DIN 53579 specifies an indentation test method used to characterize the indentation hardness behavior of molded flexible cellular (soft elastic) foam parts. It is commonly applied directly to finished components where hardness-by-indentation needs to be checked without cutting standard test specimens.
This standard is often used for incoming inspection, product release testing, and comparative design verification of molded foam parts. If you need help matching your part geometry and measurement goals to an appropriate setup, talk with our team.
DIN 53579: Testing of flexible cellular materials – indentation test on finished parts
DIN 53579 describes a procedure for determining indentation hardness on finished molded flexible foam parts. The method expresses indentation behavior either as a force at a defined indentation travel, or as an indentation travel at a defined force.
Quick Definition
What it is: A test method for indentation-based hardness assessment on molded flexible foam parts.
What it reports: Indentation force at a specified indentation travel, or indentation travel at a specified force.
Where it’s used: Finished-part checks on molded soft foams (for example, cushioning components) where specimen-based methods may not represent the part.
What This Standard Covers
DIN 53579 defines an indentation test suitable for molded flexible foam parts with a minimum thickness requirement. The test is intended for direct measurement on the molded part, rather than on a separately prepared standard sheet or block specimen.
Because this is a finished-part method, practical details such as part support, contact conditions, and alignment can strongly influence results, so the fixture approach should be selected to suit the part’s geometry and intended comparison.
Why This Standard Matters in Testing
Flexible foams can show different indentation behavior depending on part shape, skin effects, molded density gradients, and how the component is supported in use. DIN 53579 is used when the goal is to quantify indentation response on the actual component rather than on an idealized laboratory specimen.
This can be especially helpful for production control (lot-to-lot consistency), supplier comparisons, and troubleshooting changes in raw materials, molding conditions, or aging that shift perceived firmness.
Common Materials, Product Types, or Applications Covered
DIN 53579 is associated with molded flexible cellular (soft elastic) foam parts. Typical usage includes cushioning-style components where an indentation response is a key functional attribute.
When you are working with flexible foam testing on standard specimens (rather than on finished parts), other indentation methods may be referenced instead; edition-to-edition and product-to-product applicability should be checked against the exact requirement in your drawing, procurement spec, or QA plan.
Common Test or Verification Workflow
Most labs use DIN 53579 as part of a repeatable inspection routine on representative locations of a molded part.
Common workflow: Select test location(s) on the part, support the component in a consistent manner, apply the specified indentation using the required indenter/contact tool, and record force and/or travel to report the indentation hardness outcome in the form required by the controlling specification.
Practical note: For meaningful trending, it is important to keep the test location, support conditions, and measurement settings consistent across parts and across time.
Equipment Commonly Used for This Standard
DIN 53579 generally points to an indentation-capable compression test setup that can apply and measure controlled displacement and force on a finished foam part.
- Test frame / actuator: A compression-capable test stand or universal testing machine with suitable force and travel range for foam parts.
- Force measurement: A load cell appropriate for low-force, high-compliance materials.
- Indentation tooling: An indenter/pressing foot and contact arrangement consistent with the standard and the part geometry.
- Part support / fixtures: Base plates, positioning aids, and supports sized for the finished part to control boundary conditions and reduce variability.
- Data acquisition: Instrumentation to record force versus travel and capture the required force-at-travel or travel-at-force result.
If you are specifying equipment for multiple foam standards (finished-part indentation plus specimen-based indentation), it is common to configure interchangeable tooling and fixtures so one frame can support both programs without rework.
How to Read This Designation or Revision
DIN standards are commonly cited with an edition date in the format “DIN 53579:YYYY-MM”. For example, “DIN 53579:2015-04” identifies the April 2015 edition.
Because indentation tooling and reporting targets can be sensitive to the cited edition, purchase specifications and lab procedures should reference the same edition stated in the customer or internal requirement.
Related Standards, Methods, or Frameworks when useful
Finished-part indentation methods are often used alongside specimen-based foam indentation standards and broader flexible-foam test programs. The exact combination is usually driven by the product specification and whether the requirement is a material property, a component performance check, or both.
Get help selecting an indentation test setup for DIN 53579
If you are equipping a lab to run indentation measurements on molded flexible foam parts, you can request a detailed quote for a system configured around your part size, expected force range, and fixture needs.