Designation: D 5170 – 98

Standard Test Method for

Peel Strength (“T” Method) of Hook and Loop Touch
Fasteners1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5170; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope separate a hook and loop closure bear no simple relationship to

1.1 This test method measures peel strength of hook and the average force (integrator average). The average of the five
loop touch fasteners using a recording constant-rate-of- highest peaks better reflect performance but the integrator
extension tensile testing machine (CRE). results may be used to characterize a closure and for quality
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the control purposes. The integrator average is relatively easy to
safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the calculate given the proper equipment.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 3.5 In the case of a dispute arising from differences in
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- reported test results when using this test method for acceptance
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. testing of commercial shipments, the purchaser and the sup-
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded plier should conduct comparative tests to determine if there is
as the standard. a statistical bias between their laboratories. Competent statis-
tical assistance is recommended for the investigation of bias.
2. Referenced Documents As a minimum, the two parties should take a group of test
2.1 ASTM Standards: specimens which are as homogenous as possible and which are
D 76 Specification for Tensile Testing Machines for Tex- from a lot of hook and loop of the type in question. The test
tiles2 specimens should then be randomly assigned in equal numbers
D 123 Terminology Relating to Textiles2 to each laboratory for testing. The average results from the two
D 618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics and Electrical laboratories should be compared using Student’s t-test and an
Insulating Materials for Testing3 acceptable probability level chosen by the two parties before
the testing began. If a bias is found, either its cause must be
3. Significance and Use found and corrected or the purchaser and the supplier must
3.1 This test method gives a measure of a key property of agree to interpret future test results in the light of the known
hook and loop touch fasteners which is of interest to users of bias.
such devices. This is a means of determining the resistance to
4. Apparatus
separation when forces are applied normal to the line of
separation of the fastener. 4.1 Roller—consisting of a smooth steel surface, approxi-
3.2 The force registered in a peel test is irregular, and as a mately 43⁄4 in. (121 mm) in diameter, 21⁄4 in. (57 mm) wide,
consequence, empirical methods have had to be developed to and equipped with a handle, length 41⁄8 in. (105 mm), for
obtain usable values related to peel strength. In spite of the propelling the roller back and forth without adding additional
empirical nature of the reported values, it is believed they weight to the specimen being rolled (See Fig. 1). The weight of
reflect comparative performance of similar touch fasteners the roller (including the handle) is 11 6 1⁄4 lbs. (4994 g 6 114
tested and measured in the same way. g).
3.3 Two optional methods of calculation are provided: 4.2 Testing Machine—A constant rate of extension (CRE)
integrator average and average of five highest peaks. These test tensile tester shall be used. The tester shall have two clamps
methods are not equivalent. Generally, the integrator average with centers in the same plane, parallel to the direction of the
will be lower than the average of the five highest peaks. motion of the stressing clamp, and so aligned that they will
3.4 The highest peaks which reflect the force required to hold the specimen ends wholly in the same plane; a means of
moving the stressing clamp at a uniform rate of 12.0 6 0.5
in/min (305 6 13 mm/min), an autographic device for record-
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-13 on Textiles ing the load; and provided with an integrator if the integrator
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D13.54 on Subassemblies. average is to be used.
Current edition approved June 10, 1998. Published March 1999. Originally
published as D 5170 - 91. Last previous edition D 5170 - 91.
4.2.1 The instrument shall be calibrated to an accuracy of
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 07.01. 1.0 % of the full scale and the scale range used for the test shall
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01. be such that the main test falls within 20 to 80 % of full range.

Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

1
 D 5170

FIG. 1 Roller for Making Closure of Hook and Loop Touch

Fasteners Prior to Testing

5. Sampling
5.1 Select the test samples so as to be as representative of
the unit (a shipment, a lot, etc.) as possible.
5.2 Lot—A lot shall consist of all the material of the same
type, color and width, made at the same time from the same
materials in no more than a two week period. It shall be
expressed in linear units of 10 000 yards (9144 m).
5.3 Sample Rolls—One roll shall be randomly selected from
each linear unit 10 000 yards (9144 m). If the lot does not
contain five units, additional rolls shall be selected from the lot
to give a sample size of five rolls.
5.4 For specification purposes, the material under test must
be mated with material supplied by the manufacturer of the
material being tested.
6. Specimen Preparation
6.1 Hook and loop material for this test shall be in the width
as supplied, not to exceed 1 in. (25.4 mm) in width. For FIG. 2 Test Configurations for “T” Peel Strength of Hook and
materials greater than 1 in. (25.4 mm), a 1 in. (25.4 mm) Loop Fasteners (Not to Scale)
specimen shall be slit from the center of the sample. If material
less than 1 in. (25.4 mm) wide is tested, test results will not be described in Practice D 618, for a period of 24 h or until the
directly proportional to those obtained with the 1 in. (25.4 mm) specimens reach moisture equilibrium. Lay specimens flat with
wide material. the functional side up so that the conditioning atmosphere has
6.1.1 Remove the outer layer of each roll before selecting free access to them.
the required number of strips, hook and loop, 8 in. 6 1⁄4 in.
(203 6 6 mm) long. 8. Procedure
6.1.2 Each specimen is marked with an arrow (↑) pointing 8.1 An initial closure is made and separated to raise the
in the direction that the specimen is unwound from the roll. loops that might have been compressed in packaging.
This arrow is marked on the specimen on the leading end as it 8.2 Select from the four specimens of hook and loop, the
is unwound from the roll. The arrow (↑) indicates the direction first closure to be tested and referring to Fig. 2, prepare the first
of the hooks and loops of the specimens. closure specimen with the marked arrows as shown in Se-
6.1.3 Select a sample consisting of four contiguous speci- quence 1.
mens as described in 8.1.2 and mark them with the appropriate
identification (roll number, lot number, date, etc). There are NOTE 1—The reason for testing all four possible closure configurations
four possible direction configurations of closure as shown in is that the hook or loop material, or both, may have directionality (that is,
the hooks or loops may not be perpendicular to the base fabric of which
Fig. 2.The four specimens of hook and loop selected will be they are a component), and affect the peel force.
used to characterize the peel strength of each of the configu-
rations. 8.2.1 Carefully align and superimpose the hook strip over
the loop strip so that the hook strip covers the loop strip, and
7. Conditioning the marked ends are matched as shown in Fig. 2, Sequence 1.
7.1 Condition the specimens in an atmosphere for testing of 8.2.2 Place a flat steel plate 8 in. (20 cm) long and 11⁄2 in. (4
23 6 2°C (73.4°F 6 3.6°F) and 50 6 5 % relative humidity, as cm) wide and weighing 4 pounds (1814 gm) (approximately

