(Paul N. Gardner Co.: Pompano Beach, FL) -- Stiffness Tester Model 108 is based on the torsion apparatus described in test method ASTM D2821—“Standard test method for measuring the relative stiffness of leather by means of a torsional wire apparatus.” It is used to measure the flexibility and stiffness of leather or other bendable specimen and has been shown to be a reliable method of evaluating the relative stiffness of leather used in gloves.

Simple to use, rugged design provides repeatable test results

Mounted to a rigid stand, the instrument consists of a torsion head, and a fixed torsional wire and specimen clamp­ing system. A specimen is affixed to a weighted clamp secured at the bottom of a torsion wire. A torsion head equipped with a dial protractor is turned in a plane normal to the torsion wire until the specimen has been twisted 90°. Torsion values are obtained by measuring the applied angular twist required to reorient the sample 90° or some other specified setting.

 …