ASTM D178-93(1998)

Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Matting

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 problems, 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Mar-2001
• ICS: 29.035.20 - Plastics and rubber insulating materials
• Technical Committee: F18 - Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers
• Drafting Committee: F18.25 - Insulating Cover-Up Equipment

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D178-01 - Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Matting
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2001

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or
withdrawn.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: D 178 – 93 (Reapproved 1998)
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Specification for
Rubber Insulating Matting
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 178; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope Supported by a Horizontal Screen
2.2 American National Standard:
1.1 This specification covers acceptance testing of rubber
ANSI C84.1 Voltage Ratings for Electric Power Systems
insulating matting for use as a floor covering for protection of
and Equipment (60 Hz)
workers.
1.2 Two types of matting, differing in chemical and physical
3. Terminology
characteristics, are provided and are designated as Type I and
3.1 user—as used in 4.3.1, the entity employing the actual
Type II matting.
worker(s) utilizing the equipment; if no separate employer,
1.3 The following safety hazards caveat applies only to the
then the individual.
test method portion, Sections 17 to 19, of this specification:
3.2 voltage, maximum retest—voltage, either ac rms or dc
This standard does not purport to address all of the safety
avg, which is equal to the proof-test voltage for new protective
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
equipment.
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and
3.3 voltage, retest—voltage, either ac rms or dc avg, that
health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
used protective equipment must be capable of withstanding for
limitations prior to use.
a specified test period without breakdown.
NOTE 1—Rubber insulating matting should remain flexible for use
3.4 voltage, nominal design—a nominal value consistent
through normal temperature ranges.
with the latest revision of ANSI C84.1, assigned to the circuit
NOTE 2—Rubber as used in this specification is a generic term that
or system for the purpose of conveniently designating its
includes elastomers and elastomer compounds, regardless of origin.
voltage class.
2. Referenced Documents 3.5 voltage, maximum use—the ac voltage (rms) classifica-
tion of the protective equipment that designates the maximum
2.1 ASTM Standards:
nominal design voltage of the energized system that may be
D 149 Test Method for Dielectric Breakdown Voltage and
safely worked. The nominal design voltage is equal to phase-
Dielectric Strength of Solid Electrical Insulating Materials
to-phase voltage on multiphase circuits.
at Commercial Power Frequencies
3.5.1 If there is no multiphase exposure in a system area,
D 297 Test Methods for Rubber Products—Chemical
and the voltage exposure is limited to phase (polarity on dc
Analysis
systems) to ground potential, the phase (polarity on dc sys-
D 412 Test Methods for Vulcanized Rubber and Thermo-
tems) to ground potential shall be considered to be the nominal
plastic Rubbers and Thermoplastic Elastomers—Tension
design voltage.
D 471 Test Method for Rubber Property—Effect of Liq-
3 3.5.2 If electrical equipment and devices are insulated, or
uids
isolated, or both, such that the multiphase exposure on a
D 570 Test Method for Water Absorption of Plastics
grounded wye circuit is removed, then the nominal design
D 1149 Test Method for Rubber Deterioration—Surface
voltage may be considered as the phase-to-ground voltage on
Ozone Cracking in a Chamber
that circuit.
D 1692 Test Method for Rate of Burning or Extent and
Time of Burning of Cellular Plastics Using a Specimen
4. Significance and Use
4.1 This specification covers the minimum electrical,
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F-18 on
chemical, and physical properties guaranteed by the manufac-
Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers and is the direct responsibility of
turer and the detailed procedures by which such properties are
Subcommittee F18.25 on Insulating Cover-Up Equipment. This standard replaces
ANSI Standard J 6.7, which is no longer available.
to be determined. The purchaser may at his option perform or
Current edition approved Dec. 15, 1993. Published February 1994. Originally
published as D178 – 23 T. Last previous edition D178 – 88 (1993).
2 5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 10.01. This standard was discontinued in January 1978. Refer to the 1977 Annual
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 09.01. Book of ASTM Standards, Part 36.
4 6
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01. Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 West 42nd Street,
13th Floor, New York, NY 10036.
