Flex Cracking and Bending Resistance Tests
topic
Flex cracking resistance of coated fabrics is measured by Bally flexometer per EN 13512 that repeatedly folds the coated fabric over a mandrel at defined angle and rate to count cycles to first crack appearance, Maeser flex tester for footwear upper materials measuring cycles to water ingress, and SATRA crumple flex test for repeated compressive flexing that simulates the deformation of upholstery and bag materials in service.
Role
Verifies that coated fabric coating maintains crack-free integrity through the repeated flexing deformation of garment movement, footwear articulation, and product use that represents the primary mechanical failure mode of polymer coatings on flexible textile substrates, with flex cracking resistance being particularly critical for footwear upper and outerwear applications where cold temperature and high flex cycle count simultaneously challenge coating flexibility and adhesion.