ASTM_F_924_-_90_2015.pdf

Designation:F92490(Reapproved 2015)Standard Test Method forResistance to Puncture of Cushioned Resilient FloorCoverings1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F924;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of originaladoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscriptepsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This test method covers the laboratory procedure fordetermining the resistance of cushioned resilient floor cover-ings to punctures from dropped pointed objects such as dinnerforks.1.2 This test method employs a 35-g cylindrical dart with aflat,small-diameter tip that is dropped onto a specimen offlooring.The dart represents the weight of a typical fork andthe tip produces a similar puncture to those which result fromdropped forks.1.3 Flooring with thick wear layers may not puncture undereven the most severe drop.Although data can be obtained byincreasing the drop height or the weight of the dart,values ofthis magnitude have no practical application.1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regardedas standard.The values given in parentheses are mathematicalconversions to SI units that are provided for information onlyand are not considered standard.1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of whoever uses this standard to consult andestablish appropriate safety and health practices and deter-mine the applicability and regulatory limitations prior to use.For specific precaution statement see 8.2.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2E171 Practice for Conditioning and Testing Flexible BarrierPackagingF141 Terminology Relating to Resilient Floor CoveringsF410 Test Method for Wear Layer Thickness of ResilientFloor Coverings by Optical Measurement3.Terminology3.1 Definitions:3.1.1 For definitions of other terms used in this test method,refer to Terminology F141.3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.2.1 puncturea break in the wear layer of the specimen.An indentation at the point of impact shall be considered apuncture only if the wear layer is broken completely through atsome point.3.2.2 wickingthe presence of ink below the wear layer ofthe specimen in areas adjacent to a puncture.This can be seennext to the actual cut,and appears either as spots on the patternlayer or as a general discoloration.4.Significance and Use4.1 Much of the cushioned resilient flooring in use today isin household kitchens.Kitchen flooring is frequently subjectedto the hazard of dropped tableware and cutting knives,that canpuncture the wear layer of cushioned resilient flooring.Foodand soil that become embedded in these punctures often cannot be removed by ordinary maintenance,resulting in unsightlymarks.Moisture,grease,or oils that penetrate to the cushionlayer can be wicked into the foam and cause permanentdiscoloration.Ultimately,the service life of the material isshortened.5.Apparatus5.1 Dart Drop Assembly(Fig.1),consisting of a12in.plywood platform tilted 20 from horizontal,and a verticalslotted tube at least 40 in.(1016 mm)long with an insidediameter of 1.05 6 0.05 in.(26.7 6 2 mm).The mouth of thetube shall be approximately 2 in.(50.8 mm)above the centerof the platform.The tube shall be marked in 1 in.or lessgraduations showing the height above the surface of a mountedspecimen positioned on the platform.At the top of the tubeshall be a flat cap with a14in.diameter opening in the center.This hole should have smooth,rounded sides.5.2 Dart(Fig.2),consisting of a 0.970 6 0.003(246 6 0.76mm)outside diameter hollow cylindrical aluminum body witha 0.078 6 0.0005 in.(2.0 6 0.013 mm)diameter tip at one end1This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F06 on ResilientFloor Coverings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F06.30 on TestMethods-Performance.Current edition approved May 1,2015.Published July 2015.Originally approvedin 1985.Last previous edition approved in 2009 as F924 90(2009).DOI:10.1520/F0924-90R15.2For 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.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 and a steel wire loop at the other end,weighing a total of 35 60.10 g.Alength of size“A”silk thread at least 60 in.long shallbe attached to the wire loop.5.3 Microscope or magnifier,3X or greater.5.4 Alcohol-based ink.6.Test Specimens6.1 The test specimen shall measure approximately 6 by 6in.(152 by 152 mm).6.2 The required number of specimens of each sample shallbe 6.7.Conditioning7.1 Condition the specimens at 73.4 6 3.6F.(23 6 2C)and 50 6 5%relative humidity in accordance with Specif