This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: D953 − 10

Standard Test Method for

Bearing Strength of Plastics1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D953; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.

1. Scope* 3.2.1 bearing area—the diameter of the hole multiplied by

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the bearing the thickness of the specimen.
strength of rigid plastics in either sheet form, molded form, or 3.2.2 bearing strength—the bearing stress at which the
in thermoset pultruded form. Procedure A is applicable for bearing hole is deformed 4 % of its diameter.
tension loading and Procedure B for compression loading.
3.2.3 bearing stress—the applied load in newtons (or
1.2 Test data obtained by this test method is relevant and pounds-force) divided by the bearing area in mm2 (or in2).
appropriate for use in engineering design.
3.2.4 edge distance ratio—the distance from the center of
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
the bearing hole to the edge of the specimen in the direction of
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
the principal stress, divided by the diameter of the hole.
only.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the 3.2.5 maximum bearing stress—the maximum load in new-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the tons (or pounds-force) sustained by the specimen, divided by
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- the bearing area.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 4. Significance and Use
NOTE 1—There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard. 4.1 This bearing strength test for plastics is intended to
apply in the specification of various thermoplastic or thermo-
2. Referenced Documents setting products in sheet form where rivets, bolts, or similar
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 fastenings are to be used in joining members or sections. It also
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing is intended to apply wherever sheet materials of the classes
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics indicated are required to sustain edgewise loads that are
D5947 Test Methods for Physical Dimensions of Solid applied by means of pins or rods of circular cross section which
Plastics Specimens pierce the sheet perpendicular to the surface.
E4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
E6 Terminology Relating to Methods of Mechanical Testing 4.2 The purpose of the test is to determine the bearing
strength of the material and to show the bearing stress versus
3. Terminology the deformation of the hole. The allowable deformation of the
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of technical terms pertain- hole in the material should be such as to produce no looseness
ing to plastics used in this test method, see Terminology D883. of joints.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: 4.3 While it is a known fact that higher strength materials
will generally give higher bearing strengths, there is no
satisfactory method by which bearing strength may be esti-
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics mated from tensile or compressive properties of the material.
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.18 on Reinforced Thermoset-
ting Plastics. 4.4 Before proceeding with this test method, reference
Current edition approved April 1, 2010. Published June 2010. Originally
should be made to the specification of the material being tested.
approved in 1948. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as D953 - 09. DOI:
10.1520/D0953-10. Any test specimen preparation, conditioning, dimensions or
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or testing parameters or combination thereof covered in the
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM relevant ASTM materials specification shall take precedence
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. over those in this test method. If there are no relevant ASTM
3
Attention is also directed to Terminology E6. material specifications then the default conditions apply.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

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 D953 − 10
5. Apparatus
5.1 Testing Machine—A properly calibrated universal test-
ing machine that can be operated at a speed of 1.3 6 0.3 mm
(0.05 6 0.01 in.)/min, except that in cases of certain types of
material it may be necessary to operate at a slower speed. The
percentage of error of the testing machine shall be no more
than 61 % of the applied load as determined in accordance
with Practices E4.
5.2 Tension Loading Fixture—A three-plate fixture of hard-
ened steel similar to that shown in Fig. 1.
5.3 Extension Indicator—A suitable instrument reading in
0.0025 mm (0.0001 in.) for indicating the movement of the free
end of the specimen with relation to the bearing pin in the
tension loading fixture. A dial gauge fitted with accessories for
this purpose is shown in Fig. 2.
5.4 Compression Loading Fixture—A type of support with a
suitable bearing pin similar to Fig. 3.
5.5 Compression Indicator—A suitable instrument reading
to 0.0025 mm (0.0001 in.) for indicating the movement of the
free end of the specimen with relation to the bearing pin in the

1—Spacer plate.
2—Dial gauge.
3—Double foot ring mounted on spindle of dial gauge.
4—Bearing pin.
5—Yoke mounted on specimen.
6—Test specimen.
7—Plan view of yoke.

