Tensile Strength Standards for Spunbond Nonwoven Fabrics: Testing Methods, Values & Buyer Guide

Introduction: Why Tensile Strength Matters in Spunbond Nonwoven Fabric Purchasing

When purchasing spunbond nonwoven fabrics, many buyers focus mainly on:

• GSM (grams per square meter)

• price

• width

• color

• delivery time

However, one of the most important indicators determining fabric quality and application performance is often overlooked:

tensile strength.

Tensile strength directly affects whether a nonwoven fabric can withstand:

• pulling force

• stretching

• handling stress

• sewing processes

• transportation conditions

• long-term usage

A fabric with insufficient tensile strength may cause:

• tearing during converting

• production losses

• customer complaints

• reduced product lifespan

A fabric with properly optimized tensile strength provides:

• better durability

• stable processing performance

• improved end-product reliability

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Definition: What Is Tensile Strength in Spunbond Nonwoven Fabric?

Tensile strength is the maximum pulling force that a spunbond nonwoven fabric can withstand before breaking when subjected to tension.

In simple terms:

It measures how much force a fabric can resist before it fails.

The higher the tensile strength, the greater the resistance against breaking under pulling forces.

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For spunbond nonwoven fabrics, tensile strength is usually measured in:

• N/5cm

• N/50mm

• kN/m

• MPa

Among international nonwoven manufacturers, N/50mm and N/5cm are commonly used measurement units.

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Example:

If a 50mm wide strip of spunbond fabric breaks after a force of 80N is applied:

The tensile strength value is:

80N/50mm

This means the fabric can withstand an 80 Newton pulling force before failure.

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1. Why Tensile Strength Is a Critical Quality Indicator

Tensile Strength Determines Real-World Performance

A spunbond nonwoven fabric is rarely used as a simple sheet.

It is usually converted into:

• shopping bags

• agricultural covers

• medical products

• protective clothing

• packaging materials

• industrial products

During these processes, the fabric experiences mechanical stress.

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Examples of Tensile Strength Requirements

Shopping Bag Production

The fabric must withstand:

• heavy contents

• handle pulling

• repeated transportation

Low tensile strength may cause:

• handle tearing

• bottom failure

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Agricultural Applications

Crop covers experience:

• wind pressure

• installation tension

• outdoor weather conditions

The fabric needs:

• good MD strength

• good CD strength

• long-term stability

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Medical Protective Products

Medical fabrics require:

• sufficient strength during wearing

• resistance during movement

• stable structure

However, excessive strength is not always necessary because comfort and softness are also important.

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2. Understanding MD and CD Tensile Strength

One of the most important concepts in spunbond fabric testing is:

MD and CD tensile strength.

Many buyers compare only one tensile value and ignore the direction difference.

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What Is MD Tensile Strength?

MD means Machine Direction.

It refers to the direction in which the fabric moves during production.

During spunbond manufacturing:

• polymer filaments are stretched

• fibers become partially oriented

• more strength is usually created in the machine direction

Therefore:

MD tensile strength is usually higher than CD tensile strength.

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What Is CD Tensile Strength?

CD means Cross Direction.

It refers to the direction perpendicular to the machine direction.

Because fiber orientation is different:

CD strength is usually lower.

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MD vs CD Tensile Strength Comparison

Item	MD Direction	CD Direction
Full Name	Machine Direction	Cross Direction
Fiber orientation	Higher alignment	Lower alignment
Tensile strength	Usually higher	Usually lower
Importance	Load-bearing direction	Tear resistance
Testing requirement	Required	Required

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Why MD/CD Difference Matters for Buyers

Consider an agricultural cover.

If the fabric is installed incorrectly:

• wind force may act across the weaker direction

• tearing risk increases

Professional buyers should understand both values.

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3. How Is Tensile Strength Tested for Spunbond Nonwoven Fabrics?

Tensile testing follows standardized laboratory procedures.

The purpose is to measure:

• breaking force

• elongation

• deformation behavior

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Basic Tensile Testing Process

Step 1: Sample Preparation

The fabric sample is cut into standardized strips.

