DIN EN 16653 Stitch Tear Test (accredited)

Our test laboratory performs testing according to DIN EN 16653 using an accredited test method to determine the stitch tear resistance of rubber- or plastics-coated textiles. The test characterizes the resistance of the material to the tearing out of an inserted needle under tensile loading. The maximum stitch tear force is determined as the principal test parameter. The method therefore provides important information on the mechanical resistance of coated textiles in the region of puncture points and subsequent seams.

Test procedure

For the test, five strip-shaped specimens are taken in both the warp and weft directions, or in the corresponding material directions, and conditioned prior to testing. The material thickness is determined and a needle with a diameter of 1 mm is inserted into the specimen at a defined position 5 mm from the edge.

The specimen is then loaded in a tensile testing machine at a constant rate so that the needle is pulled out of the material perpendicular to the direction of insertion. The maximum force occurring during pull-out is recorded as the stitch tear force. The mean value is calculated from the five individual results for each test direction. If required, the stitch tear strength related to the material thickness can additionally be reported.

Applications of the test

Testing according to DIN EN 16653 is used to assess the resistance of coated textiles to localized tensile loads at puncture and seam areas. A high stitch tear force is particularly important when a material is sewn or mechanically loaded via point-type fastenings. The method makes it possible to compare different coatings, textile substrates and material constructions with regard to their suitability for such loading conditions.

Typical test materials and applications include:

• artificial leather and other plastics-coated textiles,

• rubber-coated textile fabrics,

• seat and covering materials for vehicle interiors,

• coated upholstery and trim materials,

• furniture and upholstery covering materials with polymer coatings,

• tarpaulins and other technical coated textiles,

• flexible textile composite materials with plastics or rubber coatings,

• materials for sewn or point-fastened constructions.

The test is particularly important for materials in which tensile forces are transferred into the material through seams or individual puncture points. It is therefore suitable for material development and quality assurance as well as for the selection of suitable material constructions and the investigation of damage in seam and fastening areas. It should be noted that DIN EN 16653 evaluates the material resistance at a defined puncture point and not the strength of a fully formed seam.

Related tests

As a related test, FILK offers DIN 53506 for determining the needle tear resistance of rubber and elastomers. DIN 54301 is used to determine the needle tear force of nonwovens and similar nonwoven textile structures. For leather, DIN EN ISO 23910 provides a method for measuring stitch tear force. Comparable localized tear-out loads can therefore be investigated for different material groups using the appropriate test methods.