These fatigue tests are used to determine the effect of processing, surface condition, stress, and so forth, on the fatigue resistance of plastic material subjected to flexural stress for relatively large numbers of cycles. The results can also be used as a guide for the selection of plastic materials for service under conditions of repeated flexural stress.

Properties can vary with specimen depth and test frequency. Test frequency can be 1-25 Hz but it is recommended that a frequency of 5 Hz or less be used.

Material response in fatigue is not identical for all plastics. If a plastic does not exhibit an elastic region, where strain is reversible, plastic deformation will occur during fatigue testing, causing the amplitude of the programmed load or deformation to change during testing. In this situation, caution shall be taken when using the results for design as they are generally not indicative of the true fatigue properties of the material.

The results of these fatigue tests are suitable for application in design only when the specimen test conditions realistically simulate service conditions or some methodology of accounting for service conditions is available and clearly defined.

This procedure accommodates various specimen preparation techniques. Comparison of results obtained from specimens prepared in different manners shall not be considered comparable unless equivalency has been demonstrated.

1.1 This test method covers the determination of dynamic full reversed fatigue properties of plastics in flexure. This method is applicable to rigid and semi-rigid plastics. Stress and strain levels are below the proportional limit of the material where the strains and stresses are relatively elastic. Three-point or four-point bending systems are used to determine these properties.

1.2 This test method can be used with two procedures:

1.2.1 Procedure A, designed for materials that use three-point loading systems to determine flexural strength. Three-point loading system is used for this procedure.

1.2.2 Procedure B, designed for materials that use four-point loading systems to determine flexural strength. Four-point loading system is used for this procedure.

1.3 Comparative tests can be run in accordance with either procedure, provided that the procedure is found satisfactory for the material being tested.

1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values provided in parentheses are for information only.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

Note 1—This standard and ISO 13003 address the same subject matter, but differ in technical content and results cannot be directly compared between the two test methods.