How to measure rupture force

Rupture force refers to the amount of force required to cause a major break or rupture in a material. It is closely related to burst force, which describes the force needed to cause a material to break apart suddenly and violently but is also related to hardness, brittleness, tensile strength, or the breaking point of a material under applied stress.

It provides insights into the structural integrity and mechanical resistance of materials. Rupture force testing is crucial for products like medical implants, which must remain intact for extended periods, as well as gel capsules, which must burst at the right time during consumption but withstand handling and transport.

Rupture force testing using a Texture Analyser is essential in assessing the structural integrity and durability of products across industries like packaging, pharmaceuticals, and materials science. Below are key applications:

• Packaging material rupture testing: Measuring the rupture strength of packaging materials like films and foils by applying force until the material breaks to assess durability.
• Pharmaceutical tablet rupture force testing: Evaluating the rupture force of pharmaceutical tablets by measuring the force needed to break them, ensuring they meet hardness and disintegration standards.
• Textile fabric tear strength analysis: Assessing the rupture strength or tear resistance of textiles used in clothing and industrial applications by measuring the force required to tear the fabric.
• Polymer film rupture force measurement: Testing the rupture strength of polymer films by measuring the force required to break them, ensuring their integrity in packaging and electronics.
• Adhesive bond rupture testing: Measuring the rupture strength of adhesive bonds used in construction and manufacturing by assessing the force needed to separate two bonded surfaces.
• Biomaterial rupture force evaluation: Assessing the rupture strength of biomaterials like tissues or tendons by measuring the force needed to rupture them for medical and biotechnological purposes.
• Food product rupture testing: Measuring the rupture strength of food products like eggs by assessing the force required to break them, which helps determine structural integrity and quality. In fruits like apples, rupture force is measured to assess the toughness of the skin or flesh. A high rupture force indicates crispness and freshness, while a low rupture force suggests the fruit is overripe and softer. For tomatoes, rupture force can measure the strength of the skin or flesh to determine how well the fruit will withstand transportation and handling.
• Paper and cardboard rupture strength testing: Evaluating the rupture strength of paper and cardboard used in packaging by measuring the force needed to break these materials.
• Ceramic material rupture force analysis: Measuring the rupture strength of ceramic materials used in construction or pottery by assessing the force required to break them.

In these examples, a Texture Analyser applies controlled forces/distances to materials or products to measure their rupture strength, ensuring quality control, material characterisation, and product performance across various industries.

Cylinder Probes

Rupture force measurement test: A probe applies force to the sample until it breaks or ruptures and the test records the maximum force applied at the point of rupture and the distance that it occurs. Rupture force is measured using compression, bend, tensile or penetration testing. The Cylinder Probe is typically larger in diameter than the sample being tested.

Compression/bend test: In a compression test, a probe compresses the material (e.g., a piece of fruit or a tablet) until it ruptures.

Tensile test: In a tensile test, force is applied to pull the material apart (e.g., packaging films or polymer sheets). The test measures the force required to break the material, recording the rupture force at the moment of failure.

Penetration test: For materials like fruits, vegetables, or food products, a penetration test uses a probe to puncture or penetrate the material, measuring the force needed to break through the surface.

Compression Platens

Cylinder Probes

Forward Extrusion Rig

• Material composition: Materials made from stronger compounds, such as high-protein foods or dense plastics, will generally have a higher rupture force. Weaker materials, such as soft fruits or delicate foams, will rupture under less force.
• Thickness: Thicker materials usually require more force to rupture. For example, a thick apple peel or a thicker plastic film will have a higher rupture force than a thinner one.
• Moisture content: Moisture levels can significantly impact rupture force. For instance, drier materials (e.g., crackers) tend to be more brittle and have a higher rupture force, while higher moisture content softens materials, lowering the rupture force.
• Environmental conditions: Temperature and humidity can affect the rupture force of materials. For example, frozen fruits will have a higher rupture force compared to thawed fruits, and materials exposed to extreme temperatures may become brittle or weaken.

The Stable Micro Systems Texture Analyser stands out in optimising rupture force measurements through its comprehensive approach and advanced features.

It offers precise quantification of rupture force, crucial for assessing product firmness and brittleness, while capturing detailed force-distance-time profiles at high speeds up to 2000 points per second. This high-speed data capture is particularly valuable for accurately recording rapid rupture events in products like tablets or biscuits.

The Texture Analyser’s versatility allows for measuring various properties related to rupture force, including work of failure, rupture strength, and elasticity. Exponent Connect software provides sophisticated analytical tools, from basic force value collection to curve smoothing and inflection point detection.

Backed by Stable Micro Systems' expertise in graphical interpretation and method development, this combination of precise measurements, comprehensive analysis, and customisable solutions makes the Texture Analyser the ideal choice for researchers and manufacturers seeking to refine product formulations and maintain quality standards in rupture force testing across various industries.