ASTM D 695 and ISO 604

Compressive Properties-ASTM D695, ISO 604

Specimen Size:
Specimens can either be blocks or cylinders. For ASTM, the typical blocks are 12.7
x 12.7 x 25.4mm ( by by 1 in). and the cylinders are 12.7mm ( in) in diameter
and 25.4mm (1 in) long. For ISO, the preferred specimens are 50 x 10 x 4mm for
modulus and 10 x 10 x 4mm for strength.

ISO 527-1,-2
Tensile Properties - ISO 527-1,-2
Test Specimen Summary
Specimen

Note

Preferred Thickness
(mm)

Type 1A

Preferred for directly molded multi-purpose test specimens.

Type 1B

Preferred for machined test specimens.

Type 1BA Scaled down version of 1B. All dimensions except thickness

>2

scaled by 1.2.
Type 1BB Scaled down version of 1B. All dimensions except thickness

>2

scaled by 1.5.
Type 5A

Small specimen.

>2

Type 5B

Small specimen

>1

Type 1A, 1B, 1BA, and 1BB Specimen

Type 5A and 5B Specimen

ASTM D 638
Tensile Properties - ASTM D638

Specimen Rigidity Case

Note

Thickness

Type I

Rigid

Preferred specimen.

<7 mm (0.28
in)

Type II

Rigid

Use when Type I specimen does not break in <7 mm (0.28

the narrow section.
in)

Type III

Rigid/Nonrigid

>7 mm (0.28
in)
<14
mm
(0.55 in)

Type IV Rigid/Nonrigid Should be used for comparison between<4 mm (0.16

materials in different rigidity cases. Essentiallyin)
the same as Die C specimen from ASTM D412.
Type V

Rigid

Used when limited material is available or <4 mm (0.16

laboratory space is a concern (forin)
environmental testing)

Type I

Type II Type III

WWidth of narrow sectionE,F 13 [0.50] 6 [0.25] 19 [0.75]

LLength of narrow section
WOWidth overall, minG
WOWidth overall, minG
LOLength overall, minH
GGage lengthI

57 [2.25] 57 [2.25] 57 [2.25]

19 [0.75] 19 [0.75] 29 [1.13]
... .

.. ... ..

165 [6.5]

50 [2.00]

GGage lengthI

6 [0.25]

3.18 [0.125]

+-0.5 [60.02]B,C

33 [1.30]

9.53 [0.375]

+-0.5 [60.02]C

19 [0.75]

246 [9.7] 115 [4.5]

50 [2.00]

...

... ... ... 25 [1.00]

DDistance between grips 115 [4.5]

RRadius of fillet

Type VC,D

9.53 [0.375]

183 [7.2]

50 [2.00]

Type IVB

76 [3.00]

ROOuter radius (Type IV) ... ... ...

no max [no max]

+0.25 [+0.010]C

+0.13 [60.005]

...

76 [3.00] 76 [3.00] 14 [0.56]

+ 6.4 [ + 0.25]

+ 3.18 [ + 0.125]
63.5 [2.5]

7.62 [0.300]

135 [5.3] 115 [4.5] 65 [2.5]J

25 [1.00] ..

Tolerances

+5 [+0.2]

25.4 [1.0]

12.7 [0.5]

+1 [+0.04]C

+1 [+0.04]

ASTM D 790 and ISO 178

Flexural Properties-ASTM D790, ISO 178
Test Specimen:
A variety of specimen shapes can be used for this test, but the most commonly used
specimen size is 3.2mm x 12.7mm x 125mm (0.125" x 0.5" x 5.0") for ASTM, and
10mm x 4mm x 80mm for ISO

Flexural Test Configuration

Location of Maximum Fiber Stress/Strain

ASTM D 256 and ISO 180
Izod Impact Testing(Notched Izod) ASTM D256 and ISO 180

Charpy Impact Strength is no longer covered under this test method, but is included
because Charpy values are still reported under this method.

