ASTM F970-15

Standard Test Method for Static Load Limit

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 This test method is a meaningful test for determining the indentation recovery properties of resilient floor covering.3  
3.2 As testing is conducted on uninstalled flooring, results are not necessarily an indicator of the floor covering's installed performance.3
SCOPE
1.1 This test method is intended for use in determining the recovery properties of resilient floor covering after long-term indentation test, 24 h under the load specified in the detail specification. The reported value, residual indentation, is the depth of the depression remaining 24 h after removal of the specified load.  
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
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: 30-Nov-2015
• ICS: 97.150 - Floor coverings
• Technical Committee: F06 - Resilient Floor Coverings

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F970-07(2011) - Standard Test Method for Static Load Limit
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2015
• Referred By: ASTM F3008-13(2020) - Standard Specification for Cork Floor Tile
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2015
• Referred By: ASTM F1860-21a - Standard Specification for Rubber Sheet Floor Covering With Backing
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2015
• Referred By: ASTM F3041-14(2019) - Standard Specification for Bonded Rubber Crumb Floor Coverings
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2015
• Referred By: ASTM F3404-23a - Standard Specification for Heterogeneous Polyurethane Tile or Plank Flooring
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2015
• Referred By: ASTM F2034-18 - Standard Specification for Sheet Linoleum Floor Covering
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2015
• Referred By: ASTM F3261-20 - Standard Specification for Resilient Flooring in Modular Format with Rigid Polymeric Core
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2015
• Referred By: ASTM F1859-21a - Standard Specification for Rubber Sheet Floor Covering Without Backing
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2015
• Referred By: ASTM F1913-19 - Standard Specification for Vinyl Sheet Floor Covering Without Backing
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2015
• Referred By: ASTM F1303-04(2021) - Standard Specification for Sheet Vinyl Floor Covering with Backing
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2015
• Referred By: ASTM F3403-23 - Standard Specification for Heterogeneous Polyurethane Sheet Flooring
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2015
• Referred By: ASTM F2195-18(2023) - Standard Specification for Linoleum Floor Tile
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2015
• Referred By: ASTM F1344-21a - Standard Specification for Rubber Floor Tile
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2015
• Referred By: ASTM F2982-18 - Standard Specification for Polyester Composition Floor Tile
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2015

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: F970 − 15
Standard Test Method for
1
Static Load Limit
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationF970;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginal
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.2 As testing is conducted on uninstalled flooring, results
are not necessarily an indicator of the floor covering’s installed
1.1 This test method is intended for use in determining the
3
performance.
recovery properties of resilient floor covering after long-term
indentation test, 24 h under the load specified in the detail
4. Apparatus
specification. The reported value, residual indentation, is the
depth of the depression remaining 24 h after removal of the
4.1 The following apparatus shall be used:
specified load.
4.2 Conditioning Room, providing the standard laboratory
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
atmosphere of 50 6 5 % relative humidity at a temperature of
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
73.4 6 3.6°F (23 6 2.0°C).
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
4.3 Indentation Machine, as described in Section 12 and
and are not considered standard.
pictured in Fig. 2 of Test Method F1914.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.4 Indentor Plates, each constructed of a piece of 2-in.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
(50.8 mm) square stainless steel, 0.240 6 0.005 in. (6.1 6 0.1
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
mm) thick, with one side turned to 1.125 in. (28.6 mm) in
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
diameter (one square inch area) to depth of 0.150 in. (3.8 mm)
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
(see Fig. 1).
2. Referenced Documents
4.5 Dial Micrometer, as described in Test Method F386
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
when measuring resilient floor coverings containing a foam
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to layer as part of the construction or as described in Test Method
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
F387 when measuring all other resilient floor coverings.
F386 Test Method for Thickness of Resilient Flooring Ma-
4.6 Template of Poly(methyl Methacrylate) (PMMA), or of
terials Having Flat Surfaces
other transparent material, 2 by 2 in. (50.8 by 50.8 mm) with
F387 Test Method for Measuring Thickness of Resilient
round scratch line centered on the template that is 1.125 in.
Floor Covering With Foam Layer
1
(28.58 mm) in diameter, defining the test area, and with a ⁄2 in.
F1914 Test Methods for Short-Term Indentation and Re-
(12.7 mm) diameter hole at the center of the template to draw
sidual Indentation of Resilient Floor Covering
a circle on the specimen where thickness will be measured.
3. Significance and Use
4.7 Die, 2 by 2 in. (50.8 by 50.8 mm) and press, papercutter,
or equivalent to cut specimens to 2 by 2 in. size (50.8 by 50.8
3.1 Thistestmethodisameaningfultestfordeterminingthe
3
mm).
indentation recovery properties of resilient floor covering.
4.8 Optional—Open box without spring clips for 2 by 2 in.
(50.8 by 50.8 mm) photographic slides, or equivalent, to
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeF06onResilient
separate specimens during conditioning and recovery periods.
Floor Coverings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F06.30 on Test
Methods - Performance.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2015. Published January 2016. Originally
5. Sampling, Test Specimens and Test Units
approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as F970–07 (2011). DOI:
10.1520/F0970–15.
5.1 The specimens shall be 2 by 2 in. (50.8 by 50.8 mm).
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
The test unit shall consist of three specimens.
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
5.2 The central one square inch test area of each specimen
the ASTM website.
should be free of mortar lines or other embossing lines, if
3
For additional information, see Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI)
possible. If not possible, the largest flat, raised area should be
document, Static LimitTesting of Resilient Flooring Products, available from RFCI,
115 Broad Street, Suite 201, La Grange, GA 30240, www.rfci.com. centered on the specimen.
Copyright ©ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F970 − 15
NOTE 1—All dimensions are in inches. Tolerance is 60.005 in. (60.1
mm).
Metric
...

