Analysis of Sponge/Foam Hardness Testing Standards

Where will the dispute over standards lead? 

Today, we would like to industry the most commonly used three big international sponge hardness testing standard, ASTM D3574 (American standard), ISO (international standards) and JIS K6400 2439-2 (Japanese standard), the depth of the analysis, to help you build in the "universal" detecting instrument of the global market demand!

I.Main Test Standard in sponge testing industry

·D3574 ASTM (American standard) : from the American association of materials with the test, is a comprehensive standard in evaluating elastic porous material, including density, tensile strength, compression and fatigue behavior test. As the industry standard in North America, its indentation test and fatigue test play a crucial role in ensuring the quality of products such as automotive seats, furniture and mattresses. 

·ISO (international standards) 2439: international organization for standardization issued soft foam polymer material hardness of the international program, details the five kinds of methods (A - E), and ASTM D3574 test B1 similar description of the process. It provides important characteristic values to measure the load-bearing performance of mattresses, seats, etc., and is widely used worldwide.

·JIS K6400-2 (Japanese standard) : Japanese industrial standard, with ISO system into practice and compression hardness measurement. The design concept is highly consistent with ISO standards and is an indispensable testing basis for enterprises targeting or multinational companies to expand into the Japanese market.

Ⅱ.Parameter Comparison

Differences and similarities depth resolution: 

1. The pressure fall rate/sag ratio: ISO and JIS K6400 2439-2 will sag than as key indicators of evaluation quality of sponge cushion, 25% or 65% sag force and pressure ratio of force, and is equipped with method directly provide information curve.

2. The test point and methods: ASTM D3574 test target is also deeper 85%, 25%, 65%, even while the ISO 2439 and JIS K6400-2 rigorously lists the different test level from A to D, in order to satisfy the demands of different precision and efficiency of detection.

Ⅲ.Equipment facility request

(1)The key parameters in common: 

①The sensor precision: general requirements between plus or minus 0.5% to plus or minus 1% accuracy. 

②Preloading and pressure maintaining: all the 5 n pre-tightening force as key test starting point, and recorded the "30 seconds in the holding" this time period. 

(2) General requirements for equipment hardware design: 

①Upper and lower pressure plate: the basis of general design are on the pressure plate 200 mm in diameter and 420 mm x 420 mm (20 mm) diameter 6 mm, spacing of press plate.

②Speed regulation: strong adaptability, it is suggested that in the 0.001-500 - mm/min interval is adjustable.

③Intelligent control: automated testing method (preloading, switch, automatic return) and the data acquisition function, convenient docking MES or other data analysis system.

Ⅳ.Equipment Recommend

SL-T800 Universal material indentation and tensile testing Machine

· Core benchmarking: Based on precise servo motor-ball screw transmission, it ensures the smoothness and accuracy of the testing process.

Multi-standard advantages:

· Equipped with a 200mm specific indenter, it perfectly fits ASTM D3574 (some methods), ISO 2439 and JIS K6400 standards.
· The sensor accuracy of ±0.5 to ±1% and high-resolution encoder displacement system fully meet the high-precision requirements of ISO 2439 and JIS.
· Functional flexibility:
· Highly programmable software platform, allowing customers to freely switch between ASTM D3574 (IFD, fatigue test sub-items), ISO 2439 (A/B/C/D methods) and JIS K6400 test sequences and report systems.
· Can be expanded with various fixtures such as tensile, tear, rebound, peel, compression/tensile fatigue, etc.

Whether pursuing the "thresholds" of American, European or Japanese standards, an outstanding indentation hardness testing machine must possess "high-precision sensing", "wide-range speed adjustment" and "intelligent system control". Choosing a device platform that is compatible with multiple mainstream standards and highly customizable means you can quickly respond to changes in different customers' standards and precisely target the global market!

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