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AS 2281-1993 Flexible cellular polyurethane for seat cushioning and bedding

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 AS 2281—1993
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Australian Standard

Flexible cellular polyurethane for

seat cushioning and bedding
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[Defence Title allocated by Codification and Standardisation Authority:

SYNTHETIC (FOAM) RUBBER FOR CUSHIONING, BEDDING AND
OTHER APPLICATIONS
NATO Supply Classification 9320]
 This Australian Standard was prepared by Committee PL/36, Flexible Polyurethane.
It was approved on behalf of the Council of Standards Australia on 26 August 1993
and published on 15 November 1993.
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The following interests are represented on Committee PL/36:

Australian Assembly of Fire Authorities
Australian Federation of Consumer Organizations
Australian Furniture Research & Development Institute
CSIRO, Division of Building, Construction and Engineering
Furniture Retailers Council of Australia
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The Plastics Industry Association

Review of Australian Standards. To keep abreast of progress in industry, Australi an Standards are subject
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This standard was issued in draft form for comment as DR 91176.

 AS 2281—1993
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Australian Standard

Flexible cellular polyurethane for

seat cushioning and bedding
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First published as AS K165— 1967.

Revised and redesignated AS 2281— 1979.
Second edition 1993.

Incorporating:
Amdt 1—1994

PUBLISHED BY STANDARDS AUSTRALIA

(STANDARDS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA)
1 THE CRESCENT, HOMEBUSH, NSW 2140
ISBN 0 7262 8558 7
 AS 2281— 1993 2

PREFACE

This Standard was prepared by the Standards Australia Committee on Flexible Polyurethane,
under the direction of the Multitechnics Standards Policy Board, to supersede AS 2281—1979.
It sets out specifications for the physical properties and dimensions of flexible, load-bearing,
cellular polyurethane. This revision provides five material classifications which replace the
three classifications and associated subgrades of the previous edition. A new nominal hardness
grading is also provided.
Fire-retarded polyurethane is not covered by this Standard as agreement could not be reached
on the appropriate fire-retardancy test procedures.
Recommendations on the grade and thickness of cellular polyurethane for various applications
are also given in Appendix A. This Appendix is intended to serve as a guideline only and not
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in any way to limit the possible combinations of different grades that are available.
The term ‘informative’ has been used in this Standard to define the application of the appendix
to which it applies. An ‘informative’ appendix is only for information and guidance.

CONTENTS
Page
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1 SCOPE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
3 DEFINITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
4 CLASSIFICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
5 REPAIR OF FINISHED PRODUCTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
6 SURFACE CONDITION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
7 TOLERANCES ON DIMENSIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
8 PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
9 COMBUSTION CHARACTERISTICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
10 MARKING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

APPENDICES
A GUIDE TO APPLICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
B COMPARISON OF IFD 40% HARDNESS RANGES AND GRADES
ACCORDING TO SUPERSEDED AS 2281—1979 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
C FIRE BEHAVIOUR OF FLEXIBLE CELLULAR POLYURETHANES . . . . . . . . 11

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 3 AS 2281—1993

STANDARDS AUSTRALIA

Australian Standard
Flexible cellular polyurethane for seat cushioning and bedding

1 SCOPE This Standard sets out requirements for flexible load-bearing cellular
polyurethane, manufactured in block, flat or profiled sheet and strip form, in moulded and
fabricated shapes, and as reconstituted material, for use in seat cushioning, bedding and
similar applications.
NOTES:
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1 Appendix A provides a guide to the grade and thickness of cellular polyurethane foam that may
be used for various applications.
2 Appendix B provides a comparison of the nominal hardness of foams specified in this Standard
and the previous edition.
3 Appendix C provides discussion on the fire behaviour of flexible cellular polyurethanes.

