ASTM F1957-99(2004)

Standard Test Method for Composite Foam Hardness-Durometer Hardness

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
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 D 785 be used for hard materials and Test Method D 2240 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 D 1415 and D 2240.
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.
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-2004
• ICS: 83.100 - Cellular materials
• Technical Committee: F24 - Amusement Rides and Devices
• Drafting Committee: F24.10 - Test Methods and Component Parts

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F1957-99 - Standard Test Method for Composite Foam Hardness-Durometer Hardness
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2004
• Referred By: ASTM F2959-23a - Standard Practice for Aerial Adventure Courses
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2004
• Referred By: ASTM F2783-20 - Standard Practice for Design, Manufacture, Operation, Maintenance, and Inspection of Amusement Rides and Devices, in Canada
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2004

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:F1957–99(Reapproved 2004)
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. 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. Referenced Documents
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1.1 This test method describes a type of composite foam 2.1 ASTM Standards:
hardness measurement device known as durometer: Type CF. D374 Test Methods for Thickness of Solid Electrical Insu-
The procedure for determining indentation hardness of sub- lation
stancescomprisedoftwoormoreelastomericmaterials,oneof D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
which is a foam or foam like material. These are classified as D785 Test Method for Rockwell Hardness of Plastics and
composite foam structures. The composite foam product may Electrical Insulating Materials
have an armature made of a material suitable for adding D1349 Practice for Rubber—Standard Temperatures for
structural integrity including but not limited to metal, plastic, Testing
or wood. This construction is typical for lapbar restraints, D1415 Test Method for Rubber Property—International
seating, and other restraint devices, as well as some show Hardness
elements. D2240 Test Method for Rubber Property—Durometer
1.2 This test method is not equivalent to other indentation Hardness
hardness methods and instrument types, specifically those D4483 Practice for Evaluating Precision for Test Method
described in Test Methods D1415 and D2240. Standards in the Rubber and Carbon Black Manufacturing
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as Industries
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
3. Summary of Test Method
only. Many of the stated dimensions in SI are direct conver-
3.1 This test method permits hardness measurements based
sions from the U.S. customary system to accommodate the
instrumentation, practices, and procedures that existed prior to on either initial indentation or indentation after a specified
period of time, or both.
the Metric Conversion Act of 1975.
3.2 Those specimens, which have a durometer hardness
1.4 All materials, instruments, or equipment used for the
determination of mass or dimension shall have traceability to range other than specified, shall use another suitable procedure
for determining durometer hardness.
the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) or
other internationally recognized organizations.
4. Significance and Use
1.5 This test method is not a safety standard as it pertains to
4.1 This test method is based on the penetration by a
ride legislation. The use of this test method is optional based
specific type of indentor when forced into the material under
upon an agreement between customers and suppliers of foam
specified conditions. The indentation hardness is related in-
products.
versely to the penetration and is dependent on the elastic
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
modulus and viscoelastic behavior of the material. The geom-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
etry of the indentor and the applied force influence the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
measurements, such that no simple relationship exists between
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
the measurements obtained with one type of durometer and
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
those obtained with another type of durometer or other
instruments used for measuring hardness. This test method is
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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 Oct. 1, 2004. Published October 2004. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 1999 as F1957 – 99. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/F1957-99R04. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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F1957–99 (2004)
an empirical test intended primarily for control purposes. No
simple relationship exists between indentation hardness deter-
mined 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 a
...