ASTM F38-18

Standard Test Methods for Creep Relaxation of a Gasket Material

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 These test methods are designed to compare related materials under controlled conditions and their ability to maintain a given compressive stress as a function of time. A portion of the torque loss on the bolted flange is a result of creep relaxation. Torque loss can also be caused by elongation of the bolts, distortion of the flanges, and vibration; therefore, the results obtained should be correlated with field results. These test methods may be used as a routine test when agreed upon between the consumer and the producer.
Note 1: Test Method B was developed using asbestos gasket materials and at issuance substantiating data were not available for other gasket materials.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods provide a means of measuring the amount of creep relaxation of a gasket material at a predetermined time after a compressive stress has been applied.  
1.1.1 Test Method A—Creep relaxation measured by means of a calibrated strain gauge on a bolt.  
1.1.2 Test Method B—Creep relaxation measured by means of a calibrated bolt with dial indicator.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Jul-2018
• ICS: 23.100.60 - Filters, seals and contamination of fluids
• ICS: 73.080 - Non-metalliferous minerals
• Technical Committee: F03 - Gaskets
• Drafting Committee: F03.20 - Mechanical Test Methods

Relations

• Refers: ASTM F436/F436M-18a - Standard Specification for Hardened Steel Washers Inch and Metric Dimensions
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2018
• Refers: ASTM A193/A193M-15a - Standard Specification for Alloy-Steel and Stainless Steel Bolting for High Temperature or High Pressure Service and Other Special Purpose Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2015
• Refers: ASTM F436/F436M-16 - Standard Specification for Hardened Steel Washers Inch and Metric Dimensions
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2016
• Refers: ASTM F436/F436M-18 - Standard Specification for Hardened Steel Washers Inch and Metric Dimensions
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2018
• Refers: ASTM B637-16 - Standard Specification for Precipitation-Hardening and Cold Worked Nickel Alloy Bars, Forgings, and Forging Stock for Moderate or High Temperature Service
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2016
• Refers: ASTM A193/A193M-14a - Standard Specification for Alloy-Steel and Stainless Steel Bolting for High Temperature or High Pressure Service and Other Special Purpose Applications
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2014
• Refers: ASTM A193/A193M-15 - Standard Specification for Alloy-Steel and Stainless Steel Bolting for High Temperature or High Pressure Service and Other Special Purpose Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2015
• Referred By: ASTM F37-06(2019) - Standard Test Methods for Sealability of Gasket Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2018
• Referred By: ASTM F607-03(2019) - Standard Test Method for Adhesion of Gasket Materials to Metal Surfaces
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2018
• Referred By: ASTM F104-11(2020) - Standard Classification System for Nonmetallic Gasket Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2018
• Referred By: ASTM F1276-23 - Standard Test Method for Creep Relaxation of Laminated Composite Gasket Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2018

