The Exchange Test Method

A-12: Seam Strength

Issue Date: 30 Apr 1993

Revision Date: 09/30/2011

  1. PURPOSE AND SCOPE:

    To determine strength of seams in woven fabrics. Seam failure in a garment can occur because of either the failure of the sewing thread, leaving the fabric intact, or fabric rupture, leaving the seam intact or both breaking at the same time.
  2. PRINCIPLE:

    The breaking force required to effect rupture of sewn seams is measured using the Grab Test Procedure.
  3. REFERENCE:

    ASTM D 1683/D 1983M-11a, Standard Test Method for Failure in Sewn Seams of Woven Apparel Fabrics.
  4. APPARATUS:

    Tensile testing machine, Instron Model 4206
  5. PROCEDURE:

  6. EVALUATION:

    Calculate the average seam strength of the three specimens.
  7. REPORT:

    Report the above figure as the seam strength of the sample tested. Seam strength can be reported in either pounds or grams. If there was no clear seam break, also indicate nature of the failure such as fabric rupture.