ASTM D5672/D5672M-15

Standard Test Method for Testing Flexible Cellular Materials Measurement of Indentation Force Deflection Using a 25-mm [1-in.] Deflection Technique

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The 25-mm [1-in.] deflection IFD method is recommended for production screening and quality control on full size cushions only.  
4.2 Applicable cushion thicknesses to be tested by this test method are only those listed in this test method. Further research and development are required before this test method is applicable to other cushion thicknesses.  
4.3 This test method is designed to give a value approximating the 25 % IFD on a 100-mm [4-in.] thick piece of foam when the actual specimen thickness tested is within the ranges listed in the test method. In case of disagreement, the referee method is the IFD procedure in Test Methods D3574, Test B1. The user of this test method shall establish the correlation between this test method and the referee method.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a screening type quality control test used to determine if flexible polyurethane foam cushions are within the specified grade range for firmness.  
1.2 This test method is limited to foams with thicknesses that are 75 mm [3 in.] or greater.  
1.3 This test method is based on the fact that the traditional industry standard thickness for Indentation Force Deflection (IFD) is 100 mm [4 in.], and the traditional percent deflection for IFD acceptance and product planning is 25 %. With respect, then, to these traditional industry conventions, a 25 % deflection on a 100-mm [4-in.] cushion would be 25 mm [1 in.]. Thus, deflecting standard cushions (of proper 100 mm thickness) 25 mm [1 in.] provides a quick way to determine if the flexible polyurethane foam is within the specified grade range for 25 % IFD.  
1.4 Cushion thicknesses less than 75 mm [3 in.] shall not be tested for IFD using this test method.  
1.5 This test method is intended to provide a quick and simple method to screen flexible polyurethane foams for determination of its firmness grade.  
1.6 Units—The values stated in U.S. Customary or SI units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.  
1.7 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.
Note 1: This test method and ISO 2439 address the same subject matter, but differ in technical content.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-May-2015
• ICS: 83.100 - Cellular materials
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.22 - Cellular Materials - Plastics and Elastomers

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: D5672/D5672M −15
Standard Test Method for
Testing Flexible Cellular Materials Measurement of
Indentation Force Deflection Using a 25-mm [1-in.]
1
Deflection Technique
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5672/D5672M; 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.
NOTE 1—This test method and ISO 2439 address the same subject
1. Scope*
matter, but differ in technical content.
1.1 This test method covers a screening type quality control
test used to determine if flexible polyurethane foam cushions
2. Referenced Documents
are within the specified grade range for firmness.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.2 This test method is limited to foams with thicknesses
D3574 Test Methods for Flexible Cellular Materials—Slab,
that are 75 mm [3 in.] or greater.
Bonded, and Molded Urethane Foams
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
1.3 This test method is based on the fact that the traditional
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
industry standard thickness for Indentation Force Deflection
2.2 ISO Standard:
(IFD) is 100 mm [4 in.], and the traditional percent deflection
ISO 2439 Flexible Cellular Polymeric Materials—
forIFDacceptanceandproductplanningis25 %.Withrespect,
Determination of Hardness (Indentation Technique)
then, to these traditional industry conventions, a 25 % deflec-
2.3 Method for IFD, Chapter 4.0,
tion on a 100-mm [4-in.] cushion would be 25 mm [1 in.].
“Flexible Polyurethane Foam Standards and Guidelines,”
Thus, deflecting standard cushions (of proper 100 mm thick-
Joint Industry Foam Standards and Guidelines Commit-
ness) 25 mm [1 in.] provides a quick way to determine if the
3
tee
flexible polyurethane foam is within the specified grade range
for 25 % IFD.
3. Terminology
1.4 Cushion thicknesses less than 75 mm [3 in.] shall not be
3.1 This test method is based on Test Methods D3574, Test
tested for IFD using this test method.
B . Refer to Test Methods D3574 for terminology used in this
1
1.5 This test method is intended to provide a quick and
test method.
simple method to screen flexible polyurethane foams for
determination of its firmness grade.
4. Significance and Use
1.6 Units—The values stated in U.S. Customary or SI units
4.1 The 25-mm [1-in.] deflection IFD method is recom-
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
mended for production screening and quality control on full
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
size cushions only.
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
4.2 Applicable cushion thicknesses to be tested by this test
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
method are only those listed in this test method. Further
with the standard.
research and development are required before this test method
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
is applicable to other cushion thicknesses.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.3 This test method is designed to give a value approxi-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
mating the 25 % IFD on a 100-mm [4-in.] thick piece of foam
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
when the actual specimen thickness tested is within the ranges
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
listed in the test method. In case of disagreement, the referee
1 2
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D20 on Plastics For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.22 on Cellular Materials - contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Plastics and Elastomers. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
CurrenteditionapprovedJune1,2015.PublishedJuly2015.Originallyapproved the ASTM website.
3
in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as D5672 - 09. DOI: 10.1520/ Available from the Polyurethane FoamAssociation (PFA), 334 Lakeside Plaza
D5672_D5672M-15. Loudon, TN 37774, http://www.pfa.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D5672/D5672M − 15
method is the IFD procedure in Test Methods D3574, Test B . dure in Test Methods D3574, Test B . Immediately indent the
1 1
The user of this test method shall establish the correlation 200-mm [8-in.] diameter presser foot into the foam exactly 25
between this test m
...

