Flexible Cellular Polymeric Materials — Determination of Hardness (Indentation Technique)
1 Scope
This standard specifies three methods for determining the indentation hardness of flexible cellular materials:
— Method A: indentation hardness index, which gives a single indentation measurement for laboratory test purposes;
— Method B: indentation hardness characteristics, which provides information about the shape of the hardness indentation curve;
— Method C: indentation hardness check, which is a quick procedure suitable for quality control testing.
The methods are applicable only to latex, urethane foam and PVC foam of the open cell type.
The results obtained by these methods relate only to the test conditions specified and cannot, in general, be used directly for design purposes.
Note: The indentation hardness of flexible cellular materials is a measure of their load-bearing properties. The methods specified can be used for testing finished articles and for the characterization of bulk material.
2 Normative References
The following normative documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of this standard. For dated references, subsequent amendments (excluding corrections), or revisions, of any of these publications do not apply to this standard. However, parties to agreements based on this standard are encouraged to investigate the possibility of applying the most recent editions of the normative documents indicated below. For undated references, the latest edition of the normative document referred to applies.
GB/T 2941-1991 Rubber — Standard Temperatures, Humidities and Times for the Conditioning Environmental and Testing of Test Pieces (eqv ISO 470:1983)
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
Foreword II
1 Scope
2 Normative References
3 Terms and definitions
4 Principle
5 Apparatus
6 Test Pieces
7 Procedure
8 Repeat Tests
9 Test Report
