testing shall not exceed 72 h. The cut or nick shall be made
specimen. Die A, B, and C data so obtained shall be recorded after any aging treatment has been carried out.
as tear resistance across the grain, and it is assumed that, unless 12.3 If the test is to be carried out at a temperature other
otherwise specified, all Die A, B, and C test specimens are to than a standard laboratory (room) temperature, the test pieces
be prepared in this manner. However, Die T trouser tear shall be conditioned for a period sufficient to reach temperature
samples are also prepared with the mill grain running the long equilibrium at the test temperature, immediately prior to
way in the specimen which means the tear is occurring with the testing. This period shall be kept as short as possible in order
grain rather than across it. Where grain effects are significant to avoid aging the rubber.
and are to be evaluated, an additional set of test specimens
shall be cut with the grain running across the specimen. Results 13. Test Temperature
so obtained shall be recorded as tear strength with the grain for 13.1 Unless otherwise specified, the standard temperature
Die A, B, and C and across the grain for Die T trouser tear. for testing shall be 23 6 2°C (73.4 6 3.6°F). If the material is
NOTE 3—Die B has been modified slightly from that described in affected by moisture, the relative humidity shall be maintained
Method D 624 – 54 to conform to that specified in ISO/34. Dies conform- at 50 6 5 % and the specimen shall be conditioned for at least
ing to previous Die B configuration may be used. 24 h prior to testing. When testing at some other temperature is

4
 D 624
required, the temperature specified shall be one of those listed 17.2 A Type 1 (interlaboratory) precision was evaluated in
in Practice D 1349, and the report shall include a statement of 1981 and another in 1988. Test repeatability and reproducibil-
the temperature at which the test was made and the length of ity are short term; a period of a few days separates replicate test
time that the specimen was conditioned. Specimens shall be results. A test result is the median value, as specified by this
conditioned at least 3 h when the test temperature is 236 2°C. method, obtained on three determination(s) or measurement(s).
17.3 In the 1981 test program, one material (one rubber
14. Test Procedure compound) was tested in four laboratories on two separate
14.1 After conditioning as described in Sections 11 and 12, days. In the 1983 test program, two materials (rubbers) were
immediately mount the test piece in the testing machine. Apply tested in five laboratories on two separate days. For both
a steadily increasing traction force at a rate of separation of the programs tests were conducted for Dies B and C.
grips of 500 6 50 mm/min for Die A, B and C type specimens 17.4 The results of the precision calculations for repeatabil-
and 50 6 5 mm/min for trouser test pieces until the test piece ity and reproducibility are given in Table 1 and Table 2.
is completely ruptured. Record the maximum force for Die A, 17.5 The precision of this test method may be expressed in
B and C test pieces. When using the trouser test specimen make the format of the following statements which use an appropri-
a strip-chart or autographic recording of the force throughout ate value of r, R, (r) or (R), that is, that value to be used in
the tearing process. (See Annex A1). decisions about test results (obtained with the test method).
The appropriate value is that value of r or R associated with a
15. Expression of Results mean level in the precision tables closest to the mean level
15.1 The tear strength Ts is given, in kilonewtons per meter under consideration at any given time, for any given material in
of thickness, by the formula: routine testing operations.
F
17.6 Repeatability— The repeatability, r, of this test method
Ts 5 d (1) has been established as the appropriate value tabulated in the
precision tables. Two single test results, obtained under normal
where: test procedures, that differ by more than this tabulated r (for
F 5 the maximum force, N, in case of Dies A, B and C, and any given level) must be considered as derived from different
when using Die T, the mean or median (see Annex A1) or non-identical sample populations.
force obtained from the recorder or autographic trace, 17.7 Reproducibility— The reproducibility, R, of this test
N, calculated in accordance with the annex, and method has been established as the appropriate value tabulated
d 5 the thickness, of the test pieces, mm. in the precision tables. Two single test results obtained in two
15.2 When anisotropic effects are evaluated, determine the different laboratories, under normal test method procedures,
median and the range of the values for each direction. Express that differ by more than the tabulated R (for any given level)
the results to the nearest 0.1 kN/m. must be considered to have come from different or non-
15.3 Alternatively the tear strength may be expressed in identical sample populations.
lbf/in. 17.8 Repeatability and reproducibility expressed as a per-
NOTE 4—To convert from lbf/inch to kN/m, multiply by 0.175. centage of the mean level, (r) and ( R), have equivalent
application statements as above for r and R. For the (r) and
16. Report (R)statements, the difference in the two single test results is
16.1 Report the following information: expressed as a percentage of the arithmetic mean of the two test
16.1.1 Results calculated in accordance with Section 15, results.
indicating which tear test specimen or die was used and a 17.9 Bias—In test method terminology, bias is the differ-
reference to this standard. In trouser tear strength testing, ence between an average test value and the reference (or true)
Method A or B should be specified, test property value. Reference values do not exist for this test
16.1.2 All observed and recorded data on which the calcu- method since the value (of the test property) is exclusively
lations are based, defined by the test method. Bias, therefore, cannot be deter-
16.1.3 Date of test and date of vulcanization of rubber, if mined.
known, 17.10 For Dies B and C, repeatability, ( r), is not good (10
16.1.4 Test temperature,
16.1.5 Type of testing machine used, and TABLE 1 Type 1 Precision for Dies B and C (1981)A
16.1.6 The depth of the nick when using Die A or Die B. Average
Within Laboratories Between Laboratories
Die Value
4
17. Precision and Bias (kN/m) Sr r (r) SR R (R)
B 81.6 5.11 14.5 17.7 16.8 47.6 58.3
17.1 This precision and bias section has been prepared in C 44.5 3.84 10.9 24.4 4.69 13.3 29.8
accordance with Practice D 4483. Refer to this practice for A

terminology and other statistical calculation details. Sr 5 repeatability standard deviation.

r 5 repeatability 5 2.83 3 Sr.
(r) 5 relative repeatability, expressed as a percentage of the average value.
SR 5 reproducibility standard deviation.
4
The full details and test results of the interlaboratory test program used for this R 5 reproducibility 5 2.83 3 SR.
precision section are contained in a Research Report RR:D11-1027 obtainable from (R) 5 relative reproducibility, expressed as a percentage of the average value.
ASTM headquarters.

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 D 624
TABLE 2 Type 1 Precision for Dies B and C (1983)A
Average Value Within Laboratories Between Laboratories
Die Material
(kN/m) Sr r (r) SR R (R)
B (1) H14327 47.4 2.29 6.47 13.7 14.4 40.7 85.8
B (2) R19526 85.1 5.50 15.6 18.3 25.0 70.8 83.2
C (1) H14327 40.0 1.14 3.23 8.1 9.35 26.4 66.1
C (2) R19526 49.7 2.83 8.02 16.1 8.58 24.3 48.8
A

Sr 5 repeatability standard deviation.

r 5 repeatability 5 2.83 3 Sr.
(r) 5 relative repeatability, expressed as a percentage of the average value.
SR 5 reproducibility standard deviation.
R 5 reproducibility 5 2.83 3 SR.
(R) 5 relative reproducibility, expressed as a percentage of the average value.

to 20 %) range, and reproducibility, (R), is poor (60 to 85 %)

range.
18. Keywords
18.1 tear resistance; tear strength

ANNEX

(Mandatory Information)