Unnotched Izod Impact Strength, covered by ASTM D4812, is included here because
it is often cited as being tested by ASTM D256.

Optional units of energy per unit area are supported by the standard. These are the
ISO style units

Test Specimen:
The standard specimen for ASTM is 64 x 12.7 x 3.2 mm (2 x x 1/8 inch). The
most common specimen thickness is 3.2 mm (0.125 inch), but the preferred thickness
is 6.4 mm (0.25 inch) because it is not as likely to bend or crush. The depth under the
notch of the specimen is 10.2 mm (0.4 inches).
The standard specimen for ISO is a Type 1A multipurpose specimen with the end
tabs cut off. The resulting test sample measures 80 x 10 x 4 mm. The depth under the
notch of the specimen is 8mm

ASTM impact energy is expressed in J/m or ft-lb/in. Impact strength is calculated by dividing
impact energy in J (or ft-lb) by the thickness of the specimen. The test result is typically the
average of 5 specimens.
ISO impact strength is expressed in kJ/m 2. Impact strength is calculated by dividing impact
energy in J by the area under the notch. The test result is typically the average of 10 specimens.

Notched Izod Specimen

Method
A

Name
Notched Izod

Test Description
Specimen is held as a vertical cantilevered beam

Impact Strength and is broken by a pendulum. Impact occurs on the

notched side of the specimen.
B

Charpy Impact Specimen is held as a simply supported beam and

Strength

is impacted on the side opposite the notch. This

method is no longer covered under ASTM D256 but
is still reported as such.

Diagram

Estimated Net

This method is the same as Method A except that

Izod Impact

the energy required to toss the broken portion of the

Strength

specimen is included in the energy calculation.

Preferred over Method A for materials with impact
strength below 27 J/m (0.5 ft-lb/in)

Notch Radius

Provides an indication of notch sensitivity. Notch

Sensitivity Test sensitivity is calculated using:

b = (E2 - E1) / (R2 - R1)
where b is the notch sensitivity, E1 and E2 are the
energy required to break a small and large radius
notched specimen, and R1 and R2 are the radii of
the small and large radius notches. Units are
J/m/mm of notch radius.
E

Reversed

Same test as Method A except the specimen is

Notched Izod

impacted on the side opposite the notch.

Impact Strength
Unnotched Izod Unnotched specimen is held as a vertical
Impact Strength cantilevered beam and is broken by a pendulum.
This method is covered under ASTM D4812 but is
commonly reported under ASTM D256.

Izod Impact Strength - ISO 180

Notched Izod Specimen

Two possible notch configurations are specified by ISO 180. Notch A is the most commonly
reported notch type.
Izod Notch Types
Notch Notch Base Radius (mm)
A

0.25

1.00
Tests Covered in ISO 180

Name

Test Description

Diagram

Notched Izod Impact Specimen is held as a vertical cantilevered beam and

Strength

is broken by a pendulum. Impact occurs on the

notched side of the specimen.

Reversed Notched Same test as previous test except the specimen is

Izod Impact Strength impacted on the side opposite the notch.

Unnotched Izod

Unnotched specimen is held as a vertical cantilevered

Impact Strength

beam and is broken by a pendulum.

ISO 179
Charpy Impact Strength - ISO 179

Edgewise Impact

Flatwise Impact

Charpy Specimen Types

Type

Length (mm)

Width (mm) Thickness (mm)

Span (mm)

80

10

62

25 x Thickness

10 or 15

20 x Thickness

11 or 13 x Thickness

10 or 15

6 or 8 x Thickness

Three different notch types may be used. Notch Type A is preferred.

