Clothing Button Pull-Off TTF Testing

Solution

• Motorised tensile test stand with digital force gauge
• Custom grips designed for securing both the garment and the button

Benefits

• Simple, repeatable pull-off testing procedure
• Automatic detection and capture of Test-to-Failure (TTF)
• Results generated in alignment with client-specific standards

Requirement

An engineering supplier to a leading UK retailer needed extensive testing of fasteners and attachments to meet quality and safety requirements. Button integrity for infant clothing is vital to ensure design tolerances are met and to avoid safety risks.

The client required a motorized testing system capable of operating at 200 mm/min, providing consistent and reliable results suitable for a production environment while remaining simple for operators to use.

Solution

The garment fabric was held in a double-action vice grip, featuring 50 mm wide non-slip rubber faces to secure the material without damage.

The button-pull fixture included interchangeable plates with slots of 3.5 mm or 7 mm to accommodate different button sizes. As buttons often fracture during testing, a clear perspex guard was incorporated to protect the operator.

guard was incorporated to protect the operator. To ensure a straight-line pull and ease of loading, the button pull fixture was linked to the force gauge via a flexible chain. Peak tension loads required to remove or break each button were recorded at a high-speed data acquisition rate of 1200 Hz, providing precise and repeatable measurements.

Test equipment

• 1000 N UltraTest Motorised Test Stand
• 500 N Advanced Force Gauge (AFG)
• Double-Action Vise-Grip
• Button Pull Fixture

Test Standards

• BS EN 17394-2: Safety of children's clothing — Security of attachment of buttons — Test method
• PD CEN/TR 17394-1: Safety of children's clothing — Security of attached components for infants — Specification