Klass.-Nr.

55 22 1 March 2004

Norm vor Anwendung auf Aktualität prüfen / Check standard for current issue prior to usage.
Nonwoven Fabric Damping PV
Compression Stress Determination 3919
In case of discrepancies the German version shall govern.

Konzernnorm
The English translation is believed to be accurate.

Descriptors: nonwoven fabric, sound absorption, damping, compression hardness,

insulation, spring/mass system

Changes
The following changes have been made as compared to Test Specification PV 3919, 1999-02:
─ Deformation travel for compression and setting cycles changed

Previous issues
1993-06; 1999-02

1 Scope
This Test Specification is used to determine the compression stress (travel) and the thickness
reduction after loading for damping and insulating materials. Particular emphasis is placed on
nonwoven fabrics bonded with resin or fusible fiber and on sandwich damping systems
(e.g., nonwoven fabric with heavy film) with or without self-adhesive coating.
The compression stress is a measure of the functional dependence between the compressive load
and the deformation (thickness or height change) resulting from the compression.
It is a measure of both the crushing resistance and of the absorption behavior required for acoustic
reasons.
Both tests on component segments (specimens are mechanically removed from the
samples/components) and tests on complete components (non-destructive tests) are possible.
The Test Specification (PV standard) is used for development samples and for standard-production
monitoring tests.

2 Designation
Compression stress according to PV 3919

3 Requirements
Requirements and deviations from the test procedure according to Technical Supply Specification
(TL standard) and/or release.
Form FE 41 - 01.03

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Fachverantwortung/Responsibility Normung/Standards (EZTD, 1733)
K-QS-31 Trowe Tel: -25102 Dr. Vossen Frau Krenz Tel: +49-5361-9-48869 Sobanski

Confidential. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be transmitted or reproduced without the prior written permission of a Standards Department of the Volkswagen Group.
Parties to a contract can only obtain this standard via the responsible procurement department.
 VOLKSWAGEN AG
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4 Test method

4.1 Test equipment

─ Tensile test machine according to DIN EN ISO 7500-1, Appendix 1
─ Line recorder for recording the force/strain change
─ Pressure piston measuring at least (85 x 85) mm, or piston with ∅ (140 ± 5) mm for the
segment test
─ Test piston II (100 cm2), test piston III (50 cm2) or test piston IV (25 cm2) according to
DIN 53579-1 for the component test
─ Counter-piston ∅ (140 ± 5) mm for component and component segment tests

4.2 Conditioning
Prior to testing, the specimens must be conditioned for at least 24 h in the DIN 50014-23/50-2
standard climate.

4.3 Specimen preparation

4.3.1 Specimen (component segments)

Specimens measuring (80 x 80) mm and with a total thickness of approx. 50 mm are used.
In order to obtain specimens this thick, it may be necessary to stack several (80 x 80)-mm sections
of the same kind, making sure that they are flush. Any intermediate layers (e.g., the removable
protective films on self-adhesive parts) must be removed from these sections.
The heavy film is not removed for the compression test on sandwich systems (e.g., spring/mass
system consisting of nonwoven fabric and heavy film).
With this structure, the thickness of the non-compressible heavy film is taken into account during
the procedure and evaluation; also see the evaluation example.

4.3.2 Component testing

Specimen preparation is not necessary.

4.4 Test procedure

4.4.1 Standard specimens (single-layer)

4.4.1.1 Thickness gaging

The thickness of the individual specimens (total thickness approx. 50 mm) is measured under
a preload of 1.2 N under a test piston on a rigid base plate.
For this purpose, the pressure piston according to Section 4.1 is pressed onto the specimen with
a traverse speed of 50 mm/min until the preload is reached.
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4.4.1.2 Compression test

The specimen is compressed by 40% of the previously measured total thickness with a test speed
of 50 mm/min.
The stress/strain diagram is recorded by the activated line recorder.
Provided that this function is possible with the software program, the previously determined
40% value (deformation travel) is programmed as the switch-off point for the tester in the
compression test.
The end point of the recorded curve thus simultaneously represents the compression force referred
to the specimen surface area (64 cm2).
If only the 1st compression is to be evaluated (Technical Supply Specification requirements), the
compression test is now complete.
If it is necessary to evaluate further compressions in addition to the 1st compression, e.g. the
4th compression (fatigue), two further compressions (setting cycles) by 70% of the existing new
total thickness are carried out with the line recorder switched off.
The thickness gaging procedures for the 2nd and 3rd compression tests (setting cycles) are carried
out according to Section 4.4.1.1.
Prior to the 4th compression, the residual thickness is also determined according to Section 4.4.1.1
and the compression test is carried out according to Section 4.4.1.2.
More than 30 seconds must not elapse between the individual compression tests.
If an evaluation is to be performed after the 10th compression, 5 further intermediate compressions
(setting cycles) by 70% of the respective thickness shall be performed.

