ASTM F2378-05(2011)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Sealability of Sheet, Composite, and Solid Form-in-Place Gasket Materials
Standard Test Method for Sealability of Sheet, Composite, and Solid Form-in-Place Gasket Materials
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method is designed to compare sealing characteristics of gasket materials under controlled conditions by providing a precise measure of leakage rate at different press loads up to 32 MPa (4640 psi).
This test method is suitable for measuring leakage rates from 0.1 mL/min to as high as 5 L/min for gases.
This test method evaluates leak rates after time periods (typically 30 min) that result in a steady state leakage rate condition. Holding gasket materials under load and internal fluid pressure until steady state is achieved is required to obtain reproducible results.
If the fluid being used in the test causes changes, such as swelling, in the gasket material, it may affect results and diminish repeatability.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a means of evaluating the sealing properties of sheet, composite, and solid form-in-place gasket materials (see Classification F104 or F868) at room temperature, and may be used for fluid (gas or liquid) leak rate measurements. It utilizes relatively short hold times and is not intended to predict long-term performance in application.
1.2 This test method is suitable for evaluating the sealing characteristics of a gasket material under different press loads by measuring the leakage rate. This test method may be used as an acceptance test when the producer and user have agreed to specific test conditions for the following parameters: (1) test medium, (2) internal pressure of the medium, (3) press load on the gasket specimen, and (4) the surface finish of the platens.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
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 to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation: F2378 − 05(Reapproved 2011)
Standard Test Method for
Sealability of Sheet, Composite, and Solid Form-in-Place
Gasket Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2378; 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.
1. Scope 2.2 ANSI Standard:
B57.1 Compressed Gas Cylinder Valve Outlet and Inlet
1.1 This test method covers a means of evaluating the
Connections
sealing properties of sheet, composite, and solid form-in-place
gasket materials (see Classification F104 or F868) at room
3. Terminology
temperature, and may be used for fluid (gas or liquid) leak rate
3.1 Definitions:
measurements. It utilizes relatively short hold times and is not
3.1.1 press load—the load applied by the hydraulic press to
intended to predict long-term performance in application.
the test assembly divided by the gasket area. The press load is
1.2 This test method is suitable for evaluating the sealing
notcompensatedforastheinternalpressureisincreased,sothe
characteristics of a gasket material under different press loads
gasket stress is reduced for the test conditions.
bymeasuringtheleakagerate.Thistestmethodmaybeusedas
3.1.2 solid form-in-place gasket—a solid length of gasket-
an acceptance test when the producer and user have agreed to
ing material generally in a ribbon or rope form that can be laid
specific test conditions for the following parameters: (1) test
out on the platen surface and overlapped at the ends to form a
medium, (2) internal pressure of the medium, (3) press load on
continuous sealing surface.
the gasket specimen, and (4) the surface finish of the platens.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the 4. Summary of Test Method
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
4.1 This test method utilizes a test specimen compressed in
only.
increasing stages between the surfaces of two flat steel platens.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
After the specified press load is applied, fluid (typically
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the nitrogen) is introduced into the center of the annular gasket
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- compressedbetweenplatens,andapressureof4MPa(580psi)
priate safety and health practices and to determine the is applied.The fluid leak rate is measured.The fluid pressure is
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. relieved and the press load is increased to the next level. The
fluid pressure is reapplied and the leak rate measured again.
The cycle is repeated 5 times until a final press load of 32 MPa
2. Referenced Documents
(4640 psi) is achieved. Other press loads, internal pressures,
2.1 ASTM Standards:
pressurizingfluids,andnumberofcyclescanbeusedasagreed
D2000 Classification System for Rubber Products in Auto-
uponbetweentheproducerandtheuser.Allvariationsfromthe
motive Applications
standard requirements must be reported with the test results.
F104 Classification System for Nonmetallic Gasket Materi-
4.1.1 The fluid leak rate is measured by mass flow meters
als
located downstream from the gasket test fixture. Other means
F868 Classification for Laminated Composite Gasket Mate-
of leak measurement also may be used and would depend upon
rials
the test fluid, the leak rate, and the accuracy required as agreed
upon between the producer and the user.
4.2 This test method uses flat platens on which an external
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F03 on Gaskets
load is applied to produce a compressive force on the gasket
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F03.10 on Composite Gaskets.
test specimen. The uncompensated load applied is the press
CurrenteditionapprovedMay1,2011.PublishedJuly2011.Originallyapproved
in2005.Lastpreviouseditionapprovedin2005asF2378–05.DOI:10.1520/F2378-
load.
05R11.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
the ASTM website. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F2378 − 05 (2011)
4.3 Results of the sealability tests are typically expressed as from the gasket fixture. Typically multiple mass flow meters
a leak rate in mL/min for the test specimen under the specific arepipedparalleltotheflowwithonlythemostsensitivemeter
conditions of the test for gases or mL/h for liquids, or may be for the flow conditions valved to the leakage stream. For
expressed as mass loss per unit of time. example, 0-10, 0-100, and 0-1000 mL/min mass flow meters
may all be accurate to 0.25 %, but the former will measure a 1
5. Significance and Use
mL/min-leak 100 times more accurately than the latter. Other
5.1 This test method is designed to compare sealing char- leak measurement devices may be used as agreed upon
between the producer and the user. Mass flow meters should
acteristics of gasket materials under controlled conditions by
providing a precise measure of leakage rate at different press have an accuracy of 61 % of full scale or better.
loads up to 32 MPa (4640 psi).
