ASTM D1564-71 Flexible Urethane Foam Sheet

The ASTM D1564-71 Flexible urethane foam sheet standard, published by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) , describes methods for flexible cellular foam sheets, also known as urethane foam. Urethane foam can generally be defined as an expanded cellular product produced by the interaction of active hydrogen compounds, water, and isocyanates.

These methods were developed primarily for upholstery foam and are based on the standard “ASTM D2406-73 Method for Testing Molded Urethane Foam of Flexible Cellular Materials.”

ASTM D1564-71 covers test procedures only. Numerical specifications are developed as separate documents by appropriate groups based on automotive and similar end use.

Unless otherwise specifically agreed upon between the seller and the buyer, all tests are conducted in accordance with the methods specified in this standard. Tests are conducted under known temperature and humidity conditions or as specified in the individual test procedure. In case of disagreement, tests are conducted after pre-stretching at 23 degrees plus/minus 1,1 degrees and 50 percent plus/minus 7 percent relative humidity. The product must be conditioned without flexing and must remain intact at the test temperature and humidity for at least 2 hours prior to testing. It is recommended that all tests be conducted 12 hours or more after the foam has been manufactured for the arbitrator.

This standard was later withdrawn and replaced by ASTM D3574-01 Standard test methods for flexible cellular materials - Weak, bonded, and molded urethane foams. This new standard describes test methods for sheet, bonded, and molded flexible cellular products known as urethane foams. Urethane foam can be generally defined as an expanded cellular product produced by the interaction of active hydrogen compounds, water, and isocyanates.

For the purposes of this standard, the following definitions apply:

Bonded foam is a product produced by bonding small pieces of urethane foam together with a suitable binding agent.
The core is the shell-free interior of a molded part.
Cored foam is a flexible cellular material containing a large number of holes (usually necessarily cylindrical in shape), molded or cut into the material in a specific pattern, normally perpendicular to the direction of rise of the foam, and extending part or all of the way through the piece.
Convoluted foam is a flexible cellular material that is custom cut into sheets with egg carton-like dimples. The dimpled tops and bottoms can have a variety of shapes and sizes.
Flexible cellular product is a cellular organic polymeric material that does not break when a sample of 200 x 25 x 25 mm is bent around a mandrel with a diameter of 18 mm at a uniform speed of 129 revolution per 5 seconds at a temperature between 1 and 25 degrees.
Molded foam is a cellular product that has the shape of the enclosed chamber from which it was produced by foaming.
Skin is the smooth surface layer formed by the contact of the molded foam product with the mold or surfaces.
The slab is a section of foam cut from the inside of a large knob.
Urethane foam is a flexible cellular product produced by the interaction of active hydrogen compounds, water and isocyanates.

Unless otherwise specifically agreed upon between the supplier and the purchaser, all tests are carried out in accordance with the methods including the test procedures described in this standard:

Test A Density test
Test B1 Indentation force deflection test - Specified deflection
Test B2 Indentation force deflection test - Specified force
Test C Compression force deflection test
Test D Constant deflection compression set test
Test E Tensile test
Test F Tear resistance test
Test G Air flow test
Test H Flexibility (ball rebound) test
Test I1 Static force loss test at constant deflection
Test I2 Dynamic fatigue test with constant force roller shear
Test I3 Dynamic fatigue test by constant force impact
Test I4 Dynamic fatigue test for carpet cushion
Test J Steam autoclave aging
Test K Dry heat aging
Test L Wet heat aging

Test procedures provide a standard method for obtaining data for research and development, quality control, acceptance and rejection according to specifications, and special purposes. Data obtained by these test methods are applicable to the material under specific test conditions and may not be the same as those obtained in other environments in use.

Tests are performed under known temperature and humidity conditions or as specified in the individual test procedure. The product shall be conditioned at the test temperature and humidity for at least 12 hours without warping or distortion prior to testing. In case of disagreement, tests shall be performed at 23 degrees plus/minus 2 degrees and 50 percent plus/minus 5 percent relative humidity. It is recommended that all tests be performed 7 days or more after the foam is manufactured for the arbitration.

Among the numerous testing, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies that our organization has provided for businesses in various sectors, with its trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment, it also provides certification and testing services defined in the standard “ASTM D3574-01 Standard test methods for flexible cellular materials - Weak, bonded and molded urethane foams”.