A1. TEAR CURVE ANALYSIS

A1.1 General Discussion

A1.1.1 This annex describes techniques for interpreting tear
strength curves created by plotting stress versus grip travel or
displacement during testing. The similarities in curve shape for
samples cut with Dies A, B, and C allow a simple interpretation
while the saw-toothed curve generated during the trouser tear
test can be interpreted in several different ways.
A1.2 Curve Shapes
A1.2.1 The simplistic tear curves generated when pulling
samples cut from Dies A, B, and C are single-event shapes with
one maximum force peak at which catastrophic failure of the
specimen occurs.
A1.2.2 There are two primary types of saw-toothed curves
which are illustrated in Fig. A1.1. Curve a illustrates a
characteristic tear commonly called “knotty tear” where the
word “knotty” designates a large magnitude transient increase
in tearing force followed by a precipitous decrease, and the NOTE 1—Curve a—peak or knotty tearCurve b—smooth tear
FIG. A1.1 Smooth Tear and Knotty Tear Curve Types
“increase-decrease” process repeats in cyclic fashion. Each
increasing force stage eventually produces a rapid tear or
rupture which relieves concentrated stress and increases torn
analysis are defined in Section 3.
length. Just as the maximum force reached before tearing is a
measure of tear strength, the level to which the force decreases A1.3.2 Procedure for Die A, B, and C Type Tear Curves—
before tear ceases also indicates important tear properties of the The recorded plot of stress versus displacement for samples cut
compound. with Dies A, B, and C shows a sharply positive slope until
A1.2.3 Curve b illustrates a typical “smooth tear” curve catastrophic failure occurs, at which point the trace slope turns
with minimal tear force amplitudes between the force at which sharply negative. This produces a peak or maximum force
tear initiates and the force at which tear ceases. value from which the tear strength is calculated.
A1.3.3 Procedure for Die T (Trouser Tear) Type Tear
A1.3 Method A—Curve Analysis Curves—The “max-min” stress/displacement curve produced
A1.3.1 Terms for Curve Analysis—The terms used for curve during the Die T trouser tear test can be interpreted in four

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 D 624
primary ways to yield different information about the tearing area under the force-extension curve. This area can be mea-
process. sured electronically by certain equipment with integration
A1.3.3.1 Peak Only Analysis: capability or it can be measured manually by the use of a
(1) This method examines only the peak forces generated planimeter. This parameter will correlate with the mean force
during the tearing process. The value generated defines the since it gives full consideration to both peak and valley
maximum stress concentration that the compound will bear extremes although it will not define the magnitude of variation
before catastrophic failure occurs. from the mean.
(2) The sum of the forces (at each peak) can be divided by
A1.4 Method B—Curve Analysis
the number of peaks to define a mean peak value.
(3) In establishing the repetitive pattern of transient tearing A1.4.1 The terms used for Method B are defined in Section
that creates the max-min curve, it is not uncommon to have the 3.
initial or terminal peaks, or both, be inconsistent in magnitude A1.4.2 Procedure for a Type Curves (Knotty Tear):
with those in the center of the curve. Such peaks can be A1.4.2.1 Count the number of peaks. Use 3.2.7 as a defini-
