How can you test the tensile strength of a paper without using a machine or a tensile tester?

Question

How can you test the tensile strength of a paper without using a machine or a tensile tester?

Answer 1

you can make a simple machine with two parallel bars that support the paper at each end so that it sags in the middle; and a third round bar placed across the centre with two equal length wires to support a weight pan.

Procedure:

cut the paper to a set width - eg 10cm - on a guillotine to ensure consistent results.

roll the ends of the paper around a piece of bar and glue to form two cylinders one at each end, making sure the rolls are in line with the paper strip.

place onto the rig

add weights until it snaps

if it tears from one side the weight is not being evenly distributed, and you will need to adjust the geometry..