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CAN/CGSB 4.2 No. 11.2-M89 (2013): Standard Test Method for Breaking Strength of Fabrics (Strip Method)
Understanding the Canadian Standard for Evaluating Fabric Tensile Properties
Scope and Application
CAN/CGSB 4.2 No. 11.2-M89 (2013) is a Canadian national standard developed by the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) that specifies a test method for determining the breaking strength and elongation of textile fabrics using the strip test procedure. This method is applicable to woven, nonwoven, and felted fabrics, as well as to fabrics made from various fibers, yarns, or blends. It is widely used in quality control, product development, and compliance assessment for textiles intended for apparel, upholstery, industrial applications, and protective clothing.
The test measures the maximum force (breaking strength) and the corresponding elongation at break when a conditioned fabric specimen of defined width is pulled in tension until rupture. The strip method involves cutting specimens parallel to either the warp (lengthwise) or weft (crosswise) direction, raveling them to a specified width, and testing both sets to characterize the fabric’s tensile properties in both directions.
Note: This standard is a reaffirmation (2013) of the original 1989 edition, and it remains current as of 2025. It is method CGSB 4.2 No. 11.2 and should not be confused with other methods in the CGSB 4.2 series.
Technical Requirements and Test Procedure
Apparatus and Conditioning
The test requires a constant-rate-of-extension (CRE) tensile testing machine equipped with two jaws that grip the test specimen. The machine must be capable of recording the force-elongation curve and meeting the accuracy requirements of ±1% of the indicated force within the range of use. The gauge length (initial distance between jaws) is set at 75 mm ± 1 mm. The rate of extension is adjusted to achieve a mean time to break of 20 ± 3 seconds.
Specimens must be conditioned in a standard atmosphere of 20 ± 2°C and 65 ± 4% relative humidity for at least 24 hours prior to testing. All tests are conducted under these same conditions.
Specimen Preparation
For woven fabrics, specimens are cut 50 mm wide and approximately 200 mm long. Each raw specimen is then raveled to a final width of 50 mm by removing the same number of yarns from each side. For nonwoven and felted fabrics, specimens are cut to 50 mm wide with a precision cutter and used without raveling. At least five specimens per direction (warp and weft) are tested, and the results are averaged.
| Fabric Type | Cut Width | Final Width | Gauge Length | Specimens per Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woven (raveled strip) | 50 mm | 50 mm | 75 mm | 5 |
| Nonwoven | 50 mm | 50 mm | 75 mm | 5 |
| Knitted | 50 mm | 50 mm | 75 mm | 5 |
| Felted | 50 mm | 50 mm | 75 mm | 5 |
Testing Steps
- Condition the fabric for at least 24 hours under standard conditions.
- Cut specimens from representative areas away from selvages.
- For woven fabrics, ravel carefully to achieve the exact width.
- Mount the specimen centrally and without slack in the jaws. Apply a pre-tension of 5 N (or 0.5% of estimated breaking strength) to remove waviness.
- Start the test at the set extension rate and record the force-elongation curve until rupture occurs.
- Record breaking strength (newtons) and elongation at break (mm or %).
- Discard any specimen that slips in the jaws or breaks within 5 mm of the jaw edge and repeat.
Tip: For fabrics with high elongation, ensure the testing machine has sufficient travel capacity. A stroke of at least 300 mm is recommended.
Implementation Highlights
Laboratories implementing CAN/CGSB 4.2 No. 11.2-M89 (2013) should pay attention to the following key aspects:
- Selection of test direction: Both warp and weft must be reported separately. The number of specimens per direction can be increased to 10 for higher precision if required.
- Alternative widths: The standard allows the use of 25 mm or 100 mm specimens for specialized fabrics, provided this is noted in the report.
- Wet testing: Although not the primary scope, the standard can be adapted for wet fabric testing by immersing specimens in distilled water for 1 hour before testing. The wet results must be clearly distinguished from dry results.
- Within-laboratory precision: The standard cites a coefficient of variation of approximately 3% for woven fabrics under repeatability conditions.
Important: The strip test method (CGSB 4.2 No. 11.2) differs from the grab test method (CGSB 4.2 No. 11.1). The strip method tests the full width of the specimen and is preferred for woven fabrics where seam strength or behavior of the entire fabric structure is critical.
Best practice: Always verify that the testing machine calibration is current and that the load cell capacity covers the expected breaking force without exceeding 90% of its maximum. For fabrics with breaking strengths above 2000 N, consider using a higher capacity load cell.