Common factors:

• sample width

• sample length

• conditioning environment

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Step 2: Sample Installation

The specimen is fixed between testing machine clamps.

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Step 3: Applying Tensile Force

The machine gradually pulls the fabric.

The force increases until:

• fiber breakage occurs

• fabric failure happens

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Step 4: Recording Results

The equipment records:

• maximum breaking force

• elongation percentage

• stress-strain curve

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Tensile Testing Parameters

Parameter	Meaning
Breaking force	Maximum force before failure
Elongation	Stretch percentage before breaking
Sample width	Testing dimension
Test speed	Pulling speed
Direction	MD or CD

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4. International Tensile Strength Testing Standards

Reliable nonwoven suppliers usually follow recognized testing standards.

Common standards include:

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ISO 9073 Series

The ISO 9073 series provides testing methods for nonwoven fabrics.

It covers properties such as:

• tensile strength

• thickness

• basis weight

• other physical characteristics

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ASTM D5035

ASTM D5035 is widely used for textile tensile testing.

It evaluates:

• breaking force

• elongation

using strip testing methods.

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EN Standards

European buyers may refer to EN testing requirements depending on application.

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Common Tensile Testing Standards Comparison

Standard	Region	Application
ISO 9073	International	Nonwoven testing
ASTM D5035	USA	Textile tensile testing
EN standards	Europe	Product compliance

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5. Typical Tensile Strength Values of Spunbond Nonwoven Fabrics

There is no single tensile strength standard for all spunbond fabrics.

Why?

Because performance depends on:

• GSM

• fiber diameter

• polypropylene quality

• bonding technology

• production equipment

• application requirements

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General Relationship:

Higher GSM usually provides:

• more fiber material

• stronger structure

• higher tensile strength

However:

GSM alone does not determine tensile performance.

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Typical Application-Based Strength Levels

GSM Range	Common Applications	Strength Requirement
10-20gsm	Disposable products	Low
20-40gsm	Medical, agriculture	Medium
40-80gsm	Bags, industrial materials	High
80gsm+	Heavy-duty applications	Very High

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Example:

A 20gsm medical cover and a 100gsm industrial fabric are both spunbond.

However:

Their tensile requirements are completely different.

The correct specification depends on the final application.

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6. Factors Affecting Tensile Strength of Spunbond Nonwoven Fabric

Tensile strength is controlled by multiple technical factors.

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Factor 1: GSM (Fabric Weight)

GSM is one of the most obvious factors.

Generally:

Higher GSM:

→ More material per square meter
→ More fiber bonding points
→ Higher strength potential

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However:

A well-designed 40gsm fabric can outperform a poorly produced 50gsm fabric.

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Factor 2: Fiber Diameter

Fiber diameter directly affects:

• filament strength

• fiber distribution

• bonding structure

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Larger fibers:

Advantages:

• stronger individual filaments

• higher stiffness

Smaller fibers:

Advantages:

• smoother structure

• more uniform distribution

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The best tensile performance usually comes from:

optimized fiber diameter + proper bonding technology.

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Factor 3: Polypropylene Raw Material Quality

The quality of PP resin affects:

• fiber formation

• elasticity

• breaking resistance

High-quality polypropylene helps achieve:

• stable tensile strength

• consistent production

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Factor 4: Thermal Bonding Conditions

During spunbond production, fibers are bonded through heat and pressure.

Incorrect bonding may cause:

• weak bonding points

• reduced strength

• unstable quality

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Factor 5: Fiber Orientation

During production:

fibers become partially aligned.

Higher orientation generally improves:

• tensile strength

• directional performance

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Tensile Strength Performance Analysis for Different Spunbond Nonwoven Fabric Applications

In Part 1, we explained the definition of tensile strength, testing methods, international standards, and the major factors affecting tensile performance.

However, for buyers, the most important question is:

“What tensile strength does my application actually require?”

