Overview
EN ISO 10619-3:2011 specifies a standardized laboratory method for measuring the flexibility and stiffness of rubber and plastics hoses and tubing by means of bending tests at high and low temperatures. The procedure determines bending characteristics including the force required for bending over a temperature range of −60 °C to +200 °C. Because of the test apparatus geometry, the method is applicable to hoses and tubing with internal diameters up to 12.5 mm.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and limits
- Applies to small-diameter rubber and plastics hoses and tubing (ID ≤ 12.5 mm).
- Temperature range: −60 °C to +200 °C.
- Apparatus essentials
- Compression testing machine with moving jaw travel rate of 100 mm/min (chart recorder recommended).
- Twin channel-shaped holders with end stops to mount test pieces.
- Thermostatically controlled environmental chamber fitted to the test machine for conditioning and testing at specified temperatures.
- Test pieces and conditioning
- Tests performed on sets of two equal-length hose pieces; typically three sets per hose unless otherwise specified.
- No testing within 24 h of manufacture; condition samples for 5 hours in the environmental chamber at the test temperature.
- Test procedure
- Measure outside diameter (D) in unstressed condition (three readings per test piece).
- Mount sample and apply force until twice the specified bend radius is reached; divide the measured force by two to obtain the bending force for a single test piece.
- Measure the smallest outside diameter in the curved region (T) - six readings recommended.
- For sub-ambient conditioned samples, complete the bending operation within 8–12 s; for elevated temperatures, within 5 s.
- Result expression and reporting
- Key metric: T/D ratio (T = outside diameter at minimum bend radius; D = outside diameter unstressed).
- Test report must include reference to ISO 10619-3:2011, test method, hose description and specification, test temperature, D, T, T/D, bending force, observations (kinking, irregularities), conformity with permitted deformation, and date.
Applications and users
- Used by hose and tubing manufacturers for product development and specification compliance.
- Adopted in quality control and type testing to assess low- and high-temperature performance (flexibility, stiffness).
- Employed by independent testing laboratories, R&D teams and industry sectors where small-diameter hoses are critical - e.g., automotive components, instrumentation lines, hydraulics, aerospace and medical tubing (where applicable specifications reference this method).
Related standards
- EN ISO 10619 series:
- Part 1 - Bending tests at ambient temperature
- Part 2 - Bending tests at sub-ambient temperatures
- Normative references cited: ISO 4671, ISO 8330, ISO 23529
Keywords: EN ISO 10619-3:2011, bending tests, rubber and plastics hoses, flexibility, stiffness, T/D ratio, high and low temperature testing, hose test method.
