IEC 62715-6-3:2020

Flexible display devices - Part 6-3: Mechanical test methods - Impact and hardness tests

IEC 62715-6-3:2020 (E) is to define the standard test methods to evaluate the mechanical robustness of flexible display modules, especially mechanical robustness regarding impact and hardness, which include displays such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs), e-paper, and organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays, against external forces applied to a panel.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 28-Sep-2020
• ICS: 01 - GENERALITIES. TERMINOLOGY. STANDARDIZATION. DOCUMENTATION
• ICS: 13.260 - Protection against electric shock. Live working
• ICS: 29.240.20 - Power transmission and distribution lines
• ICS: 29.260.99 - Other electrical equipment for working in special conditions
• ICS: 31.120 - Electronic display devices
• Technical Committee: TC 110 - Electronic displays
• Drafting Committee: WG 8 - TC 110/WG 8
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 30-Oct-2020
• Completion Date: 29-Sep-2020

Overview

IEC 62715-6-3:2020 defines standardized mechanical test methods for flexible display devices, focusing on impact and hardness tests that evaluate the mechanical robustness of display modules (LCD, e-paper, OLED). The standard specifies sample preparation, standard atmospheric conditions, test apparatus and procedures for point impacts, side impacts, tapping, scratching and abrasion to assess how external forces affect panel image quality (luminescence, colour chromaticity, uniformity, line/point defects).

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and specimen: Tests are performed on the assembled display module (not just the film or substrate) so results reflect final image quality and device performance.
• Standard atmospheric conditions: Default test environment follows IEC 62341-5:2009 - temperature 25 °C ± 3 °C, relative humidity 25–85 % RH, atmospheric pressure 86–106 kPa.
• Sample preparation: Modules must be flat and fixed to a plate or holder that does not affect measurements; storage time and pre-test conditions (e.g., 24 h) must be reported.
• Impact tests:
  • Ball drop test - evaluates point shock using metal/rubber/plastic balls. Test parameters (ball material, diameter, weight - e.g., 10 g to 50 g, drop height - e.g., 5–10 cm, impact positions, number of drops) and hard‑plate properties must be defined.
  • Pendulum side impact test - assesses side-impact robustness using a pendulum arrangement.
  • Hitting/tapping test - simulates repeated tapping events; apparatus and force profile are specified.
• Hardness, scratch and abrasion tests:
  • Stylus scratch test - instrumented stylus with controlled load to measure scratch resistance.
  • Steel wool abrasion test - uses fine steel wool (type #0000, average fibre ≈ 0.012 mm) to evaluate surface abrasion and wear.
• Reporting: Test method, apparatus, environmental conditions, sample fixation, and measured effects on image quality must be documented.

Applications and users

IEC 62715-6-3 is used by:

• Display manufacturers (LCD, OLED, e‑paper) for design validation and product development.
• Quality assurance and reliability engineers for production and incoming inspection.
• Test laboratories and certification bodies performing standardized robustness testing.
• OEMs, suppliers and customers specifying acceptance criteria for flexible display modules. Practical uses include design verification, failure analysis, supplier acceptance testing, and comparative benchmarking of display mechanical robustness.

Related standards

• IEC 62341-5:2009 - environmental testing methods for OLED displays (referenced for atmospheric conditions).
• ISO 19252 - determination of scratch properties of plastics (normative reference).
• ASTM D7207-13 - instrumented scratch testing for plastics (normative reference).

Keywords: IEC 62715-6-3, flexible display devices, mechanical test methods, impact and hardness tests, ball drop test, pendulum side impact, scratch resistance, LCD, OLED, e-paper, display module robustness.

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 62715-6-3 ®
Edition 1.0 2020-09
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
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Flexible display devices –
Part 6-3: Mechanical test methods – Impact and hardness tests
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IEC 62715-6-3 ®
Edition 1.0 2020-09
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Flexible display devices –
Part 6-3: Mechanical test methods – Impact and hardness tests

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 31.120 ISBN 978-2-8322-8913-6

– 2 – IEC 62715-6-3:2020  IEC 2020
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms . 5
3.1 Terms and definitions. . 5
3.2 Abbreviated terms . 6
4 Standard atmospheric conditions . 6
5 Sample preparation . 6
5.1 General . 6
5.2 Sample preparation . 6
6 Mechanical test methods – Impact and hardness tests . 6
6.1 General . 6
6.2 Ball drop test . 6
6.2.1 General . 6
6.2.2 Purpose . 7
6.2.3 Test apparatus . 7
6.2.4 Test procedure . 7
6.3 Hitting test (tapping test) . 8
6.3.1 General . 8
6.3.2 Purpose . 8
6.3.3 Test apparatus for hitting test . 8
6.3.4 Test procedure . 8
6.3.5 Report . 9
6.4 Pendulum side impact test . 9
6.4.1 General . 9
6.4.2 Purpose . 10
6.4.3 Test apparatus . 10
6.4.4 Test procedure . 11
6.5 Scratch and abrasion test . 11
6.5.1 General . 11
6.5.2 Stylus scratch test . 11
6.5.3 Steel wool abrasion test. 12
Bibliography . 14

