ASTM F137-03

Standard Test Method for Flexibility of Resilient Flooring Materials with Cylindrical Mandrel Apparatus

SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the flexibility of resilient flooring materials by means of cylindrical mandrel apparatus. It is especially applicable to sheet goods and some tiles.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as 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 to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Mar-2003
• ICS: 59.080.60 - Textile floor coverings
• ICS: 97.150 - Floor coverings
• Technical Committee: F06 - Resilient Floor Coverings
• Drafting Committee: F06.20 - Test Methods

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F137-01 - Standard Test Method for Flexibility of Resilient Flooring Materials with Cylindrical Mandrel Apparatus
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2003
• Replaced By: ASTM F137-03(2007) - Standard Test Method for Flexibility of Resilient Flooring Materials with Cylindrical Mandrel Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2007
• Referred By: ASTM F1913-19 - Standard Specification for Vinyl Sheet Floor Covering Without Backing
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F1700-20 - Standard Specification for Solid Vinyl Floor Tile
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F3008-13(2020) - Standard Specification for Cork Floor Tile
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F1303-04(2021) - Standard Specification for Sheet Vinyl Floor Covering with Backing
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F3403-23 - Standard Specification for Heterogeneous Polyurethane Sheet Flooring
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F1861-21 - Standard Specification for Resilient Wall Base
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F2034-18 - Standard Specification for Sheet Linoleum Floor Covering
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F3404-23a - Standard Specification for Heterogeneous Polyurethane Tile or Plank Flooring
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F2195-18(2023) - Standard Specification for Linoleum Floor Tile
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F3041-14(2019) - Standard Specification for Bonded Rubber Crumb Floor Coverings
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2003

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:F137–03
Standard Test Method for
Flexibility of Resilient Flooring Materials with Cylindrical
1
Mandrel Apparatus
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 137; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope 4.2 Stand or Other Device, to firmly support the mandrel in
a horizontal position during the test.
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the flex-
4.3 ConditioningArea,capableofmaintaining73.4 61.8°F
ibility of resilient flooring materials by means of cylindrical
(23 6 1°C) and 50 6 5 % relative humidity.
mandrel apparatus. It is especially applicable to sheet goods
4.4 Die, Knife, or Similar Instrument to prepare test speci-
and some tiles.
mens with uniform smooth edges.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as standard. The values given in parentheses are for informa-
5. Test Specimen
tion only.
5.1 The test specimens shall consist of a portion of the
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
material 2 6 0.05 in. (50 6 1.27 mm) wide and at least 9 in.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
(225 mm) long.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5.2 Use a die, knife, or other similar instrument to prepare
priate safety and health practices and to determine the
the specimen and to produce uniform smooth edges. Do not
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
test specimens with nicked or fractured edges.
2. Referenced Documents
6. Conditioning
2.1 ASTM Standards:
6.1 Condition the test specimens for at least 24 h at 73.4 6
E 691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
2 1.8°F (23 6 1°C) and 50 6 5 % relative humidity, and test in
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
the same environment.Alternatively, testing may be performed
3. Significance and Use at room temperature in an uncontrolled environment if carried
out within 5 min.
3.1 Flexibility is that property of a material which allows it
6.2 Specimens shall be conditioned on a flat surface. If
to be deformed by bending or rolling without cracking,
necessary, they can be weighted to remove all curvature.
breaking, or other permanent defects, using whatever force is
necessary to bend or roll it. Flexibility is an important
7. Procedure
characteristic of flooring in that it provides for ease of handling
7.1 Intheactualflexingofthespecimen,placethespecimen
in rolling, cutting, and fitting.
over a mandrel with the wearing surface face out and the major
4. Apparatus axis of the specimen perpendicular to the major axis of the
mandrel.
4.1 Flexibility Test Equipment, consisting of mandrels, that
7.2 Bend the material around the mandrel at a uniform rate
is, cylindrical rods with circular cross sections having outside
through a 180° angle while holding the specimen at each end.
diameters of 0.25 in. (6.4 mm) and 0.50 to 5 in. (12.7 to 127
Take3to5sto complete the bend. Maintain a good contact
mm) increasing in increments of 0.5 in. (12.7 mm). The
between specimen and mandrel.
contacting faces of the rods shall be a minimum of 2.5 in. (63.5
7.3 Examine the specimen face visually in the bent position
mm) in length.
for breaks, cracks, or other damage at the completion of the
bendingoperation.Whenrequiredbythedetailedspecification,
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeF06onResilient
straighten the specimen at the same rate at which it was bent
Floor Coverings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F06.20 on Test
and examine the back for the same faults.
Methods - Products Construction/Materials.
7.4 When a mandrel of particular diameter has been speci-
Current edition approved March 10, 2003. Published May 2003. Originally
fied, as for a purchase specification, use that mandrel.
approved in 1971. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as F 137–01.
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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F137–03
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7.5 Determine the smallest mandrel around which the ma- 10. Precision and Bias
terial may be bent without showing breaks, cracks, or other
10.1 The precision for this test method was determined on
damage.Todothis,estimatethesizeofthemandreloverwhich
four different materials including, homogeneous sheet vinyl,
the specimen will not break. Then use a series of mandrels,
inlaid sheet vinyl, linoleum sheet and solid vinyl tile. Materials
e
...