EN ISO 604:2003

Foreword
1 Scope
2 Normative references
3 Terms and definitions
4 Principle
5 Apparatus
6 Test specimens
7 Number of test specimens
8 Conditioning of test specimens
9 Test procedure
10 Calculation and expression of results
11 Precision
12 Test report
Annex A (normative) - Small test specimens
Annex B (informative) - Limits of buckling
Annex C (normative) - Compliance correction
Bibliography
Annex ZA (normative) - Normative references to international
                       publications with their relevant
                       European publications

This International Standard specifies a method for determining the compressive properties of plastics under definedconditions. A standard test specimen is defined but its length may be adjusted to prevent buckling under load fromaffecting the results. A range of test speeds is included.The method is used to investigate the compressive behaviour of the test specimens and for determining thecompressive strength, compressive modulus and other aspects of the compressive stress/strain relationship underthe conditions defined.The method applies to the following range of materials: rigid and semi-rigid [1] thermoplastic moulding and extrusion materials, including compounds filled andreinforced by e.g. short fibres, small rods, plates or granules in addition to unfilled types; rigid and semi-rigidthermoplastic sheet; rigid and semi-rigid thermoset moulding materials, including filled and reinforced compounds; rigid and semirigidthermoset sheet; thermotropic liquid-crystal polymers.In agreement with ISO 10350-1 and ISO 10350-2, this International Standard applies to fibre-reinforcedcompounds with fibre lengths u 7,5 mm prior to processing.The method is not normally suitable for use with materials reinforced by textile fibres (see references [2] and [5]),fibre-reinforced plastic composites and laminates (see [5]), rigid cellular materials (see [3]) or sandwich structurescontaining cellular material or rubber (see [4]).The method is performed using specimens which may be moulded to the chosen dimensions, machined from thecentral portion of a standard multipurpose test specimen (see ISO 3167) or machined from finished or semifinishedproducts such as mouldings or extruded or cast sheet.The method specifies preferred dimensions for the test specimen. Tests which are carried out on specimens ofdifferent dimensions, or on specimens which are prepared under different conditions, may produce results whichare not comparable. Other factors, such as the test speed and the conditioning of the specimens, can alsoinfluence the results. Consequently, when comparable data are required, these factors must be carefully controlledand recorded.