Overview
ISO 9054:1990 - “Cellular plastics, rigid - Test methods for self‑skinned, high‑density materials” specifies basic, standardized test procedures for determining the physical properties of rigid cellular plastics that have an integral surface skin or relatively uniform high density (typically overall density > 100 kg/m3). The standard defines specimen preparation and conditioning rules, primary test methods for material comparison, and permits agreement between supplier and purchaser to adapt test thicknesses for different product forms.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope: Tests apply to self‑skinned, high‑density rigid cellular plastics and are intended for material characterization and comparison.
- Specimens & conditioning:
- Test specimens are to be tested in the thickness “as produced” or as agreed.
- Conditioning in standard atmospheres (ISO 291); preferred conditions 23 °C ±2 °C, 50 % ±5 % RH (tropical 27 °C ±2 °C, 65 % ±5 % RH).
- Minimum 16 h conditioning after cutting; specimens tested with skins intact.
- Primary test methods covered (references to ISO/IEC methods):
- Apparent (bulk) density (ISO 845)
- Bending strength and deflection (ISO 178)
- Impact strength - falling dart/instrumented puncture (ISO 6603‑1 / ISO 6603‑2)
- Tensile properties (ISO 1926)
- Shear strength (ISO 1922)
- Surface hardness (Shore) (ISO 868)
- Thermal conductance (ISO 8301 / ISO 8302)
- Linear thermal expansion (ISO 4897)
- Deflection under load and temperature (ISO 75)
- Dielectric strength (IEC 243)
- Burning behaviour (as required by national practice)
- Screw retention (Annex A): normative procedure for direct screw withdrawal including specimen sizes, a 25 mm No.10 wood screw threaded 17 mm into a predrilled 2.8 mm lead hole, test speed 1.5 mm/min, and reporting requirements.
- Test reporting: required information includes reference to ISO 9054, material identification and source, manufacturing process and setup, specimen dimensions, conditioning details, mean results with standard deviation, deviations from standard methods, observed peculiarities and test date.
Applications and users
- Who uses it: material suppliers, manufacturers (RIM, injection moulding, extrusion, casting), QA/test laboratories, product designers, specifiers and purchasers comparing rigid cellular plastics.
- Practical uses:
- Comparative evaluation of self‑skinned high‑density foam products.
- Contractual acceptance testing between supplier and purchaser.
- Product development, performance verification and troubleshooting (mechanical, thermal, electrical properties).
- Supplier declarations and technical data sheet validation.
Related standards
ISO 9054 references and aligns with other standards including ISO 845, ISO 178, ISO 6603‑1/2, ISO 1922, ISO 1926, ISO 868, ISO 8301/8302, ISO 4897, ISO 75 and IEC 243 - consult these for detailed test procedures.
