Microcellular sheets used in the manufacture of hawai chappals and shoes soles should be resistant to splitting if they get split across their thickness. The ability of microcellular rubber sheets and sales to resist propagation of splits is determined by splitting a rectangular test specimen taken from the sheets or sole under test across its thickness and pulling the two split ends away from each other. The maximum load exerted before failure gives the measure of the resistance of a heat or sole under test to splitting.

The PROLIFIC Split Tear Tester for microcellular sheets and soles consists of an arrangement to hold two split edges of the test specimens in two separate grips in a vertical plan, an arrangement to move one of these edges downward at a specified speed, and an arrangement to record the maximum load exerted while propagating the split.

The grips in which the ends of the test specimens are held are of flat jau type and have serrated faces to prevent slipping. One of grips is connection to a force measuring arrangement while second grips is mounted on a screw arrangement. The screw the rotated with the help of a motor and gear box, which causes the grip to move at the specified rate. This movement applies the splitting force on the test specimen.

The force needed to propagate the split is measured by a spring dynamometer. The upper grip is suspended from the hook of the dynamometer. The force exerted is indicated on a circular dial. A dummy painter provided in front of the dial stops at the maximum force exerted before the split propagates. The apparatus is finished in dark grew hammertone painting and bright chrome plating to give it a corrosion resistance finish.