ASTM D178-01(2010)
(Specification)Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Matting
Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Matting
ABSTRACT
X1.3.1 Tests made on a cellular plastic under conditions herein prescribed can be of considerable value in comparing the rate of burning and/or extent and time of burning of different materials, in controlling manufacturing processes, or as a measure of deterioration or change in burning characteristics prior to or during use.
X1.3.2 This test method is not intended to be a criterion for fire hazard. The fire hazard created by materials depends upon the form and end use of the material. Assessment of fire hazard includes, but is not limited to, many factors, such as, ease of ignition, burning rate, flame spread, fuel contribution, intensity of burning, and products of combustion.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers acceptance testing of rubber insulating matting for use as a floor covering for protection of workers.
1.2 Two types of matting, differing in chemical and physical characteristics, are provided and are designated as Type I and Type II matting.
1.3 The following safety hazards caveat applies only to the test method portion, Sections 17 to 19, of this specification: 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Note 1—Rubber insulating matting should remain flexible for use through normal temperature ranges.
Note 2—Rubber as used in this specification is a generic term that includes elastomers and elastomer compounds, regardless of origin.
X1.1.1 This test method covers a small-scale horizontal laboratory screening procedure for measuring the rate, extent, or time, or a combination thereof, of burning of rigid or flexible cellular plastics in accordance with this test procedure.
X1.1.2 Materials that exhibit pronounced shrinking, curling, or melting away upon heating cannot be evaluated by this test method.
X1.1.3 This test method is not applicable to materials that cannot be ignited under the conditions of this test, or to materials that exhibit progressive combustion without flame (continued glowing or charring).
Note X1.1—The rate of burning or extent of burning of rigid cellular plastics also may be determined by Test Method D3014 where the specimen is supported vertically.
X1.1.3.1 WarningDuring the course of combustion, gases or vapors, are evolved that may be hazardous to personnel. Adequate precautions should be taken to protect the operator.
X1.1.4 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:D178 −01 (Reapproved 2010)
Standard Specification for
Rubber Insulating Matting
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D178; 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 Cracking (Withdrawn 2007)
D570 Test Method for Water Absorption of Plastics
1.1 This specification covers acceptance testing of rubber
D573 Test Method for Rubber—Deterioration in an Air
insulating matting for use as a floor covering for protection of
Oven
workers.
D1692 Method of Test for Rate of Burning or Extent and
1.2 Twotypesofmatting,differinginchemicalandphysical
Time of Burning of Cellular Plastics Using a Specimen
characteristics, are provided and are designated as Type I and
Supported by a Horizontal Screen (Withdrawn 1976)
Type II matting. 4
2.2 American National Standard:
ANSIC84.1 VoltageRatingsforElectricPowerSystemsand
1.3 The following safety hazards caveat applies only to the
test method portion, Sections 17 to 19, of this specification: Equipment (60 Hz)
This standard does not purport to address all of the safety
3. Terminology
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and
3.1 Definitions:
health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
3.1.1 user, n—as used in 4.3.1, the entity employing the
limitations prior to use.
actual worker(s) utilizing the equipment; if no separate
employer, then the individual.
NOTE 1—Rubber insulating matting should remain flexible for use
through normal temperature ranges.
3.1.2 voltage, maximum retest, n—voltage, either ac rms or
NOTE 2—Rubber as used in this specification is a generic term that
dc avg, which is equal to the proof-test voltage for new
includes elastomers and elastomer compounds, regardless of origin.
protective equipment.
3.1.3 voltage, retest, n—voltage, either ac rms or dc avg,
2. Referenced Documents
that used protective equipment must be capable of withstand-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
ing for a specified test period without breakdown.
