ASTM F112-00(2019)

Standard Test Method for Sealability of Enveloped Gaskets

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This test method is designed to evaluate all types of enveloped gaskets under controlled conditions with respect to leakage and to provide measurable leakage rates.  
4.2 Determining torque required to seal a given gasket is also part of this test method. By converting the torque at sealing to total bolt load, useful design information may be obtained for other standard and nonstandard openings.  
4.3 This test method may be used as an incoming quality control test to evaluate similar gaskets from different suppliers. This test method may also be used as a quality control test when parameters are agreed upon between the producer and the user.  
4.4 Leakage through the gasket or over the gasket, or both, is determined by this test method.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the evaluation of the sealing properties of enveloped gaskets for use with corrosion-resistant process equipment.2 Enveloped gaskets are described as gaskets having some corrosion-resistant covering over the internal area normally exposed to the corrosive environment. The shield material may be plastic (such as polytetrafluoroethylene) or metal (such as tantalum). A resilient conformable filler is usually used inside the envelope. The design and construction of nonmetallic gaskets is covered in Practice F336.  
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. For specific precautionary statements, see Section 6.  
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: 30-Apr-2019
• ICS: 21.140 - Seals, glands
• Technical Committee: F03 - Gaskets
• Drafting Committee: F03.10 - Composite Gaskets

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F112-00(2013) - Standard Test Method for Sealability of Enveloped Gaskets
• Effective Date: 01-May-2019
• Refers: ASTM F37-06(2019) - Standard Test Methods for Sealability of Gasket Materials
• Effective Date: 01-May-2019
• Refers: ASTM F37-06(2013) - Standard Test Methods for Sealability of Gasket Materials
• Effective Date: 01-May-2013
• Refers: ASTM F336-02(2009) - Standard Practice for Design and Construction of Nonmetallic Enveloped Gaskets for Corrosive Service
• Effective Date: 01-May-2009
• Refers: ASTM F37-06 - Standard Test Methods for Sealability of Gasket Materials
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2006
• Refers: ASTM F336-02 - Standard Practice for Design and Construction of Nonmetallic Enveloped Gaskets for Corrosive Service
• Effective Date: 10-Oct-2002
• Refers: ASTM F37-00 - Standard Test Methods for Sealability of Gasket Materials
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2000
• Refers: ASTM F336-97 - Standard Practice for Design and Construction of Nonmetallic Enveloped Gaskets for Corrosive Service
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-1997
• Referred By: ASTM F363-99(2018) - Standard Test Method for Corrosion Testing of Gaskets
• Effective Date: 01-May-2019
• Referred By: ASTM F336-02(2023) - Standard Practice for Design and Construction of Nonmetallic Enveloped Gaskets for Corrosive Service
• Effective Date: 01-May-2019

Overview

ASTM F112-00(2019) - Standard Test Method for Sealability of Enveloped Gaskets describes a recognized procedure to evaluate the sealing properties of enveloped gaskets used in corrosion-resistant process equipment. Enveloped gaskets feature a corrosion-resistant outer layer, typically made of plastics like PTFE or metals such as tantalum, which shields the inner gasket material from aggressive chemicals. This standard defines test methods to assess leakage rates, determine required sealing torque, and gather key design data for various gasket configurations.

ASTM F112-00(2019) is crucial for industries seeking reliable performance from gaskets in chemically challenging environments, serving as an important tool for quality assurance and supplier evaluation.

Key Topics

• Sealability Measurement: The test method quantifies leakage through and over enveloped gaskets under controlled conditions. Results are provided as measurable leakage rates, allowing for comparative analysis.

• Torque to Seal: The standard incorporates the determination of the torque required to achieve an effective seal. This value, convertible to total bolt load, delivers critical input for joint design in both standard and custom equipment.

• Quality Control Applications:

  • Suitable for incoming inspection to assess products from different gasket suppliers.
  • Enables routine production quality control when parameters are defined by both manufacturer and user.

• Test Setup and Procedure:

  • Gaskets are compressed and tested using specified apparatus integrating pressure and temperature measurement.
  • Readings are taken over set time periods, and plots of pressure vs. time are used for analysis.
  • The test is typically conducted at ambient room temperature without conditioning, simplifying adoption in production and laboratory settings.

• Reporting Requirements: Results include identification and thickness of the gasket, pressure-time data at various torque levels, and graphical plots to aid interpretation.

Applications

The ASTM F112-00(2019) test method is widely used in sectors where gasket integrity under corrosive conditions is essential. Key application areas include:

• Chemical Processing Equipment: Ensures enveloped gaskets can maintain a seal, limiting leakage of hazardous or corrosive materials in pipes, flanges, and vessels.
• Supplier Evaluation: Assists purchasers and manufacturers in qualifying or comparing products from multiple vendors based on quantifiable sealability.
• Design Validation: Provides engineers with practical data to support the design or selection of enveloped gaskets for new systems or for retrofitting existing equipment.
• Routine Quality Monitoring: Offers a repeatable, standardized approach for ongoing production control and compliance with contractual performance specifications.