Figure 1 – Apparatus for ball drop test equipment . 7
Figure 2 – Example of apparatus for hitting test . 8
Figure 3 – Example of the tip movement and applied force . 9
Figure 4 – Apparatus for pendulum side impact test . 10
Figure 5 – Apparatuses for stylus scratch test using a stylus holder with different
pressures available by modulating the spring load . 12
Figure 6 – Apparatus for steel wool abrasion test . 13

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
FLEXIBLE DISPLAY DEVICES –
Part 6-3: Mechanical test methods – Impact and hardness tests

FOREWORD
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International Standard IEC 62715-6-3 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 110:
Electronic displays.
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
110/1225/FDIS 110/1247/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this International Standard can be found in
the report on voting indicated in the above table.
This document has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
A list of all parts in the IEC 62715 series, published under the general title Flexible display
devices, can be found on the IEC website.

– 4 – IEC 62715-6-3:2020  IEC 2020
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FLEXIBLE DISPLAY DEVICES –
Part 6-3: Mechanical test methods – Impact and hardness tests

1 Scope
The object of this part of IEC 62715 is to define the standard test methods to evaluate the
mechanical robustness of flexible display modules, especially mechanical robustness
regarding impact and hardness, which include displays such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs),
e-paper, and organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays, against external forces applied to a
panel.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements for this document. For dated references, only the edition cited
applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies.
IEC 62341-5:2009, Organic light emitting diode displays – Part 5: Environmental testing
methods
ISO 19252, Plastics: Determination of scratch properties
ASTM D7207-13, Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Scratch Resistance of Polymeric
Coatings and Plastics Using an Instrumented Scratch Machine
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms
3.1 Terms and definitions.
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
3.1.1
pendulum side impact test
evaluation of the mechanical robustness properties of the material against an external impact
applied from the side using a pendulum
3.1.2
steel wool
special alloy steel which is processed into a thin and long fibrous form to be used as an
abrasive
Note 1 to entry: The cross section surface is polyhedral with edges.
Note 2 to entry: There are several kinds of steel wool depending on the diameter of the used fibre. The steel wool
type is #0000. The average line diameter of #0000 is about 0,012 mm.

– 6 – IEC 62715-6-3:2020  IEC 2020
3.2 Abbreviated terms
LCD liquid crystal display
OLED organic light emitting diode
TFT thin film transistor
4 Standard atmospheric conditions
The standard atmospheric conditions defined in IEC 62341-5:2009, 5.3, shall apply as follows:
– temperature: 25 °C ± 3 °C
– relative humidity: 25 % RH to 85 % RH
– atmospheric pressure: 86 kPa.to 106 kPa
unless otherwise specifically agreed between customer and supplier.
When different tests are carried out, the temperature condition shall be specified because the
temperature is critical for the robustness properties as they relate to TFT characteristics and
panel image quality characteristics. These robustness tests shall be done at the standard
atmospheric conditions.
5 Sample preparation
5.1 General
The specimen shall be the display module since the final evaluation has to be made based on
the quality of the panel image such as luminescence, colour chromaticity, uniformity, line
defect, and point defect. The mechanical robustness test can cause the deterioration of image
quality on a panel [1] to [9] .
5.2 Sample preparation
The display module being tested shall be flat during the impact and hardness tests to get the
correct test results. The module should be fixed on a plate using additional instruments or
materials (for example, adhesive or holder). Both adhesive and holder should not affect the
measurement. The flatness and size of the sample shall be determined between the supplier
and customer. The temperature, humidity, and storage time (for example, 24 h) prior to testing
for sample preparation shall be controlled and reported to obtain reproducible test results.
6 Mechanical test methods – Impact and hardness tests
6.1 General
The selection of the appropriate test methods shall be based on the requirements of the
application. For each mechanical robustness test, the relevant test method specification shall
be stated along with the explanation of the purpose of each unique test.
6.2 Ball drop test
6.2.1 General
This test is especially applicable for the evaluation of the mechanical robustness properties of
flexible display devices by measuring their performance change after ball drop.
______________
Numbers in square brackets refer to the Bibliography.

6.2.2 Purpose
The purpo
...