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F38 − 18
Standard Test Methods for
1
Creep Relaxation of a Gasket Material
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationF38;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginal
adoptionor,inthecaseofrevision,theyearoflastrevision.Anumberinparenthesesindicatestheyearoflastreapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope dards Related to Rubber and Rubber Testing (Withdrawn
3
1987)
1.1 These test methods provide a means of measuring the
F104Classification System for Nonmetallic Gasket Materi-
amount of creep relaxation of a gasket material at a predeter-
als
mined time after a compressive stress has been applied.
F436/F436MSpecification for Hardened SteelWashers Inch
1.1.1 Test Method A—Creep relaxation measured by means
and Metric Dimensions
of a calibrated strain gauge on a bolt.
2.2 ASTM Adjuncts:
1.1.2 Test Method B—Creep relaxation measured by means
4
Relaxometer, Method A (F38)
of a calibrated bolt with dial indicator.
5
Relaxometer, Method B (F38)
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
3. Summary of Test Methods
only.
3.1 In both test methods the specimen is subjected to a
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
compressivestressbetweentwoplatens,withthestressapplied
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
by a nut and bolt.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2 InTestMethodA,normallyrunatroomtemperature,the
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
stress is measured by a calibrated strain gauge on the bolt. In
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
running the test, strain indicator readings are taken at intervals
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
of time, beginning at the loading time, to the end of the test.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
The strain indicator readings are converted to percentages of
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
the initial stress which are then plotted against the log of time
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
in hours. The percentage of initial stress loss or relaxation can
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
be read off the curve at any given time, within the limits of the
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
total test time.
2. Referenced Documents
3.3 InTestMethodB,runatroomorelevatedtemperatures,
2
the stress is determined by measuring the change in length of
2.1 ASTM Standards:
the calibrated bolt with a dial indicator. The bolt length is
A193/A193MSpecification for Alloy-Steel and Stainless
measured at the beginning of the test and at the end of the test;
Steel Bolting for High Temperature or High Pressure
from this the percentage of relaxation is calculated.
Service and Other Special Purpose Applications
B637Specification for Precipitation-Hardening and Cold
4. Significance and Use
Worked Nickel Alloy Bars, Forgings, and Forging Stock
4.1 These test methods are designed to compare related
for Moderate or High Temperature Service
materials under controlled conditions and their ability to
D3040Practice for Preparing Precision Statements for Stan-
maintain a given compressive stress as a function of time. A
portion of the torque loss on the bolted flange is a result of
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F03 on
Gaskets and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F03.20 on Mechanical
3
Test Methods. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2018. Published November 2018. Originally www.astm.org.
4
approvedin1962.Lastpreviouseditionapprovedin2014asF38–00(2014).DOI: AprintofthisapparatusisavailableatanominalcostfromASTMInternational
10.1520/F0038-18. Headquarters. OrderAdjunct No. ADJF003801. Original adjunct produced in 1965.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
5
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Detailed working drawings of this apparatus are available from ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on International Headquarters. Order Adjunct No. ADJF003802. Original adjunct
the ASTM website. produced in 1965.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F38 − 00 (Reapproved 2014) F38 − 18
Standard Test Methods for
1
Creep Relaxation of a Gasket Material
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F38; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of original
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A superscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 These test methods provide a means of measuring the amount of creep relaxation of a gasket material at a predetermined
time after a compressive stress has been applied.
1.1.1 Test Method A—Creep relaxation measured by means of a calibrated strain gauge on a bolt.
1.1.2 Test Method B—Creep relaxation measured by means of a calibrated bolt with dial indicator.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
A193/A193M Specification for Alloy-Steel and Stainless Steel Bolting for High Temperature or High Pressure Service and Other
Special Purpose Applications
B637 Specification for Precipitation-Hardening and Cold Worked Nickel Alloy Bars, Forgings, and Forging Stock for Moderate
or High Temperature Service
3
D3040 Practice for Preparing Precision Statements for Standards Related to Rubber and Rubber Testing (Withdrawn 1987)
F104 Classification System for Nonmetallic Gasket Materials
F436/F436M Specification for Hardened Steel Washers Inch and Metric Dimensions
2.2 ASTM Adjuncts:
4
Relaxometer, Method A (F38)
5
Relaxometer, Method B (F38)
3. Summary of Test Methods
3.1 In both test methods the specimen is subjected to a compressive stress between two platens, with the stress applied by a nut
and bolt.
3.2 In Test Method A, normally run at room temperature, the stress is measured by a calibrated strain gauge on the bolt. In
running the test, strain indicator readings are taken at intervals of time, beginning at the loading time, to the end of the test. The
strain indicator readings are converted to percentages of the initial stress which are then plotted against the log of time in hours.
The percentage of initial stress loss or relaxation can be read off the curve at any given time, within the limits of the total test time.
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F03 on Gaskets and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F03.20 on Mechanical Test Methods.
Current edition approved March 1, 2014Aug. 1, 2018. Published April 2014November 2018. Originally approved in 1962. Last previous edition approved in 20062014
as F38 – 00 (2006).(2014). DOI: 10.1520/F0038-00R14. 10.1520/F0038-18.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
4
A print of this apparatus is available at a nominal cost from ASTM International Headquarters. Order Adjunct No. ADJF003801. Original adjunct produced in 1965.
5
Detailed working drawings of this apparatus are available from ASTM International Headquarters. Order Adjunct No. ADJF003802. Original adjunct produced in 1965.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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F38 − 18
3.3 In Test Method B, run at room or elevated temperatures, the stress is determined by measuring the change in length of the
calibrated bolt with a dial indicator. The bolt length is measured at the beginning of the test and at the end of
...