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: F970 − 07 (Reapproved 2011) F970 − 15
Standard Test Method for
1
Static Load Limit
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F970; 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 is intended for use in determining the recovery properties of resilient floor covering after long-term
indentation test, 24 h under the load specified in the detail specification. The reported value, residual indentation, is the depth of
the depression remaining 24 h after removal of the specified load.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
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
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E171 Practice for Conditioning and Testing Flexible Barrier Packaging
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
F386 Test Method for Thickness of Resilient Flooring Materials Having Flat Surfaces
F387 Test Method for Measuring Thickness of Resilient Floor Covering With Foam Layer
F1914 Test Methods for Short-Term Indentation and Residual Indentation of Resilient Floor Covering
3. Significance and Use
3
3.1 This test method is a meaningful test for determining the indentation recovery properties of resilient floor covering.
3.2 As testing is conducted on uninstalled flooring, results are not necessarily an indicator of the floor covering’s installed
3
performance.
4. Apparatus
4.1 The following apparatus shall be used:
4.2 Conditioning Room, providing the standard laboratory atmosphere of 50 6 5 % relative humidity at a temperature of
73.4 6 3.6°F (23 6 2.0°C).
4.3 Indentation Machine, as described in Section 12 and pictured in Fig. 2 of Test Method F1914.
4.4 Indentor Plates, each constructed of a piece of 2-in. (50.8 mm) square stainless steel, 0.240 6 0.005 in. (6.1 6 0.1 mm)
thick, with one side turned to 1.125 in. (28.6 mm) in diameter (one square inch area) to depth of 0.150 in. (3.8 mm) (see Fig. 1).
4.5 Dial Micrometer, as described in Test Method F386 when measuring resilient floor coverings containing a foam layer as part
of the construction or as described in Test Method F387 when measuring all other resilient floor coverings.
4.6 Template of Poly(methyl Methacrylate) (PMMA), or of other transparent material, 2 by 2 in. (50.8 by 50.8 mm) with round
1
scratch line centered on the template that is 1.125 in. (28.58 mm) in diameter, defining the test area, and with a ⁄2 in. (12.7 mm)
diameter hole at the center of the template to draw a circle on the specimen where thickness will be measured.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F06 on Resilient Floor Coverings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F06.30 on Test Methods
- Performance.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2011Dec. 1, 2015. Published November 2011January 2016. Originally approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 20072011
as F970–07. –07 (2011). DOI: 10.1520/F0970-07R11.10.1520/F0970–15.
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
For additional information, see Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) document, Static Limit Testing of Resilient Flooring Products, available from RFCI, 401 E.
Jefferson, Suite 102, Rockville, MD 20850, www.rfci.com115 Broad Street, Suite 201, La Grange, GA 30240, www.rfci.com.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F970 − 15
NOTE 1—All dimensions are in inches. Tolerance is 60.005 in. (60.1 mm).
Metric Equivalents:
Inches Millimetres
2.000 50.8
1.125 28.6
0.240 6.1
0.150 3.8
0.090 2.3
FIG. 1 Indentor Plates for Static Load Limit Test
...