EN ISO 13938-2

Bursting strength and distension of fabrics

Requirements & test methods

ISO 13938-2 uses pneumatic pressure to measure fabric bursting strength and deformation at burst.

Air pressure expands fabric over an elastic diaphragm until rupture. Preferred test area: 50 cm², diameter 79.8 mm.

Alternative areas: 100, 10 or 7.3 cm² when the preferred area is unsuitable or another area is agreed. Results include the test area.

Bursting strength equals mean rupture pressure minus diaphragm pressure at the mean bursting distension.

Corrected pressure in kPa, with distension at burst and its unit.

Illustrative diaphragm correction
Measurement	Value
Mean pressure at fabric rupture	250 kPa
Diaphragm pressure at matching mean distension	20 kPa
Corrected bursting strength	230 kPa

Bursting-strength testing for suitable textile materials used in foundry clothing.

Fabric bursting-strength data for material specifications.

Bursting-strength testing for textile materials in utility clothing.

Bursting-strength testing for suitable welding-clothing textiles, where the applicable product specification requires it.

Bursting-strength testing for textile components of wildland garments.

Bursting-strength testing for textile components in firefighter clothing.

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