abnormally low or high depending on the physical properties of tion of the median peak force value. To obtain this median
the compound and how quickly the transient tear pattern is value, locate, with a horizontal line, the lowest or No. 1 peak
established or ended. Correction is made to eliminate these force value. Move upward from this line on the force scale, the
values in determining the mean by comparing their magnitude required number of peak force values to arrive at the median.
to that of the raw mean and discarding all values that deviate Scale from the force axis this value. In Fig. A1.1, the lowest
from the raw mean by 20 % or more. What results then is a (No. 1) peak is indicated by the boldface arrow. The median
mean of the significant peak data points. peak is indicated as assessed from the lowest No. 1 value.
A1.3.3.2 Valley Only Analysis: A1.4.3 Procedure for b Type Curves (Smooth Tear):
(1) This method examines only the forces at the valley A1.4.3.1 Smooth type tear curves often consist of a series of
positions on the saw-toothed curve as a measure of the force to tear propagation or torn length sequences each at essentially
which the stress concentration must be relaxed for tearing to constant tearing force. In Fig. A1.1, Curve b shows two such
cease. sequences (1) and (2), with (2) approximately twice the length
(2) As in the mean in the peak only procedure, initial and of (1). The tear strength should be calculated on a weighted
terminal valley force values are compared to the raw mean average force basis.
calculated by summing the force values at each valley and A1.4.3.2 A general formula for weighted average tear force
dividing by the number of data points. Initial or terminal values is:
greater than or equal to 20 % of this raw mean are discarded Tear Force ~Weighted Average! 5
and the mean is recalculated. n o~TF1! 1 N2~TF2! 1 ··· Ni~TFi!
A1.3.3.3 Mean Force Analysis: (~ni!
(1) The arithmetic mean of the corrected peak only force (A1.1)
value and the corrected valley only force value will yield a where:
mean force value. This should be considered as an average tear no 5 smallest observable segment (chart paper distance)
force value since it gives equal consideration to peak and for a constant tear force segment,
valley extremes. Be aware that this value does not indicate the N2 5 n2
magnitude of the difference between peak and valley forces but no 5 the weighting factor for constant tear
only represents the mean force. It is possible for two tear force (TF) segment TF2, with n2 as the actual
curves to show the same mean force when one has a large segment distance for TF2, and
magnitude of difference between the peak and valley forces ((ni) 5 sum of all no values or total torn length or chart
while the other has a small magnitude of difference. paper distance measured in no units.
(2) The procedure for Method A analysis, which is the most A1.4.3.3 Use this weighted average tear force in Eq 1 (see
concise, is to report the mean force value with a plus or minus 15.1).
value determined by averaging the greatest four to six peak A1.4.3.4 A median force is specified for Annex A1, curve
force values and the lowest four to six valley force values to analysis Method B. The median force (for tear strength
define the magnitude of variation there is from the mean. calculation) is selected for two reasons: (1) it is much easier to
A1.3.3.4 Total Work Analysis—The total work put into the obtain than an average, and (2) it does not give undue weight
sample to achieve the tear can be obtained by measuring the to abnormally large or small peak forces.