2 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS The following documents are referred to in this Standard:

AS
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2282 Methods for testing flexible cellular polyurethane

2282.2 Method 2: Measurement of dimensions of test specimens
2282.3 Method 3: Determination of apparent density of flexible cellular polyurethane
2282.6 Method 6: Determination of tensile strength and elongation at break
2282.7 Method 7: Determination of tear resistance
2282.8 Method 8: Deflection tests of force deflection
2282.9 Method 9: Determination of compression set
2282.10 Method 10: Accelerated ageing tests for flexible cellular polyurethane
2282.11 Method 11: Determination of resilience
2282.12 Method 12: Determination of compression fatigue
2282.15 Method 15: Determination of smoke release
2282.16 Method 16: Determination of ash content
3744 Furniture—Assessment of the ignitability of upholstered furniture
3744.1 Part 1: Ignition source—Smouldering cigarette
3744.2 Part 2: Ignition source—Match-flame equivalent

3 DEFINITIONS For the purpose of this Standard, the following definitions apply.
3.1 Accelerated ageing—laboratory procedures for measuring changes in properties due to
the application of heat or humidity, or both. In such tests, the long-term degradation effects
of oxidation and hydrolysis are simulated.
3.2 Apparent density—the mass per unit volume of cellular material in air, at a stated
temperature and relative humidity.
3.3 Compression set—the percentage difference between the initial thickness of a test piece
of cellular material, and final thickness after compression for a given time and a nominated
recovery time, as determined by AS 2282.9.
3.4 Elongation—the change in gauge length of a test piece at the time of a break, expressed
as a percentage of the original gauge length, when tested in accordance with AS 2282.6.

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 AS 2281—1993 4

3.5 Flexible cellular polyurethane—flexible expanded polymeric material of predominantly

open cell structure, manufactured essentially from polyhydroxy compounds and
polyisocyanates.
3.6 Hardness—a term referring to the deflection characteristics of flexible cellular
polyurethane, measured by indentation force (IFD) on deflection.
NOTE: The IF 40 value is the force in newtons required to indent by 40 percent a sample of cellular
polyurethane 380 mm × 380 mm × 50 mm in size, using the procedure described in Method A of
AS 2282.8.
3.7 Indentation factor—the ratio of the indentation forces required to indent a specimen of
material to 65 percent and 25 percent respectively of its test thickness, when tested in
accordance with Method A of AS 2282.8.
3.8 Reconstituted cellular polyurethane—small pieces of flexible cellular polyurethane
bonded together by means of a suitable binder, then moulded and cured into the required
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shapes.
3.9 Recovery ratio—the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of indention forces on relaxation
and initial application required to indent a specimen of material by 25 percent of its thickness,
when tested in accordance with Method A of AS 2282.8.
3.10 Resilience—a measure of the rebound of the material, as determined by AS 2282.11.
3.11 Tear resistance—a measure of the force required to propagate a tear in a pre-cut test
specimen of material, when tested in accordance with AS 2282.7.
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3.12 Tensile strength—the maximum force required to break a test piece divided by its
original area, when tested in accordance with AS 2282.6.

4 CLASSIFICATION
4.1 Types Flexible cellular polyurethanes shall be classified into types on the basis of
physical properties and constitution as follows:
Type BC — reconstituted cellular polyurethane meeting the requirements of
Type BC in Table 1 and Table 4.
Type H — flexible cellular polyurethane meeting the requirements of Type H in
Table 1 and Table 4.
Type HR — flexible cellular polyurethane meeting the requirements of Type HR
in Table 1 and Table 4.
Type LR — flexible cellular polyurethane meeting the requirements of Type LR
in Table 1 and Table 4.
Type N — flexible cellular polyurethane meeting the requirements of Type N in
Table 1 and Table 4.
NOTES:
Type BC is normally referred to as bonded crumb or reconstituted foam.
Type H is normally referred to as conventional resilience, heavy duty foam.
Type HR is normally referred to as high resilience foam.
Type LR is normally referred to as low resilience foam.
Type N is normally referred to as conventional resilience foam.
4.2 Grades Flexible cellular polyurethanes shall be graded according to Table 1.
Nominal hardness and density for each of the grades, according to type, shall be as shown in
Table 1.

