ASTM D2394-17(2022)

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: D2394 − 17 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Test Methods for
Simulated Service Testing of Wood and Wood-Based Finish
Flooring
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2394; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope E72 Test Methods of Conducting Strength Tests of Panels
for Building Construction
1.1 These test methods cover procedures for measuring the
performance of finish flooring under the following service
3. Significance and Use
loadings and conditions:
3.1 The test methods presented herein are intended to
Section
providebothafactualandcomparativemeansofappraisingthe
Loading Tests
suitability of finish flooring. The procedures developed simu-
Concentrated Loading 7
Floor Surface Indentation from Small Area Loads 12
late some conditions of use that may require either mainte-
Falling-Ball Indentation 18
nance beyond that considered normal or replacement of the
Rolling Load 23
Mechanical Tests floor surface material.
Abrasion Resistance 28
3.2 It is important for some of the evaluations that the
Coefficient of Friction 33
Moisture Tests
substrate to be used beneath the finish flooring be duplicated
Surface Wetting 38
because the type and degree of support will have a direct
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
influenceonthevalueobtainedfromtest.Forexample,insome
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
present-day construction, low-density materials are used for
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
sound-deadening immediately below the finish flooring. The
and are not considered standard.
way this substrate distributes loading and absorbs energy will
have an influence on evaluations such as those in rolling and
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
concentrated loads.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.3 The test methods presented herein may be used to
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
compare different finish floorings as to their resistance to
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
severe and ordinary service loads and also may serve as the
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
means to set specification limits. The properties obtained by
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
thesetestmethodsareneededinadditiontosuchbasicmaterial
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
properties as stiffness, strength, hardness, and dimensional
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
stability.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3.4 All tests may not be required for any specific investiga-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
tion. There may be an interrelation between two tests, and
when it has been demonstrated what the interrelation is, a
2. Referenced Documents
complete evaluation is only required as a final stage of a study.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
In each instance, therefore, it is necessary to determine which
D1037 Test Methods for Evaluating Properties of Wood-
evaluations shall be made to fulfill the objectives.
Base Fiber and Particle Panel Materials
4. Test Specimens
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D07 on
4.1 The number of specimens to be chosen for test and the
Wood and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D07.01 on Fundamental
method of their selection depend on the variability of the finish
Test Methods and Properties.
flooring material and on the purpose of the particular tests
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2022. Published August 2022. Originally
under consideration, so no general rule can be given to cover
approved in 1965. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as D2394 – 05 (2017).
DOI: 10.1520/D2394-22.
all instances. It is recommended that, whenever possible,
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
sufficient replications be made to establish reliable mean
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
values. Even for the most simple evaluation, a replication of
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. three tests for each property is recommended.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D2394 − 17 (2022)
5. Control of Moisture Content and Temperature
5.1 Wood and wood-based materials are hygroscopic. The
moisture content at time of test will influence values obtained
from tests. Therefore, material for test shall be conditioned to
essentially constant weight at a condition of 65 6 5 % relative
humidity and a temperature of 68 °F 6 6 °F (20 °C 6 3 °C)
(Note 1 and Note 2). If there is any departure from this
recommended condition, it shall be so stated in the report. No
tests shall be made on any material when it is not essentially
stable in moisture content.
NOTE 1—In following the recommendation that the temperature be
NOTE 1—One inch equals 25.4 mm.
controlled to 68 °F 6 6 °F (20 °C 6 3 °C) it should be understood that it
FIG. 1 Layout of Specimens for Concentrated Load Test
is desirable to maintain the temperature as nearly constant as possible at
some temperature within this range.
NOTE 2—Requirements for temperature and relative humidity vary for
the end rounded to a radius of 0.05 in. (1.3 mm). The loading
different materials and different conditions of use. The condition above
meets the standard condition for wood and wood-based materials, and for tool shall be provided with a collar to engage the movable tip
finish flooring represents the near-maximum seasonal condition for most
of the micrometer dial for measuring deformation under load,
locations. The amount of damage from the various loadings is usually
andshallbefabricatedwithameansoffasteningittotheplaten
greater at higher moisture contents than at lower ones.
of the testing machine or loading device.
