ISO 4900:2011

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 4900
Second edition
2011-11-15
Textile glass — Mats and fabrics —
Determination of contact mouldability
Verre textile — Mats et tissus — Détermination de l’aptitude au moulage
au contact
Reference number
©
ISO 2011
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Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the International
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 4900 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 61, Plastics, Subcommittee SC 13, Composites and
reinforcement fibres.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 4900:1990), of which it constutes a minor
revision designed to specify more clearly how many specimens are tested, in which directions they are cut out
of the sample and how the results are calculated in each case.
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 4900:2011(E)
Textile glass — Mats and fabrics — Determination of contact
mouldability
1 Scope
This International Standard specifies a method for the determination of the contact mouldability of textile glass
mats and fabrics.
NOTE The hand lay-up method of moulding is generally not regarded as lending itself to objective determinations.
However, if the process is carried out by the same operator, useful comparisons can be drawn between results obtained
with different mats or fabrics.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document
(including any amendments) applies.
ISO 291, Plastics — Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
mouldability of a textile glass mat (fabric)
ease with which the mat (fabric), when it is wetted out with resin, can be made to conform permanently to a
mould of specified configuration
4 Principle
The mould is in the form of steps as indicated in Figure 1, with progressively decreasing radii of the peaks and
valleys of the mould.
A rectangular strip of mat or fabric is laid up on the mould and the minimum radius at which the mat or fabric
conforms to the contour is recorded as the mouldability. The time taken to perform the test is also recorded.
5 Conditioning and testing atmosphere
Condition the test specimens for at least 6 h in one of the standard laboratory atmospheres specified in
ISO 291. Carry out the test under the same conditions.
6 Apparatus and materials
6.1 Radius mould, as shown in Figure 1, with the specified radii marked at each ridge.
The mould shall be made from glass-fibre-reinforced plastic.
6.2 Standard “hand lay-up” polyester resin (to be agreed between the supplier and the purchaser),
incorporating methyl ethyl ketone peroxide catalyst and cobalt naphthenate accelerator, to give a pot life of
approximately 30 min at the specified test temperature.
6.3 Balance, accurate to 0,1 g.
6.4 Stop-watch, graduated in seconds.
6.5 Bristle paint brush, 50 mm in width, with bristles 50 mm to 60 mm in length.
6.6 Sharp knife.
6.7 Mould release agent.
7 Procedure
7.1 Preparation of the mould
Keep the mould as clean as possible. Before each test, coat the surface of the mould with mould release agent.
After every test, remove all excess resin using solvent and/or a plastic scraper (not a sharp metal one whi
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