Compliance Notes
Conformity to CAN/CGSB 4.2 No. 11.2-M89 (2013) is often required when supplying textiles to Canadian government agencies or organizations that reference CGSB standards in contracts. The standard is harmonized with ASTM D5034 (Standard Test Method for Breaking Strength and Elongation of Textile Fabric (Strip Test)) in many respects, though differences exist in specimen conditioning, jaw face dimensions, and reporting units.
Key compliance points:
- The test report must include the complete standard number (CAN/CGSB 4.2 No. 11.2-M89 (2013)), specimen identification, conditioning conditions, number of specimens, direction tested, mean breaking strength (N), mean elongation at break (mm or %), and any deviations from the standard procedure.
- If results are to be used for acceptance testing, a statistically derived sample size should be determined based on the variability observed in the fabric. The standard provides guidance on calculating the number of tests needed for a given confidence interval.
- For fabrics with pronounced shrinkage or dimensional change, the specimen should be preconditioned by relaxing or wetting as per the fabric specification before cutting the test specimens.
Non-compliance risk: Using unravelled specimens (wider than 50 mm) or failing to condition specimens for the required duration can lead to significantly lower strength values and invalid test results. Auditors routinely check conditioning logs and lab atmosphere records.
The standard also notes that the results obtained by this method may not correlate directly with service performance because breaking strength is only one aspect of fabric durability. However, when used in conjunction with other tests (tear strength, abrasion resistance), it provides a reliable baseline for material specification and quality assurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between CAN/CGSB 4.2 No. 11.2 and ASTM D5034?
A: Both use a strip test with a 75 mm gauge length and a 50 mm specimen width. Key differences: CGSB specifies conditioning at 20 ± 2°C, 65 ± 4% RH, while ASTM D5034 uses 21 ± 1°C, 65 ± 2% RH. Also, CGSB requires a pre-tension of 5 N, whereas ASTM recommends 0.5% of the estimated breaking force. Result units in CGSB are primarily newtons; ASTM allows both newtons and pounds-force.
A: Both use a strip test with a 75 mm gauge length and a 50 mm specimen width. Key differences: CGSB specifies conditioning at 20 ± 2°C, 65 ± 4% RH, while ASTM D5034 uses 21 ± 1°C, 65 ± 2% RH. Also, CGSB requires a pre-tension of 5 N, whereas ASTM recommends 0.5% of the estimated breaking force. Result units in CGSB are primarily newtons; ASTM allows both newtons and pounds-force.
Q: Can this standard be used for testing upholstery fabrics?
A: Yes, it is applicable to upholstery fabrics. However, for upholstery, tear strength and abrasion resistance are often more relevant. The strip method can still be used to verify minimum breaking strength requirements as specified in furniture flammability or performance specifications (e.g., UFAC, CAL 117).
A: Yes, it is applicable to upholstery fabrics. However, for upholstery, tear strength and abrasion resistance are often more relevant. The strip method can still be used to verify minimum breaking strength requirements as specified in furniture flammability or performance specifications (e.g., UFAC, CAL 117).
Q: How should I handle fabric with high shrinkage or stretch when preparing specimens?
A: For fabrics with high shrinkage, precondition by relaxing the fabric on a flat surface for 24 hours under standard conditions before cutting. For high-stretch fabrics (e.g., knits), the strip method may not be appropriate; consider using the grab test (CGSB 4.2 No. 11.1) or a constant-rate-of-extension method with lower pre-tension. If using the strip method, note the fabric behavior in the report.
A: For fabrics with high shrinkage, precondition by relaxing the fabric on a flat surface for 24 hours under standard conditions before cutting. For high-stretch fabrics (e.g., knits), the strip method may not be appropriate; consider using the grab test (CGSB 4.2 No. 11.1) or a constant-rate-of-extension method with lower pre-tension. If using the strip method, note the fabric behavior in the report.
Q: Is the 2013 reaffirmation substantively different from the 1989 original?
A: The 2013 reaffirmation maintains the technical content of the 1989 edition without major changes. Editorial corrections were made for consistency with current CGSB formatting and referencing. Laboratories already using the 1989 version may continue to reference the 2013 reaffirmation without changing procedures, provided the equipment and conditions meet the requirements.
A: The 2013 reaffirmation maintains the technical content of the 1989 edition without major changes. Editorial corrections were made for consistency with current CGSB formatting and referencing. Laboratories already using the 1989 version may continue to reference the 2013 reaffirmation without changing procedures, provided the equipment and conditions meet the requirements.
This article is for informational purposes. For official compliance, always refer to the current version of CAN/CGSB 4.2 No. 11.2-M89 (2013) published by the Canadian General Standards Board.
© 2026 — Technical review based on the standard as of January 2026.