Abstract: The invention provides a tensile tester, for characterising the extension properties of a fabric, comprising: a plurality of dual-mode fabric-engaging units located at a plurality of points. The fabric-engaging units are operable in a first fabric-gripping mode to releasably grip a fabric to be tested, and in a second fabric-tensioning mode to impart tension to a fabric to be tested, between gripped points, by displacing the fabric. The tester also has force measurement means to measure the tension so imparted and displacement measuring means to measure the displacement of the fabric. The fabric-engaging units are arranged and controlled so as to measure displacement-force characteristics along two or more axes of the fabric to be tested. Embodiments of the invention allow for determination of stretch characteristics in the Course, Wale, and two Bias directions of a fabric, as well as the characterisation of tension decay.

Abstract: The invention provides a tensile tester, for characterising the extension properties of a fabric, comprising: a plurality of dual-mode fabric-engaging units located at a plurality of points. The fabric-engaging units are operable in a first fabric-gripping mode to releasably grip a fabric to be tested, and in a second fabric-tensioning mode to impart tension to a fabric to be tested, between gripped points, by displacing the fabric. The tester also has force measurement means to measure the tension so imparted and displacement measuring means to measure the displacement of the fabric. The fabric-engaging units are arranged and controlled so as to measure displacement-force characteristics along two or more axes of the fabric to be tested. Embodiments of the invention allow for determination of stretch characteristics in the Course, Wale, and two Bias directions of a fabric, as well as the characterisation of tension decay.