FIG. 2 Tension Loading Assembly

compression loading fixture. A suggested dial gauge assembly

for this purpose is shown in Fig. 4.

6. Test Specimens
1—Hardened spacer plate. 6.1 The test specimens shall conform to the dimensions
2—6.3-mm (-in.) steel bolts in reamed holes. shown in Fig. 5. A size of test specimen shall be chosen that
3—Hardened side plate.
4—Extensometer span. most nearly conforms to production requirements of the
5—Hardened steel pin in reamed hole. material and the type of loading under consideration. The
6—Test specimen. thicker specimens with the larger bearing hole are likely to give
the more precise results, although it is advantageous to use the
thinner specimens with the smaller bearing hole in testing
NOTE 1—Critical dimensions are as follows:
Thickness of
certain relatively brittle plastics because they are less likely to
Bearing Hole Bearing Pin Diameter, mm
Type
Diameter, mm (in.) (in.)
Spacer Plate, fail prematurely. The specimen may be machined from sheet or
mmA (in.) molded to finished size. The bearing hole shall be located as
I 3.175 + 0.025 3.150 + 0.000 3.2
− 0.000 − 0.025 shown in Fig. 5. It shall be drilled undersized and reamed to
(0.125 + 0.0010 (0.124 + 0.0000 (1⁄8 ) size as indicated. The hole shall be clean and smooth with
− 0.0000) − 0.0010) sharp edges but not polished. It is suggested that the reaming
II 6.350 + 0.025 6.325 + 0.000 6.3
− 0.000 − 0.025 operation be done in the drill press by hand without the use of
(0.250 + 0.0010 (0.249 + 0.0000 (1⁄4 ) a jig.
− 0.0000) − 0.0010)
A
The spacer plate shall be shimmed to a thickness of 0.025 to 0.125 mm (0.001 7. Number of Test Specimens
to 0.005 in.) greater than the specimen under test.
7.1 At least five specimens shall be tested for each sample in
FIG. 1 Steel Tension Loading Fixture the case of isotropic materials.

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 D953 − 10
10. Speed of Testing
10.1 The mean rate of crosshead travel in the testing of
specimens shall not exceed 1.3 6 0.3 mm (0.05 6 0.01
in.)/min. In any case the crosshead movement shall be slow
enough so that deflection gauge readings can be made accu-
rately.

