What Are the Ideal Tensile Strength and Elongation for Geotextile Nonwoven Fabrics?
- Oct 3
- 2 min read
In civil engineering and construction, nonwoven geotextile fabrics play a critical role in ensuring the stability of structures such as roads, embankments, dams, and railways.
The performance of these geotextiles largely depends on two key properties of the raw fibers used:Tensile Strength and Elongation at Break.
In this post, we’ll explore the optimal tensile strength and elongation values of polyester fibers suitable for geotextile nonwovens.
Tensile Strength
Tensile strength refers to the maximum amount of force a fiber can withstand when being pulled before it breaks.
So, what level of tensile strength is considered suitable for geotextile applications?
Recommended tensile strength: 3.5 – 4.5 g/den (Also expressed as MPa or N/5cm)
This level ensures that the fabric can endure mechanical stress during installation and maintain stability under long-term loads.
If the tensile strength is too low, the geotextile may tear during installation or fail structurally under prolonged stress.
Elongation at Break
Elongation at break indicates how much a fiber can stretch before breaking, expressed as a percentage.
So, what is the optimal elongation range for geotextiles?
Ideal elongation: 40 – 60%
Too low: The fabric may become brittle and crack under sudden impact or deformation.
Too high: Excessive stretch may lead to creep or sagging under sustained loads.
The 40–60% range offers the best balance of flexibility and structural stability, making it the most commonly used range in civil engineering projects.
Why Are These Two Properties So Important?
For geotextile fabrics, strength alone is not enough.
You need a balance of both:
High tensile strength ensures load-bearing capacity and structural integrity
Moderate elongation enables impact absorption and better handling during installation
When these two properties are balanced, the geotextile can effectively perform functions like:
Preventing road subsidence
Stabilizing embankments
Acting as a filtration or separation layer
Polyester staple fibers that meet these criteria help ensure durability and performance across a wide range of civil engineering applications.
DK FIBER supplies polyester staple fibers in various specifications, optimized for the production of nonwoven geotextiles used in civil and construction projects.
Feel free to contact us for detailed technical specs, sample support, or inquiries.
