Geosynthetics Industrial Works DOCUMENT NO: WI-Q1-

022-2
WORK INSTRUCTIONS PAGE: 1 OF 4
TITLE: TONGUE TEAR – ASTM D751-98, METHOD B, MODIFIED DATE: 01/05

DEPARTMENT: Quality Control Lab

AUTHOR: MM

1. PURPOSE

1.1. This procedure provides instruction for performing the tongue tear test on scrim-reinforced
product.

2. SCOPE

2.1. This document applies to all Quality Control Technicians.

3. RELATED DOCUMENTS

3.1. Job Specification

3.2. ASTM D751, Standard Test Methods for Coated Fabrics

4. MODIFICATION

4.1. ASTM Modified to allow 3ºC variation rather than 1ºC variation.

5. EQUIPMENT

5.1. Instron Tensiometer

6. DEFINITIONS

6.1. Scrim – woven polyester mesh that is sandwiched between two or more layers. The open
mesh allows for the resin used as a coating to penetrate the scrim and bond together.

7. HEALTH AND SAFETY

7.1. Use extreme caution when cutting samples.

7.2. When placing a sample into the grips, make sure all of your fingers are out of the way
before pressing the foot petal.

8. PROCEDURES

8.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

8.1.1. Testing is conducted in standard laboratory environment of 23ºC ± 3ºC. Testing is an

integral part of the manufacturing process; for this reason, sample conditioning is
abbreviated.

8.1.2. The test sample size is 3” by 8” with a 3” cut parallel to the direction being tested.
The sample grips are 1” by 2”, and are serrated to hold the sample in place during the
test.

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TITLE: TONGUE TEAR – ASTM D751-98, METHOD B, MODIFIED DATE: 01/05

8.2. SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

8.2.1. To perform the tongue tear test correctly, the grip faces on both grips must be rotated
such that a 1” by 2” surface holds the sample in place during the test.

8.2.1.1. For the top grip - The grip face is held by a cotter pin. To rotate the grip, pull up
on the cotter pin until the grip is free to move. Please note if the pin does not
slide out easily, DO NOT FORCE IT. Notify the lab supervisor. The pin may be
bent; by forcing it out, the loadcell or grip may be damaged.

8.2.1.2. Rotate the grip enough to pull the pin completely out of the grip. Rotate the grip
face so that the long edge of the grip face is almost vertical and slip the pin into
the opening on top of the grip. Slowly rotate the grip until the pin drops into place.

8.2.1.3. For the bottom grip - In order to make the gripping surface 1” by 1”, a different
grip face must be used. The grip is lying on the base of the Instron. A pin also
secures the grip face, but the grip arm must be pushed out to expose the pin.

8.2.1.4. Use a small post to carefully push the pin out. The grip face may fall out of the
bracket, just do not lose it. Put the second grip in place and carefully slide the pin
back in. Make sure that the pin is not hindering the travel of the grip arm by
sticking out of the bracket.

8.2.2. Go to the main menu on the Instron computer screen. Go to “Test a sample”; Press
“Enter”.

8.2.3. Follow the computer prompts to input the information for the:

8.2.3.1. Technician.

8.2.3.2. Roll Number - use the seven-digit roll number plus letter identification.

8.2.3.2.1. For machine direction – use “A”.

8.2.3.2.2. For cross direction – use “B”.

8.2.3.3. Test Type – This is a tensile type test. Press “Enter”, since the default is set for
a tensile type test.

8.2.3.4. Test Method - The test method for the tongue tear test is “7” for the scrim-
reinforced product.

8.2.3.5. The screen will show the title of the test while it is loading. Once the test is
loaded, a prompt will appear across the top of the screen. Press “Enter” to test.

8.2.4. Before beginning to test, type in the nominal thickness of the material then press
”Enter”.

8.2.4.1. The default is set to 45-mil thickness for reinforced product – Press “Enter” if the
nominal thickness is 0.045 inches (45 mils). DO NOT USE THE DEFAULT
VALUE IF THE PRODUCT IS NOT A 45 MIL NOMINAL PRODUCT!

8.2.5. Load the sample into the grips.

8.2.5.1. The sample must not be twisted or folded in any way when loaded into the grips.

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TITLE: TONGUE TEAR – ASTM D751-98, METHOD B, MODIFIED DATE: 01/05

8.2.6. Press the foot pedal down to close both grips.

8.2.6.1. If the bottom grip does not close, but the top grip does – Move the toggle switch
on the bottom grip.

8.2.6.2. If neither grip activates, check the air hose connections. Notify the lab supervisor
if the problem is not found.

8.2.7. Press ”Start Test” to start the test.

8.2.8. The test is complete when the Instron is no longer registering a load, or when the
crosshead has moved 12 inches.

8.2.9. The brass colored knob on the foot pedal releases the air pressure and opens the
grips. This knob can be pushed at any time while the crosshead is returning to its zero
position.

8.2.10. Enter each sample thickness and test the remaining four samples, using the steps
listed above.

8.2.11. After all five samples have been tested, Press “End Sample” then “Continue” to
complete the test.

8.2.12. Follow the computer prompts to print out the test results, The defaults are set such
that to complete the test just press “Enter” in response to each prompt (with an
exception, when it is necessary to exclude a test value).

8.2.12.1. If a value is in err, when the prompt asks to exclude any values, enter the
sample number to exclude from the calculations by highlighting and reentering
number.

8.2.13. Check the test results against the job specification.

8.2.13.1. If the test result does not meet the job specification, a retest must be
performed.

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TITLE: TONGUE TEAR – ASTM D751-98, METHOD B, MODIFIED DATE: 01/05

8.2.13.2. If the retest does not meet the job specification, notify the lab supervisor
immediately.

8.2.14. File the result s in the roll data folder.

9. TROUBLESHOOTING

9.1. If the specimen slips the grips, the results will be markedly below the average for the job
specification. Discard the result, cut another sample and include the result in the average.

9.2. Cutting the sample with the wrong measurement of a 3” parallel to the direction of being
tested will result in low values. Discard this result, cut another sample and include this result
in the average.

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