ISO 604 Compressive Properties of Plastics

ISO 604 compression testing of plastics

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ISO 604 is an international standardized test method used to determine the compressive properties of rigid and semi-rigid thermoplastic or thermoset materials. Using compression platens to apply a force, the properties obtained are compressive strength, strain at compressive strength, compressive yield stress, and if required, modulus. ISO 604 is used alongside its tensile test standard equivalent, ISO 527, which together provide the fundamental material properties of polymers that are found in every industry and even every household around the globe.

Materials Testing System

Depending on the maximum expected forces, ISO 604 can be performed on either a single column or dual column universal testing machine such as those available in Instron's 6800 or 3400 Series. Compression platens with integral spherical seats are ideal for ensuring platen to platen parallelism, which is a requirement within ISO 604. 




ISO 604 Test Setup
3400 Series Universal Testing System
Bluehill Universal Software
2530 Series Load Cell
2501 Series Compression Platens

 

ISO 604 plastic compression
ISO 604 Platens and Accessories 

Depending on your application, the following fixtures are commonly used for ISO 604 testing: 

Strain MeasurementThe preferred method of measuring strain when performing ISO 604 testing is by fixing an extensometer to the platens or the specimen itself. The instrument used must have 1% accuracy or better over the region it is being used. The LVDT is the recommended strain device for ease of use, but alternatively a small gauge length (0.5 inch or less) clip-on extensometer that will fit between the platens can be used during a modulus test. However, the preferred specimen dimensions of a compressive strength test do not allow for the use of a clip-on extensometer. If not using an extensometer, nominal compressive strain is to be measured using the distance between the platens and the test frame’s crosshead position. When calculating nominal strain, machine compliance must be corrected out of the frame’s displacement measurement. A complete explanation of compliance correction can be found in an annex of ISO 604 as well as this Instron whitepaper.



ISO 604 Accessories
Self-Aligning Spherical Seat
Anti-Buckling Support Jig
2601-04x Series LVDT

 

ISO 604 test fixtures
Helpful Tips and Tricks
  • The ISO 604 method is included in the Plastics test method suite in Bluehill Universal.
  • If the specimen is too thin, an anti-buckling support jig should be used to prevent the specimen from buckling.
  • If reporting the modulus calculation, make sure the extensometer and load cell are both verified in the range where the calculation is being made. Labs commonly make the error of reporting calculations outside of the verified range of their devices.
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