6. Report 9.1.2 Deformation Gauge—The deformation gauge shall
consist of a dial micrometer mounted on the three-point
6.1 The data recorded shall include, in addition to the actual
supported bridge.The dial micrometer shall be of the kind with
test results and data required specifically from each test, a
divisions of 0.001 in. (0.025 mm). The bridge shall be of
complete description of the material, sampling procedure, and
sufficient length so that the distance between the single-point
record of any special treatment or conditioning of the flooring
support and a line between the pair of point supports is at least
material.Any special details concerning the material under test
12 in. (305 mm). The bridge support shall have a slot in the
that may have a bearing on the results shall also be recorded.
center of its span of sufficient opening to clear the loading tool
to permit placing the micrometer directly adjacent to the disk
CONCENTRATED LOADING
loading tool with the stem end in contact with the collar.
7. Scope
9.1.3 Loading Device—Atesting machine with a platen area
sufficiently large to accommodate the 18 in. (457 mm) square
7.1 Specimens shall be subjected to the concentrated load-
or other suitable loading device convenient for loading and
ing test to obtain a measure of the resistance of the finish
measuring the amount of loading to 1000 lb (or 4.45 kN) at the
flooring to heavy loads produced by such articles of furniture
prescribed rate shall be provided.
as chests and pianos. This test procedure uses the same
9.1.4 An indentation measuring tool, as required for the
equipment and is essentially the same as the one described in
falling-ball indentation test (see 20.1.4) shall be provided for
Test Methods E72.
determining the residual indentation from the loading to
8. Test Specimen
1000 lb (4.45 kN) 1 h after removal of load.
8.1 The size of the test specimen will depend on the size of
10. Procedure
components making up the finish flooring, but shall be at least
18 in. (457 mm) square. When the finish flooring is prefabri- 10.1 Loading Points—Load points 1 and 2, for both square
or rectangular parquet or tile form finish flooring, are illus-
cated in parquet or tile form, the specimen shall consist of at
least four such tiles attached to an underlayment, subfloor, or tratedinFig.1.Loadpoint1forthetileformofflooringisnear
the corner, so that deformation under load at a corner can be
other substrate, using the same construction and technique as
will be used in the finished construction. When the flooring is determined. Load point 2 is provided to obtain an index of
manufactured in strip form, the flooring shall be laid in courses resistance to concentrated load at a point where the finish
over the subfloor and substrate so that end joints occur in the flooring can distribute the load because of its inherent stiffness.
same manner as in actual construction. At least two such end Load point 2 shall be at the approximate center of the tile area,
joints shall occur near midwidth in the center one-half of the and when using a 12 in. (305 mm) deformation bridge, the
specimen. Fig. 1 shows the orientation for typical specimens bridge can be placed along the diagonal. Load point 1 for strip
using square and strip configurations of flooring. flooring is to simulate the loading condition possible when the
concentrated load comes at or near an end joint. Load point 2
9. Apparatus
simulates the condition that exists when loading is on a
9.1 The apparatus shall be assembled as shown in Fig. 2 and continuous strip of flooring but there is a joint in the adjacent
shall conform in the requirements for component parts as course of flooring. When strip flooring is less than 2 in.
described in 9.1.1 – 9.1.4. (51 mm)wide,thepointofload2shallbecenteredonthestrip.
9.1.1 Steel Disk Loading Tool—The steel disk loading tool For other configurations of finish flooring, load point 1 shall
shall be 1 in. (25 mm) in diameter with the circumference of correspond to the one producing maximum deformation under
D2394 − 17 (2022)
FIG. 2 Assembly for Concentrated Loading Test of Finish Flooring
load and point 2 the more average condition. In each instance, FLOOR SURFACE INDENTATION
the 1 in. (25 mm) diameter loading disk shall be centered over FROM SMALL AREA LOADS
the dimensioned point.
12. Scope
10.2 Loading—Apply the load continuously at a uniform
rate of movement of the loading tool of 0.10 in. (2.5 mm)/min
12.1 Specimens shall be subjected to the “indentation dam-
(Note 3). Make at least ten simultaneous measurements of load
age from small area load test” to obtain a measure of the
and deformation between zero load and 1000 lb (4.45 kN)
resistance to sharp-edged small area loadings, such as stiletto
(Note 4).After the load of 1000 lb (4.45 kN) has been applied, heeled shoes, protruding nail heads on other shoes, and
it shall be removed immediately so that residual deformation
indentation damage from small, hard objects on the surface
can be determined. Record any observed behavior of either the either being stepped on or indented into the floor from rolling
finish flooring or the substrate during test.
loads. In some of these “point” loadings, unit stresses are
almost infinite. Some damage to the surface usually occurs.