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 5 AS 2281—1993

5 REPAIR OF FINISHED PRODUCTS Because of manufacturing conditions, material may

have to be repaired. Corrected or repaired material shall be in compliance with this Standard,
if the cellular polyurethane used in such corrections or repairs is of the same composition and
quality as the original product. Such corrections or repairs shall not affect the performance,
or alter size and shape beyond the permissible tolerances.
If components are corrected, repaired, or fabricated, any adhesives used shall be non-injurious
to the cellular polyurethane or to textile covering materials. The resulting bonds shall be at
least as strong and durable as the cellular polyurethane itself.

6 SURFACE CONDITION There shall be no loose skin, moulding seam marks and other
surface blemishes on agreed significant surfaces.

7 TOLERANCES ON DIMENSIONS The tolerances on the dimensions of flexible cellular

polyurethane components shall be as specified in Tables 2 and 3 (see Note). All dimensions
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shall be determined in accordance with AS 2282.2.

NOTE: Other tolerances on the dimensions may be agreed upon by the purchaser and the supplier.

8 PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
8.1 Test requirements Flexible cellular polyurethane shall comply with the test requirements
given in Table 4.
8.2 Test specimens Test specimens required for the tests listed in Table 4 shall not include
the surface skin, the adjacent layer of denser material, or any portion in which there is an
obvious defect. The depth of skin to be removed during sample preparation may vary
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considerably.
It is permissible, however, to test specimens of moulded materials with skin if the thickness
of the moulding is too low to yield specimens of appropriate size after removal of 5 mm of
surface material, or if surface effects are of particular interest. In all such cases, the surface
condition of the specimen shall be stated.
The number of test specimens selected for each test shall be in accordance with the
requirements of the appropriate method of AS 2282.

9 COMBUSTION CHARACTERISTICS
9.1 General This Standard does not include requirements for fire-retarded foams.
NOTE: Discussion on the fire behaviour of flexible cellular polyurethanes is included in
Appendix C.
9.2 Smoke release The smoke released from specimens shall be determined in accordance
with AS 2282.15 and the results reported in technical specifications for the product.

10 MARKING Each lot, container, package or label shall be marked with the following
information:
(a) Manufacturer’s identification.
(b) Type, e.g. ‘N’.
(c) Minimum density, e.g. ‘15’.
(d) Nominal hardness grade, e.g. ‘30’.
This information should be marked, e.g. ‘N15-30’, as appropriate.
NOTE: Manufacturers making a statement of compliance with this Australian Standard on a product,
packaging, or promotional material related to that product are advised to ensure that such compliance
is capable of being verified.

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 AS 2281—1993 6

TABLE 1
HARDNESS AND MINIMUM RECOMMENDED
DENSITY OF FLEXIBLE CELLULAR POLYURETHANE
FOR SEAT CUSHIONING AND BEDDING
(As determined by AS 2282.3)

Hardness range Minimum density

40% IFD kg/m 3
Nominal hardness Type H
(N) Type N Type HR Type BC
Type LR

20 20 +10, −5 15 20 *
30 30 ±10 15 20 *
40 ±10
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40 15 22 *
60 60 ±10 15 25 *
80 80 ±10 17 28 *
100 100 ±15 20 30 50
130 130 ±20 23 35 50
160 160 ±20 27 35 50
190 190 ±20 31 35 60
240 240 ±30 31 35 60
300 300 ±35 31 35 60
350 350 ±40 31 40 70
400 400 ±50 31 40 70
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500 500 ±60 31 40 70

600 600 ±70 31 40 80

* These grades are not currently manufactured.

NO TES:
1 Appendix A provides a guide to the applications of foams of various hardness.
2 Appendix B relates the hardness of foams to the grade classification used in AS 2281—1979†.

