Methods of tests for linoleum sheets and tiles

IS 9704: Scope & Key Specifications

Scope (Clause 1.1):
This standard specifies test methods for linoleum sheets and tiles covering:

Key Highlights:

• Dimension Measurement (Clause 2.1):
  Measures length, width, and thickness of sheets/tiles.

• Squareness & Residual Indentation:
  Ensures tile edges are perpendicular and measures permanent deformation after indentation.

• Water Absorption:
  Determines moisture uptake affecting durability.

• Colour Fastness (Clause 9.5):
  Reports changes in exposed vs. unexposed portions under artificial light, including test temperature and humidity.

Summary Table for Tests:

This standard ensures linoleum products meet quality and durability requirements through systematic testing.

IS 9704: Apparatus & Measurement Methods Key Points

Apparatus Specifications

Measurement Conditions

• Pressure foot diameter ≥ anvil diameter.
• Pressure exerted must be controlled within specified limits for consistent readings.
• Instruments must be calibrated for precision.

Reporting Requirements (Clause 9.5)

• Document any changes in exposed/unexposed test pieces with standard pattern No. 5.
• Record temperature and humidity during testing.

Summary Table

flowchart LR
    A[Micrometer] -->|Measures thickness| B[Sample]
    C[Travelling Microscope] -->|Measures dimensions| B
    D[Steel Tape] -->|Measures length| B
    B --> E[Record readings]
    E --> F[Report: Changes, Temp, Humidity]

This ensures precise measurement of linoleum sheets and tiles as per IS 9704 standards.

IS 9704: Determination of Squareness of Tiles

Key Specifications:

• Clause 3.1: Objective is to check the squareness of linoleum tiles.
• Clause 2.3.2: Measure length and width at three-quarter points along each edge (refer Fig. 1).
• Clause 2.4.3: Report the average of all readings.

Procedure Summary:

1. Measure Length & Width at three points (quarter, midpoint, three-quarter) along edges.
2. Calculate the difference between diagonal lengths of the tile.
3. Squareness is evaluated by comparing these diagonal differences.

Formula for Squareness:

[ \text{Squareness Deviation} = |D_1 - D_2| ]

Where:

• (D_1) = length of one diagonal
• (D_2) = length of the other diagonal

Acceptance Criteria (Typical):

• Squareness deviation should be within specified tolerance (usually ≤ 0.5 mm for standard tiles).

Visualization:

graph TD
A[Tile] --> B[Measure Length at 3 points]
A --> C[Measure Width at 3 points]
B --> D[Calculate Diagonal D1]
C --> E[Calculate Diagonal D2]
D --> F[Calculate |D1 - D2|]
E --> F
F --> G[Evaluate Squareness]

Note: Always refer to the latest IS 9704 for exact tolerances and detailed measurement methods.

IS 9704: Measurement of Thickness (Clause 2.2)

• Procedure (2.2.2):

  • Place the test specimen flat on the micrometer anvil.
  • Lower the pressure foot gently until it just touches the specimen surface.
  • Measure thickness at 16 scattered points across the specimen.
  • Accuracy: to the nearest 0.01 mm.

• Reporting (2.2.3):

  • Calculate the average thickness from all 16 measurements.
  • Report this average as the specimen thickness.

Summary Table for Thickness Measurement

flowchart TD
    A[Test Specimen] --> B[Place on Micrometer Anvil]
    B --> C[Lower Pressure Foot Gently]
    C --> D[Measure Thickness at 16 Points]
    D --> E[Record Each Measurement to 0.01 mm]
    E --> F[Calculate Average Thickness]
    F --> G[Report Average Thickness]

This ensures consistent, precise thickness measurement per IS 9704.

IS 9704: Determination of Residual Indentation

Key Formula (Clause 5.6)

[ \text{Residual indentation, %} = \frac{T_1 - T_2}{T_1} \times 100 ]

• T₁ = Original thickness (mm)
• T₂ = Thickness at indented spot (mm)

Test Procedure Summary (Clause 5.5)

• Measure original thickness at a marked central point (accuracy ±0.01 mm).
• Place specimen on steel plate of indentor.
• Lower indentor foot gently until contact.
• Apply 30 kgf (300 N) load within 1-2 seconds.
• Maintain load for 60 seconds.
• Remove load; after 1 hour, measure indentation depth to ±0.01 mm.