D 178
have performed any of these tests in order to verify the 6.1.3 Thickness,
guarantee. Claims for failure to meet the specification are 6.1.4 Width,
subject to verification by the manufacturer. 6.1.5 Length, and
4.2 Rubber insulating matting is used for personal protec- 6.1.6 Color.
tion; therefore when authorizing its use a margin of safety 6.2 The listing of types, classes, thicknesses, widths,
should be allowed between the maximum voltage at which it is lengths, and colors is not intended to mean that all shall
used and the proof-test voltage at which it is tested. The necessarily be available from manufacturers; it signifies only
relationship between proof-test and the maximum voltage at that, if made, they shall conform to the details of this
which matting shall be used is shown in Table 1. specification.
4.3 Work practices vary from user to user, depending upon
7. Manufacture and Marking
many factors. These may include, but are not limited to,
7.1 The matting shall consist of a rubber compound with a
operating system voltages, construction design, work proce-
smooth, corrugated, or diamond design on one surface and may
dures and techniques, weather conditions etc. Therefore, ex-
be backed with fabric, or may have one or more fabric inserts.
cept for the restrictions set forth in this specification because of
The back of the matting may be finished with cloth imprint or
design limitations, the use and maintenance of this equipment
other slip-resistant material. Any such fabric insert shall not
is beyond the scope of this specification
affect adversely the dielectric characteristics of the matting.
4.3.1 It is common practice and the responsibility of the user
7.2 Each piece of matting shall be marked clearly and
of this type of protective equipment to prepare complete
permanently at a maximum interval of1m(3ft) with the name
instructions and regulations to govern the correct and safe use
of the manufacturer or supplier, ASTM D178, type, and class.
of such equipment.
8. Dimensions and Permissible Variations
5. Classification
8.1 Width—Standard widths shall be 610 6 13 mm (24.0 6
5.1 Matting covered under this specification shall be desig-
0.5 in.), 760 6 13 mm (30.0 6 0.5 in.), 914 6 25 mm (36 6
nated as Type I or Type II; Class 0, Class 1, Class 2, Class 3,
1 in.) and 12206 25 mm (48 6 1 in.).
or Class 4.
8.2 Thickness—The thickness of the matting shall be as
5.1.1 Type I, made of any elastomer or combination of
specified in Table 3. Measurements shall be made over the
elastomer compounds, properly vulcanized.
corrugations or diamonds. The corrugations shall be not more
5.1.2 Type II, made of any elastomer or combination of
than 3.2 mm (0.125 in.) deep. The diamonds shall not be higher
elastomeric compounds with one or more of the following
than 1.6 mm (0.062 in.).
special properties:
5.1.2.1 A—Ozone resistance 9. Workmanship and Finish
5.1.2.2 B—Flame resistance
9.1 The matting shall be free of harmful physical irregulari-
5.1.2.3 C—Oil resistance
ties, which can be detected by thorough test or inspection.
5.1.3 The class designation shall be based on the electrical
9.1.1 Nonharmful Irregularities—Surface irregularities may
properties as shown in Table 2.
be present on all rubber matting due to imperfections in molds
and inherent difficulties in the manufacturing processes. These
6. Ordering Information
irregularities may appear as indentations, protuberances, or
6.1 Orders for matting under this specification should in-
imbedded foreign material that are acceptable provided that:
clude the following information:
9.1.1.1 The indentation or protuberance tends to blend into
6.1.1 Type,
a smooth slope upon stretching of the material.
6.1.2 Class,
9.1.1.2 The rubber thickness at any irregularity conforms to
the thickness requirements.
TABLE 1 Proof Test/Use Voltage Relationship
9.1.1.3 Foreign material remains in place when the matting
is bent and stretches equally with the material surrounding it.
