This method measures the force perpendicular to the plane of the paper required to tear multiple plies through a specified distance after the tear has been started using an Elmendorf-type tearing tester. The measured results can be used to calculate the approximate tearing resistance of a single sheet. It is not suitable for single-ply tear testing; a separate method for single-ply tear will be available. It is not suitable for determining the cross-directional tearing resistance of highly directional boards and papers. These materials are covered by TAPPI T 496 Cross Directional Internal Tearing Resistance of Paperboard. For edge-tear resistance see TAPPI T470 Edge Tearing Resistance of Paper (Finch Method).