6.5 Pressure Control Regulators, to limit variation and
5.2 This test method is suitable for measuring leakage rates
alarm, low pressure may be used at the discretion of the users,
from 0.1 mL/min to as high as 5 L/min for gases.
producers, or both.
5.3 This test method evaluates leak rates after time periods
6.6 Platens, hardened and machined with either a serrated
(typically 30 min) that result in a steady state leakage rate
concentric or serrated spiral finish having a resultant surface
condition. Holding gasket materials under load and internal
finish as agreed upon between the producer and user. Platens
fluidpressureuntilsteadystateisachievedisrequiredtoobtain
should be a minimum of 25 mm (1.0 in.) thick. Platens, an
reproducible results.
example of which is shown in Fig. 1, shall be fitted with an OD
5.4 Ifthefluidbeingusedinthetestcauseschanges,suchas rubber seal to contain the leaking gas. The platens shall be
swelling, in the gasket material, it may affect results and
suitably drilled to accept the high-pressure gas inlet fitting and
diminish repeatability. to permit a flow of the pressurizing fluid to fill the annulus of
the test specimen, and to allow the pressure gage to be
6. Apparatus
connected. The outlet leaking fluid fitting shall be drilled to
6.1 The apparatus shall consist of a press frame (for collect the fluid outside of the test specimen OD and within the
rubber seal. The leak collection depends on the rubber seal.
example, one rated at 225 kN (25 tons) or greater), with
well-aligned platens, or a ball-jointed platen against a fixed The load to seal the rubber seal shall be compensated so that
the target press load is achieved within the tolerance of 6.2.
platen. The platens shall be aligned parallel within 2 % of the
test specimen nominal thickness. The center volume can be fitted with a solid plug to minimize
internal volume and aid in platen alignment. The recess in the
6.2 Calibrated Hydraulic System, or load cells may be used
bottom of the fixture is intended to retain circular alignment
to monitor the load. Hydraulic system should have a load
with the hydraulic press.
settingandcontrollingsystemwithanaccuracyof 64MPa(60
psi) or 1 % of the target load.
7. Reagents and Materials
6.3 Calibrated Regulator and Gages, to monitor internal
7.1 Commercially available bottled, compressed nitrogen is
gas pressure or gas pressure over liquid. Test pressure should
therecommendedtestfluid.Otherfluidsmaybeusedasagreed
be monitored and controlled with an accuracy of 640 kPa (6
upon between the producer and the user.
psi).
6.4 Temperature and Pressure (10.35 MPa (1500 psi))
7.2 Gasket test specimens as agreed upon by the producer
Corrected Mass Flow Meters, to monitor gas flow (leakage) and the user.
FIG. 1 Test Assembly for Determining Sealability of Gasket Materials
F2378 − 05 (2011)
8. Hazards Instrument Company. Calibration range shall be consistent
with the load range needed. Suitable calibration curves shall be
8.1 Normal safety practices required for operating pressure
generated as needed.
equipment shall be observed by the personnel conducting the
tests. 11.2 Gages to monitor internal fluid pressure should be
calibrated using suitable equipment, for example, Transmation
8.2 A suitably mounted, transparent safety shield shall be
Precision Pressure Calibrator Model 109. Calibration range
used as a barrier between the operator and the pressurized
shall be consistent with the internal pressure being monitored.
system in case of a gasket blowout.
Calibration curves shall be generated as needed.
8.3 All components of the system must be designed to
11.3 The mass flow meters used to measure gas leakage
safely accommodate a maximum internal working pressure of
rates should be calibrated using suitable equipment, for
10.3MPa(1500psi)andagasketfaceloadof225kN(25tons)
example, Precision Wet Test Meter. Calibration range shall be
in order to satisfy the requirements of the user and ensure the
consistent with the mass flow leak rate being monitored.
safety of the operator.
Calibration curves shall be generated as needed.
8.4 Care shall be exercised to ensure proper support of
11.4 If liquids are used as the pressuring fluid, the liquid
nitrogen gas cylinders and pressure regulators used for oper-
measuring system should be calibrated using suitable
ating pressure control in accordance with ANSI B57.1.
equipment, for example, Precision Micro Buret. Calibration
range shall be consistent with the liquid flow leak rate being
9. Sampling, Test Specimens, and Test Units
monitored. Calibration curves shall be generated as needed.
9.1 Preparation of Sheet or Composite Test Specimens:
9.1.1 When sheet or composite gasket materials (see Clas-
12. Conditioning
sification F104 or F868) are to be tested, the test specimens
12.1 Condition all types of test specimens as specified in
shall be die cut so that the edges are flat, clean, and free from
Classification F104 or F868 unless otherwise agreed upon
burrs. The size shall be 50 6 0.5 mm (1.968 6 0.020 in.) in
between the producer and user.
inside diamete
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