ISO 2440-2019 PDF

Full title and description

Flexible and rigid cellular polymeric materials — Accelerated ageing tests. This ISO standard specifies laboratory procedures to simulate the effects of natural ageing reactions (for example oxidation or hydrolysis by humidity) on flexible and rigid cellular polymeric materials; the procedures are used to assess changes in selected physical properties by comparing measurements made before and after the specified treatments.

Abstract

The document defines accelerated ageing test methods for cellular polymeric materials (including open-cell latex, open- and closed-cell polyurethane foams, and closed-cell polyolefin foams). It describes test conditions and specimen handling, and indicates the typical physical properties measured (elongation and tensile properties, compression or indentation hardness). The methods are intended to imitate effects such as oxidation or hydrolytic degradation caused by humidity; they do not necessarily predict service behaviour or light-ageing effects.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn (with later edition published).
• Publication date: October 2019 (listed in some catalogs as 5 November 2019).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 83.100 (Cellular materials).
• Edition / version: Edition 4 (2019).
• Number of pages: 5.

These bibliographic details are based on the ISO record for ISO 2440:2019 and standard catalogue entries.

Scope

The standard specifies laboratory accelerated-ageing procedures applicable to selected flexible and rigid cellular polymeric materials and to composite constructions containing those materials. Test conditions are given specifically for open-cell latex, open- and closed-cell polyurethane foams, and closed-cell polyolefin foams; provisions for other cellular materials may be added as required. The effect of the ageing procedures on any measured physical property can be examined, most commonly elongation and tensile properties or compression/indentation hardness. The document also notes that these artificial ageing tests do not necessarily correlate with in-service behaviour or light exposure ageing.

Key topics and requirements

• Accelerated ageing test procedures for cellular polymeric materials (lab simulations of oxidation and hydrolysis).
• Specified test conditions for open-cell latex, polyurethane foams (open and closed cell) and closed-cell polyolefin foams.
• Measurement protocols for physical properties before and after treatment (elongation, tensile strength, compression, indentation hardness).
• Guidance on applying ageing procedures to composite constructions containing cellular materials.
• Statement that results do not necessarily predict behaviour under light exposure or real service conditions.

These items summarise the principal technical content and practical requirements of ISO 2440:2019.

Typical use and users

Used by materials test laboratories, R&D groups, foam manufacturers, product designers, quality and compliance teams, and accreditation bodies to evaluate the resistance of cellular polymeric materials to oxidative and hydrolytic ageing in accelerated laboratory conditions. The standard supports product development, comparative testing, specification writing, and failure analysis for foam-containing products.

Related standards

ISO 2440:2019 is part of the body of standards covering cellular plastics and polymeric foams and has earlier editions/amendments (ISO 2440:1997 and subsequent amendments). It has been adopted in regional/national collections (EN ISO / national adoptions). ISO 2440:2019 was later superseded by a subsequent edition, ISO 2440:2025, which contains the published replacement test methods and updated material scope.

Keywords

accelerated ageing, ageing tests, cellular polymeric materials, foams, polyurethane foam, polyolefin foam, latex foam, oxidation, hydrolysis, physical properties, tensile, compression, hardness, ISO 2440

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 2440:2019 is an ISO international standard titled "Flexible and rigid cellular polymeric materials — Accelerated ageing tests" that specifies laboratory procedures for accelerated oxidative and hydrolytic ageing of selected cellular polymeric materials.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers accelerated ageing test procedures and specified test conditions for open-cell latex, open- and closed-cell polyurethane foams, and closed-cell polyolefin foams, and describes how to measure changes in properties such as elongation, tensile strength, compression and indentation hardness before and after ageing.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Materials and product test laboratories, foam manufacturers, R&D and product development teams, quality/control and compliance personnel, and organizations performing comparative or failure-analysis testing on foam materials and foam-containing products.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 2440:2019 is listed as withdrawn in the ISO lifecycle and has been superseded by a later edition, ISO 2440:2025 (published July 2025). Users should consult the 2025 edition for the current published requirements.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of the family of standards on cellular plastics and polymeric foams maintained by ISO/TC 45/SC 4; related documents include earlier editions and national/regional adoptions (EN ISO and national standards) that align with or adopt ISO 2440 content.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Accelerated ageing, cellular polymeric materials, polyurethane foam, polyolefin foam, latex foam, oxidation, hydrolysis, tensile, compression, hardness, ISO 2440.