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elastomer physical properties explained


 Feature  ASTM 
 Test
 Std
 Description
 Hardness D2240 Resistance to compression or indentation measured according to the Shore A Durometer scale; a.k.a. "durometer".
 Tensile Strength D412 Pull-force per cross-section area (measured in PSI or MPa) required to rupture the material.
 Modulus D412 Pull-force per cross-section area (measured in PSI or MPa) required to elongate material to a defined percentage of original length.
 Elongation D412 Ultimate elongation, stated as a percentage of original length, required to rupture material; a.k.a. "ultimate elongation"
 Compression
 Set
D395 Resistance to conformance to compression or deformation caused by compression.  Measured as a percent material fails to return to original thickness after subjected to compression for a period of time.
 Abrasion 
 Resistance
  Resistance to surface wear and tear resulting from friction and dynamic contact with other surfaces; an important feature in many products like tires, belts, and o-rings.
 Tear
 Resistance
  Pull-force required to tear a defined section of rubber a certain distance from a slightly knicked edge; sometimes measured both with and against the "grain" or "machine direction" of calendered or extruded materials.
 Flame
 Resistance
  Pass or fail test of material subjected to proscribed contact with flame.  Pass indicates the material did not ignite or carry a flame itself, once removed from external source.
 Heat
 Resistance
D573 Measures degree of loss in mechanical properties after subjection to defined time and temperature conditions.  
 Low
 Temperature
 Resistance
D2173 Tests for brittleness or crystallization of material after subjection to defined time and temperature conditions; usually stated as 'pass' or 'fail', indicating whether or not the material remained flexible at the stated temperature.
 Temperature
 Retraction
 TR-10
D1239 The temperature retraction method is currently the most reliable test for low-temperature sealing performance. A rubber seal is stretched 50%, clamped in position, and frozen. The clamps are then released and temperature slowly increased. The temperature at which the material regains enough resilience to recover 10% of the original stretch is the TR-10 (temperature retraction, 10%) point. This test directly evaluates when a material stops being rubbery and starts behaving more like a soft plastic. As a result, it accurately predicts low-temperature behavior. In general, rubber seal materials function reliably down to their TR-10 point in dynamic applications. In static applications, rubber materials typically maintain a seal 15°F below their TR-10 temperature. 
 Ozone
 Resistance
D1171 Tests for appearance of surface cracks, crazing, or checks after subjection to proscribed levels of ozone (using a laboratory chamber) and other conditions (time, temperature, relaxed or elongated state).
 Fluid
 Resistance
D471 Measures volume change due to swelling or shrinking caused by subjection to specified fluids, times, and temperatures.  Commonly, ASTM #1, 2, and 3 Oils plus ASTM Fuels A, B, and C are used in these tests, covering a wide range of aniline points (oils) and aromatic content (fuels), which are good broad indicators of an elastomer's resistance to other oils and fuels.

 Specific
 Gravity
N/A Measures density as ratio of mass (weight) to an equal volume of water (at 4°C / 34°F).  Since one cubic foot of distilled water weighs 64.2 pounds, then the weight of any volume of material can be calculated as ð [Cubic Feet x 64.2 x Specific Gravity], [Cubic Inches x 0.03715 x Specific Gravity], or [Liters x Specific Gravity] for total weight in Kilograms (Kg), since water weighs 1 kg per liter.  Example: 20 lineal feet x 36 inch wide x 1/4 inch thick material, with a specific gravity = 1.15 ð 0.25" x 36" x 240" (20 LF) x .03715 LB/Cu.In. (water) x 1.15 specific gravity = 92 lbs.



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