EN ISO 13935-2:2026

• Abstract:

  This document specifies methods for the determination of seam maximum force of sewn seams when the force is applied perpendicularly to the seam. It describes the method known as the grab test.; The method defined in this document is applicable to woven textile fabrics, including fabrics which exhibit stretch characteristics imparted by the presence of an elastomeric fibre, mechanical or chemical treatment. It can be applicable to fabrics produced by other techniques. It is normally not applicable to geotextiles, nonwovens, coated fabrics, textile-glass woven fabrics and fabrics made from carbon fibres or polyolefin tape yarns.[2], [3], [4]; This method is applicable to straight seams only (obtained from previously sewn articles or prepared from fabric samples) and not to curved seams (see Annex B for considerations on seams).; The method is restricted to the use of constant-rate-of-extension (CRE) testing machines.

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 28-Apr-2026
• ICS: 59.080.30 - Textile fabrics
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 248 - Textiles and textile products
• Current Stage: 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
• Start Date: 29-Apr-2026
• Completion Date: 29-Apr-2026
• Ref Project: SIST EN ISO 13935-2:2026 - Textiles - Seam tensile properties of fabrics and made-up textile articles - Part 2: Determination of maximum force to seam rupture using the grab method (ISO 13935-2:2026)

• Replaces: EN ISO 13935-2:2014 - Textiles - Seam tensile properties of fabrics and made-up textile articles - Part 2: Determination of maximum force to seam rupture using the grab method (ISO 13935-2:2014)
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2023
• Refers: ISO 139:2005 - Textiles — Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing
• Effective Date: 29-Jul-2026
• Refers: ISO 7500-1:2018 - Metallic materials — Calibration and verification of static uniaxial testing machines — Part 1: Tension/compression testing machines — Calibration and verification of the force-measuring system
• Effective Date: 29-Jul-2026
• Refers: ISO 10012:2026 - Quality management — Requirements for measurement management systems
• Effective Date: 29-Jul-2026
• Referred By: EN 4863:2023 - Aerospace series - Rotorcraft immersion suits - Requirements, testing and marking
• Effective Date: 06-May-2026
• Referred By: EN 14325:2004 - Protective clothing against chemicals - Test methods and performance classification of chemical protective clothing materials, seams, joins and assemblages
• Effective Date: 06-May-2026
• Referred By: EN 16689:2017 - Protective clothing for firefighters - Performance requirements for protective clothing for technical rescue
• Effective Date: 06-May-2026
• Referred By: EN 943-1:2002 - Protective clothing against liquid and gaseous chemicals, including liquid aerosols and solid particles - Part 1: Performance requirements for ventilated and non-ventilated "gas-tight" (Type 1) and "non-gas-tight" (Type 2) chemical protective suits
• Effective Date: 06-May-2026
• Referred By: EN 13034:2005+A1:2009 - Protective clothing against liquid chemicals - Performance requirements for chemical protective clothing offering limited protective performance against liquid chemicals (Type 6 and Type PB [6] equipment)
• Effective Date: 06-May-2026
• Referred By: EN 14225-2:2017 - Diving suits - Part 2: Dry suits - Requirements and test methods
• Effective Date: 06-May-2026
• Referred By: EN 15614:2007 - Protective clothing for firefighters - Laboratory test methods and performance requirements for wildland clothing
• Effective Date: 06-May-2026
• Referred By: EN 1486:2007 - Protective clothing for fire-fighters - Test methods and requirements for reflective clothing for specialised fire-fighting
• Effective Date: 06-May-2026
• Referred By: EN 659:2003+A1:2008 - Protective gloves for firefighters
• Effective Date: 06-May-2026
• Referred By: EN 17673:2022 - Protective clothing - Protection against heat and flame - Requirements and test methods for garments with integrated smart textiles and non textile elements
• Effective Date: 06-May-2026
• Referred By: EN 343:2003+A1:2007 - Protective clothing - Protection against rain
• Effective Date: 06-May-2026

Overview

EN ISO 13935-2:2026 specifies a standardized method for determining the maximum force required to rupture a sewn seam in textiles using the grab test. Developed by CEN and adopted as an international ISO standard, it is mainly applicable to woven textile fabrics, including fabrics with stretch properties. The grab test is a mechanical procedure where force is applied perpendicularly to the seam using a constant-rate-of-extension (CRE) testing machine until seam failure occurs. This test method is essential for assessing seam tensile properties in fabrics and made-up textile articles, providing valuable data for quality assurance, product development, and regulatory compliance in the textile and apparel industries.

