This part of IEC 60216 specifies the experimental and calculation procedures for deriving the thermal endurance characteristics, temperature index (TI) and relative thermal endurance index (RTE) of a material using the 'fixed time frame method (FTFM)'.
In this protocol, the ageing takes place for a small number of fixed times, using the appropriate number of ageing temperatures throughout each time, the properties of the specimens being measured at the end of the relevant time interval. This differs from the procedure of IEC 60216-1, where ageing is conducted at a small number of fixed temperatures, property measurement taking place after ageing times dependent on the progress of ageing.
Both the TI and the RTE determined according to the FTFM protocol are derived from experimental data obtained in accordance with the instructions of IEC 60216-1 and IEC 60216-2 as modified in this standard. The calculation procedures and statistical tests are modified in relation to IEC 60216-3 and IEC 60216-5.