The answer depends on:

• product design

• processing method

• end-use environment

• expected service life

• customer requirements

A professional buyer does not simply choose the strongest fabric.

Instead, the goal is:

Select the right tensile strength level for the application while maintaining cost efficiency.

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7. Tensile Strength Requirements by Application

Different industries have different mechanical requirements.

A fabric used for a disposable medical product does not require the same strength as a reusable industrial bag.

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Application 1: PP Spunbond Nonwoven Fabric for Shopping Bags

Shopping bags are one of the most demanding applications for spunbond fabrics.

The material must withstand:

• product weight

• handle stress

• repeated movement

• sewing or ultrasonic bonding

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Key Tensile Requirements

Important properties include:

• high MD tensile strength

• good CD tear resistance

• stable elongation

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Recommended Fabric Characteristics

Parameter	Requirement
GSM	Medium to high
Fiber structure	Strong filament structure
Tensile strength	High
Durability	Excellent

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Why Tensile Strength Matters

During use, the highest stress usually appears at:

• handles

• seams

• corners

A fabric with insufficient tensile strength may fail even if the GSM appears acceptable.

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Application 2: Agricultural Spunbond Nonwoven Fabric

Agricultural applications include:

• crop protection covers

• frost protection fabric

• weed control fabric

• greenhouse covers

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Agricultural fabrics face:

• wind pressure

• stretching during installation

• outdoor aging

• repeated handling

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Required Performance Balance

Agricultural spunbond fabric requires a combination of:

✓ tensile strength
✓ air permeability
✓ UV resistance
✓ lightweight structure

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Agriculture Tensile Requirement Table

Application	Strength Importance
Frost protection cover	High
Crop cover	Medium-high
Weed barrier	High
Greenhouse fabric	Medium

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Why Excessive Strength Is Not Always Necessary

A very heavy fabric may:

• increase cost

• reduce breathability

• affect crop environment

The correct solution is balance.

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Application 3: Medical Spunbond Nonwoven Fabric

Medical applications include:

• surgical gowns

• isolation gowns

• disposable clothing

• medical packaging

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Medical products require:

• sufficient tensile strength

• softness

• comfort

• barrier performance

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Tensile Strength Considerations

Medical fabric should resist:

• tearing during wearing

• stretching during movement

• handling during production

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However:

A medical gown does not need the same strength level as industrial packaging.

The priority is:

strength + comfort + protection balance

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Application 4: Hygiene Product Applications

Spunbond materials are widely used in:

• diapers

• sanitary products

• personal care products

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Required characteristics:

• softness

• uniform surface

• adequate strength

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In these applications:

Very high tensile strength is not the main goal.

Instead:

buyers focus on:

• skin comfort

• softness

• consistent quality

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8. Tensile Strength Comparison by GSM

GSM is one of the most common specifications requested by buyers.

However, GSM should always be evaluated together with tensile strength.

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Typical Relationship Between GSM and Tensile Performance

GSM Range	Typical Usage	Expected Strength
10-15gsm	Lightweight disposable products	Low
15-30gsm	Medical/hygiene products	Moderate
30-50gsm	Agriculture/protective products	Medium-high
50-100gsm	Bags/industrial products	High
100gsm+	Heavy-duty applications	Very high

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Important Buyer Note:

Two fabrics with identical GSM may have different tensile strength because of differences in:

• fiber diameter

• fiber orientation

• bonding conditions

• production technology

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Example:

Supplier A:

50gsm PP spunbond

Supplier B:

50gsm PP spunbond

Same:

• material

• weight

• width

Different:

Supplier A:

• stronger bonding

• optimized fiber structure

Supplier B:

• weaker bonding

• inconsistent production

Result:

Different tensile performance.

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9. Tensile Strength Comparison: Spunbond vs Meltblown

Many buyers compare these two materials.

The difference comes from their fiber structures.