4.4.1.3 Thickness reduction after loading

The difference between the 1st thickness gaging and the measurement before the
4th or 10th compression is designated “thickness reduction after loading” in this Test Specification.

4.4.2 Sandwich specimens (multilayer system)

4.4.2.1 Thickness gaging

With sandwich specimens from the spring/mass system, the average specimen thickness of the
heavy film is first determined by means of at least five individual measurements with a caliper
gage. The film thickness must be subtracted from the specimen structure of all individual
specimens.
If the total specimen has four layers, for example, 4 times the film thickness must be subtracted
from the specimen under test as a non-compressible portion of the measurable total structure.

4.4.2.2 Compression test

The compression test is carried out analogously to the procedure in Section 4.4.1.2.
The specified 40% deformation travel refers exclusively to the deformable portions (spring).
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4.4.3 Component testing

The compressive stress and thickness reduction after loading are determined on areas of molded
parts that are defined on a component-specific basis. These areas are identified as “test surface”
on the component drawings.
The component area to be tested is supported by a counter-piston.
Force introduction by the test piston (preferably test piston II) is vertical with respect to the test
plane (component surface).
A pre-test without load on the specimen is carried out prior to each test in order to check the exact
position for the test piston.
It is possible to use test piston III or IV for smaller component-specific test surfaces.
This must be indicated separately (e.g., in test reports).

4.4.3.1 Thickness gaging

For thickness gaging, the chosen test piston is lowered at a test rate of 50 mm/min and a preload
of 1.2 N until it touches the predetermined component area on the specimen.
With sandwich systems, the determined thickness of the heavy film is mathematically subtracted
from the total thickness analogous to the procedure in Section 4.4.2.1.
With these spring/mass systems, the general procedure is to support the heavy-film side with the
counter-piston and to lower the test piston onto the spring (e.g. nonwoven fabric, nonwoven
fabric/flock material).

4.4.3.2 Compression test

The compression test is carried out analogously to the procedure in Section 4.4.1.2.

4.5 Evaluation
Depending on the respective requirement (1st and/or 4th or 10th compression), the compression
stress is specified in relation to the surface of 64 cm2 in N/cm2 or kPa.
In non-destructive component testing, the hardness value is preferably specified in N. It is also
possible to express it in N/cm2 or kPa relevant to the specific test surface.
Requirements are part of the component drawing.
The value of the thickness reduction after loading is specified in mm or as a percentage referred
to the original thickness.
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4.6 Evaluation examples

4.6.1 Standard specimens (Table 1)

a) Task: Compression stress after 1st compression with 40% deformation
Sample: Nonwoven fabric, approx. 11 mm
Specimen: 5 stacked layers of nonwoven fabric
Surface area: 64 cm2
b) Task: Compression stress after 1st and 4th compressions and thickness reduction
after loading

Table 1
Specimen No. Specimen 40% value of Force at 40% Surface-related
thickness the specimen deformation compression stress
measured under thickness with 40%
pre-load deformation
mm mm N N/cm2
a) 52 21 240 3.75
b) 1st compression 52 21 240 3.75
4th compression 48 20 600 9.38
Thickness reduction after loading is 4 mm or 7.7%.

4.6.2 Standard specimens (Table 2)

a) Task: Compression stress after 4th compression with 40% deformation and
thickness reduction after loading
Sample: Spring/mass system of nonwoven fabric and cover layer with a total
thickness of approx. 16 mm; average cover-layer thickness is 2.5 mm
Specimen: 4 stacked sandwich layers
Surface area: 64 cm2

Table 2
Specimen No. Specimen Thickness 40% value Force at Surface-related
thickness reduced by of the 40% compression stress
measured under 4 times the specimen deformation with 40%
pre-load film thickness thickness deformation

mm mm mm N N/cm2
a) 1st compression 64 54 22 360 5.63
4th compression 58 48 20 740 11.56
Thickness reduction after loading is 6 mm or 12.2%.
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5 Referenced standards*)
DIN 50014 Climates and their Technical Application; Standard Atmospheres
DIN 53579-1 Testing of Flexible Cellular Materials; Hardness Test on Finished
Parts; Indentation Test on Shaped Parts
DIN EN ISO 7500-1 Supl. 1 Metallic Materials - Verification of Static Uniaxial Testing Machines –
Part 1: Tension/Compression Testing Machines, Verification and
Calibration of the Force-Measuring System; General for
Requirements, Verification and Calibration of Tension, Compression
and Flexion Testing Machines.

*)
In this section, terminological inconsistencies may occur as the original titles are used.