ASTM F970-07

Standard Test Method for Static Load Limit

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method is a meaningful test for determining the indentation recovery properties of resilient floor covering.3  
As testing is conducted on uninstalled flooring, results are not necessarily an indicator of the floor covering’installed performance.3
SCOPE
1.1 This test method is intended for use in determining the recovery properties of resilient floor covering after long-term indentation test, 24 h under the load specified in the detail specification. The reported value, residual indentation, is the depth of the depression remaining 24 h after removal of the specified load.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2007
• ICS: 97.150 - Floor coverings
• Technical Committee: F06 - Resilient Floor Coverings

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F970-06 - Standard Test Method for Static Load Limit
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2007
• Replaced By: ASTM F970-07(2011) - Standard Test Method for Static Load Limit
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2011
• Referred By: ASTM F1344-21a - Standard Specification for Rubber Floor Tile
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2007
• Referred By: ASTM F3404-23a - Standard Specification for Heterogeneous Polyurethane Tile or Plank Flooring
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2007
• Referred By: ASTM F3008-13(2020) - Standard Specification for Cork Floor Tile
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2007
• Referred By: ASTM F1303-04(2021) - Standard Specification for Sheet Vinyl Floor Covering with Backing
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2007
• Referred By: ASTM F3261-20 - Standard Specification for Resilient Flooring in Modular Format with Rigid Polymeric Core
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2007
• Referred By: ASTM F1859-21a - Standard Specification for Rubber Sheet Floor Covering Without Backing
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2007
• Referred By: ASTM F2982-18 - Standard Specification for Polyester Composition Floor Tile
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2007
• Referred By: ASTM F3041-14(2019) - Standard Specification for Bonded Rubber Crumb Floor Coverings
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2007
• Referred By: ASTM F3403-23 - Standard Specification for Heterogeneous Polyurethane Sheet Flooring
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2007
• Referred By: ASTM F2195-18(2023) - Standard Specification for Linoleum Floor Tile
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2007
• Referred By: ASTM F1860-21a - Standard Specification for Rubber Sheet Floor Covering With Backing
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2007
• Referred By: ASTM F1913-19 - Standard Specification for Vinyl Sheet Floor Covering Without Backing
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2007
• Referred By: ASTM F2034-18 - Standard Specification for Sheet Linoleum Floor Covering
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2007

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:F970–07
Standard Test Method for
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Static Load Limit
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationF970;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginal
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 4. Apparatus
1.1 This test method is intended for use in determining the 4.1 The following apparatus shall be used:
recovery properties of resilient floor covering after long-term 4.2 Conditioning Room, providing the standard laboratory
indentation test, 24 h under the load specified in the detail atmosphere of 50 6 5 % relative humidity at a temperature of
specification. The reported value, residual indentation, is the 73.4 6 3.6°F (23 6 2.0°C).
depth of the depression remaining 24 h after removal of the 4.3 Indentation Machine, as described in Section 12 and
specified load. pictured in Fig. 2 of Test Method F1914.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the 4.4 Indentor Plates, each constructed of a piece of 2-in.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the (50.8 mm) square stainless steel, 0.240 6 0.005 in. (6.1 6 0.1
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- mm) thick, with one side turned to 1.125 in. (28.6 mm) in
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- diameter (one square inch area) to depth of 0.150 in. (3.8 mm)
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. (see Fig. 1).
4.5 Dial Micrometer, as described in Test Method F386
2. Referenced Documents
when measuring resilient floor coverings containing a foam
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
layer as part of the construction or as described in Test Method
E171 Specification for Atmospheres for Conditioning and F387 when measuring all other resilient floor coverings.
Testing Flexible Barrier Materials
4.6 Template of Poly(methyl Methacrylate) (PMMA), or of
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to other transparent material, 2 by 2 in. (50.8 by 50.8 mm) with
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
round scratch line centered on the template that is 1.125 in.
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F386 Test Method for Thickness of Resilient Flooring (28.58 mm) in diameter, defining the test area, and with a ⁄2 in.
Materials Having Flat Surfaces
(12.7 mm) diameter hole at the center of the template to draw
F387 Test Method for Measuring Thickness of Resilient
a circle on the specimen where thickness will be measured.
Floor Covering With Foam Layer 4.7 Die, 2 by 2 in. (50.8 by 50.8 mm) and press, papercutter,
F1914 Test Methods for Short-Term Indentation and Re-
or equivalent to cut specimens to 2 by 2 in. size (50.8 by 50.8
sidual Indentation of Resilient Floor Covering mm).
4.8 Optional—Open box without spring clips for 2 by 2 in.
3. Significance and Use
(50.8 by 50.8 mm) photographic slides, or equivalent, to
3.1 Thistestmethodisameaningfultestfordeterminingthe
separate specimens during conditioning and recovery periods.
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indentation recovery properties of resilient floor covering.
5. Sampling, Test Specimens and Test Units
3.2 As testing is conducted on uninstalled flooring, results
are not necessarily an indicator of the floor covering’s installed
5.1 The specimens shall be 2 by 2 in. (50.8 by 50.8 mm).
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performance. The test unit shall consist of three specimens.
5.2 The central one square inch test area of each specimen
should be free of mortar lines or other embossing lines, if
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ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeF06onResilient
possible. If not possible, the largest flat, raised area should be
Floor Coverings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F06.30 on Test
centered on the specimen.
Methods - Performance.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2007. Published October 2007. Originally
5.3 If the sample is nubble embossed, the specimen should
approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as F970–06. DOI:
be cut so that a nub is at the center of the specimen where the
10.1520/F0970-07.
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specimen will be measured.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
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For additional information, see Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI)
document, Static LimitTesting of Resilient Flooring Products, available from RFCI,
401 E. Jefferson, Suite 102, Rockville, MD 20850, www.rfci.com
Copyright ©ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA19428-2959, United States.
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F970–07
7.4 Square the stack of specimen/indentor plate sets and
then center the
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