Flexural Test Methods for Plastics: ISO 178 and JIS K 7171

Description

Resin materials (plastics) are found in a wide variety of items used on a daily basis. Recently, plastics have started to be used as structural materials in transportation equipment, such as automobiles and aircraft, due to their strength and light-weight nature. In these applications, it is important to understand the mechanical strength properties of these plastics. Testing the flexural properties (bending properties) of plastics and other resin materials are covered in ISO 178 and JIS K 7171. These methods include calculations for the mechanical properties and accuracy specifications for the measuring systems used. The ASTM standard for flexural testing of plastics, ASTM D790, has slightly different requirements compared with ISO 178 and JIS K7171, which are essentially the same. For more information about ASTM D790, please click here.