What are Falling Impact problems?
Imagine a glass-filled nylon wheel of a wheel-chair which can be strolled over bumps and pot holes. Each time it experiences an impact and the material as well as design must be suitable to withstand such impacts several thousand times. Less important-looking products like a bleach bottle may also be required to withstand falling impact without losing the cap, lest the spill could be a menace or even a hazard. Plastic lawn chairs are another example. For almost all sports goods, the falling impact (falling does not have to be free fall) is the very basis of design. Several plastics product manufacturers have come to recognize the importance of ‘falling impact capability’ and consequently, currently there are appropriate ASTM standards specifying the relevant requirements.
