ASTM_F_1683_-_09.pdf

Designation:F168309Standard Practice forCreasing or Bending a Membrane Switch,Membrane SwitchFlex Tail Assembly or Membrane Switch Component1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1683;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 practice establishes a method for the creasing orbending of any part of a membrane switch.1.2 This practice can be used with other test methods toachieve specific test results.1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as thestandard.The values given in parentheses are for informationonly.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:2F2749 Test Method for Determining the Effects of Creasinga Membrane Switch or AssemblyF2750 Test Method for Determining the Effects of Bendinga Membrane Switch or Assembly3.Terminology3.1 Definitions:3.1.1 bendto force from a straight form into a differentand especially a curved one.3.1.1.1 DiscussionIn this case no“hard”or angled creaseor fold is to occur.The substrate will only be formed into aradius.3.1.2 bend cyclea fold of a sample around a specifiedmandrel which is“rolled”in one direction,followed by rollingin the opposite direction,returning the sample to its originalposition(see Fig.1).3.1.3 creasea ridge or groove made by folding and press-ing.3.1.3.1 DiscussionIn this case a fold mark in the substratewill be caused by a weight rolled over a fold that will likelyremain in the substrate after testing.3.1.4 crease cyclea 180 crease followed by a flattening ofthe crease(see Fig.2).3.1.5 mandrela cylindrically shaped metal rod,such asbrazing or drill rod.3.1.6 membrane switcha momentary switching device inwhich at least one contact is on,or made of,a flexiblesubstrate.3.1.7 membrane switch taila flexible portion of a mem-brane switch used for input/output connection.4.Significance and Use4.1 Bending or creasing of membrane switches or theircomponents can affect their visual appearance,mechanicalintegrity or electrical functionality.This practice simulatesconditions that may be seen during manufacture,installation oruse.4.2 Bend or crease testing may be destructive,therefore anysamples tested should be considered unfit for future use.4.3 Specific areas of testing include,but are not limited to:4.3.1 Membrane switch flex tails,and4.3.2 Any component of a membrane switch that may besubjected to bending or creasing.5.Interferences5.1 The following parameters may affect the results of thistest:5.1.1 Temperature,and5.1.2 Humidity.5.1.3 Due to manual nature of this practice,repeatabilityand reproducibility will be significantly impacted.For a moreprecise,repeatable procedure,see Test Methods F2749 andF2750.6.Apparatus6.1 Crease Practice:1This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F01 on Electronicsand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F01.18 on Membrane Switches.Current edition approved June 15,2009.Published July 2009.Originallyapproved in 1996.Last previous edition approved in 2005 as F1683 051.DOI:10.1520/F1683-09.2For 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 6.1.1 Cylindrical Weight,31 kg in size,measuring 50.8 mm(2 in.)in diameter by 68.6 mm(2.7 in.)in height.Weight anddimensions of weight to be within6 5%.6.1.2 Cylindrical Weight,32 kg in size,measuring 63.5 mm(2.5 in.)in diameter by 86.4 mm(3.4 in.)in height.Weight anddimensions of weight to be within 65%.6.1.3 Other Dimensions or Weight to be specified by manu-facturer or customer,or both.6.1.4 Adhesive Tape or fixture to hold specimen securely inplace(see Fig.3).NOTE1The fixture illustrated in Fig.3 is recommended to ensurerepeatability of crease location if multiple cycles are required.6.2 Bend Practice:6.2.1 Diameter Mandrel,to be specified by manufacturer orcustomer.6.2.2 Adhesive Tape or fixture to hold specimen securely inplace.7.Test Specimens7.1 The test specimens may be components,tail assemblesor finished switches subject to bending or creasing.7.2 The width of the test specimen must not exceed thelength of the mandrel or height of the weight to be used.8.Procedure8.1 Crease Procedure:8.1.1 Securely attach one end of the specimen to be tested toa hard flat surface.8.1.2 Gently bend the test specimen into as large