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 D 624
APPENDIX

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. DESCRIPTION OF A CONSTRAINED PATH (CP) TEAR TEST SPECIMEN

X1.1 Background T 5 2lF/t 2 wE (X1.1)

X1.1.1 To characterize rubbers adequately, a knowledge of where:
their rupture properties is essential. Tear strength is important T 5 tear strength in force/unit thickness (per unit length
in the performance of many rubber products. torn),
X1.1.2 One reason for the lack of discrimination in many l 5 extension ratio in legs of piece,
current tear tests is a direct influence of compound modulus on F 5 force applied to ends of test piece,
measured tear strength. Fig. X1.1 is a plot of D624 Die C tear w 5 total width of specimen,
strength as a function of modulus (300 %) for data taken from t 5 thickness, and
the literature. This shows tear strength to be strongly correlated E 5 strain energy density in legs of piece.
with modulus (correlation coefficient of 0.90). Thus both For certain vulcanizates, if w is chosen large enough, the
modulus and tear strength are being measured in unknown elongation of the legs is minimal (l [ 1) and E is essentially
proportions. Theoretical calculations, show that the tear rupture zero. Then:
force of Die C specimen measurements is approximately equal T 5 2F/t (X1.2)
to the square root of the tangent modulus-tear strength product.
X1.1.5 Many published reports imply that Eq X1.2 is
X1.1.3 It should not be inferred that modulus will have no
satisfactory to use for routine tear measurements. However,
effect on tear strength; however, the influence of modulus
two serious deficiencies are evident: For many compounds
should be allowed to operate in the immediate tearing zone and
there is appreciable leg extension (l fi 1) even if w is chosen
not in regions of the test specimen remote from the locus of
to be quite wide; and secondly knotty tear is frequently
tear. In short, a tear test specimen should not be an ill-shaped
encountered and the tear deviates laterally and tears through
modulus (tensile) test specimen.
one leg of the test specimen. Development of Eq X1.1 and Eq
X1.1.4 Rivlin, Thomas, et al. developed tear tests based on
X1.2 is based on tear propagation down the central axis of the
theoretical analysis of crack growth behavior. For flat sheet test
test piece.
specimens they defined a tearing energy or strength T, that is
X1.1.6 Leg extension can be allowed for if strain energy
independent of the geometry of the test specimen provided the
density E is known, but a separate stress-strain curve is
stored energy density of the specimen could be measured.
required. When one leg of the test specimen is torn through,
Three types of test specimens were used: the strip or tensile
further testing is precluded with that specimen. These deficien-
specimen, the pure shear specimen and the trousers tear
cies very often preclude any quick and meaningful routine tear
specimen. The relation for the tearing energy with the trouser
strength measurement with the simple trousers test piece.
specimen is:
X1.1.7 In order to avoid these deficiencies, it is necessary to
reinforce the legs to prevent their elongation and to provide a
path of least resistance for tear propagation. Fig. X1.2 gives
pertinent details and dimensions of a trousers tear specimen
designated as a “constrained path” tear test specimen. It
consists of a molded piece 125 mm long, 28.5 mm wide, with
a nominal thickness of 5 mm. A longitudinal groove with the
indicated cross-sectional geometry is molded into the piece.
The legs are reinforced with fabric. The fabric is placed at the
mid-plane of the piece to avoid an appreciable bending
moment and to facilitate its reinforcing action during actual
tear testing. The bottom of the mold contains two puncture
pins; these puncture and hold the fabric as the mold is closed
and prevent a lateral fabric shift.
X1.2 Test Procedure
X1.2.1 A 60-mm cut is made down the groove with a razor
blade. This produces two legs, each of which is inserted into
the jaws of a tensile testing machine. The final length of the
specimen is torn at a selected testing speed and temperature.
X1.2.2 The thickness of the torn rubber is measured inone
NOTE 1—Data taken from literature of two ways: (1) the average total thickness of the test piece
FIG. X1.1 Plot of ASTM Die C Tear Strength as a Function of along the groove is measured and from this is subtracted 3.60
Stress at 300 % Elongation mm, the combined height of the insert sections that form the

8
 D 624
strain energy dissipation process in the immediate tearing zone.
The mechanism consists of a build-up of strain (stress) in the
tearing zone with a concurrent strengthening structure forma-
tion. This retards onset of rupture. As strain (stress) continues
to increase, tear strength is exceeded at some point and a
catastrophic rupture occurs. Rate of tear propagation after this
rupture is quite rapid and the tear continues to advance until the
high strain (stress) gradient is removed; the rate then drops to
zero. The jaws continue to separate, however, and the process
repeats several times during a test.

X1.4 Correlation of Constrained Path Tear Versus Off

Road Tire Performance
X1.4.1 Fig. X1.3 illustrates the degree of correlation be-
tween CP tear strength at 100°C and the cutting-chipping rating
of a series of compounds in an off-road tire performance test.
A 5 125 mm
B 5 28.5 mm
C 5 5.33 mm
D 5 1.77 mm
E 5 0.75 mm
FIG. X1.2 Schematic Diagram of “Constrained Path” Tear Test
Specimen

groove; or (2) the torn surface is examined with a small

binocular magnifier with a graduated reticle and the thickness
measured. The latter method is more accurate but they agree to
within about 5 %. For routine work the first method has been
found to be satisfactory.
X1.3 Constrained Path Tear Curves
X1.3.1 Two types of tear curves are obtained for various
vulcanizates (see Fig. A1.1). For Curve (b), smooth tear,
tearing load fluctuates only slightly and rate of tear propagation
is essentially continuous and roughly equal to one-half that of
jaw separation. Curve (a) is typical of knotty tear, consisting of
a series of peak loads, each corresponding to a catastrophic FIG. X1.3 Tear Strength (CP-Specimen) Tc versus Cutting-
tear. This behavior is the result of a strengthening structure or Chipping Performance

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