11. Procedure
1—Test specimen. 11.1 The choice of either Procedure A for tension loading
2—Hardened steel pin. (11.2) or Procedure B for compression loading (11.3) is
3—Hardened thrust bushing.
optional, but it should be recognized that Procedure B gives
higher bearing strength values than Procedure A on the same
material. Test specimens according to both Procedures A and B
NOTE 1—Critical dimensions are as follows:
Minimum if a complete specification of bearing strength is required.
Clear-
Bearing Hole
Bearing Pin Diameter, ance Be-
11.2 Procedure A for Tension Loading—Mount the speci-
Type Diameter, men to be tested in the tension loading fixture and attach a
mm (in.) tween
mm (in.)
Bushings, deformation indicator. If a dial gauge (Fig. 2) is used, adjust the
mm (in.)
I 3.175 + 0.025 3.150 + 0.000 2.8
yoke so that contact is made with the specimen at the level
− 0.000 − 0.025 indicated in Fig. 1. Exception is taken in the case of those
(0.125 + 0.0010 (0.124 + 0.0000 (7/64) thermoplastic materials which exhibit extended plastic flow.
− 0.0000) − 0.0010)
II 6.350 + 0.025 6.325 + 0.000 6.0 Such specimens tend to “neck down” in the region of the
− 0.000 − 0.025 bearing hole, and it is necessary to mount the yoke 12.7 mm (1⁄2
(0.250 + 0.0010 (0.249 + 0.0000 (15/64) in.) below the normal position indicated in A, Fig. 1, so that it
− 0.0000) − 0.0010)
will not slip during test.
FIG. 3 Steel Compression Loading Fixture 11.3 Procedure B for Compression Loading—Mount the
specimen to be tested in the compression loading fixture and
load through a flat, hardened compression plate. Adjust the
7.2 Ten specimens, five perpendicular to and five parallel
clearance between the thrust bushings of the loading fixture
with the principal axis of anisotropy, shall be tested for each
such that their contact with the specimen is sufficient to support
sample in case of anisotropic materials.
it in a vertical position without binding. Clamp the hardwood
7.3 Specimens that break at some obvious flaw shall be cheek blocks in place and attach the deformation indicator (see
discarded and retests made, unless such flaws constitute a Fig. 4).
variable the effect of which is being studied.
11.4 Details Common to Procedures A and B—Take care in
8. Conditioning aligning the long axis of the specimen with the center line of
the testing fixture. Load the specimen at the prescribed rate of
8.1 Conditioning—Condition the test specimens in accor- crosshead travel and take deformation readings. In case auto-
dance with Procedure A of Practice D618, unless otherwise graphic recording is not available, record the load sustained by
specified by contract or the relevant ASTM material specifica- the specimen for every 0.0127-mm (0.0005-in.) deformation
tion. Conditioning time is specified as a minimum. Tempera- up to a total deformation of 4 % of the bearing hole diameter.
ture and humidity tolerances shall be in accordance with Continue the test until maximum load is sustained and the
Section 7 of Practice D618 unless specified differently by corresponding deformation of the bearing hole is recorded.
contract or material specification.
8.2 Test Conditions—Conduct tests at the same temperature 12. Calculation
and humidity used for conditioning with tolerances in accor- 12.1 Plot the load - deflection curve for each specimen.
dance with Section 7 of Practice D618 unless otherwise
specified by contract or the relevant ASTM material specifica- 12.2 Use a template, as described in the Appendix, to
tion. determine the load at 4 % hole deformation.
12.3 Calculate the bearing strength as follows:
9. Measurement of Dimensions
S b 5 P/ ~ td! (1)
9.1 Measure the width and thickness of the conditioned test
specimen to the nearest 0.025 mm (0.001 in.) at the bearing where:
hole. Also measure the diameter of the bearing hole and the Sb = bearing strength, MPa (or psi),
distance from the center of the bearing hole to the edge of the P = bearing load at 4 % hole deformation, N (or lbf),
specimen in the direction of the principal stress to the nearest d = bearing hole diameter, mm (or in.), and
0.025 mm (0.001 in.). All measurements to be made using the t = specimen thickness, mm (or in.).
applicable test methods in accordance with Test Method 12.4 Calculate the arithmetic mean of the observations and
D5947. report the result to three significant figures.

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 D953 − 10

1—Test specimen. 6—Dial gauge.

2—Bearing pin. 7—Pedestal support.
3—Thrust bushings. 8—Clamp for cheek blocks.
4—Hanger for dial gauge. 9—Hard maple cheek blocks to stabilize test specimen.
5—Spring-supported thrust member of transfer deforma-
tion of specimen to dial gauge foot.

FIG. 4 Compression Loading Assembly

Type Dimensions, mmA (in.) Ream Hole

A B C D to

I 11.913 ± 0 .127 19.050± 0 .127 120.6 3.2 3.200 ± 0 .025

(0.469 ± 0 .005) (0.750 ± 0 .005) (43⁄4 ) (1⁄8 ) (0.126 ± 0 .001)
II 11.913 ± 0 .127 19.050 ± 0 .127 120.6 6.4 6.375 ± 0 .025
(0.469 ± 0 .005) (0.750 ± 0 .005) (43⁄4 ) (1⁄4 ) (0.251 ± 0 .001)

A
All fractional dimensions shall be held to ±0.40 mm (1⁄64 in.) tolerance.

Edge distance ratio = B/hole diameter

FIG. 5 Dimensions of Bearing Strength Test Specimens

12.5 Calculate the standard deviation of each set of obser-

vations and record to two significant figures.