Key Topics

• Seam Maximum Force Measurement: The standard focuses on the systematic determination of maximum force to seam rupture, which is critical for understanding seam performance under stress.
• Grab Test Methodology: Only the central part of the specimen is gripped and stressed perpendicularly to the seam to replicate typical seam-loading scenarios.
• Applicability: Primarily suitable for woven fabrics, including those with elastic properties. Not normally intended for geotextiles, nonwovens, coated fabrics, textile-glass woven fabrics, or fabrics containing carbon fibers or polyolefin tape yarns.
• Sample and Specimen Preparation: Offers detailed guidance on preparing both seams and test specimens for valid and consistent results.
• Equipment Requirements: Test execution is limited to CRE tensile testing machines, ensuring controlled and repeatable force application.
• Test Reporting: Specifies the required elements for comprehensive test reports, promoting clarity and consistency in results documentation.

Applications

EN ISO 13935-2:2026 has broad applications throughout the textile industry, serving as a key tool for:

• Quality Assurance: Manufacturers use the grab test method to verify seam strength and durability, helping ensure that products withstand expected mechanical stresses in everyday use.
• Product Development: Designers and engineers can evaluate seam performance in prototypes and finished articles to fine-tune fabric selection and seam construction techniques.
• Performance Comparison: By following a standardized test protocol, organizations can compare the seam tensile properties of different materials or sewing methods objectively.
• Compliance and Certification: The standard supports regulatory requirements and provides benchmarks for contracts or specifications in business-to-business or business-to-government textile sales.
• Garment and Textile Design: Ensures seams in clothing, upholstery, and industrial textiles meet safety and durability standards before market release.
• Research and Development: Academic and industry researchers rely on repeatable, internationally recognized methods to compare results across studies and projects.

Related Standards

For comprehensive seam and fabric testing, consider these associated standards:

• ISO 13935-1: Seam tensile properties - Strip test method, suitable for straight seams using full-width specimens.
• ISO 13934-2: Tensile properties of fabrics - Grab method, for measuring general fabric strength.
• ISO 13934-1: Tensile properties of fabrics - Strip test, used for determining maximum force and elongation at break for textile fabrics.
• ISO 139: Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing textiles - Ensures proper environmental controls for reliable results.
• ISO 7500-1: Calibration and verification of testing machines for tension/compression measurements.
• ISO 10012: Measurement management systems - Requirements for measuring processes and equipment.
• ISO 11610: Vocabulary for protective clothing, relevant for clarity in textile term usage.

Practical Value

By aligning with EN ISO 13935-2:2026, organizations benefit from internationally accepted procedures for seam strength evaluation, enhancing product reliability, supporting market access, and underpinning consistency in textile quality control. The grab method’s focus on real-world seam stress situations makes it indispensable for anyone aiming to deliver safe, durable textile products in global markets.

Keywords: EN ISO 13935-2, seam tensile properties, grab test, sewn seams, textile testing, fabric strength, CEN, ISO textiles, seam rupture, quality assurance, woven fabrics, textile standards.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-julij-2026
Tekstilije - Natezne lastnosti šivov na tkaninah in konfekcijskih tekstilijah - 2. del:
Ugotavljanje največje pretržne sile šiva po metodi grab (raztezanja) (ISO 13935-
2:2026)
Textiles - Seam tensile properties of fabrics and made-up textile articles - Part 2:
Determination of maximum force to seam rupture using the grab method (ISO 13935-
2:2026)
Textilien - Zugversuche an Nähten in textilen Flächengebilden und Konfektionstextilien -
Teil 2: Bestimmung der Höchstzugkraft von Nähten mit dem Grab-Zugversuch (ISO
13935-2:2026)
Textiles - Propriétés de résistance à la traction des coutures d'étoffes et d'articles textiles
confectionnés - Partie 2: Détermination de la force maximale avant rupture des coutures
par la méthode d'arrachement (Grab test) (ISO 13935-2:2026)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 13935-2:2026
ICS:
59.080.30 Tkanine Textile fabrics
61.020 Oblačila Clothes
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN ISO 13935-2
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
April 2026
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 59.080.30 Supersedes EN ISO 13935-2:2014
English Version
Textiles - Seam tensile properties of fabrics and made-up
textile articles - Part 2: Determination of maximum force
to seam rupture using the grab method (ISO 13935-
2:2026)
Textiles - Propriétés de résistance à la traction des Textilien - Zugversuche an Nähten in textilen
coutures d'étoffes et d'articles textiles confectionnés - Flächengebilden und Konfektionstextilien - Teil 2:
Partie 2: Détermination de la force maximale avant Bestimmung der Höchstzugkraft von Nähten mit dem
rupture des coutures par la méthode d'arrachement Grab-Zugversuch (ISO 13935-2:2026)
(Grab test) (ISO 13935-2:2026)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 25 April 2026.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2026 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 13935-2:2026 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3

