I opened a 2023 email from a Miami outdoor brand—12,000 meters of UV nylon ripped at seams after one hike, leading to 18% returns and $36,000 hit. They tested tensile but skipped tear. We added ISO 13937; next lot held 55N tear, returns zero.
Tearing strength measures force to propagate a cut (ISO 13937 wing rip), tensile strength checks max pull before break (ISO 13934 grab)—both critical for apparel fabrics; our CNAS lab tests both, preventing 92% seam failures for US clients.
You need fabrics that endure. I'll explain differences we see daily in Keqiao, cases that fixed disasters, and how to spec right without confusion.
How do tear and tensile differ in action?
Tear strength starts a slit and grows it—like pocket catch. Tensile pulls whole fabric—like belt stress. We test tear in Newtons to continue rip, tensile to break.
Last winter, a Seattle workwear order passed 600N tensile but tore at 18N. Added ripstop, tear to 52N, field rips gone.
Why tear matters more for wovens?
Wovens rip along yarns. High tensile hides weak tear.
A Denver jacket maker ignored tear—sleeves split. Wing test showed 15N, reinforced grid, 48N, durability up 70%. See why tearing strength beats tensile for woven apparel on textile blogs.
When does tensile win over tear?
Knits stretch before tear. Grab tensile predicts.
A California yoga brand tore little but stretched out. Tensile at 450N low, upped elastane, 680N, shape held. Guide: tensile strength importance in stretch fabrics from China.
| Property | Test Method | Unit | Typical Apparel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tear | ISO 13937 | N | 30-60 |
| Tensile | ISO 13934 | N | 400-800 |
(We balance both—we really do.)
Which test fits knit vs woven fabrics?
Knits favor tensile—stretch absorbs tear. Wovens need tear—grid stops propagation. We sample 10 pieces each.
In 2022, a Texas jersey order failed tensile at 320N. Boosted yarn count, 580N, no baggy knees.
Why knits skip tear testing?
Loops interlock—rip hard to start. Tensile shows elasticity.
A Florida active line tested tear only—passed but sagged. Added grab tensile, fixed spandex, recovery 95%. Forum: skip tearing strength for knit performance wear.
How to test tear in coated fabrics?
Cut slit careful—coating affects. We use trapezoid.
One LA rainwear coated poly tore easy at coating crack. Changed PU formula, tear 42N, waterproof held. Tips: trapezoid tear testing for laminated textiles.
Can low tear pass high tensile?
Yes—dense fabric strong pull, weak rip path. We see in satins.
A 2024 Chicago dress satin hit 750N tensile, tore 12N. Loosened weave, tear 38N, no split seams.
Why satins fail tear despite strength?
Float yarns slip. Tensile high, tear low.
A Boston evening wear skipped tear—gowns ripped at vents. Added lining, tear 45N, events safe. Learn improving tear strength in satin fabrics from Keqiao.
How blends balance both?
Poly-cotton tensile strong, cotton tear better. We optimize ratio.
One NYC shirting blend tensile 520N, tear 28N low. Upped cotton, tear 48N, balance perfect. Process: blending for tear and tensile in apparel textiles.
| Blend | Tensile N | Tear N |
|---|---|---|
| 100% Poly | 800 | 20 |
| 65/35 PC | 600 | 45 |
| 100% Cotton | 450 | 55 |
We really tune blends.
How to spec both in contracts?
List ISO 13937 tear min 40N, ISO 13934 tensile min 500N, test warp/weft. Add “fail = rework free.”
A Russian uniform order spec’d both with QR reports. One lot tear 32N—auto fix, no delay.
What if tensile passes but tear fails?
Rework weave or add grid. We cover cost.
A Miami client tear failed—inserted leno, passed, shipment on time. Template: specifying tear and tensile in fabric PO from China.
How to verify pre-shipment?
Third-party lab or our QR. Scan shows both values.
One Seattle buyer scanned at port—tear 58N, cleared fast, saved 4 days. System: QR verification for textile strength tests.
Conclusion
Tear strength stops rip growth after cut, tensile handles full pull—wovens need 40+N tear, knits 500+N tensile; our Keqiao tests with QR blocked $980K in failures for 44 US orders since 2022. Know the difference, spec both, and your seams stay intact.
Ready for rip-proof recycled nylon or Tencel? Link with Shanghai Fumao—we test tear/tensile, guarantee, ship. Email Business Director Elaine at elaine@fumaoclothing.com for your strength specs.
