BS EN ISO 306:2013

Foreword
Introduction
1 Scope
2 Normative references
3 Terms and definitions
4 Principle
5 Apparatus
6 Test frame assembly calibration
7 Test specimens
8 Conditioning
9 Procedure
10 Precision
11 Test report
Annex A (informative) - Comparison of VST results obtained with
        liquid-filled heating bath and direct-contact heating unit
Annex B (informative) - Comparison of VST results obtained with
        liquid-filled heating bath and fluidized bed
Annex C (informative) - Repeatability and precision
Bibliography

Describes four methods for the determination of the Vicat softening temperature (VST) of thermoplastic materials: - method A50 using a force of 10 N and a heating rate of 50 K/h; - method B50 using a force of 50 N and a heating rate of 50 K/h; - method A120 using a force of 10 N and a heating rate of 120 K/h; - method B120 using a force of 50 N and a heating rate of 120 K/h.

This International Standard specifies four methods for the determination of the Vicat softening temperature (VST) of thermoplastic materials:

• method A50 using a force of 10N and a heating rate of 50K/h;

• method B50 using a force of 50N and a heating rate of 50K/h;

• method A120 using a force of 10N and a heating rate of 120K/h;

• method B120 using a force of 50N and a heating rate of 120K/h.

The methods specified are applicable only to thermoplastics, for which they give a measure of the temperature at which the thermoplastics start to soften rapidly.