Cantilever Fabric Stiffness Tester
Ideal for testing most textile fabrics and evaluate the stiffness properties of products such as blankets, air bag fabrics, protective clothing, geotextiles, etc.
The Fabric Stiffness Tester (Model 112) is a simple to use, rugged instrument based on a design described in internationally recognized test standards such as ASTM D1388.
Employing the principle of cantilever bending, a rectangular specimen is supported on a smooth low-friction horizontal platform with a 41.5″ (0.724 rad) or 45″ (0.785 rad) adjustable bend angle indicator below the plane of the platform surface. A weighted slide is placed over the specimen and is advanced at a constant rate. As the leading edge of the specimen projects from the platform, it bends under its own mass.
Once the material flexes enough to touch the bend angle indicator, the test is stopped. The length of the overhang is then measured and flexural rigidity and bending modulus can be calculated.
Ideal for testing most textile fabrics (e.g. woven; layered; pile; knitted; napped), this instrument has been utilized to evaluate the stiffness properties of blankets, air bag fabrics, protective clothing, geotextiles, etc.
Fabrics may be untreated or treated, including those that are heavily sized, coated or resin-treated. Fabric Stiffness Tester can also be used to evaluate leather, paper, plastic films, and other flexible sheet materials. In general this instrument may not be suitable for very limp materials or those that show a marked tendency to curl or twist at a cut edge.
With Hand Cranked Speed Control
Models
The Fabric Stiffness Tester (Model 112) is available with or without the Hand Crank Speed Control Option. This feature allows the operator to control the rate of speed that the specimen is advanced.
Features
- Adjustable bend angle indicator for inclined angles of either 41.5° or 45°
- Easy to read bend angle reference scale with 5° graduations
- Overhang unit scale calibrated in both metric and English units
- Specimen slide assembly with integrated leveling bubble
Specifications
- ASTM D1388 Standard Test Method for Stiffness of Fabrics (Option A)
- ASTM D5732 Standard Test Method for Stiffness of Nonwoven Fabrics Using the Cantilever Test
- BS 3356 Method for determination of bending length and flexural rigidity of fabrics
- DIN 53362 Testing of plastics films and textile fabrics (excluding nonwovens), coated or not coated fabrics – Determination of stiffness in bending – Cantilever method
- ISO 9073-7 Textiles — Test methods for Nonwovens — Part 7: Determination of bending length
- JIS L-1096 Testing Methods for Woven Fabrics