Related Standards

• ASTM F336 - Practice for Design and Construction of Nonmetallic Enveloped Gaskets for Corrosive Service
  • Provides additional guidelines specific to nonmetallic gasket construction.
• ASTM F37 - Test Methods for Sealability of Gasket Materials
  • Covers single-component gasket materials but is not directly applicable to envelope-style gaskets.

Practical Value

Adopting ASTM F112-00(2019) supports greater reliability and accountability in the selection and deployment of enveloped gaskets. Key benefits include:

• Ensuring leakage performance is measured and controlled using standardized, internationally recognized procedures.
• Generating directly applicable data for safe, consistent operation in corrosion-sensitive environments.
• Enabling cost-effective comparisons and improved quality assurance across diverse suppliers and applications.

By referencing ASTM F112-00(2019), companies demonstrate commitment to safety, compliance, and performance in critical process installations.

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: F112 − 00 (Reapproved 2019)
Standard Test Method for
Sealability of Enveloped Gaskets
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationF112;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginal
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope F336 Practice for Design and Construction of Nonmetallic
Enveloped Gaskets for Corrosive Service
1.1 This test method covers the evaluation of the sealing
propertiesofenvelopedgasketsforusewithcorrosion-resistant 2.2 ASTM Adjuncts:
2 4
process equipment. Enveloped gaskets are described as gas- Detailed Drawing of Test Fixture
kets having some corrosion-resistant covering over the internal
area normally exposed to the corrosive environment. The
3. Summary of Method
shieldmaterialmaybeplastic(suchaspolytetrafluoroethylene)
3.1 An enveloped gasket is compressed between two bolted
or metal (such as tantalum). A resilient conformable filler is
flanges in a special test fixture. After the specified load is
usually used inside the envelope. The design and construction
applied to the gasket, air at the specified pressure is introduced
of nonmetallic gaskets is covered in Practice F336.
into the test chamber and then the test chamber is sealed.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
Pressure and temperature readings are taken and recorded at
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
specified intervals. The leakage rate is measured by the change
only.
in the test chamber pressure over time. The flange load on the
gasket is increased and the process is repeated.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2 Results of the sealability test are expressed as a graph of
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
the remaining test chamber pressure versus time for the
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
specified conditions.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
For specific precautionary statements, see Section 6.
4. Significance and Use
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
4.1 This test method is designed to evaluate all types of
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
enveloped gaskets under controlled conditions with respect to
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
leakage and to provide measurable leakage rates.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
4.2 Determining torque required to seal a given gasket is
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
also part of this test method. By converting the torque at
sealing to total bolt load, useful design information may be
2. Referenced Documents
obtained for other standard and nonstandard openings.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.3 This test method may be used as an incoming quality
F37 Test Methods for Sealability of Gasket Materials
control test to evaluate similar gaskets from different suppliers.
This test method may also be used as a quality control test
whenparametersareagreeduponbetweentheproducerandthe
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F03 on Gaskets
user.
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F03.10 on Composite Gaskets.
Current edition approved May 1, 2019. Published June 2019. Originally
4.4 Leakage through the gasket or over the gasket, or both,
approved in 1970. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as F112 – 00 (2013).
is determined by this test method.
DOI: 10.1520/F0112-00R19.
This test method is to be used in place of Test Methods F37, which apply only
to single-component gasket materials and are not applicable to envelope-style
gaskets. This fixture may also be used for other gasket materials or designs, with or
without modification. Available from ASTM International Headquarters. Order Adjunct No.
Supporting data have been filed atASTM International Headquarters and may be ADJF0112. Original adjunct produced in 1970.
obtained by requesting Research Report RR:F03-1000. The sole source of supply of the apparatus known to the committee at this time
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or is Pfaudler Co., 1000 West Ave., Rochester, NY 14603. If you are aware of
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM alternative suppliers, please provide this information to ASTM International
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Headquarters.Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the
the ASTM website. responsible technical committee, which you may attend.
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F112 − 00 (2019)
5. Apparatus
5.1 Leakage Test Unit—The unit shall contain a suitable
pressure gauge to read from 0 to 2.1 MPa (0 to 300 psig) and
mounted as shown in Fig. 1.
5.2 Compressed Air Supply, capable of supplying 621 kPa
(90 psig) to the test unit.
5.3 Temperature Indicating Device—A thermometer ca-
pable of reading in increments of 1°C in the ambient tempera-
ture range.
6. Hazards
6.1 Use only a unit suitable for a minimum of 1034 kPa
(150 psig).
6.2 Ametal shield box with access doors is suggested as an
added safety factor.
NOTE 1—Tighten bolts evenly; follow numerical sequence.
6.3 Prior to performing any tests, inspect the unit for
FIG. 2 Bolt Tightening Progression
damage, corrosion, and also for metal fatigue cracks that may
have developed.
7. Test Specimen
enveloped gaskets and the components used in their construc-
tion would not be affected by aging under normal storage
7.1 Commercial 102-mm (4-in.) nominal size enveloped
conditions.
gasket with a shield 102 mm (4 in.) in inside diameter
(minimum) and inserts 114 mm (4.5 in.) in inside diameter by
9. Procedure
175 mm (6.88
...