Additional Notes

• Conditioning of specimens before testing is essential.
• Thickness measurement is done with a dial micrometer.
• Residual indentation reflects material's resistance to permanent deformation.

flowchart TD
    A[Measure Original Thickness T₁] --> B[Place Specimen on Steel Plate]
    B --> C[Lower Indentor Foot Gently]
    C --> D[Apply 30 kgf Load for 60 sec]
    D --> E[Remove Load]
    E --> F[Wait 1 Hour]
    F --> G[Measure Indented Thickness T₂]
    G --> H[Calculate Residual Indentation %]

This method ensures reliable evaluation of linoleum sheets and tiles' indentation resistance per IS 9704.

IS 9704: Flexibility Testing of Linoleum Sheets & Tiles

Key Specifications (Clause 6)

• Objective (6.1): Determine flexibility properties of linoleum.
• Test Procedure (6.5):
  • Condition specimen as per standard.
  • Bend test piece with wearing surface outside around mandrel through 180° in 5 seconds.
  • Mandrel diameter:
    • 50 mm for thicknesses 1.6 mm and 2.0 mm.
    • 75 mm for thicknesses 3.2 mm and 4.5 mm.

Measurement of Dimensions (Clause 2.4.2)

• Lay sheet flat without distortion.
• Measure width at 3 equally spaced points.
• Tape measure placed perpendicular to the edge.

Summary Table: Mandrel Diameter Selection

Testing Steps Flowchart

flowchart TD
    A[Condition Specimen] --> B[Bend around mandrel 180° in 5s]
    B --> C{Thickness?}
    C -->|1.6 or 2.0 mm| D[Use 50 mm mandrel]
    C -->|3.2 or 4.5 mm| E[Use 75 mm mandrel]
    D --> F[Check for cracks or damage]
    E --> F

This ensures linoleum flexibility meets durability and performance criteria per IS 9704.

IS 9704 — Water Absorption of Linoleum Sheets and Tiles

Key Formula (Clause 7.6)

[ \text{Water Absorption (%)} = \frac{M_2 - M_1}{M_1} \times 100 ]

• ( M_1 ) = Mass of unimmersed test piece (g)
• ( M_2 ) = Mass of test piece after 24 hours immersion (g)

Test Procedure (Clause 7.5)

• Condition test piece as per standard.
• Weigh immediately after conditioning ((M_1)).
• Immerse in distilled water at 27 ± 2°C for 24 hours.
• Remove, wipe surface dry, weigh immediately ((M_2)).

Reporting (Clause 7.6)

• Calculate water absorption % using the formula.
• Report the value clearly.

Additional Notes

• Visual inspection after bending (Clause 6.6) to check for cracks or damage.
• Water absorption indicates durability and moisture resistance of linoleum.

flowchart TD
    A[Condition Test Piece] --> B[Weigh (M1)]
    B --> C[Immerse in Water 27±2°C for 24h]
    C --> D[Remove & Wipe Dry]
    D --> E[Weigh (M2)]
    E --> F[Calculate Water Absorption %]
    F --> G[Report Results]

This method ensures standardized moisture property assessment of linoleum materials.

IS 9704: Colour Fastness to Daylight - Key Points

• Test Method (Clause 8.4.2):

  • Expose test pieces & Blue Wool Standard Cloth (IS 686) to daylight as per Clause 8.4.1.
  • Observe until Blue Wool Standard No. 5 fades to Grade 4 on the Geometric Grey Scale.
  • Compare exposed vs. unexposed specimen areas against Standard No. 5.

• Exposure Rack (Clause 8.3.1):

  • Use exposure rack as per IS 686:1985 for daylight fastness testing.

• Assessment:

  • Use Geometric Grey Scale for rating fading (Grade 1 = severe change, Grade 5 = no change).
  • Fading equivalent to Grade 4 on the scale indicates acceptable colour fastness.

• Reporting (Clause 8.5):

  • Report any failure in colour fastness or discolouration alongside other physical properties.

Geometric Grey Scale (Simplified)

Summary Flowchart

flowchart TD
    A[Test Pieces + Blue Wool Cloth] --> B[Expose to Daylight (IS 686)]
    B --> C[Observe at Intervals]
    C --> D{Blue Wool No.5 faded to Grade 4?}
    D -- No --> C
    D -- Yes --> E[Compare Test Specimens with Standard]
    E --> F[Report Colour Fastness Results]

This procedure ensures reliable assessment of linoleum colour durability under natural light.