D149 Test Method for Dielectric Breakdown Voltage and
3.1.4 voltage, nominal design, n—a nominal value consis-
DielectricStrengthofSolidElectricalInsulatingMaterials
tent with the latest revision of ANSI C84.1, assigned to the
at Commercial Power Frequencies
circuit or system for the purpose of conveniently designating
D297 Test Methods for Rubber Products—ChemicalAnaly-
its voltage class.
sis
3.1.5 voltage, maximum use, n—the ac voltage (rms) clas-
D412 Test Methods forVulcanized Rubber andThermoplas-
sification of the protective equipment that designates the
tic Elastomers—Tension
maximum nominal design voltage of the energized system that
D471 Test Method for Rubber Property—Effect of Liquids
may be safely worked. The nominal design voltage is equal to
D518 Test Method for Rubber Deterioration—Surface
phase-to-phase voltage on multiphase circuits.
3.1.5.1 If there is no multiphase exposure in a system area,
and the voltage exposure is limited to phase (polarity on dc
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F18 on
systems) to ground potential, the phase (polarity on dc sys-
Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers and is the direct responsibility of
tems) to ground potential shall be considered to be the nominal
Subcommittee F18.25 on Insulating Cover-Up Equipment. This standard replaces
ANSI Standard J 6.7, which is no longer available.
design voltage.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2010. Published November 2010. Originally
approved in 1923. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as D178 – 01(2005).
DOI: 10.1520/D0178-01R10.
2 3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM www.astm.org.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 West 42nd Street,
the ASTM website. 13th Floor, New York, NY 10036.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D178−01 (2010)
3.1.5.2 If electrical equipment and devices are insulated, or 5.1.2 Type II, made of any elastomer or combination of
isolated, or both, such that the multiphase exposure on a elastomeric compounds with one or more of the following
grounded wye circuit is removed, then the nominal design special properties:
voltage may be considered as the phase-to-ground voltage on 5.1.2.1 A—Ozone resistance
that circuit. 5.1.2.2 B—Flame resistance
5.1.2.3 C—Oil resistance
4. Significance and Use 5.1.3 The class designation shall be based on the electrical
properties as shown in Table 2.
4.1 This specification covers the minimum electrical,
chemical, and physical properties guaranteed by the manufac-
6. Ordering Information
turer and the detailed procedures by which such properties are
6.1 Orders for matting under this specification should in-
to be determined. The purchaser may at his option perform or
clude the following information:
have performed any of these tests in order to verify the
6.1.1 Type,
guarantee. Claims for failure to meet the specification are
6.1.2 Class,
subject to verification by the manufacturer.
6.1.3 Thickness,
4.2 Rubber insulating matting is used for personal protec-
6.1.4 Width,
tion; therefore when authorizing its use a margin of safety
6.1.5 Length, and
should be allowed between the maximum voltage at which it is
6.1.6 Color.
used and the proof-test voltage at which it is tested. The
6.2 The listing of types, classes, thicknesses, widths,
relationship between proof-test and the maximum voltage at
lengths, and colors is not intended to mean that all shall
which matting shall be used is shown in Table 1.
necessarily be available from manufacturers; it signifies only
4.3 Work practices vary from user to user, depending upon
that, if made, they shall conform to the details of this
many factors. These may include, but are not limited to,
specification.
operating system voltages, construction design, work proce-
7. Manufacture and Marking
dures and techniques, weather conditions etc. Therefore, ex-
ceptfortherestrictionssetforthinthisspecificationbecauseof
7.1 The matting shall consist of a rubber compound with a
design limitations, the use and maintenance of this equipment
smooth,corrugated,ordiamonddesignononesurfaceandmay
is beyond the scope of this specification
be backed with fabric, or may have one or more fabric inserts.
4.3.1 Itiscommonpracticeandtheresponsibilityoftheuser
The back of the matting may be finished with cloth imprint or
of this type of protective equipment to prepare complete
other slip-resistant material. Any such fabric insert shall not
instructions and regulations to govern the correct and safe use
affect adversely the dielectric characteristics of the matting.
of such equipment.
