Examination of Factors Affecting Performance of the Warner-Bratzler Meat Shear Test

Abstract Experiments using wieners as the test material confirmed that the samples in the Warner-Bratzler meat shear apparatus fail in tension not shear. To standardize the test apparatus shearing rate, blade thickness, clearance between the blade and the slot shape of the hole in the blade and condition of the hole edges must be precisely reproduced. Expressing the reading as rupture force per unit sample area at rupture, or per unit length of blade edge cutting the sample at rupture may offer advantages since these parameters are related to the rupture stress of the sample and to sensory measurements.