![]() ![]() Automotive seating engineers specify the indentation force deflection value of the foam they want in their final product, and the manufacturing location will perform the test several times per shift to guarantee that each and every seat being manufactured has the same feel in regards to softness and supportiveness. The test then measures how supportive it is by measuring the force when it is compressed to 65% of its original thickness. This test measures the initial softness of the foam by measuring the force when the foam is compressed to 25% of its original thickness. For example, the furniture, automotive, and mattress industries follow ASTM D3574, which measures the indention force deflection of polyurethane foam. These standards ensure that materials and products entering the supply chain display predictable mechanical properties and are not likely to fail in their expected end use. Testing standards prescribe acceptable test parameters and results for different types of raw materials such as metals and concrete used for infrastructure projects, as well as finished products such as medical devices and consumer electronics. Most compression testing is performed to established standards published by standards organizations such as ASTM and ISO. ![]() ![]() This is important from both a safety and a business perspective, as defective products can be dangerous to the end user and can also cause significant harm to manufacturers in the form of product delays, lost revenue, and damaged reputations. In addition to its importance to the R&D process, compression testing is also used by quality assurance departments to ensure that batches of finished product are meeting the required specifications for compressive properties. Compression testing can help the engineer fine tune the balance between product strength and material conservation. For example, an engineer may want to conserve plastic by creating water bottles with thinner walls, but the bottles must still be strong enough to be packed in pallets and stacked on top of each other for transport. Common items such as tennis balls, golf balls, water bottles, protective cases, plastic pipes, and furniture are all examples of products that need to be evaluated for their compressive strength. Unlike tensile tests, which are usually conducted to determine the tensile properties of a specific material, compression tests are often performed on finished products. These materials are often used in a load-bearing capacity where their integrity under compressive forces is critical. Therefore, compression testing is often used on brittle materials such as concrete, metals, plastics, ceramics, composites, and corrugated materials like cardboard. Likewise, materials high in compressive strength tend to exhibit low tensile strength. Seating cushions are expected to last for a certain length of time, while automotive tires must maintain their elasticity in all types of weather. Materials that exhibit high tensile strength tend to (but do not always!) exhibit low compressive strength. Furthermore, materials and products might be exposed to mechanical forces for short or long periods of time, through cyclical or repeated use, and in a wide variety of different temperature and environmental conditions. Foam used in seating must be comfortable for the consumer while drug delivery devices must be easy for medical providers to deploy. ![]() The potential applications can vary from strength testing of a car windshield to endurance testing of concrete beams used in construction. In order for a material to be selected for a new application or product, it needs to demonstrate the ability to withstand whatever mechanical forces it will encounter in its end-use application. Compression testing allows manufacturers to assess the integrity and safety of materials, components, and products during several phases of the manufacturing process. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |