Molded polyurethane foam is subjected to a battery of material property and performance tests developed to qualify thematerial for its use in automotive seating. Of particular interest are those test protocols designed to ensure that thepolyurethane foam in automotive seating is suitable for use throughout the lifetime of the vehicle. Due to extended warrantyperiods and the increased lifetimes of automobiles today, these testing protocols are called upon to provide assurance ofmaterial performance for end use conditions that were not in effect during their development. This paper examines anumber of these durability test protocols and their development history with a particular emphasis on the varying amountsof work performed on the foam specimens and how it affects the final result. These considerations will be incorporated intothe ongoing discussions of possible best practices relating the test protocol to the function of the material as critical vehicleseating component conducted under the auspices of the Molded Foam Industry Panel.
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