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Spunbond Structure

Characteristics:

• continuous filaments

• larger fiber diameter

• stronger network

Main advantage:

mechanical strength

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Meltblown Structure

Characteristics:

• ultrafine fibers

• dense microfiber structure

Main advantage:

filtration efficiency

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Tensile Performance Comparison

Property	Spunbond	Meltblown
Individual fiber strength	Higher	Lower
Tensile strength	Higher	Lower
Tear resistance	Better	Limited
Filtration	Moderate	Excellent
Main role	Support structure	Filter layer

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Why SMS Fabric Has Better Overall Performance

SMS combines:

Spunbond:

→ strength

Meltblown:

→ filtration

Structure:

Spunbond
↓
Meltblown
↓
Spunbond

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SMS Tensile Advantages

Compared with pure meltblown:

SMS provides:

• better mechanical stability

• improved tear resistance

• easier processing

This is why SMS is widely used for:

• medical protective clothing

• industrial protective materials

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10. How Buyers Should Test Tensile Strength Before Purchasing

Before placing a large order, professional buyers should evaluate samples.

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Step 1: Request Technical Data Sheet

A reliable supplier should provide:

• GSM

• tensile strength

• elongation

• width tolerance

• treatment information

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Step 2: Test Sample Performance

Recommended tests:

Test	Purpose
GSM test	Verify weight
Tensile test	Verify strength
Elongation test	Check flexibility
Air permeability test	Check breathability
Hydrostatic test	Check liquid resistance

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Step 3: Compare With Actual Application

Laboratory numbers are important.

However:

The fabric must work in the real product.

Example:

A shopping bag manufacturer should test:

• handle strength

• sewing performance

• carrying capacity

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11. How to Read a Spunbond Fabric Test Report

A typical tensile test report includes:

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1. Sample Information

Includes:

• material

• GSM

• color

• production batch

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2. Testing Direction

Important:

• MD

• CD

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3. Breaking Force

Shows:

maximum force before breaking.

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4. Elongation

Shows:

how much the fabric stretches before failure.

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Example Test Report Interpretation

Item	Result
Material	PP spunbond
GSM	50gsm
MD tensile	Higher value
CD tensile	Lower value
Elongation	Percentage value

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12. Common Buyer Mistakes When Evaluating Tensile Strength

Mistake 1: Only Comparing GSM

Some buyers believe:

“Higher GSM means better quality.”

This is incorrect.

GSM is only one factor.

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Mistake 2: Ignoring MD/CD Differences

A fabric may have:

excellent MD strength

but weaker CD strength.

Both matter.

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Mistake 3: Comparing Price Without Performance Data

A cheaper fabric may have:

• lower strength

• unstable quality

• higher production loss

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Mistake 4: Testing Only One Sample

Quality consistency matters.

Professional buyers should check:

• multiple samples

• production batches

• supplier history

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13. Supplier Evaluation Checklist for Tensile Strength

Before cooperation, buyers should evaluate:

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Evaluation Item	Importance
Tensile test report	Very important
Production capability	Important
Quality control system	Important
Sample consistency	Very important
Technical support	Important

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Questions Buyers Should Ask Suppliers

Question 1:

Can you provide MD and CD tensile strength data?

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Question 2:

What testing standard do you follow?

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Question 3:

Can you customize strength according to application?

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Question 4:

How do you control quality between production batches?

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Question 5:

Can you provide samples before bulk production?

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14. How Manufacturers Improve Tensile Strength

Manufacturers can improve tensile performance through:

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1. Optimizing Fiber Orientation

Better orientation improves:

• strength

• stability

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2. Adjusting Bonding Parameters

Proper bonding creates:

• stronger fiber connections

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3. Selecting Better Raw Materials

High-quality PP resin improves:

• consistency

• durability

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4. Optimizing GSM

Increasing GSM can improve strength, but must match application requirements.

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Key Buyer Understanding:

Tensile strength is not created by one single factor. It is the result of fiber structure, raw materials, GSM, and manufacturing technology working together.

Raw Material Inspection
          ↓
Production Monitoring
          ↓
Fabric Testing
          ↓
Final Quality Approval
          ↓
Shipment

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