DIN 53460 - Testing of Plastics; Determination of the Vicat Softening Temperature of Thermoplastics

DIN 53460 specifies a standardized method for determining the Vicat softening temperature (VST) of thermoplastic materials. The VST is the temperature at which a flat-ended needle penetrates a thermoplastic specimen under a specified load and heating rate, indicating the material's softening point.

Scope:

• Test Methodology: Outlines procedures for applying a constant rate of temperature increase to a thermoplastic specimen until softening occurs, measured by the penetration of a standardized needle.
• Measurement Parameters: Specifies the penetration depth (1 mm) and standard loads (10 N or 50 N) for determining the softening temperature.
• Material Applicability: Applicable to various thermoplastic materials to assess their heat resistance and suitability for applications involving elevated temperatures.
• Environmental Considerations: Allows testing under different environmental conditions to evaluate the effects on the material's softening behavior.

Applications:

• Material Selection: Assists in selecting appropriate thermoplastic materials for applications requiring specific thermal properties.
• Quality Control: Utilized in manufacturing processes to ensure consistency and reliability of thermoplastic products by assessing their softening temperatures.
• Performance Evaluation: Aids in evaluating the thermal behavior and durability of thermoplastic materials when subjected to heat.
• Research and Development: Supports the development and optimization of new thermoplastic materials with enhanced thermal properties.