ASTM D953-19 PDF

Full title and description

ASTM D953-19 — Standard Test Method for Pin-Bearing Strength of Plastics. This standard specifies procedures for determining the pin-bearing (bearing strength) properties of rigid plastics in sheet, molded, or reinforced thermoset forms using defined specimen dimensions and test fixtures; it includes Procedures A and B for thermoplastics (tension and compression loading) and Procedure C for reinforced thermoset plastics.

Abstract

ASTM D953-19 provides a repeatable laboratory method to measure maximum pin-bearing stress and bearing behavior of plastics when loaded by pins, rivets, or bolts that pierce the specimen. Results are intended for quality control, engineering design, and evaluation of fastening or joining performance in applications where fastener-bearing loads are critical. The method defines specimen geometry, conditioning, test fixtures, loading modes, and calculation of bearing stress.

General information

• Status: Active.
• Publication date: Current edition approved November 1, 2019; published December 2019 (designated D953-19).
• Publisher: ASTM International.
• ICS / categories: 83.080.01 — Plastics in general (mechanical test methods / plastics).
• Edition / version: D953-19 (revises D953-18).
• Number of pages: 8 pages (typical published length).

Scope

This test method covers the determination of pin-bearing strength of rigid plastics in sheet, molded, or reinforced thermoset form. It specifies three procedures: Procedure A (tension loading for thermoplastics), Procedure B (compression loading for thermoplastics), and Procedure C (for reinforced thermoset plastics). The standard indicates SI units as the normative units and notes that results are applicable for quality control and engineering design, while also directing users to consult material-specific ASTM specifications where they take precedence.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of specimen geometry and dimensions (thickness related to pin diameter, standard specimen length/width) and allowable hole/fabrication tolerances.
• Three procedures: A (tension-mode pin-bearing test), B (compression-mode pin-bearing test), C (reinforced thermoset specimens).
• Test fixtures and loading arrangements for both 1/8" and 1/4" (or metric equivalents) pin diameters as specified by the method.
• Conditioning requirements and recommended environmental/test temperatures (SI units normative).
• Calculation of maximum pin-bearing stress (maximum load divided by bearing area) and reporting conventions (including deformation behavior and failure modes).
• Notes on significance and limitations (e.g., higher-strength materials tend to show higher bearing strength; bearing strength cannot be reliably predicted from tensile properties alone).

Typical use and users

Used by materials laboratories, plastics and composite manufacturers, design and structural engineers, quality control personnel, and test service providers to evaluate the suitability of plastic materials for fastened joints. Common application sectors include consumer products, automotive components, aerospace secondary structures, electrical enclosures, and any design where rivets, bolts, or pins transmit load through plastic parts. Test labs use the method for material acceptance, failure investigation, and design data generation.

Related standards

Standards and practices often referenced alongside D953 include ASTM terminology and precision practices (E6, E177), material-specific ASTM specifications for plastics, and international equivalents such as ISO 12815 (which addresses similar subject matter but differs technically). Relevant ASTM test practices for specimen preparation and dimensional tolerances (for example D5947 and related plastics testing methods) may also be referenced.

Keywords

pin-bearing, bearing strength, plastics, reinforced thermoset, thermoplastic, pin-bearing stress, fastener, rivet, tensile loading, compression loading, ASTM D953-19.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM D953-19 is a standardized test method that defines how to measure the pin-bearing (bearing) strength of rigid plastics using defined specimen sizes, pin diameters, and loading fixtures.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers procedures for tension- and compression-mode pin-bearing tests on thermoplastics (Procedures A and B) and a procedure for reinforced thermoset plastics (Procedure C), plus specimen preparation, conditioning, testing, and calculation/reporting of bearing stress and behavior.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Materials test laboratories, plastics and composite manufacturers, engineering and design teams, QA/QC departments, and product development groups who need validated data on how plastics perform when fastened with pins, bolts, or rivets.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: As of the current edition it is active (D953-19). The 2019 edition supersedes the previous D953-18 revision. Users should confirm whether any later revisions have been published after 2019 before citing the standard for new projects.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: D953 is part of ASTM Committee D20 (Plastics) test methods and is commonly used alongside other ASTM plastics test methods and general ASTM test/practice standards (for example E6, E177) and may be compared with ISO counterparts such as ISO 12815.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Pin-bearing, bearing strength, plastics testing, fastener load, tensile-mode, compression-mode, reinforced thermoset, ASTM D953-19.