NOTE 3—The testing machine speed used shall not vary by more than
The purpose of this evaluation is to compare by observing the
650 % from that specified for a given test. The testing machine speed
damage from this kind of loading, new finish flooring systems
shall mean the free-running, or no load, crosshead speed for testing
with those of established service performance, or two or more
machines of the mechanical-drive type and the loaded crosshead speed for
testing machines of the hydraulic-loading type.
floorings to determine which may have better service possi-
NOTE 4—For some evaluations of finish flooring where possible use is
bilities. Results obtained are qualitative rather than quantita-
in commercial buildings, concentrated load evaluations may be desirable
tive.
forloadsgreaterthan1000lb(4.45kN).Whenthisisso,thematerialshall
be loaded first as specified and then, after residual deformation has been
13. Test Specimen
obtained, reloaded to the higher maximum load or failure.
13.1 The test specimen shall be a composite of the various
10.3 Residual Deformation—One hour after the load has
been removed, measure the depth of residual indentation to the floorings being evaluated.When the number of materials being
evaluated exceeds the number that can be fabricated in a single
nearest 0.01 in. (0.25 mm), using the falling-ball indentation
measuring tool described in 20.1.4. specimen, the different materials shall be distributed so that a
representative number are included in each sample. Fig. 3
shows the specimen in position for test and the apparatus used
11. Report
for imposing the concentrated loads on the specimen. Speci-
11.1 The report shall include typical load-deformation
mens shall be approximately 9 in. (229 mm) wide and of any
curves for load points 1 and 2. Each deformation value for
convenient length, so that the number of finish floorings being
1000 lb (4.45 kN) loading, and residual after loading was
evaluatedcanbeaccommodated.Specimensshallbefabricated
removed, shall be presented. Any observations of behavior of
with the same substrate and in the same manner as is to be used
either finish flooring or substrate or failures shall also be
in the application of the finished floor. When strip floorings are
reported.
being evaluated, two sets of specimens shall be fabricated; one
with the long dimension of the pieces of flooring parallel to,
NOTE 5—Photographs showing the nature of residual indentation after
loading are beneficial. and one with the long direction of the flooring across the
D2394 − 17 (2022)
FIG. 3 Assembly for Tests of Floor-Surface Indentation from Small-Area Loads, Showing Loaded Maple Roller Studded with Boot
Caulks and Specimens Firmly Supported on Heavy Beam
direction of movement of the studded roller. Cleats shall be 16. Interpretation of Results
provided to prevent sliding of the specimens.
16.1 At the end of 100 trips, the damage to the different
finish flooring samples shall be compared. The amounts of
14. Apparatus
damage shall be classified as none to minor, moderate, severe,
14.1 The apparatus shall be assembled as shown in Fig. 3
and complete. The complete classification would be, in the
and shall conform in the requirements for component parts as
judgment of the investigator, so severe that replacement would
described in 14.1.1 – 14.1.3.
be necessary if that kind of damage occurred in an actual
14.1.1 Base—The base shall be a rigid supported unit that
installation.
will not deflect measurably under the rolling load. The surface
17. Report
of the base shall be slightly wider than the surface of the
specimen, as is shown in Fig. 3.
17.1 The report shall include a complete description of the
14.1.2 Roller—The roller shall be a hard maple (or equiva-
finish flooring, substrate, and method of attaching the finish
lent) cylinder 3 ⁄16 in. (97 mm) in diameter and approximately
flooring to the substrate. Any slivering or other disintegration
18 in. (457 mm) long. The roller shall be studded with boot
of the flooring surface beyond just denting shall be noted and
caulks (approximately 0.15 in. (4 mm) in diameter and
the classification of the damage shall be reported. Photographs
projecting approximately 0.2 in. (5 mm), including collar, from
of actual tested specimens (Fig. 4) are desirable and shall be
surface of roller) 1 in. (25 mm) on center around the circum-
considered in reporting. In Fig. 4, material G can be considered
ference for an 8 in. (203 mm) width. Alternate rows of studs
typical of a specimen showing none to minor damage; J is
shallbestaggered.Theendsoftherollershallbeprovidedwith
moderate, H severe, and material I probably would be consid-
arms for rolling it along the specimen and, either through
ered to be complete.
trunnions or an axle with bearings and straps, provide a means
for attaching the superimposed load on the specimen.