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 D953 − 10
13. Report 13.1.10 The test method number and published/revision
date.
13.1 Report the following information:
13.1.1 Complete identification of the material tested, includ- 14. Precision and Bias
ing type, source, manufacturer’s code number, form, principal 14.1 Attempts to develop a comprehensive interlaboratory
dimensions, and previous history, precision and bias statement for this test method have not been
13.1.2 Direction of cutting and loading specimens, successful because of the small number of laboratories using
13.1.3 Conditioning procedure and environmental condi- this test method. However, limited precision data from one
tions under which the tests were conducted, laboratory on one material utilizing a single operator, a single
13.1.4 Length, width, and thickness of specimen, in milli- apparatus, on a single day and replicate runs of the material has
metres (or inches), been provided as follows: Determinations were made on two
sets of ten individual specimens to provide two test results. The
13.1.5 Diameter of bearing hole, in millimetres (or inches),
coefficient of variation of the two test results averaged 4.9 %
13.1.6 Edge distance ratio, with a difference of 0.3 % between results.
13.1.7 Mean rate of crosshead motion in millimetres (or
14.2 There are no recognized standards to estimate the bias
inches) per minute,
of this test method. Anyone wishing to participate in the
13.1.8 Bearing strength in Megapascals (or pounds-force development of precision and bias data should contact the
per square inch), stating whether Procedure A for tension chairman, Subcommittee D20.10 (Section D20.10.01), ASTM
loading or Procedure B for compression loading was used, International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA
13.1.9 Maximum bearing stress in Megapascals (or pounds- 19428–2959.
force per square inch), stating whether Procedure A or Proce-
dure B was used; thermoset pultruded shapes typically report 15. Keywords
only the maximum value, and 15.1 bearing strength; compression strength; plastics

APPENDIX

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. DETERMINATION OF BEARING LOAD

X1.1 Bearing strength has been defined as the bearing stress X1.3 A template to facilitate the determination of point B on
at which the bearing hole is deformed a given percentage (4 %) the curve is shown in Fig. X1.2. It is designed to fit the
of the hole diameter, and is by definition, sensitive to zero load coordinate paper upon which the load-deformation curve is
errors. The following procedure for determining bearing drawn in such a way that a“ 4 % line” on the template is
strength has been found to eliminate this ambiguity. It is established at a distance from the origin, O, equal to 4 % of the
insensitive to zero load errors, and as a result improves the bearing hole diameter. It consists of a thin rigid sheet of
precision of the bearing strength measurements. transparent plastic upon which the rectangular coordinates are
ruled. A strip of transparent plastic is mounted on the sheet so
X1.2 The method is best illustrated by Fig. X1.1. Given the as to rotate about point O. The strip is provided with a
bearing load − deflection curve, ABC, the tangent is deter- reference center line passing through the point of rotation.
mined at a point, B, such that when the tangent is projected
through the point, O, on the zero load axis, the distance X1.4 In practice, the deformation axis of the template is
between O and D shall be equal to 4 % of the bearing hole superimposed on the zero load axis of the load-deformation
diameter. curve. This can best be done with the aid of a drawing board

FIG. X1.1 Illustration of Method of Determining Bearing Strength FIG. X1.2 Template for Determining Point B on Bearing Load-
from Bearing Load-Deformation Curve Deformation Curve

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 D953 − 10
and a parallel straightedge. The template is then slid to right or the 4 % line. The intersection is the point Bon the curve in Fig.
left while in superposition until the rotating arm can be made X1.1; Bis projected horizontally to the load axis and the
tangent to the load-deformation curve at its intersection with bearing load is read.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee D20 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue (D953 - 09)
that may impact the use of this standard. (April 1, 2010)

(1) Removed ASTM D4066 from 2.1. (2) Revised Section 8.

Committee D20 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue (D953 - 02)
that may impact the use of this standard. (November 15, 2009)

(1) Subsection 1.1 was adjusted to included thermoset pul- (3) The humidity was adjusted in (8.1 and 8.2).
truded shapes. (4) ASTM D5947 was added to 9.1.
(2) ASTM D4000 was eliminated from 2.1 and ASTM D5947 (5) Subsection 13.1.9 was adjusted stating the standard practice
was added. for thermoset pultruded shapes.

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