Interpretation ID: aiam1583
Technical Representative
Plastics Department
E. I. DuPont de Nemours & Company
Incorporated
Wilmington
DE 19898;
Dear Mr. Carfagna: This is in reply to your letter of August 2, 1974, asking for th appropriate method for bending plastic material over the mandrel as specified in Test No. 22 of ANS Z26.1-1966, which is incorporated into Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 205 (49 CFR 571.205). You indicate that the test procedure does not specify either the bending force, or whether mechanical means for bending are allowed.; Paragraph 5.22.2 of Test 22 states, in part, as follows: >>>After conditioning, the test specimens shall be immediately ben over a mandrel so that either the entire length of the specimen shall conform to the surface of the mandrel or that it be bent 180 degrees over the mandrel, with the longitudinal axis of the specimen normal to the axis of the mandrel. (emphasis added)<<<; As the procedure does not specify the bending force, or the method i which it is to be applied, the NHTSA would consider as appropriate any force or method of application that would permit the plastic to be bent immediately after conditioning. There is nothing to prohibit the use of hand or mechanical pressure, but it must be applied in such a way that an immediate bending takes place.; Yours truly, Richard B. Dyson, Acting Chief Counsel