Cornell testing is a method used to evaluate mattress durability performance under contract-grade, or hard, use. It was developed in an 11-year joint effort by the American Hotel and Motel Association, the National Association of Bedding Manufacturers, and the Cornell School of Hotel Administration. This test method has been incorporated into the ASTM International standard F1566-09, "Standard Test Methods for Evaluation of Innersprings, Boxsprings, Mattresses or Mattress Sets."
What happens in Cornell testing and what do the results tell you?
Cornell testing evaluates mattress designs through a 100,000 cycle test in which a buttocks-shaped platen is forced 230-lbs. into the mattress (or mattress set). ASTM established measurements are obtained at 200, 6,000, 12,500, 25,000, 50,000, 75,000, and 100,000 cycles. The data generated is converted into support firmness and height loss values (also called "dimple"). Percent change of support firmness and incremental height loss values illustrate the performance of the sample during Cornell testing and indicates its expected response to ten years contract-grade use. A positive percent change indicates the sample has increased in firmness, while a negative percent is indicative of the sample becoming softer. The ideal would be the least amount of percent change and height loss.
Contact your Element representative for more information about Cornell-type mattress testing.