ASTM_D_2097_-_03_2010.pdf

Designation:D209703(Reapproved 2010)Standard Test Method forFlex Testing of Finish on Upholstery Leather1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2097;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This test method covers the determination of the flex-ibility and adhesion of a finish on upholstery leather.2This testmethod does not apply to wet blue.1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regardedas the standard.The values given in parentheses are forinformation only.1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:3D1610 Practice for Conditioning Leather and Leather Prod-ucts for Testing3.Summary of Test Method3.1 The leather is mechanically flexed alternately from a flatposition into a single or double bend.At the end of apredetermined number of flexing cycles,the leather is visuallyinspected for finish cracks.4.Significance and Use4.1 This test method simulates the flexing received byupholstery leather in service,and correlation with service isbelieved to be good.Both the resistance of the finish tocracking and adhesion of the finish to the leather can beevaluated.4.2 The flexing action received by the leather in this methodis more severe than that given by methods for shoe upperleather.The less severe tests have little utility in the evaluationof upholstery leather finishes.4.3 This test method is suitable,and has been useful,inresearch,development,and manufacturing control.It is used asa method of test for specification acceptance.Since this is asubjective test,proper correlation should be established byinterlaboratory experience prior to use for specification accep-tance.5.Apparatus5.1 Newark Flexing MachineThis machine,4illustrated inFig.1,consists basically of two pistons,one of which isstationary,the other capable of moving at 500 rpm with astroke of 114in.(32 mm).The movable piston is alsoadjustable on its shaft in order to vary the distance between thetwo pistons.6.Test Specimen6.1 The test specimen shall be 3 by 412in.(76 by 114 mm)in size.7.Conditioning7.1 Bring all test specimens to equilibrium as described inPractice D1610.Usually,maintaining the specimen for 24 hunder these conditions will adequately satisfy the equilibriumconditions.7.2 The test shall also be conducted under the aboveconditions,described in Practice D1610.8.Procedure8.1 Measure the thickness of the specimen to be tested.8.2 While in the closed position,adjust the pistons to fifteentimes the thickness of the specimen(see Fig.2).8.3 Turn the pulley by hand until the pistons are themaximum distance apart.Clamp the specimen around the twopistons without stretching the specimen.1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D31 on Leatherand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D31.05 on Upholstery.This testmethod was developed in cooperation with the American Leather Chemists Assn.Current edition approved April 1,2010.Published May 2010.Originallyapproved in 1962.Last previous edition approved in 2005 as D209703(2005).DOI:10.1520/D2097-03R10.2Several methods of evaluating the resistance of an upholstery leather finish toflexing have been investigated.The method,as described here,has been adopted asstandard by the Upholstery Leather Group,Tanners Council of America.3For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.4A machine meeting the requirements of this method is available commerciallyfrom the Aim Tool&Die Co.,14324 172nd St.,Grand Haven,MI 49417.Twoversions of this machine are made by Aim Tool&Die Co.Only the standardflexotest machine meets the requirements of this method.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 8.4 Complete the first cycle by turning the pulley by handand forcing the specimen into its flexing pattern(Fig.3 andNote 1).NOTE1The flexing pattern is achieved as follows:Facing the centerfront of the specimen,squeeze the sides of the cylindrical specimen withthe thumb and middle finger and then force the center inward with theindex finger,while the pistons are closed.8.5 Turn on the power and the specimen will follow thispattern during the whole flexing time.8.6 At the completion of the test,remove the specimens forevaluation.NOTE2If an evaluation is required before the test is complete,theprobe sho