FALLING-BALL INDENTATION
14.1.3 Superimposed Load—The superimposed load shall
18. Scope
total 200 lb (890 N). This shall be in addition to the weight of
roller, straps, and bearings and shall be divided equally on both
18.1 Specimens shall be subjected to the falling-ball inden-
ends of roller.
tation test to obtain a measure of the resistance of a finish
flooringtoimpactsfromdroppedobjects.Inthisprocedure,the
15. Procedure
indentation-heights of drop data are plotted and a line drawn
15.1 Move the roller over the surface by rotation (force through the plotted points. The slope of this line, amount of
applied to arms) for 100 trips.Atrip is defined as a single pass indentation for a prescribed height of drop, and damage to the
from one end of the specimen to the other. Forward and back surface beyond indentation are values used as criteria. Each
are two trips. drop is made at a different location on the surface.
D2394 − 17 (2022)
FIG. 5 Apparatus for Falling-Ball Indentation Test for Wood or
FIG. 4 Appearance of Finish Flooring Specimens After 100 Trips
Wood-Based Finish Flooring
with Caulk-Studded Roller
19. Test Specimen
reaches a preset height. If such a unit is not provided, some
19.1 The specimen shall be of any convenient size, in the
means must be provided to accurately measure and set the
same thickness as is to be used in the finished floor, but large
distance from the surface of the specimen to the bottom of the
enough (Note 6) so that twelve drops of the falling ball may be
ball at the desired increments of 6 in. (152 mm).
made without the value for indentation for one height of drop
20.1.4 Indentation Measuring Device—The measuring de-
being influenced by another, or by being too close to the edge
vice shall be assembled from the components listed in 20.1.4.1
of the specimen. This means that a minimum area of about
– 20.1.4.3. An example is shown in Fig. 5.
2 2
100 in. (0.065 m ) is required. In this test, the specimens are
20.1.4.1 A hollow cylinder with approximately the follow-
not backed by the underlayment or other substrate. The
ing dimensions: outside diameter of barrel 1 ⁄16 in. (49 mm),
11 1
indentation is obtained with a minimum of energy absorption
base 1 ⁄16 in. (43 mm), height of base, outside ⁄2 in. (12 mm),
1 3
by any other component than the finished flooring.
inside ⁄4 in. (6 mm); inside diameter of barrel ⁄8 in. (9.5 mm)
(to accommodate collar of micrometer), base 1 ⁄16 in. (30 mm);
NOTE 6—These impact points should be approximately 2 in. (51 mm)
and overall height 2 ⁄8 in. (54 mm).
apart. When flooring is in strip form or in small tile, it may be necessary
to use two or more pieces to satisfy that requirement. If so, they should be 20.1.4.2 A dial micrometer of the type with graduations of
selected to be as nearly alike as possible.
0.001 in. (0.025 mm), with a stem of sufficient length so
indentations of about ⁄4 in. (6 mm) can be measured.
20. Apparatus
20.1.4.3 The tip (anvil) of the micrometer shall be the
20.1 The equipment suitable for measuring the falling-ball 13
standard rounded one, ⁄64 in (5 mm) diameter, with the
impact resistance is shown in Fig. 5. Essential parts are
spherical end surface of ⁄64 in. (4.4 mm) radius.
described in 20.1.1 – 20.1.4.
20.1.1 Ball—The impacting unit is a 2 in. (51 mm) diameter 21. Procedure
steel ball weighing 1.18 lb (535 g) (Note 7).
21.1 Increments of Drop—The height of the drops shall
progress in increments of 6 in. (152 mm). Make the initial drop
NOTE 7—A suitable ball may be a bearing ball of that diameter.
from 6 in. (152 mm) (measured from the surface of the
20.1.2 Base—The base shall be flat and smooth, of heavy
specimen to the bottom of the steel ball). Make each drop at a
mass, rigidly supported, oriented so the top surface is
fresh, undisturbed location on the surface of the specimen at
horizontal, and preferably of steel.
least 2 in. (51 mm) from any previous indentation. Catch the
20.1.3 Holding and Release Mechanism—The mechanism
steel ball on the rebound after each drop, so that each
for positioning and holding the steel ball until released at
indentation is the result of a single impact. Make drops up to a
desired height of drop shall be such that at release of the ball
height of 6 ft (1.8 m).
no horizontal motion is imparted. The free fall of the ball must
be vertical. Shown in Fig. 5 is an electromagnetic unit with an 21.2 Indentation Measurements—Set the dial of the inden-
electric switch that releases when the magnetic head unit tationmeasuringtoolatzerobyplacingitataboutfivedifferent
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