IS 9704: Colour Fastness to Artificial Light (Clause 9.4 & related)

Key Points:

• Test Method: Exposure of test specimens and standard patterns to artificial light (Xenon lamp) as per IS 2454-1967.
• Temperature Control: Air temperature around specimens must not exceed 60°C during exposure.
• Evaluation:
  • Observe specimens at intervals.
  • Continue until standard pattern No. 5 fades to Grade 4 on the Geometric Grey Scale.
  • Compare exposed vs. unexposed specimen areas with standard pattern No. 5.

Colour Fastness Rating:

• The Blue Wool Standard cloth (rating No. 5) is used as a reference.
• Fading is assessed using the Geometric Grey Scale:

Reporting (Clause 8.5):

• Report any failure in:
  • Residual indentation
  • Flexibility
  • Water absorption
  • Colour fastness or discoloration

Summary Diagram of Procedure:

flowchart TD
    A[Test Specimens & Standard Pattern] --> B[Expose to Xenon Lamp (IS 2454)]
    B --> C{Air Temp ≤ 60°C?}
    C -- Yes --> D[Observe at intervals]
    D --> E{Blue Wool Std No.5 fades to Grade 4?}
    E -- No --> D
    E -- Yes --> F[Compare exposed & unexposed areas with Std No.5]
    F --> G[Report results per Clause 8.5]

This ensures consistent evaluation of colour fastness under artificial light conditions for linoleum sheets and tiles.

IS 9704 - Conditioning of Test Specimens: Key Specifications

• Temperature: Maintain test specimens at 27 ± 2°C
• Relative Humidity: Maintain at 65 ± 5%
• Duration: Conditioning period of 24 hours before testing

Conditioning Procedure Summary

Important Notes:

• Conditioning ensures moisture equilibrium in specimens.
• Post-conditioning weighing before and after immersion helps determine water absorption.

flowchart TD
    A[Start: Test Specimen] --> B[Condition at 27 ± 2°C & 65 ± 5% RH for 24h]
    B --> C[Weigh specimen immediately]
    C --> D[Immerse in distilled water at 27 ± 2°C for 24h]
    D --> E[Remove and wipe dry]
    E --> F[Weigh specimen again]
    F --> G[Proceed to testing or analysis]

This conditioning protocol is critical for consistent, comparable test results as per IS 9704.

IS 9704: Test Specimen Preparation Summary

• Clause 6.3 & 8.3:

  • Test specimens: 50 x 200 mm
  • Cut longitudinally and transversely from each sample piece.

• Clause 7.3:

  • Test specimen: 150 x 75 mm
  • Remove hessian backing.
  • Both surfaces smoothed by filling and rubbing with glass paper.
  • Final thickness = 75% of original thickness (uniform).

• Clause 9.2:

  • Test specimen: 50 x 25 mm cut from each sample piece.

Key Specifications:

Thickness Reduction Formula (Clause 7.3):

[ t_{final} = 0.75 \times t_{original} ]

This ensures uniformity and consistency in testing as per IS 9704 requirements.

IS 9704: Reporting of Test Results - Key Points

1. Rounding Off Results

   • Follow IS 2-1960 for rounding observed or calculated final values.

2. Report Content (Clauses 8.5 & 9.5)
   The test report shall include:

   • Any change in exposed and unexposed portions of test pieces using Standard Pattern No. 5.
   • Temperature and humidity during testing.
   • Average of five determinations (Clause 5.6.1) to be reported.

3. Summary Table for Reporting Requirements

Reporting Flow (Mermaid Diagram)

flowchart TD
    A[Test Conducted] --> B[Observe Changes in Test Pieces]
    B --> C{Any Change?}
    C -- Yes --> D[Record Change with Pattern No. 5]
    C -- No --> E[No Change Reported]
    D --> F[Record Temperature & Humidity]
    E --> F
    F --> G[Calculate Average of 5 Determinations]
    G --> H[Round Off as per IS 2-1960]
    H --> I[Prepare Final Test Report]

Note: Always ensure environmental conditions are logged, and report averages for reliability.