TABLE 2
TOLERANCES ON LENGTH AND WIDTH
millimetres

Magnitude of dimension Tolerance

≤250 (except for fabricated + 5 −0

components) +10 −0
≤250 (fabricated components only) +10 −0
>250 ≤500 +20 −0
>500 ≤1000 +30 −0
>1000 ≤1500 +40 −0
>1500 ≤2000 +50 −0
>2000

† Superseded by the present Standard.

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 7 AS 2281—1993

TABLE 3
TOLERANCE ON THICKNESS
millimetres
Magnitude of dimension Tolerance
≤25 +3 −0
>25 ≤100 +4 −0
>100 +6 −0

TABLE 4
TEST REQUIREMENTS OF FLEXIBLE CELLULAR POLYURETHANE
FOR SEAT CUSHIONING AND BEDDING
Nominal AS Type
Property Unit
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hardness method N&H HR BC LR

Tensile strength Min. ≤80 2282.6 kPa 50 50 50 50
100 70 50 50 70
≥130 85 50 50 85
Elongation Min. ≤190 2282.6 % 175 90 70 150
≥240 ≤300 125 90 70 *
≥350 100 90 70 *
Tear resistance Min. All 2282.7 N/m 250 120 250 150
Indentation factor Min. ≤160 2282.8A — 1.75 2.4 NA NA
65%/25% (1) ≥190 1.80 2.2 NA NA
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Recovery ratio Min. ≤190 2282.8A % 65 80 NA NA

(25% return I.F.) ≥240 ≤300 60 75 NA NA
≥350 50 70 NA NA
Compression set 75% Max. ≤80 2282.9 % 15 15 * 15
(22h at 70°C) ≤100 change 10 10 20 10
Accelerated ageing
Heat aged (22 h at 140°C) Max. All 2282.10
Tensile change 2282.6 % 30 30 30 30
Humidity aged (5h at 120°C) 2282.10
Compression force on Max. All 2282.8B % 30 30 30 30
deflection % loss on
ageing
50% compression Max. All 2282.9 % 30 30 NA 30
set (22 h at 70°C)
Resilience Min. 2282.11 %
≤160 40 60 NA NA
190 35 55 NA NA
≥240 ≤350 30 55 NA NA
≥400 20 55 NA NA
Max. All NA NA NA 10
Compression fatigue
Static fatigue Max. 2282.12A
Height loss All % 5 3 NA 5
IF40 loss ≤130 35 30 NA 35
≥160 30 25 NA 30
( 2)
Dynamic fatigue Max. 2282.12B
Height loss All % 5 3 NA 5
IF40 loss ≤130 35 30 NA 35
≥160 30 25 NA 30
Ash content Max. All 2282.16 % 2 2 2 2

NA : Not applicable.
*: These grades are currently not manufactured.
NO TES:
1 Commonly known as SAC (support and comfort) or sag factor.
2 For roller shear fatigue test.

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 AS 2281—1993 8

APPENDIX A
GUIDE TO APPLICATIONS
(Informative)

A1 SCOPE This Appendix provides a guide for specific applications of foams of various
nominal hardness.

A2 GENERAL These guidelines are not intended to compromise the ingenuity of a designer
who may use any combination of foams of different hardness for special effects.
NOTES:
1 The trimming allowances on dimensions are the sole responsibility of the designer. The actual
dimensions of a flexible cellular polyurethane article used in upholstering should normally be
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greater than the nominal dimensions by a small amount, to allow the cellular polyurethane to be
compressed slightly by a cover made to nominal dimensions.
2 Tables A1 and A2 provide recommended hardness values only, because the minimum density
is already given in Table 1.
TABLE A1
RECOMMENDED NOMINAL HARDNESSES OF FLEXIBLE CELLULAR
POLYURETHANE FOR CUSHIONS AND ARM OVERLAYS
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Thickness Cushions on spring bases Cushions on hard bases

