Instrument for measuring the tensile strength of paper, by exerting a greater and greater effort on the test specimen clamped between two clamps.
Definition source:
Brewer (2003)
Context:
A strip of paper, typically 15 or 25 mm wide, is clamped between the 2 jaws of a tensile tester, which then slowly move in opposite directions until the strip breaks. The tester draws a graph of the tensile force/stretch relationship. The shape of this curve results from the progressive breaking of interfiber bonds plus some breakage of individual fibers. The tensile strength is the tensile force when the strip ruptures. It is a guide to the performance of paper when subjected to tensional pulling forces - either on the PM, printing press or converting equipment, or during numerous end-uses. It is primarily developed by refining and paper additives.
