ASTM D953-02

This bearing strength test for plastics is intended to apply in the specification of various thermoplastic or thermosetting products in sheet form where rivets, bolts, or similar fastenings are to be used in joining members or sections. It also is intended to apply wherever sheet materials of the classes indicated are required to sustain edgewise loads that are applied by means of pins or rods of circular cross section which pierce the sheet perpendicular to the surface.

The purpose of the test is to determine the bearing strength of the material and to show the bearing stress versus the deformation of the hole. The allowable deformation of the hole in the material should be such as to produce no looseness of joints.

While it is a known fact that higher strength materials will generally give higher bearing strengths, there is no satisfactory method by which bearing strength may be estimated from tensile or compressive properties of the material.

Before proceeding with this test method, reference should be made to the specification of the material being tested. Any test specimen preparation, conditioning, dimensions or testing parameters or combination thereof covered in the relevant ASTM materials specification shall take precedence over those in this test method. If there are no relevant ASTM material specifications then the default conditions apply.

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the bearing strength of rigid plastics in either sheet or molded form. Procedure A is applicable for tension loading and Procedure B for compression loading.

1.2 Test data obtained by this test method is relevant and appropriate for use in engineering design.

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

1.4 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.