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Foam Testing Services

Our customers test foam to evaluate conformance to a specification, to compare multiple materials, or to determine the properties of foam. Stork experts can evaluate foam alone, or as part of a complete product evaluation. Foam testing is often conducted in association with product flammability testing or product durability testing. Stork provides independent testing services to the mattress and furniture industries. 

ASTM D3574, "Standard Test Methods for Flexible Cellular Materials – Slab, Bonded, and Molded Urethane Foams," is the most commonly referenced test method for urethane foam, and the standard contains several individual test methods for determining various properties of flexible cellular materials. 

Some of the most common foam tests include:

  • Density. Determines the weight (mass) of a specific volume of foam.  Commonly reported at lbs/ft3.
  • Indentation Force Deflection. Evaluation of the firmness of the foam, and the support provided, at 25% compression, 65% compression, or others.
  • Compression Set. Evaluation of the thickness recovery of foam after exposure to time and temperature in a compressed state.
  • Tensile Strength. Measures the tensile breaking strength and elongation of foam specimens.
  • Tear Resistance. Determines propensity to continue a tear.
  • Resilience (Ball Rebound) Test. Measures the rebound height of a steel ball dropped onto the surface.
  • Durability and Fatigue Testing. Various fatigue tests are used to evaluate the thickness change.
  • Accelerated Aging. Various accelerated aging exposures are used to determine the change in material properties.
Examples of additional standard test methods applicable to foam:
  • ASTM D1055: "Standard Specifications for Flexible Cellular Materials—Latex Foam."
  • FMVSS 302: Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard for Flammability of Interior Materials
  • CA TB 116: California Bureau of Home Furnishings’ Requirements:  Requirements, Test Procedure and Apparatus for Testing the Flame Retardance of Upholstered Furniture.
  • CA TB 117: California Bureau of Home Furnishings’ Requirements: Test Procedure and Apparatus for Testing the Flame Retardance of Resilient Filling Materials Used in Upholstered Furniture.
  • CA TB 604 (Draft): California Bureau of Home Furnishings’ Requirements: Test Procedure and Apparatus for the Flame Resistance of Filled Bedclothing.

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    Examples of test methods applicable to foam products:
  • ASTM F1566: "Standard Test Methods for Evaluation of Innersprings, Boxsprings, Mattresses or Mattress Sets."   Includes tests for Hexagonal Roller; Cornell Test; Mattress Firmness.
  • 16 CFR 1633: Standard for the Flammability (Open Flame) of Mattress Sets [Federally mandated open flame test]
  • 16 CFR 1632: Standard for the Flammability of Mattresses and Mattress Pads (FF 4-72 Amended). [Federally mandated cigarette ignition test]
  • CA TB 129: California Technical Bulletin 129, California Bureau of Home Furnishings’ Test Method: "Flammability Test Procedure for Mattresses for Use in Public Buildings"

    • Want to learn more about foam testing or other services we offer? Send us your question for a quick response. 

    Foam testing services at Stork

    Stork locations offering Foam Testing services:

  • Stork Twin City Testing Corporation - St. Paul, MN


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