ASTM D2097-03(2016)

Standard Test Method for Flex Testing of Finish on Upholstery Leather

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This test method simulates the flexing received by upholstery leather in service, and correlation with service is believed to be good. Both the resistance of the finish to cracking and adhesion of the finish to the leather can be evaluated.  
4.2 The flexing action received by the leather in this method is more severe than that given by methods for shoe upper leather. The less severe tests have little utility in the evaluation of upholstery leather finishes.  
4.3 This test method is suitable, and has been useful, in research, development, and manufacturing control. It is used as a method of test for specification acceptance. Since this is a subjective test, proper correlation should be established by interlaboratory experience prior to use for specification acceptance.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the flexibility and adhesion of a finish on upholstery leather.2 This test method does not apply to wet blue.  
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
1.3 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: 31-Aug-2016
• ICS: 59.140.35 - Leather products
• Technical Committee: D31 - Leather
• Drafting Committee: D31.05 - Upholstery

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: D2097 − 03 (Reapproved 2016)
Standard Test Method for
1
Flex Testing of Finish on Upholstery Leather
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2097; 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 4.2 Theflexingactionreceivedbytheleatherinthismethod
is more severe than that given by methods for shoe upper
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the flex-
2 leather.The less severe tests have little utility in the evaluation
ibility and adhesion of a finish on upholstery leather. This test
of upholstery leather finishes.
method does not apply to wet blue.
4.3 This test method is suitable, and has been useful, in
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
research,development,andmanufacturingcontrol.Itisusedas
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
a method of test for specification acceptance. Since this is a
information only.
subjective test, proper correlation should be established by
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
interlaboratory experience prior to use for specification accep-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
tance.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
5. Apparatus
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4
5.1 Newark Flexing Machine—This machine, illustrated in
Fig. 1, consists basically of two pistons, one of which is
2. Referenced Documents
stationary, the other capable of moving at 500 rpm with a
3
1
2.1 ASTM Standards:
stroke of 1 ⁄4 in. (32 mm). The movable piston is also
D1610Practice for Conditioning Leather and Leather Prod-
adjustableonitsshaftinordertovarythedistancebetweenthe
ucts for Testing
two pistons.
6. Test Specimen
3. Summary of Test Method
1
6.1 The test specimen shall be 3 by 4 ⁄2 in. (76 by 114 mm)
3.1 Theleatherismechanicallyflexedalternatelyfromaflat
in size.
position into a single or double bend. At the end of a
predetermined number of flexing cycles, the leather is visually
7. Conditioning
inspected for finish cracks.
7.1 Bring all test specimens to equilibrium as described in
4. Significance and Use
Practice D1610. Usually, maintaining the specimen for 24 h
under these conditions will adequately satisfy the equilibrium
4.1 This test method simulates the flexing received by
conditions.
upholstery leather in service, and correlation with service is
believed to be good. Both the resistance of the finish to 7.2 The test shall also be conducted under the above
cracking and adhesion of the finish to the leather can be
conditions, described in Practice D1610.
evaluated.
8. Procedure
8.1 Measure the thickness of the specimen to be tested.
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD31onLeather
8.2 Whileintheclosedposition,adjustthepistonstofifteen
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D31.05 on Upholstery. This test
times the thickness of the specimen (see Fig. 2).
method was developed in cooperation with the American Leather Chemists Assn.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2016. Published September 2016. Originally
8.3 Turn the pulley by hand until the pistons are the
approved in 1962. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as D2097–03 (2010).
maximum distance apart. Clamp the specimen around the two
DOI: 10.1520/D2097-03R16.
2
Several methods of evaluating the resistance of an upholstery leather finish to pistons without stretching the specimen.
flexinghavebeeninvestigated.Thismethod,asdescribedhere,hasbeenadoptedas
standard by the Upholstery Leather Group, Tanners’ Council of America.
3 4
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Amachine meeting the requirements of this method is available commercially
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM from the Aim Tool & Die Co., 14324 172nd St., Grand Haven, MI 49417. Two
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on versions of this machine are made by Aim Tool & Die Co. Only the standard
the ASTM website. flexotest machine meets the requirements of this method.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D2097 − 03 (2016)
FIG. 1 Newark Flexing Machine
in. mm
1
1 ⁄4 32
1
1 ⁄2 38
(a) Open Position (b) Closed Position
FIG. 2 Adjustment of Pistons
8.4 Complete the first cycle by turning the pulley by hand 9.1.2 Ratings of the specimen, as follows:
and forcing the specimen into its flexing
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D2097 − 03 (Reapproved 2010) D2097 − 03 (Reapproved 2016)
Standard Test Method for
1
Flex Testing of Finish on Upholstery Leather
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2097; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
2
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the flexibility and adhesion of a finish on upholstery leather. This test method
does not apply to wet blue.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
only.
1.3 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.
2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1610 Practice for Conditioning Leather and Leather Products for Testing
3. Summary of Test Method
3.1 The leather is mechanically flexed alternately from a flat position into a single or double bend. At the end of a predetermined
number of flexing cycles, the leather is visually inspected for finish cracks.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 This test method simulates the flexing received by upholstery leather in service, and correlation with service is believed to
be good. Both the resistance of the finish to cracking and adhesion of the finish to the leather can be evaluated.
4.2 The flexing action received by the leather in this method is more severe than that given by methods for shoe upper leather.
The less severe tests have little utility in the evaluation of upholstery leather finishes.
4.3 This test method is suitable, and has been useful, in research, development, and manufacturing control. It is used as a method
of test for specification acceptance. Since this is a subjective test, proper correlation should be established by interlaboratory
experience prior to use for specification acceptance.
5. Apparatus
4
5.1 Newark Flexing Machine—This machine, illustrated in Fig. 1, consists basically of two pistons, one of which is stationary,
1
the other capable of moving at 500 rpm with a stroke of 1 ⁄4 in. (32 mm). The movable piston is also adjustable on its shaft in order
to vary the distance between the two pistons.
6. Test Specimen
1
6.1 The test specimen shall be 3 by 4 ⁄2 in. (76 by 114 mm) in size.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D31 on Leather and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D31.05 on Upholstery. This test method
was developed in cooperation with the American Leather Chemists Assn.
Current edition approved April 1, 2010Sept. 1, 2016. Published May 2010September 2016. Originally approved in 1962. Last previous edition approved in 20052010 as
D2097–03 (2005).(2010). DOI: 10.1520/D2097-03R10.10.1520/D2097-03R16.
2
Several methods of evaluating the resistance of an upholstery leather finish to flexing have been investigated. TheThis method, as described here, has been adopted as
standard by the Upholstery Leather Group, Tanners’ Council of America.
3
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.
4
A machine meeting the requirements of this method is available commercially from the Aim Tool & Die Co., 14324 172nd St., Grand Haven, MI 49417. Two versions
of this machine are made by Aim Tool & Die Co. Only the standard flexotest machine meets the requirements of this method.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D2097 − 03 (2016)
FIG. 1 Newark Flexing Machine
7. Conditioning
7.1 Bring all test specimens to equilibrium as described in Practice D1610. Usually, maintaining the specimen for 24 h under
these conditions will adequately satisfy the equilibrium conditions.
7.2 The test shall also be conducted under the above conditions, described in Practice D1610.
8. Procedure
8.1 Measure the thickness of the specimen to be tested.
8.2 While in the closed position, adjust the pistons to fifteen times the t
...