FLTM BN 102-05 Elasticity of Seat Belt Webbing

The standard “FORD FLTM BN 102-05 Seat belt webbing flexibility” developed by Ford Motor Company (FORD) describes a procedure used to determine the flexibility of seat belt webbing.

Equipment used in the tests includes:

• Flexibility test stand: Used to fill the samples.
• Dial indicator: Model D-81S, low friction full jewel bearing. The following modifications must be made to the dial indicator: remove the back spring, remove the hairspring and hairspring pin in the winding gear assembly, remove the bottom dot and replace the contact foot, remove the rack stop screw and replace the rod indicator top.
• Adjustable air damping instrument panel pot.
• Sample fixture.
• One 30g weight.
• Timing device: Timing in tenths of a second.
• Wooden dowels: 22 x 150 mm and 13 x 150 mm.
• Flexibility test stand: For warp samples (its shape is included in the standard).

All test values ​​stated herein are based on material conditioned in a controlled atmosphere at 24 degrees plus/minus 23 degrees and 2 percent plus/minus 50 percent relative humidity for at least 5 hours prior to testing and tested under the same conditions, unless otherwise stated.

The test procedure (filling direction) consists of the following steps:

• The zero of the dial indicator on the flex test stand should be checked as follows: A 25,4 mm high block is placed on the test stand. The foot assembly is lowered until it makes contact with the block. The dial indicator is then adjusted to read zero by adjusting its height above the test stand or by rotating the dial face.
• Six samples of 76 mm x belt width are required for testing. Three to test the belt with one side (side A) towards the operator and three to test the belt with the opposite side (side B) towards the operator.
• A sample is taken and, with side A towards the operator, its 76 mm length is wrapped around a 22 mm dowel until both ends meet.
• The previous step is repeated with side B facing the operator.
• The sample above is taken and wrapped around a 13 mm wide dowel, with side A towards the operator, until both edges meet.
• The previous step is repeated with side B facing the operator.
• The A side is placed in the specimen fixture towards the operator without undue stretching. There are two convenient ways to do this:
  • From one open end, the belt is inserted into the slots (one slot at a time, pushing it across the width of the belt holder).
  • From one open end, the entire length of the strip is inserted into the lower slots (the strip is lifted with the help of two hands and inserted into both upper slots simultaneously).
• The specimen fixture is placed on the flexibility test stand and weight is added as specified in the standard.
• The contact foot is lifted and released at a rate of 25 seconds per 3,5 mm of travel.
• When the foot makes contact with the edge of the belt, the timer is started.
• After 60 seconds, observe and record the reading on the dial indicator.
• The above steps are repeated for two additional samples (side A toward the operator).
• The above steps are repeated for the remaining three samples (side B towards the operator).
• The average elasticity of the six test results is calculated.

The test procedure (warp direction) consists of the following steps:

• Three samples of 360 mm x belt width are required for testing.
• One end of the sample (side A facing up) is placed under the top plate of the warp flexibility test stand. Spacers are used under the top plate as necessary to allow the belt to slide freely. Wing nuts are then tightened to secure the top plate.
• Ensuring that the sample does not bend, push it completely under the plate until the tip comes out and continue pushing until the tip bends and makes contact with the metric scale on the base plate.
• Measurement is made in mm where the end of the belt first contacts the scale.
• The above steps are repeated with side A facing down.
• The above steps are repeated with the remaining two samples.
• Warp test results are calculated as the average flexibility of six test results.

Chemicals, materials, parts and equipment referenced in this standard must be used and handled appropriately.

Among the numerous tests, measurements, analyses and evaluation studies carried out for businesses in various sectors, our organization also provides testing services defined in the “FORD FLTM BN 102-05 Flexibility of seat belt webbing” standard with its trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment.