ASTM_D_1055_-_04.pdf

Designation:D 1055 04Used in USDOE-NE StandardsStandard Specifications forFlexible Cellular MaterialsLatex Foam1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 1055;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(e)indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.1.Scope*1.1 These specifications,2including test methods,apply toflexible cellular rubber products known as latex foam rubbersbut do not apply to sponge and expanded rubbers.The basematerial used in their manufacture shall be natural rubber,reclaimed rubber,synthetic rubber,alone or in combination.1.2 In case of conflict between the provisions of thesegeneral specifications and those of detailed specifications ortest methods for a particular product,the latter shall takeprecedence.Reference to methods for testing cellular rubberproducts should specifically state the particular test or testsdesired.1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as thestandard.The values in brackets are for information only.1.4 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:3D 395 Test Methods for Rubber PropertyCompressionSetD 454 Test Method for RubberDeterioration by Heat andAir PressureD 572 Test Method for RubberDeterioration by Heat andOxygenD 573 Test Method for RubberDeterioration in an AirOvenD 1056 Specification for Flexible Cellular MaterialsSponge or Expanded RubberD 3182 Practice for RubberMaterials,Equipment,andProcedures for Mixing Standard Compounds and Prepar-ing Standard Vulcanized SheetsD 3183 Practice for RubberPreparation of Pieces for TestPurposes from Products3.Terminology3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.1.1 flexible cellular rubbera cellular organic polymericmaterial that will not rupture within 60 s when a specimen 200by 25 by 25 mm is bent around a 25-mm diameter mandrel ata uniform rate to produce 1 lap in 5 s in the form of a helix ata temperature between 18 and 29C.3.1.2 rubberthe term rubber is used to include bothnatural and synthetic types.3.1.3 skinthe smooth surface of the latex foam rubberproduct,formed by contact with the mold or cover plates,isdefined as a natural skin.4.Materials and Manufacture4.1 Latex Foam RubbersThe structure of latex foamrubbers consists of a network of open or interconnecting cells.Latex foam rubbers are made from rubber latices or liquidrubbers.They are manufactured in sheet,strip,molded,orspecific shapes.Latex foam rubbers shall have a vulcanizedcellular structure with a porous surface.The cells shall beinterconnecting and of a uniform character.Latex foam rubbersshall be either cored or solid.Size,shape,and distribution ofcoring shall be at the producers option but subject to theapproval of the purchaser.5.Grades of Latex Foam Rubbers5.1 Latex foam rubbers shall have their grade numbersdesignated by two letters which identify the kind of latex foamrubber as follows:RCLatex foam rubbers,cored,andRULatex foam rubbers,uncored.Digits following the letters are used to indicate the degree offirmness,the softer grades being identified with the lowernumbers and the firmer grades with the higher numbers(seeTable 1).1These specifications are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 onPlastics and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.22 on CellularPlastics.Current edition approved November 1,2004.Published November 2004.Originally approved in 1969.Last previous edition approved in 1997 as D 1055-97.2These specifications together with Specification D 1056 replace the formerTentative Methods of Testing Cellular Rubber Products(D 552 46a T)and theTentative Specifications for Cellular Rubber Products(D 798 46a T),which wereaccordingly discontinued in 1949.3For 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.1*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959,United States.5.2 Suffx Letters shall be added singly or in combinationafter any grade number to indicate additional requirementsbeyond those specified in Table 1 as basic requirements.Thesignificance of the approved suffix letters is as follows:SIGNIFICANCE OF SUFFIX LETTERSSuffix LettersCWeather ResistanceADLoad DeflectionAEOil ResistanceANote that there are no requirements for oil resistance