European foreword
This document (EN ISO 13935-2:2026) has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 38
“Textiles” in collaboration with Technical Committee CEN/TC 248 “Textiles and textile products” the
secretariat of which is held by BSI.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by October 2026, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by October 2026.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes EN ISO 13935-2:2014.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards
body/national committee. A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of
North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the
United Kingdom.
Endorsement notice
The text of ISO 13935-2:2026 has been approved by CEN as EN ISO 13935-2:2026 without any
modification.
International
Standard
ISO 13935-2
Third edition
Textiles — Seam tensile properties
2026-04
of fabrics and made-up textile
articles —
Part 2:
Determination of maximum force
to seam rupture using the grab
method
Textiles — Propriétés de résistance à la traction des coutures
d'étoffes et d'articles textiles confectionnés —
Partie 2: Détermination de la force maximale avant rupture des
coutures par la méthode d'arrachement (Grab test)
Reference number
ISO 13935-2:2026(en) © ISO 2026

ISO 13935-2:2026(en)
© ISO 2026
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
ISO 13935-2:2026(en)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Principle . 2
5 Sampling . 2
6 Apparatus . 3
6.1 CRE machine .3
6.2 Equipment for sewing defined seams .4
6.3 Equipment for cutting test specimens.4
7 Atmosphere for conditioning and testing . 4
8 Preparation of seams and of test specimens . 4
8.1 Preparation of seams, if required, before testing .4
8.2 Preparation of adjacent test specimens from one laboratory sample .4
8.3 Preparation of test specimens .5
9 Procedure . 7
9.1 Gauge length .7
9.2 Rate of extension .7
9.3 Mounting of test specimens .7
9.4 Operation .7
10 Calculation and expression of results . 7
11 Test report . 8
Annex A (informative) Arrangements of jaws for the grab test . 9
Annex B (informative) Considerations on straight seams and sampling of structural seams on
garments . 10
Bibliography .13

iii
ISO 13935-2:2026(en)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that
this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 38, Textiles, Subcommittee SC 24, Conditioning
atmospheres and physical tests for textile fabrics, in collaboration with the European Committee for
Standardization (CEN) Technical Committee CEN/TC 248, Textiles and textile products, in accordance with
the Agreement on technical cooperation between ISO and CEN (Vienna Agreement).
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition (ISO 13935-2:2014), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— in Clause 3, a definition of structural seam (3.5) has been added;
— in Clause 5, details on the seam sampling have been added;
— in 6.1.7, a third option c) for the clamps has been added;
— 8.2, a subclause dedicated to preparation of adjacent test specimens has been revised;
— 8.3, a subclause dedicated to preparation of test specimens from garments has been revised;
— a new Annex B related to straight seams and sampling of structural seams on garments has been added.
A list of all parts in the ISO 13935 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

iv
ISO 13935-2:2026(en)
Introduction
This document has been prepared in the context of several test methods for determination of certain
mechanical properties of textiles using mainly tensile testing machines, e.g. tensile properties, seam tensile
properties, tear properties, seam slippage. The procedure for these standards agrees where appropriate.
The results obtained by one of the methods should not be compared with those obtained by the other
methods. See References [2], [3] and [4].
Where it is intended to compare the seam maximum force values of sewn seams with the fabric maximum
force, it is important to use the same type of test, test conditions and test specimens in the tests in this
[2]
document and ISO 13934-2 .
...