MECHANICAL TESTING

Compression Testing of Rigid Plastic - ASTM D695

The ASTM D695 test examines the compressive properties of reinforced and unreinforced rigid plastics through a process of straining and loading the plastic at a relatively low rate of compression.

Sample preparation is critical and all machining operations should be done carefully to ensure smooth surfaces. The machining of ends are particularly important to ensure they are smooth, flat and parallel with sharp and clean edges. Samples can be prepared carefully by the customer or Touchstone.

Testing is done by placing a small specimen of plastic (typically a prism 0.5 by 0.5 by 1 in. or a cylinder with a diameter of 0.5 in. and a length of 1 in.) between two hardened blocks and slowly compressing it until the point of fracture. Some of the results of this test include compressive strength, compressive yield strength, offset yield strength, and modulus of elasticity.

Reference: ASTM D695 – Standard Method for Compressive Properties of Rigid Plastic

ASTM D 695

Index of Mechanical Testing