Arm overlays
mm Seat Backs Seat Backs

50 ≥160 ≥100 ≤130 ≥190 ≥100 ≤160 ≥130 ≤160

75 ≥160 ≥80 ≤130 ≥160 ≥100 ≤130 ≥100 ≤160
100 ≥130 ≥60 ≤100 ≥130 ≥80 ≤100 ≥80 ≤130
125 ≥100 ≥60 ≤100 ≥130 ≥60 ≤100 ≥80 ≤130

NO TES:
1 An example of a sprung base is the use of springs or webbing. A hard base may include
the use of wood, plastics or steel.
2 Total thicknesses below 50 mm are not recommended for seat cushions.
3 Refer to Table 1 for ranges of the nominal hardness values listed above.

TABLE A2
RECOMMENDED HARDNESS OF
FLEXIBLE CELLULAR
POLYURETHANE FOR
BEDDING AND BED SETTEES
Thickness Single and double Bed settees
mm mattresses

75 — ≥130 ≤160
100 130 ≥100 ≤130
125 130 ≥100 ≤130
150 ≥100 ≤130 ≥100 ≤130

NO TES:
1 For foam mattresses, total foam thicknesses below
100 mm are not recommended.
2 For bed settees, total foam thicknesses below 75 mm
are not recommended.

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 9 AS 2281—1993

A3 FOAM TYPES Applications for heavy duty flexible cellular polyurethanes (i.e. Type H
or HR) may include the following:
(a) Institutional cushioning and bedding.
(b) Public hall cushioning.
(c) Hotel/motel cushioning and bedding.
(d) Mass transportation cushioning and bedding.
(e) All cushioning and bedding used on hard, unsprung bases.
(f) Domestic beds exceeding 1 m in width.
Type H or HR flexible cellular polyurethane may be used in other applications to give
extended product life.
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 AS 2281—1993 10

APPENDIX B
COMPARISON OF IFD 40% HARDNESS RANGES AND GRADES
ACCORDING TO SUPERSEDED AS 2281—1979
(Informative)

B1 SCOPE This Appendix provides a table comparing the nominal hardness of foams
specified in this Standard with the grade classification adopted in AS 2281—1979.

TABLE B1
COMPARISON OF HARDNESS WITH
1979 GRADE CLASSIFICATION
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Nominal
Grade
hardness
(AS 2281— 1979)
(AS 2281— 1993)

00 30
0 60
1 80

2 100
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3 130
4 160

5 190
6 240
7 300

8 350
9 400
10 500

11 600

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 11 AS 2281—1993

APPENDIX C
FIRE BEHAVIOUR OF FLEXIBLE CELLULAR POLYURETHANES
(Informative)

C1 SCOPE This Appendix provides comment on the fire behaviour of flexible cellular
polyurethanes.

C2 GENERAL In common with all organic materials, flexible cellular polyurethanes are
combustible. However, material may be formulated, generally with the addition of fire
retardants, so that under certain well-defined conditions, ease of ignition and flame
propagation properties are reduced. This reduction is sometimes achieved at the expense of
smoke release properties, leading to an increase in the smoke released.
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This Standard has not included fire-retarded foams because of the current lack of agreement
on which of the available methods of assessing the fire behaviour of bare foam, rather than
furniture components, should be adopted. AS 2282.15 is used to provide a measure of smoke
release for information in specifications and no requirements have been set at this time.
The fire behaviour of a product made from or incorporating flexible cellular polyurethane
depends not only on the nature of the cellular polyurethane but also on other materials present,
the way in which these materials are combined, and the design and use of the product. Of
particular relevance, for the products referred to in this Standard, is the nature of the material
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covering the cellular polyurethane, since it is the first line of defence against ignition of the
product by a small source. The relevant product specification should be referred to for further
information and for testing procedures, e.g. AS 3744.1 and AS 3744.2, which may be used to
assess the fire behaviour of these products.
NOTE: Users should contact the Plastics Industry Association for information on the safe handling
and storage of cellular polyurethanes used in industrial situations.

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