Overview
ISO 132:2017 - Rubber, vulcanized or thermoplastic - Determination of flex cracking and crack growth (De Mattia) defines a comparative test method to assess how vulcanized and thermoplastic rubbers resist crack initiation and crack propagation under repeated flexing. The method uses a De Mattia type machine to cyclically bend moulded strip specimens and, for crack-growth tests, an artificial cut in the groove to start propagation. The standard is intended for laboratory comparison of compounds and products with reasonably stable stress–strain behaviour.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Test machine (De Mattia type):
- Reciprocating travel 57 mm; driven to give 5.00 Hz ± 0.17 Hz.
- Grips hold strips with parallel surfaces and straight reciprocating motion.
- Option to enclose machine for controlled test temperatures (±2 °C near specimen).
- Test specimens:
- Moulded strip with a central half-round groove (radius 2.38 mm ± 0.03 mm).
- For crack-growth tests, a piercing tool makes a single insertion cut through the groove; pierced depth 2.5–3 mm.
- Minimum three, preferably six, specimens per compound; mount different compounds together when comparing.
- Timing and conditioning:
- Minimum time between vulcanization and testing: 16 h (non-product tests: up to 4 weeks for comparability).
- Condition specimens per ISO 23529; when testing at non-standard temperatures, equilibrate for 3 h at test temperature.
- Environment and calibration:
- Control of temperature and humidity per ISO 23529; some rubbers (e.g., fluororubbers, polyurethanes) are humidity-sensitive.
- Avoid ozone sources (prefer ambient ozone