ASTM_F_2378_-_05_2011.pdf

Designation:F237805(Reapproved 2011)Standard Test Method forSealability of Sheet,Composite,and Solid Form-in-PlaceGasket Materials1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2378;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This test method covers a means of evaluating thesealing properties of sheet,composite,and solid form-in-placegasket materials(see Classification F104 or F868)at roomtemperature,and may be used for fluid(gas or liquid)leak ratemeasurements.It utilizes relatively short hold times and is notintended to predict long-term performance in application.1.2 This test method is suitable for evaluating the sealingcharacteristics of a gasket material under different press loadsby measuring the leakage rate.This test method may be used asan acceptance test when the producer and user have agreed tospecific test conditions for the following parameters:(1)testmedium,(2)internal pressure of the medium,(3)press load onthe gasket specimen,and(4)the surface finish of the platens.1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as thestandard.The values given in parentheses are for informationonly.1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and to determine theapplicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D2000 Classification System for Rubber Products in Auto-motive ApplicationsF104 Classification System for Nonmetallic Gasket Materi-alsF868 Classification for Laminated Composite Gasket Mate-rials2.2 ANSI Standard:3B57.1 Compressed Gas Cylinder Valve Outlet and InletConnections3.Terminology3.1 Definitions:3.1.1 press loadthe load applied by the hydraulic press tothe test assembly divided by the gasket area.The press load isnot compensated for as the internal pressure is increased,so thegasket stress is reduced for the test conditions.3.1.2 solid form-in-place gasketa solid length of gasket-ing material generally in a ribbon or rope form that can be laidout on the platen surface and overlapped at the ends to form acontinuous sealing surface.4.Summary of Test Method4.1 This test method utilizes a test specimen compressed inincreasing stages between the surfaces of two flat steel platens.After the specified press load is applied,fluid(typicallynitrogen)is introduced into the center of the annular gasketcompressed between platens,and a pressure of 4 MPa(580 psi)is applied.The fluid leak rate is measured.The fluid pressure isrelieved and the press load is increased to the next level.Thefluid pressure is reapplied and the leak rate measured again.The cycle is repeated 5 times until a final press load of 32 MPa(4640 psi)is achieved.Other press loads,internal pressures,pressurizing fluids,and number of cycles can be used as agreedupon between the producer and the user.All variations from thestandard requirements must be reported with the test results.4.1.1 The fluid leak rate is measured by mass flow meterslocated downstream from the gasket test fixture.Other meansof leak measurement also may be used and would depend uponthe test fluid,the leak rate,and the accuracy required as agreedupon between the producer and the user.4.2 This test method uses flat platens on which an externalload is applied to produce a compressive force on the gaskettest specimen.The uncompensated load applied is the pressload.1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F03 on Gasketsand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F03.10 on Composite Gaskets.Current edition approved May 1,2011.Published July 2011.Originally approvedin 2005.Last previous edition approved in 2005 as F237805.DOI:10.1520/F2378-05R11.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3Available from American National Standards Institute(ANSI),25 W.43rd St.,4th Floor,New York,NY 10036.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 4.3 Results of the sealability tests are typically expressed asa leak rate in mL/min for the test specimen under the specificconditions of the test for gases or mL/h for liquids,or may beexpressed as mass loss per unit of time.5.Significance and Use5.1 This test method is designed to compare sealing char-acteristics of gasket materials under controlled conditions byproviding a precise measure of leakage rate at different pressloads up to 32 MPa(4640 psi).5.2 This test method is suitable for measuring