NOTE 1—The ac voltage (rms) classification of the protective equip-
ment designates the maximum nominal design voltage of the energized
10. Chemical and Physical Requirements
system that may be safely worked. The nominal design voltage is equal to:
10.1 Insulating matting shall conform to the physical re-
a. The phase to phase on multiphase circuits or
b. The phase to ground voltage on single phase grounded circuits.
quirements in Table 4. For Type II matting, flame or oil
resistance can be determined by conducting the tests in 19.2.5
Nominal Maximum
A
Class of Insulat- Use Voltage AC Proof-Test Volt- DC Proof-Test Volt-
or 19.2.6, respectively.
ing Matting Phase-Phase age, rms V age, avg, V
ac rms, max
11. Electrical Requirements
0 1 000 5 000 20 000
11.1 The entire length of each roll of matting when new
1 7 500 10 000 40 000
(unused) shall withstand the 60-Hz ac proof-test voltage (rms
2 17 000 20 000 50 000
3 26 500 30 000 60 000 value) or the dc proof-test voltage (average value) specified in
4 36 000 40 000 70 000
Table 2. The test voltage shall be applied continuously for 1
A
Except for Class O equipment, the maximum use voltage is based on the
min.
following formula:
11.2 The matting material when tested between 50-mm
Maximum use voltage (maximum nominal design voltage) 0.95 ac proof-test
voltage − 2000 (2-in.) disk electrodes with edges rounded to a radius of 6 mm
D 178
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
13. Sampling
Thickness Tolerance
13.1 Each roll of matting in a lot or shipment shall be
Class
mm in. mm in.
subject to inspection and test by the manufacturer including
0 3.2 0.13 0.8 0.03 electrical proof test to levels required in Table 2 of this
1 4.8 0.19 0.8 0.03
specification.
2 6.4 0.25 0.8 0.03
13.2 An original sample of sufficient material shall be cut
3 9.5 0.38 1.2 0.05
4 12.7 0.50 1.2 0.05 from the end of a roll or rolls selected from the lot for the test
requirements of Section 10, 11.2, and 11.3. A lot is defined as
that quantity of material produced by a common manufacturing
TABLE 4 Physical Requirements
process during a consecutive time period not to exceed 24 h. If
Type I Type II
failure occurs in the first sample, a second sample of the same
Tensile strength, min, MPa (psi) 4.83 (700) 4.83 (700)
quantity shall be selected and tested.
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
Moisture absorption, max in-crease , 1 ⁄2 3
14.1 Individual rolls shall be rejected if they fail to meet the
%
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).
14.2 The entire lot or shipment of matting shall be rejected
B
ASTM Oil No. 2 room temperature for 24 h.
under any of the following conditions:
14.2.1 If 5 % or more, but not less than two rolls of the
(0.25 in.), shall show a 60-Hz dielectric strength of not less
matting, in a shipment fail to meet the requirements of 11.1.
than the requirements shown in Table 2 for the thickness of
14.2.2 If two dielectric breakdowns that do not meet the
each individual specimen.
dielectric strength value specified in 11.2 occur in five tests on
11.3 The Type IIA matting material shall show no visible
the specimen.
effects from ozone when tested in accordance with 18.6.1, or
14.2.3 If one dielectric breakdown of five tests on the
18.6.2. In case of dispute, Method A of the ozone resistance test
original and one or more dielectric breakdowns of five tests on
shall be the referee test.
an additional specimen fail to meet the dielectric strength value
12. Guarantee
specified in 11.2.
14.2.4 If the sample specimens of Type IIA matting, using
12.1 The manufacturer or supplier shall replace, without
the sampling methods and criteria specified in 18.6.1 or 18.6.2,
charge to the purchaser, unused matting which, at any time
fail to meet the ozone resistance requirements of 11.3.
within a period of nine (9) months from date of initial delivery
14.2.5 If the sample specimens of Type IIB matting using
of shipment to the purchaser or his designee, fail to pass the
the sampling methods and criteria specified in 19.2.5, fail to
tests in this specification. This guarantee will be binding on the
meet the flame-resistant requirements of 10.1.
manufacturer or supplier only if the matting has been properly
14.2.6 If the sample specimens of Type IIC matting using
stored and has not been subjected to more than an original
the sampling methods and criteria specified in 19.2.6 fail to
acceptance test and one retest.
meet the oil resistance requirements of 10.1.
12.2 Any acceptance test made by the purchaser, or the
14.3 The testing shall be terminated and the manufacturer or
purchaser’s designee, shall be performed within the fir
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