The Taber® Fabric Stiffness Tester - Model 112 provides a quick
and accurate method of determining stiffness properties such as
flexural rigidity of most textile fabrics according to
internationally recognized test standards such as ASTM D1388.
Ideal for testing 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.
Taber's Fabric Stiffness Tester can also be used to evaluate
leather, paper, plastic films, and other flexible sheet
materials.
Description
Employing the principle of cantilever bending, a rectangular
specimen is supported on a smooth low-friction horizontal
platform. A weighted slide is placed over the specimen and
advanced at a constant rate. As the leading edge of the specimen
projects from the platform, it bends under its own weight. The
bend angle indicator can be set at either 41.5° (0.724 rad) or
45° (0.785 rad) below the plane of the platform surface, and
includes an easy to read bend angle reference scale with 5°
graduations. Once the material flexes enough to touch the bend
angle indicator, the test is stopped. Using a scale calibrated in
both metric and English units, the length of the overhang is then
measured and flexural rigidity and bending modulus can be
calculated.
The Fabric Stiffness Tester 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.
NOTE: 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.