ASTM F137-08(2018)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F137 − 08 (Reapproved 2018)
Standard Test Method for
Flexibility of Resilient Flooring Materials with Cylindrical
Mandrel Apparatus
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationF137;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginal
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope 4. Significance and Use
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the flex- 4.1 Flexibility is that property of a material which allows it
to be deformed by bending or rolling without cracking,
ibility of resilient flooring materials by means of cylindrical
mandrel apparatus. It is especially applicable to sheet goods breaking, or other permanent defects, using whatever force is
necessary to bend or roll it. Flexibility is an important
and some tiles.
characteristic of flooring in that it provides for ease of handling
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
in rolling, cutting, and fitting.
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
5. Apparatus
and are not considered standard.
5.1 Flexibility Test Equipment, consisting of mandrels, that
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
is, cylindrical rods with circular cross sections having outside
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
diameters of 0.25 in. (6.4 mm) and 0.50 to 5 in. (12.7 to 127
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
mm) increasing in increments of 0.5 in. (12.7 mm). The
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
contacting faces of the rods shall be a minimum of 2.5 in. (63.5
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
mm) in length.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
5.2 Stand or Other Device, to firmly support the mandrel in
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
a horizontal position during the test.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
5.3 ConditioningArea,capableofmaintaining73.4 61.8°F
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
(23 6 1°C) and 50 6 5 % relative humidity.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
5.4 Die, Knife, or Similar Instrument to prepare test speci-
mens with uniform smooth edges.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
6. Test Specimen
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
6.1 The test specimens shall consist of a portion of the
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
material 2 6 0.05 in. (50 6 1.27 mm) wide and at least 9 in.
F141 Terminology Relating to Resilient Floor Coverings
(225 mm) long.
3. Terminology 6.2 Use a die, knife, or other similar instrument to prepare
the specimen and to produce uniform smooth edges. Do not
3.1 For definitions, refer to Terminology F141.
test specimens with nicked or fractured edges.
7. Conditioning
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeF06onResilient
7.1 Condition the test specimens for at least 24 h at 73.4 6
Floor Coverings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F06.20 on Test
Methods - Products Construction/Materials.
1.8°F (23 6 1°C) and 50 6 5 % relative humidity, and test in
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2018. Published October 2018. Originally
the same environment.Alternatively, testing may be performed
approved in 1971. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as F137-08 (2013). DOI:
at room temperature in an uncontrolled environment if carried
10.1520/F0137-08R18.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or out within 5 min.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
7.2 Specimens shall be conditioned on a flat surface. If
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. necessary, they can be weighted to remove all curvature.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F137 − 08 (2018)
TABLE 1 Precision Data
8. Procedure
NOTE 1—MaterialsAand B passed at the smallest mandrel with 100 %
8.1 Intheactualflexingofthespecimen,placethespecimen
agreement in test results.
over a mandrel with the wearing surface face out and the major
A B C D E
Materials Average Sr SR r R
axis of the specimen perpendicular to the major axis of the
Material A 0.25000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000
mandrel.
Material B 0.25000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000
Material C 1.13889 0.05893 0.20750 0.16499 0.58100
8.2 Bend the material around the mandrel at a uniform rate
Material D 0.41667 0.00000 0.12910 0.00000 0.36148
through a 180° angle while holding the specimen at each end.
Material E 0.90278 0.10206 0.27344 0.28577 0.76563
Take3to5sto complete the bend. Maintain a good contact
Material F 1.250000 0/13176 0.26960 0.36893 0.75489
between specimen and mandrel. Material G 1.27778 0.11785 0.28382 0.32998 0.79470
Material H 1.84722 0.13176 0.62491 0.36893 1.74974
8.3 Examine the specimen face visually in the bent position
A
Average is the numerical average of test results for all replicates from all
for breaks, cracks, or other damage at the completion of the
laboratories.
B
Sr is the within-laboratory standard deviation of the average.
bendingoperation.Whenrequiredbyth
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