title: High speed cinematography of the initial break-point of latex condoms during the air burst test.
abstract: High speed cinematography of latex condoms inflated to burst under standard (ISO) conditions reveals that rupture of the condom typically is initiated at a small focal point on the shank of the condom and then rapidly propagates throughout the condom's surface, often ending with partial or full severance of the condom at its point of attachment to the air burst instrument. This sequence of events is the reverse of that sometimes hypothesized to occur, where initiation of burst was considered to begin at the attachment point and to constitute a testing method artifact. This hypothesis of breakage at the attachment point, if true, would diminish the value of the air burst test as a standard for assessing manufacturing quality control as well as for condom strength measurements and comparisons.
authors.affiliation: Consumers Union, Mt. Vernon, NY.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stube
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Voeller
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Davidhazy
mesh_terms: D000399:Air Pressure; D003275:Contraceptive Devices, Male; D009040:Motion Pictures; D013314:Stress, Mechanical