ISO 24335:2022

Overview

ISO 24335:2022 - "Laminate floor coverings - Determination of impact resistance" specifies laboratory procedures to measure the ability of laminate flooring surface layers to withstand impacts from dropped objects. The standard describes two destructive test methods using a small-diameter impactor and a large-diameter steel ball to simulate common damage scenarios and to define impact-resistance performance by the maximum drop height that does not cause visible damage.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Two test methods
  • Small-diameter ball test: a cylindrical impactor with a spherical head (10 ± 0.5 mm sphere, impactor mass 100 ± 1 g) is dropped from increasing heights to identify the maximum height producing no cracks across five impacts per height. Precision for this method is stated in Clause 8.
  • Large-diameter ball test: a polished stainless-steel ball (38.1 mm diameter, mass 224 ± 3 g) is dropped in free fall onto specimens; the precision of this method is currently not established and will be added when interlaboratory data are available.
• Apparatus and specimen requirements
  • Steel plate backing (min. 300 × 300 × 10 mm) for small-ball test; clamping jig and levelled base for large-ball test.
  • Typical specimen sizes: small-ball specimens from five panels (≥ 260 mm × 160 mm); large-ball specimens ≈ 300 × 300 mm.
  • For large-ball testing the use of an EPS underlayment with defined thickness and mechanical properties (per EN 16354) is specified when representing in‑situ installation conditions.
• Test conditions and assessment
  • Conditioning and testing recommended at (23 ± 2) °C and (50 ± 5) % RH; type approval requires at least 72 h stabilization.
  • Visual inspection under diffuse/fluorescent lighting; visual criteria and positioning of impacts are defined.
• Scope and limits
  • Tests are destructive and intended for elements or parts of panels. Large-ball precision is currently unknown; small-ball precision is provided within the standard.

Practical applications

• Product development and material selection for improved surface toughness.
• Quality control and batch verification by manufacturers and independent test laboratories.
• Type approval, certification, and performance claims for laminate flooring marketed for residential or commercial use.
• Forensic testing and warranty investigations where impact damage is alleged.

Who should use this standard

• Flooring manufacturers and R&D teams
• Independent testing laboratories and certification bodies
• Specifiers, architects, and construction quality managers
• Underlay and flooring system developers evaluating installed performance

Related standards

• EN 16354 (underlays - specification and test methods) - referenced for underlayment properties.
• Note: ISO 24335:2022 updates the small-ball method (replacement per EN 17368) and modifies underlay requirements compared to the 2006 edition.

Keywords: ISO 24335:2022, laminate floor coverings, impact resistance, small-diameter ball, large-diameter ball, flooring test method, EN 16354, test specimens, conditioning, quality control.