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: D5672 − 09 D5672/D5672M − 15
Standard Test Method for
Testing Flexible Cellular Materials Measurement of
Indentation Force Deflection Using a 25-mm (1-in.)[1-in.]
1
Deflection Technique
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5672;D5672/D5672M; 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*
1.1 This test method covers a screening type quality control test used to determine if flexible polyurethane foam cushions are
within the specified grade range for firmness.
1.2 This test method is limited to foams with thicknesses that are 75 mm (3 in.)[3 in.] or greater.
1.3 This test method is based on the fact that the traditional industry standard thickness for Indentation Force Deflection (IFD)
is 100 mm (4 in.),[4 in.], and the traditional percent deflection for IFD acceptance and product planning is 25 %. With respect
thenrespect, then, to these traditional industry conventions, a 25 % deflection on a 100-mm (4-in.)[4-in.] cushion would be 25 mm
(1 in.).[1 in.]. Thus, deflecting proper thickness cushions 25 mm (1 in.) will standard cushions (of proper 100 mm thickness) 25
mm [1 in.] provides a quick way to determine if the flexible polyurethane foam is within the specified grade range for 25 % IFD.
1.4 Cushion thicknesses less than 75 mm (3 in.)[3 in.] shall not be tested for IFD using this test method.
1.5 This test method is intended to provide a quick and simple method to screen flexible polyurethane foams for determination
of its firmness grade.
1.6 Units—The values stated in U.S. Customary or SI units are to be regarded as standard.separately as standard. The values
stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
1.7 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.
NOTE 1—This test method and ISO 2439 address the same subject matter, but differ in technical content.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D3574 Test Methods for Flexible Cellular Materials—Slab, Bonded, and Molded Urethane Foams
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
2.2 ISO Standard:
ISO 2439 Flexible Cellular Polymeric Materials—Determination of Hardness (Indentation Technique)
2.3 Method for IFD, Chapter 4.0,
3
“Flexible Polyurethane Foam Standards and Guidelines,” Joint Industry Foam Standards and Guidelines Committee
3. Terminology
3.1 This test method is based on Test Methods D3574, Test B . Refer to Test Methods D3574 for terminology used in this test
1
method.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.22 on Cellular Materials - Plastics
and Elastomers.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2009June 1, 2015. Published September 2009July 2015. Originally approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 20032009 as
D5672 - 03.D5672 - 09. DOI: 10.1520/D5672-09.10.1520/D5672_D5672M-15.
2
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.
3
Available from the Polyurethane Foam Association (PFA), 334 Lakeside Plaza Loudon, TN 37774, http://www.pfa.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D5672/D5672M − 15
4. Significance and Use
4.1 The 25-mm (1-in.)[1-in.] deflection IFD method is recommended for production screening and quality control on full size
cushions only.
4.2 Applicable cushion thicknesses to be tested by this test method are only those listed in this test method. Further research
and development are required before this test method will be is applicable to other cushion thicknesses.
4.3 This test method
...