7.2 Each piece of matting shall be marked clearly and
permanently at a maximum interval of1m(3ft) with the name
5. Classification
of the manufacturer or supplier, ASTM D178, type, and class.
5.1 Matting covered under this specification shall be desig-
8. Dimensions and Permissible Variations
nated as Type I or Type II; Class 0, Class 1, Class 2, Class 3,
or Class 4.
8.1 Width—Standard widths shall be 610 6 13 mm (24.0 6
5.1.1 Type I, made of any elastomer or combination of
0.5 in.), 760 6 13 mm (30.0 6 0.5 in.), 914 6 25 mm (36 6
elastomer compounds, properly vulcanized.
1 in.) and 12206 25 mm (48 6 1 in.).
8.2 Thickness—The thickness of the matting shall be as
specified in Table 3. Measurements shall be made over the
corrugations or diamonds. The corrugations shall be not more
TABLE 1 Proof Test/Use Voltage Relationship
than3.2mm(0.125in.)deep.Thediamondsshallnotbehigher
NOTE 1—The ac voltage (rms) classification of the protective equip-
than 1.6 mm (0.062 in.).
ment designates the maximum nominal design voltage of the energized
systemthatmaybesafelyworked.Thenominaldesignvoltageisequalto:
9. Workmanship and Finish
a. The phase to phase on multiphase circuits or
b. The phase to ground voltage on single phase grounded circuits.
9.1 The matting shall be free of harmful physical
Nominal Maximum irregularities, which can be detected by thorough test or
A
Class of Insulat- AC Proof-Test DC Proof-Test
Use Voltage
inspection.
ing Matting Phase-Phase Voltage, rms V Voltage, avg, V
ac rms, max 9.1.1 Nonharmful Irregularities—Surface irregularities may
0 1 000 5 000 20 000
be present on all rubber matting due to imperfections in molds
1 7 500 10 000 40 000
and inherent difficulties in the manufacturing processes. These
2 17 000 20 000 50 000
irregularities may appear as indentations, protuberances, or
3 26 500 30 000 60 000
4 36 000 40 000 70 000
imbedded foreign material that are acceptable provided that:
A
Except for Class O equipment, the maximum use voltage is based on the 9.1.1.1 The indentation or protuberance tends to blend into
following formula:
a smooth slope upon stretching of the material.
Maximum use voltage (maximum nominal design voltage) 0.95 ac proof-test
9.1.1.2 The rubber thickness at any irregularity conforms to
voltage − 2000
the thickness requirements.
D178−01 (2010)
TABLE 2 Electrical Test Requirements
A
AC DC
Proof Test Proof Test Dielectric Test
B B
Class Electrode Clearances, min Dielectric Test Voltage Electrode Clearances, min
Voltage Voltage Voltage
mm in. rms V rms V mm in. avg V avg V
0 76 3 5 000 6 000 76 3 20 000 35 000
1 76 3 10 000 20 000 76 3 40 000 60 000
2 127 5 20 000 30 000 152 6 50 000 70 000
3 178 7 30 000 40 000 203 8 60 000 80 000
4 178 10 40 000 50 000 305 12 70 000 90 000
A
DC proof-test, voltages were determined using negative polarity.
B
These nominal clearances are intended to avoid flashover and may be increased by no more than 2 in. (51 mm) when required by change in atmospheric conditions from
the standard of 100 kPa (1 atm) barometric pressure and average humidity conditions. These clearances may be decreased if atmospheric conditions permit.
TABLE 3 Thickness Measurements
11.3 The Type IIA matting material shall show no visible
Thickness Tolerance effects from ozone when tested in accordance with 18.6.1,or
Class
mm in. mm in. 18.6.2.Incaseofdispute,MethodAoftheozoneresistancetest
shall be the referee test.
