1、 FORD LABORATORY TEST METHOD BN 157-01 Date Action Revisions 2001 11 30 Activated J W Williams Printed copies are uncontrolled Page 1 of 3 Copyright 2001, Ford Global Technologies, Inc. DETERMINATION OF LEATHER SOFTNESS Application This test method defines a procedure for the determination of leathe
2、r softness, applicable to hides and cut parts, in all leather types, used in trim and seating applications. Apparatus and Materials Required ST-300 Leather Softness Tester Using 25mm diameter (nominal) aperture (see diagram in Appendix A). Supplier: MSA Engineering Systems Limited 41 Lower Slack Wai
3、nstalls Halifax West Yorkshire HX2 7TJ United Kingdom Sole worldwide agents for the ST-300 Leather Softness Tester. Conditioning and Test Conditions All test values indicated herein are based on material conditioned in a controlled atmosphere of 23 +/- 2 C and 50 +/- 5 % relative humidity for not le
4、ss than 24 h prior to testing and tested under the same conditions unless otherwise specified. Specimens Cut parts or full hides may be used; sampling should be representative as detailed in the Calculation and Report section. Procedure 1. The leather sample is placed over the circular aperture, ens
5、uring that the aperture is completely covered to allow effective clamping. FORD LABORATORY TEST METHOD BN 157-01 Page 2 of 3 Copyright 2001, Ford Global Technologies, Inc. 2. Lower the top arm using the operating lever to retract the load-pin. Press down on the lever, so locking the leather in posit
6、ion, with an audible click. 3. Release the operating lever, allowing the load-pin to lower onto the leather and to apply a force of 4.91N (a 500g mass). 4. The load-pin deflects the leather; this deflection is displayed on the dial gauge in millimeters. 5. Allow a minimum dwell time of 30 seconds th
7、en allow the reading on the gauge to stabilize and record. 6. Press the top arm release button to release the clamp, to allow the removal of the leather. Note: At the beginning of each test period, the zero correction should be ascertained. Place the rigid metal plate supplied with the gauge on the
8、bottom leather clamp and follow steps 2-5 above. Adjust gauge to read zero in this position or add zero correction measured to the results obtained on test samples. Calculation and Report Cut Parts Two measurements shall be taken, one each at opposite ends of the long axis of the part. The reported
9、value for the part shall be the mean of the two measurements. Acceptance criteria will be detailed on the relevant Material Specification or on the Engineering Drawing. Full Hides Five measurements shall be taken around the hide, in the following locations: The reported value shall be the mean of th
10、ese five measurements. Acceptance criteria will be detailed in the relevant Material Specification or on the Engineering Drawing. FORD LABORATORY TEST METHOD BN 157-01 Page 3 of 3 Copyright 2001, Ford Global Technologies, Inc. Appendix A The ST-300 Softness Tester Cross Sectional View of the Working Head of the Apparatus
