A system and method for performing a tear test are described herein. The system may include a fixed clamping station configured to hold a first portion of a film specimen and a movable clamp coupled to an actuator, the movable clamp may be configured to hold a second portion of the film specimen. The movable clamp may be configured to move in a direction away from the fixed clamping station to tear the film specimen. The system may include a slitter blade configured to cut the film specimen at a location between the fixed clamping station and the movable clamp. The system may include a load cell coupled to one of the fixed clamping station and the movable clamp. The load cell may be configured to measure a force associated with tearing of the film specimen. The actuator may be configured to manipulate the movable clamp along a trajectory.