ISO 2440-2025 PDF

Full title and description

St ISO 2440-2025 — Flexible and rigid cellular polymeric materials — Accelerated ageing tests. Specifies laboratory procedures intended to imitate naturally occurring reactions (for example oxidation or hydrolysis by humidity) to assess changes in physical properties of flexible and rigid cellular polymeric materials after accelerated ageing treatments.

Abstract

This standard defines accelerated ageing test procedures for cellular polymeric materials (including open-cell latex, open- and closed-cell polyurethane foams, and closed-cell polyolefin foams). It describes test conditions, specimen preparation, conditioning, and measurement of physical properties before and after ageing — typically tensile/elongation, compression, indentation hardness and related mechanical properties. The procedures are intended to reproduce effects of oxidation and humidity-driven hydrolysis in a laboratory environment and can be applied to single materials or composite constructions containing cellular polymers.

General information

• Status: Published
• Publication date: July 2025
• Publisher: ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
• ICS / categories: 83.100 (Cellular materials / polymeric foams)
• Edition / version: 5th edition (ISO 2440:2025)
• Number of pages: 11

Scope

Provides laboratory procedures for accelerated ageing of flexible and rigid cellular polymeric materials to evaluate changes in selected physical properties induced by oxidative and humidity-related hydrolytic processes. Test conditions are given for the most common cellular polymer types (open-cell latex, open- and closed-cell polyurethane foams, closed-cell polyolefin foams); the standard may be extended to other cellular materials as required and can be applied to composite structures containing these materials. The standard does not claim direct correlation with all forms of in-service behaviour or with light-induced ageing.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of accelerated ageing procedures intended to simulate oxidation and hydrolysis by humidity.
• Specified conditioning and specimen preparation for open-cell latex, polyurethane foams (open and closed cell) and polyolefin foams (closed cell).
• Recommended test cycles, temperatures, and humidity exposures for accelerated treatments.
• Measurement protocols for physical properties before and after ageing (elongation, tensile strength, compression properties, indentation hardness, dimensional changes).
• Instructions for applying procedures to composite constructions and finished products where interactions between cellular materials and substrates are investigated.
• Notes on limitations: accelerated laboratory ageing may not correlate directly with all real-world service conditions or with photochemical (light) ageing.
• Reporting requirements for test results and deviations from the standard test conditions.

Typical use and users

Used by materials laboratories, quality assurance and R&D teams in manufacturers of polymeric foams and cellular materials, product designers and engineers, testing and certification bodies, and researchers assessing ageing performance and lifetime behaviour of foam components in products (mattresses, cushions, seals, insulation, packaging, automotive interiors, footwear). Also used by purchasers and regulators to specify and verify ageing performance in procurement and compliance activities.

Related standards

Directly related to earlier editions of ISO 2440 (for example ISO 2440:2019 and previous withdrawn editions). It complements other ISO test standards for cellular polymeric materials such as ISO 1856 (determination of compression set), ISO 845 (determination of apparent density) and other material- and property-specific methods used in testing cellular plastics and rubbers. It is part of the body of work maintained by ISO/TC 45/SC 4 on cellular polymeric materials.

Keywords

accelerated ageing, cellular polymeric materials, polymeric foams, polyurethane foam, polyolefin foam, latex foam, oxidation, hydrolysis, humidity ageing, mechanical properties, tensile, compression, indentation hardness, ISO 2440

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 2440:2025 (St ISO 2440-2025) is the fifth-edition international standard that specifies laboratory accelerated ageing tests for flexible and rigid cellular polymeric materials to assess changes in selected physical properties following exposure to oxidative and humidity-related ageing conditions.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers test procedures, specimen preparation and conditioning, recommended ageing cycles (temperature and humidity profiles) and methods for measuring physical properties such as tensile/elongation, compression and indentation hardness before and after ageing. It includes conditions for open-cell latex, open- and closed-cell polyurethane foams and closed-cell polyolefin foams and guidance for applying the procedures to composite constructions.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Materials and product test laboratories, foam manufacturers, R&D and quality-control engineers, certification bodies, regulators and researchers concerned with the ageing behaviour and durability of cellular polymeric materials in products like mattresses, seating, seals, insulation and packaging.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: Current. This edition was published in July 2025 and supersedes the previous edition (ISO 2440:2019), which has been withdrawn.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It forms part of the suite of ISO standards for cellular polymeric materials developed under ISO/TC 45/SC 4 and is intended to be used alongside other material and property-specific standards (for example ISO 1856 on compression set and ISO 845 on apparent density) when characterizing foam products.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: accelerated ageing, cellular materials, polymeric foams, polyurethane, polyolefin, latex, oxidation, hydrolysis, humidity, mechanical testing, ISO 2440