ASTM F1957-99(2017)

Standard Test Method for Composite Foam Hardness-Durometer Hardness

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This test method is based on the penetration by a specific type of indentor when forced into the material under specified conditions. The indentation hardness is related inversely to the penetration and is dependent on the elastic modulus and viscoelastic behavior of the material. The geometry of the indentor and the applied force influence the measurements, such that no simple relationship exists between the measurements obtained with one type of durometer and those obtained with another type of durometer or other instruments used for measuring hardness. This test method is an empirical test intended primarily for control purposes. No simple relationship exists between indentation hardness determined by this test method and any fundamental property of the material tested. For specification purposes it is recommended that Test Method D785 be used for hard materials and Test Method D2240 be used for solid elatomers.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method describes a type of composite foam hardness measurement device known as durometer: Type CF. The procedure for determining indentation hardness of substances comprised of two or more elastomeric materials, one of which is a foam or foam like material. These are classified as composite foam structures. The composite foam product may have an armature made of a material suitable for adding structural integrity including but not limited to metal, plastic, or wood. This construction is typical for lapbar restraints, seating, and other restraint devices, as well as some show elements.  
1.2 This test method is not equivalent to other indentation hardness methods and instrument types, specifically those described in Test Methods D1415 and D2240.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only. Many of the stated dimensions in SI are direct conversions from the U.S. customary system to accommodate the instrumentation, practices, and procedures that existed prior to the Metric Conversion Act of 1975.  
1.4 All materials, instruments, or equipment used for the determination of mass or dimension shall have traceability to the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) or other internationally recognized organizations.  
1.5 This test method is not a safety standard as it pertains to ride legislation. The use of this test method is optional based upon an agreement between customers and suppliers of foam products.  
1.6 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: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Jan-2017
• ICS: 83.100 - Cellular materials
• Technical Committee: F24 - Amusement Rides and Devices
• Drafting Committee: F24.10 - Test Methods and Component Parts

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F1957 − 99 (Reapproved 2017)
Standard Test Method for
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Composite Foam Hardness-Durometer Hardness
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1957; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This test method describes a type of composite foam
D374Test Methods for Thickness of Solid Electrical Insu-
hardness measurement device known as durometer: Type CF.
lation (Metric) D0374_D0374M
The procedure for determining indentation hardness of sub-
D618Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
stancescomprisedoftwoormoreelastomericmaterials,oneof
D785Test Method for Rockwell Hardness of Plastics and
which is a foam or foam like material. These are classified as
Electrical Insulating Materials
composite foam structures. The composite foam product may
D1349Practice for Rubber—Standard Conditions for Test-
have an armature made of a material suitable for adding
ing
structural integrity including but not limited to metal, plastic,
D1415Test Method for Rubber Property—International
or wood. This construction is typical for lapbar restraints,
Hardness
seating, and other restraint devices, as well as some show
D2240TestMethodforRubberProperty—DurometerHard-
elements.
ness
1.2 This test method is not equivalent to other indentation
D4483Practice for Evaluating Precision for Test Method
hardness methods and instrument types, specifically those
StandardsintheRubberandCarbonBlackManufacturing
described in Test Methods D1415 and D2240.
Industries
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3. Summary of Test Method
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
3.1 This test method permits hardness measurements based
only. Many of the stated dimensions in SI are direct conver-
on either initial indentation or indentation after a specified
sions from the U.S. customary system to accommodate the
period of time, or both.
instrumentation, practices, and procedures that existed prior to
the Metric Conversion Act of 1975.
3.2 Those specimens, which have a durometer hardness
rangeotherthanspecified,shalluseanothersuitableprocedure
1.4 All materials, instruments, or equipment used for the
for determining durometer hardness.
determination of mass or dimension shall have traceability to
the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) or
4. Significance and Use
other internationally recognized organizations.
4.1 This test method is based on the penetration by a
1.5 Thistestmethodisnotasafetystandardasitpertainsto
specific type of indentor when forced into the material under
ride legislation. The use of this test method is optional based
specified conditions. The indentation hardness is related in-
upon an agreement between customers and suppliers of foam
versely to the penetration and is dependent on the elastic
products.
modulus and viscoelastic behavior of the material. The geom-
etry of the indentor and the applied force influence the
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
measurements, such that no simple relationship exists between
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
the measurements obtained with one type of durometer and
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
those obtained with another type of durometer or other
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
instruments used for measuring hardness. This test method is
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
an empirical test intended primarily for control purposes. No
simple relationship exists between indentation hardness deter-
minedbythistestmethodandanyfundamentalpropertyofthe
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This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F24 on
Amusement Rides and Devices and is the direct responsibility of F24.10 on Test
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Methods. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2017. Published March 2017. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as F1957–99 (2011). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/F1957-99R17. the ASTM website.
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