1、 FORD LABORATORY TEST METHOD BN 162-01 Date Action Revisions Rev. 0 2011 03 30 Activated S.Stanciu, FNA Printed copies are uncontrolled Copyright 2011, Ford Global Technologies, LLC Page 1 of 7 BALLY FLEX TEST FOR AUTOMOTIVE SEAT COVER MATERIALS Application This procedure is used to determine the re
2、sistance to flexing of automotive trim materials such as polymeric film coated fabric and/or leather. Scope A specimen is mounted by clamping one end in the upper clamp of the flexing machine with the grain surface folded inwards so that the surfaces touch and the fold line is horizontal, then the l
3、oose end is turned inside out and bent 90 before being inserted in the lower clamp. In the lower clamp the specimen is held inside surface to inside surface and the fold line is vertical. Oscillation of the upper clamp during the test causes the point of transition from inward to outward fold to run
4、 up and down the specimen. The method is based on ASTM D6182 and ISO 5402 (Note 1). Apparatus Required Bally Flexometer SATRA Model STM 701 or equivalent device (see Fig.1) which will produce a flexing motion as described above. Correlation between various types of machines may be required. Magnifie
5、r glass, 6x +/- 1x magnification 12.5 mm diameter mandrel Specimen cutting die of 45 mm x 69 mm for SATRA STM 701 (see Note 1). Chemicals, materials, parts, and equipment referenced in this document must be used and handled properly. Each party is responsible for determining proper use and handling
6、in its facilities. Fig 1 FORD LABORATORY TEST METHOD BN 162-01 Printed copies are uncontrolled Copyright 2011, Ford Global Technologies, LLC Page 2 of 7 Note 1: For other type of machines the length of the specimen may vary due to the bottom clamp height and/or distance between upper and lower clamp
7、s. Use Table 1 at the end of the document to estimate the length of the specimen so that the required alignment of the specimen with the bottom of the lower clamp as described in the sample mounting procedure can be achieved. Conditioning and Test Conditions All test values indicated herein are base
8、d on material conditioned in a controlled atmosphere of 23 +/- 2 C and 50 +/- 5% relative humidity for not less than 24 h prior to testing and tested under the same conditions unless otherwise specified. Procedure 1. Cut out test specimens with the long dimension parallel to the filling or width (fo
9、r vinyls only - other materials as specified in the Engineering Materials Specifications) of the material and not closer than 10 % of the full width of the material to an edge or selvage. 2. By the means of machines Jog button, adjust the upper clamp to the horizontal position i.e the clamps are in
10、their forward position. 3. Fold each specimen grain or outer/face side inwards along the centre line, so that the two longer edges are brought together. 4. Insert one end of the folded specimen into the end of the upper clamp in such way that the fold line is horizontal and rests on the ledge and th
11、e end of the specimen touches the screw (Fig. 2 and 3). 5. Tighten the clamping screw so that the test specimen is gripped firmly along the front edge. Fig. 2 Fig. 3 FORD LABORATORY TEST METHOD BN 162-01 Printed copies are uncontrolled Copyright 2011, Ford Global Technologies, LLC Page 3 of 7 6. Fol
12、d the specimen inside out around the top clamp (at 90 angle) so that it is again folded along the center line but this time with the grain or outer face outward. The center fold will now be vertical and the two longer edges will again be brought together (Fig. 4). 7. Apply just sufficient hand tensi
13、on to the specimen so that is taut and there is no obvious bagginess around the top clamp. Insert the lower end of the test specimen in the bottom clamp with the fold vertical as judged by the eye, and clamp it firmly so that the specimen is not loose but not under tension either. The end of the spe
14、cimen should be even with the bottom of the lower clamp. 8. Load the remaining test stations that are being used in the same way. 9. Set the counter to the number of flexes required and start the test. If during the flexing the machine needs to be stopped for any length of time, make sure that the m
15、oveable clamps are near the bottom of their oscillation so that the test pieces are not held taut. If intermediate evaluations are required, the lower clamp placement must be first marked on specimen to ensure its placement in the same location when re-loaded for additional testing. This will preven
16、t any additional stretch of the material from loading and unloading. Evaluation Criteria The specimens should be wrapped over a 1.25 cm dia mandrel and then reviewed under 6x1x magnifications. Rating: 1 No damage (see Figs. 5 & 6) 2 Discoloration or thin cracks in the top finish coat only (see Figs.
17、 7 & 8) 3 Cracks into base coats (Fig. 9). 4 Cracks large enough to see the fabric/leather substrate below (Fig. 10) 5 Finish cracks and peels back or flakes off (Fig. 11). All pictures were taken at approx. 6x magnifications. If one out of 3 specimens per orientation is borderline to the pass/fail
18、criteria, two additional specimens should be evaluated and the ratings reported. Fig. 4 Flexed area length Mark on the specimen the lower clamp placement as indicated FORD LABORATORY TEST METHOD BN 162-01 Printed copies are uncontrolled Copyright 2011, Ford Global Technologies, LLC Page 4 of 7 EXAMP
19、LES OF RATING 1 Fig. 5 Rating 1 on PVC coated fabric Fig. 6 Rating 1 on leather FORD LABORATORY TEST METHOD BN 162-01 Printed copies are uncontrolled Copyright 2011, Ford Global Technologies, LLC Page 5 of 7 EXAMPLES OF RATING 2 Fig. 7 Rating 2 on PVC coated fabric Fig. 8 Rating 2 on leather Surface
20、 cracks Surface cracks FORD LABORATORY TEST METHOD BN 162-01 Printed copies are uncontrolled Copyright 2011, Ford Global Technologies, LLC Page 6 of 7 EXAMPLE OF RATING 3 EXAMPLE OF RATING 4 Fig. 9 Rating 3 on PVC coated fabric Fig. 10 Rating 4 on PVC coated fabric Cracks through PVC layers Cracks a
21、ll way through. Backing fabric visible FORD LABORATORY TEST METHOD BN 162-01 Printed copies are uncontrolled Copyright 2011, Ford Global Technologies, LLC Page 7 of 7 EXAMPLE OF RATING 5 Table 1 Insertion of the test specimen in the clamps Bottom clamp Specimen Upper clamp Fig. 11 Rating 5 on PVC coated fabric