0 3.2 0.13 0.8 0.03
1 4.8 0.19 0.8 0.03
2 6.4 0.25 0.8 0.03
12. Guarantee
3 9.5 0.38 1.2 0.05
4 12.7 0.50 1.2 0.05
12.1 The manufacturer or supplier shall replace, without
charge to the purchaser, unused matting which, at any time
within a period of nine (9) months from date of initial delivery
of shipment to the purchaser or his designee, fail to pass the
9.1.1.3 Foreign material remains in place when the matting tests in this specification.This guarantee will be binding on the
is bent and stretches equally with the material surrounding it. manufacturer or supplier only if the matting has been properly
stored and has not been subjected to more than an original
10. Chemical and Physical Requirements
acceptance test and one retest.
10.1 Insulating matting shall conform to the physical re-
12.2 Any acceptance test made by the purchaser, or the
quirements in Table 4. For Type II matting, flame or oil
purchaser’s designee, shall be performed within the first two
resistance can be determined by conducting the tests in 19.2.5
(2) months of the guarantee period unless otherwise specified.
or 19.2.6, respectively.
NOTE 3—Proper storage means that the matting is stored without
distortion, and not stored directly above or in proximity to steam pipes,
11. Electrical Requirements
radiators, or other sources of artificial heat, or exposed to direct sunlight
or sources of ozone. It is desirable that the ambient storage temperature
11.1 The entire length of each roll of matting when new
shall not exceed 35°C (95°F).
(unused) shall withstand the 60-Hz ac proof-test voltage (rms
value) or the dc proof-test voltage (average value) specified in
13. Sampling
Table 2. The test voltage shall be applied continuously for 1
13.1 Each roll of matting in a lot or shipment shall be
min.
subject to inspection and test by the manufacturer including
11.2 The matting material when tested between 50-mm
electrical proof test to levels required in Table 2 of this
(2-in.) disk electrodes with edges rounded to a radius of 6 mm
specification.
(0.25 in.), shall show a 60-Hz dielectric strength of not less
13.2 An original sample of sufficient material shall be cut
than the requirements shown in Table 2 for the thickness of
from the end of a roll or rolls selected from the lot for the test
each individual specimen.
requirements of Section 10, 11.2, and 11.3. A lot is defined as
thatquantityofmaterialproducedbyacommonmanufacturing
process during a consecutive time period not to exceed 24 h. If
TABLE 4 Physical Requirements
failure occurs in the first sample, a second sample of the same
Type I Type II
quantity shall be selected and tested.
Tensile strength, min, MPa (psi) 4.83 (700) 4.83 (700)
Tension set, max, at 150 % elongation, 12.7 (0.50) 12.7 (0.50)
51-mm (2-in.) bench mark, mm (in.) 14. Rejection
Elongation, min, % 250 250
A 14.1 Individual rolls shall be rejected if they fail to meet the
Moisture absorption, max in-crease , 1 ⁄2 3
%
manufacturing and marking requirements of Section 7, the
Flame resistance, Type IIB not applicable 12.7 mm (0.5 in.)
electrical requirements of 11.1, the width requirements of 8.1,
after 30 s
Oil resistance, max, volume increase, not applicable 4 the minimum thickness requirements of 8.2, or the workman-
B
Type IIC
ship requirements of Section 9.
A
Distilled water—23°C (75°F).
B 14.2 The entire lot or shipment of matting shall be rejected
ASTM Oil No. 2 room temperature for 24 h.
under any of the following conditions:
D178−01 (2010)
14.2.1 If 5 % or more, but not less than two rolls of the TEST METHODS
matting, in a shipment fail to meet the requirements of 11.1.
17. Sequence of Testing
14.2.2 If two dielectric breakdowns that do not meet the
17.1 The following order of procedure is suggested for
dielectric strength value specified in 11.2 occur in five tests on
testing rubber insulating matting.
the specimen.
17.1.1 Inspection of the surfaces in accordance with Section
14.2.3 If one dielectric breakdown of
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.