2
 D 5170
equivalent to .5 lbs per in2 of closure) onto the closure, 9. Calculation
completely covering it, slowly, and without adding any hand 9.1 Calculate the average peel force of the sample using the
pressure. After 2 s remove the plate. This initial mating of the “average of five highest peaks” method.
closure is done to create just enough hook and loop engage- 9.1.1 Mark five successive equal portions on the chart
ment so as to be able to continue with the test procedure. excluding the first and last inch of separation.
8.2.3 Securely fasten the two ends of the mated hook and
9.1.2 Determine the highest peak value in each portion.
loop to a hard flat surface such as a metal plate, table top, etc.
9.1.3 Calculate the average of these five highest values for
using masking tape, staples, clamps, hook and loop straps, or
each of the four specimens.
the like.
9.1.4 Calculate the average of the values from the four
8.2.4 Push the roller without adding weight (from the end of
closures representing the four configurations.
the closure to be separated by the tensile tester) over the entire
length of the joined strips and then pull it back over the entire 9.2 Calculate the average peel force of the sample using the
length. This constitutes one cycle; a continuous uninterrupted “Integrator” method.
back and forth motion of the roller, without lifting it from the 9.2.1 Calculate the average of the integrator values from the
material. Each cycle should take about 2 s. four closures representing the four directions.
8.2.4.1 Perform five (5) cycles with the roller without lifting 9.2.2 Calculate the average of the values from each of the
it from the material. Remove the specimen from the holder, five samples.
then hand separate this initial closure from the end indicated to 9.3 If specimens less than 1 in. (25.4 mm) wide are tested,
be joined in the tester clamps as indicated in Fig. 2, Sequence record the average peel force and list the actual width.
1.
8.2.5 Then, again carefully align and superimpose the hook 10. Report
strip over the loop strip so that the hook strip covers the loop 10.1 Report the following information:
strip, and the marked ends, as described in 6.1.2, are matched. 10.1.1 State that the specimens were tested as directed in
Then, again make the closure as described in 8.2.1-8.2.4, ASTM Test Method D 5170.
above. This will result in a “Ready for Peel Test” specimen. 10.1.2 Describe the material or product sampled (including
8.3 Prepare the second closure specimen as described in type, color, source and manufacturer’s code or part number),
8.2.1-8.2.4 except with the marked ends as shown in Sequence 10.1.3 The width of the material tested and whether the
2 of Fig. 2. width was as supplied or slit down to 1 in. (25.4 mm) as
8.4 Prepare the third closure specimen as described in required in 8.1,
8.2.1-8.2.4 except with the marked ends as shown in Sequence 10.1.4 The calculation method used: that is, average of five
3 of Fig. 2. highest peaks or integrator average,
8.5 Prepare the fourth closure specimen as described in 10.1.5 Average peel force per width of each sample to the
8.2.1-8.2.4 except with the marked ends as shown in Sequence nearest 0.1 lb (.445 Newtons).
4 of Fig. 2.
8.6 In the sequence in which the closure specimens were 11. Precision and Bias
prepared, select them for testing in the tensile tester. Gently
separate approximately one inch of closure at the end to be 11.1 Precision—Based on limited testing from one labora-
placed into the clamps as indicated in Fig. 2 and in the tory using integrator averages, the within-laboratory or repeat-
sequence shown. This will create two free ends to be inserted ability standard deviation is about 0.24 lb or the coefficient of
into the tensile tester. variation is about 0.18. Repeatability is dependent on the
8.7 Position the clamps of the tensile tester so they are specific material being tested; some materials would be ex-
1 6 1⁄8 in. (25.4 6 3 mm) apart. Place the free ends of the pected to be higher or lower than this. Between-laboratory
specimen to be tested in the clamps of the tester with the hook reproducibility is being determined by the subcommittee.
strip in the moving clamp. The point of separation should be 11.2 Bias—The procedure in Test Method D 5170 for mea-
approximately centered and aligned approximately parallel to suring the peel strength of hook and loop touch fasteners has no
the clamps. Use a clamp separation speed of 12.0 6 0.5 in./min bias because the value of the peel strength of hook and loop
(305 6 13 mm/min). If an integrator is used, set it such that the touch fasteners can be determined only in terms of a test
first and last inches of separation are not included in the results. method.
8.8 Observe the chart paper produced by the autographic
recorder. A jagged line having multiple peaks will be produced. 12. Keywords
Make note on the recording chart of the test specimen number 12.1 fastener; hook and loop; hook; loop; peel; peel
and sequence number from Fig. 2. strength; touch fastener

3
 D 5170
The American Society for Testing and Materials takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection
with any item mentioned in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such
patent rights, and the risk of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.

This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years and
if not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standards
and should be addressed to ASTM Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible
technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you should make your
views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the address shown below.

This standard is copyrighted by ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
Individual reprints (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the above address or at
610-832-9585 (phone), 610-832-9555 (fax), or [email protected] (e-mail); or through the ASTM website (www.astm.org).