Premier Distributor of Parker O-Rings, Parker Seals and Parker Products
Premier Distributor of Parker O-Rings, Parker Seals and Parker Products
One the most reference elastomer standards is the 'Standard Classification System for Rubber Products in Automotive Applications' published by the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM), or, more commonly, the ASTM D-2000 specification. Although obviously developed with the automotive industry in view, this standard has become perhaps the most frequently referenced standard for rubber products in general, and for good reason -- it is one of the most direct and simplest ways to define rubber/Elastomer Physical proprties as they pertain to general application requirements.
Because of its popularity, consumers and others are often confronted with an ASTM D-2000 callout that reads something like 'ASTM D-2000-99 M2BG714-B14-EA14-EF11-EF21-EO14-EO34-F17.' Although this can appear rather foreboding to those not technically informed on rubber chemistry and properties, it is actually fairly simple to decipher.
Using the aforementioned sample code, the individual elements of the D-2000 standard are as follows:
Specification Number
ASTM D-2000-99 M2BG714-B14-EA14-EF11-EF21-EO14-EO34-F17 American Society of Testing and Materials primary specification reference number; sometimes abbreviated to "D2000". |
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Revision
ASTM D-2000-99 M2BG714-B14-EA14-EF11-EF21-EO14-EO34-F17 Indicates the revision (year) of the standard. |
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Units (Metric/English)
ASTM D-2000-99 M2BG714-B14-EA14-EF11-EF21-EO14-EO34-F17 If present, the 'M' indicates Metric units; otherwise, English measurements are indicated. |
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Grade
ASTM D-2000-99 M2BG714-B14-EA14-EF11-EF21-EO14-EO34-F17 Grades 2 and up indicate additional requirements per Table 6 of the D2000 specification (see Suffix Requirements below). |
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Type (Heat Resistance)
ASTM D-2000-99 M2BG714-B14-EA14-EF11-EF21-EO14-EO34-F17 Indicates high temperature resistance as follows: ·A = 70°C/158°F Ref: ASTM D573 |
Typical Type/Class - Elastomer
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Class (Oil Resistance)
ASTM D-2000-99 M2BG714-B14-EA14-EF11-EF21-EO14-EO34-F17 Indicates oil resistance class by maximum volume swell as follows:
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Hardness
ASTM D-2000-99 M2BG714-B14-EA14-EF11-EF21-EO14-EO34-F17 Shore A Durometer x 10; e.g. 7 in the example indicates 70 Shore A hardness. Ref: ASTM D2240 |
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Tensile Strength
ASTM D-2000-99 M2BG714-B14-EA14-EF11-EF21-EO14-EO34-F17 Stated in PSI (pounds per square inch) or MPa (megapascals), depending on whether English or Metric Units are indicated (see above). PSI can be converted to MPa by dividing by 145, or, conversely, MPa values can be multiplied by 145 to obtain PSI. Tensile strength in the sample is 14 MPa or 2,031 PSI. Ref: ASTM D412 |
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Suffix Requirements (Alpha)
ASTM D-2000-99 M2BG714-B14-EA14-EF11-EF21-EO14-EO34-F17 Indicates tests and related criteria for various elements like specific aging, fluid compatibility tests. Each element is cited by an alpha code (below) indicating a particular property followed by a numeric code (right) that specifies test criteria (e.g. time, temperature, fluid).
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Suffix Requirements (Numeric)
ASTM D-2000-99 M2BG714-B14-EA14-EF11-EF21-EO14-EO34-F17 Testing parameters and related details are further specified by the numeric component of Suffix codes, including test temperatures as follows: |
ASTM D2000 does not apply to thermoplastic rubbers. It does apply, however, to compounds including reclaimed rubber.
All values (tensile, hardness, heat and fluid resistance, etc.) relate to ASTM standardized test procedures.