Charpy Notch Types
Notch Notch Base Radius (mm)
A

0.25

1.00

0.10

ASTM D4812 and ISO 180

IzodImpactTesting(UnnotchedIzod)ASTM D4812 and ISO 180
Specimen size:
The standard specimen for ASTM is 64 x 12.7 x 3.2 mm (2 x x 1/8 inch). The
most common specimen thickness is 3.2 mm (0.125 inch), but the preferred thickness
is 6.4 mm (0.25 inch) because it is not as likely to bend or crush.
The standard specimen for ISO is a Type 1A multipurpose specimen with the end
tabs cut off. The resulting test sample measures 80 x 10 x 4 mm
ASTM D 2240
Durometer Hardness Shore Hardness---ASTM D 2240
Specimen Size:
The test specimens are generally 6.4mm ( in) thick. It is possible to pile several
specimens to achieve the 6.4mm thickness, but one specimen is preferred
ASTM D785, ISO 2039
Rockwell HardnessASTM D785, ISO 2039
Specimen Size:
A standard specimen of 6.4mm (0.25 in) thickness is either molded or cut from a
sheet
Rockwell Hardness Test Parameters
Scale Minor Load (kg)Major Load (kg) Indentor Diameter Indentor Diameter (mm)
(in)
R

10

60

0.5

12.7

10

60

0.25

6.35

10

100

0.25

6.35

10

100

0.125

3.175

10

150

0.125

3.175

Rockwell hardness is calculated by subtracting the penetration divided by the scale

division from 130. For example, if the indentor has a net depth increase of 0.12mm,
the Rockwell hardness is 70.
Hardness = 130 - (penetration / scale division)
Hardness = 130 - (0.12mm / 0.002mm) = 70

 ASTM D 648 and ISO 75

Deflection Temperature Under Load- ASTM D648, ISO 75
Specimen size:
A standard bar 127*12.7*6.45" x " x " is used for ASTM
ISO edgewise testing uses a bar 120mm x 10mm x 4mm
ISO flatwise testing uses a bar 80mm x 10mm x 4mm
HDT Testing Methods
Method

Outer Fiber Stress (MPa)

1.80

0.45

8.00
Specimen Orientation Parameters

Orientation

Dimensions (mm)

Span (mm) Standard Deflection Diagram

Edgewise

120x9.8-15x3-4.2

100

0.32

Flatwise

80x10x4

64

0.34

ASTM D 1525 and ISO 306

Vicat Softening Temperature ASTM D1525ISO 306
Specimen Size:
The test specimen must be between 3 and 6.5 mm thick and at least 10 mm in width
and length. No more than three layers may be stacked to achieve minimum thickness
Surface Resistivity Volume Resistivity ASTM D257, IEC60093
Specimen size:
A 4-inch disk is preferable101.6mm, but may be any practical form, such as flat plates, rods
or tubes for insulation resistance.

Water Absorption 24 Hour/Equilibrium ASTM D570

Specimen size:
Two inch diameter disks50.8mm, 0.125" or 0.250" thick
Percent Water Absorption = [(Wet weight - Dry weight)/ Dry weight] x 100

 Density and Specific Gravity ASTM D792, ISO 1183

Specimen size:
Any convenient size

Test Procedure:
There are two basic test procedures, Method A and Method B.
The
more common being Method A, can be used with sheet, rod, tube and
molded articles. For Method A, the specimen is weighed in air then
weighed when immersed in distilled water at 23C using a sinker and
wire to hold the specimen completely submerged as required.
and Specific Gravity are calculated.

Density

Specific gravity = a/[(a + w)-b]

a = mass of specimen in air.
b = mass of specimen and sinker (if used) in water.
W = mass of totally immersed sinker if used and partially immersed wire.
Density, kg/m3 = (specific gravity) x (997.6)

Fogging Characteristics of Interior Automotive Materials

SAE J1756,
ISO 6452,
DIN 75201

Specimen size:
80 mm diameter disk

Flammability UL94, ASTM D635, 49 CFR-571.302,ISO 3795

Specimen size:

Specimen sizes for UL 94 and ASTM D635 are 125 mm long x 13 mm

wide x 3mmthe thickness to be rated.
Specimen sizes for 49CFR-571-302 and ISO 3795 are 100 x 356 mm
(4" x 14") x no more than 13mm (0.5").