Testing acc. to VDA 230-209: Leather and Plastic Roll Stock and Textiles for Motor Vehicle - Determination of Flexural Properties
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Testing methods
Our test laboratory performs testing according to VDA 230-209 as an accredited test method to determine the bending force of leather, coated textiles, films and textiles used in motor vehicles. The method quantifies the resistance of flexible materials to defined bending and therefore enables objective comparison of materials with different levels of stiffness and flexibility.
Bending behaviour can be influenced by material thickness, fibre or material direction, coating, grain structure, lamination and multilayer material construction. The test is therefore particularly suitable for flexible surface and trim materials used in vehicle interiors.
Testing according to VDA 230-209
The bending force is determined using the bar method as a two-point bending method. The specimen is clamped vertically in a rotating fixture. During the defined rotational movement, the specimen is bent against a measuring bar, and the force acting on the bar is recorded at a specified bending angle.
VDA 230-209 specifies different parameter sets with different bending lengths. Unless otherwise specified, parameter set A defined in the standard is used as the standard test configuration. Tests can be carried out in different material directions, for example parallel and perpendicular to the backbone in leather and parallel and perpendicular to the direction of manufacture for other materials.
The test can also distinguish which side of the material is extended or compressed during bending. This makes it possible to identify differences associated with the grain, coating or visible surface facing the vehicle interior and the reverse side of the material.
Applications of the test
The bending force determined according to VDA 230-209 enables quantitative comparison of the flexibility of materials that are bent, folded, laminated or adapted to three-dimensional geometries during processing and in the finished component. Differences between material formulations, coatings, laminations and manufacturing variants can therefore be evaluated directly.
The test is relevant, for example, to leather and artificial leather, coated textile materials, films and textiles used for seats, trim panels and other visible or touch-sensitive areas of the vehicle interior. Testing in different material directions also allows directional differences in bending behaviour to be investigated.
Related tests
For automotive leather, the loose grain effect according to VDA 230-205 can be investigated as a complementary property, evaluating wrinkling of the grain surface during concave bending. Low-temperature resistance according to VDA 230-217, by contrast, evaluates the behaviour of flexible plastic roll goods under rapid bending or impact loading at low temperatures. FILK also offers abrasion testing according to VDA 230-211 for evaluating mechanical wear of surface materials.
Here you will also find an overview of our range of VDA tests and specifications.
