ASTM F3131-14(2023)

Standard Specification for Epoxy / Cotton Raw Materials for the Use in Bearing Cages

ABSTRACT
This specification covers basic characteristics required for porous laminated epoxy materials intended for use as instrument and thin-section ball-bearing retainers (cages), as well as the methods of determining these characteristics. It provides guidance with respect to material and test conditioning, performance, verification, and packaging and package marking.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers basic characteristics required for porous laminated Epoxy materials intended for use as instrument and thin-section ball-bearing retainers (cages) and the methods of determining these characteristics.  
1.2 Forms—Sheets and Rolled Tubes are recommended forms of laminated material covered by this specification.  
1.3 Intended Use—Materials produced to this specification are intended for use as ball bearing retainers (cages). Temperature range is limited to 284 °F (140 °C) and below.  
1.4 Units—The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.5 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.  
1.6 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-Dec-2022
• ICS: 21.100.20 - Rolling bearings
• Technical Committee: F34 - Rolling Element Bearings
• Drafting Committee: F34.06 - Aerospace

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D229-19 - Standard Test Methods for Rigid Sheet and Plate Materials Used for Electrical Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2019
• Refers: ASTM E1640-13(2018) - Standard Test Method for Assignment of the Glass Transition Temperature By Dynamic Mechanical Analysis
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2018
• Refers: ASTM D790-17 - Standard Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2017
• Refers: ASTM D790-15e1 - Standard Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2015
• Refers: ASTM D790-15 - Standard Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2015
• Refers: ASTM D2257-98(2012) - Standard Test Method for Extractable Matter in Textiles
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2012
• Refers: ASTM D695-10 - Standard Test Method for Compressive Properties of Rigid Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2010
• Refers: ASTM D229-09b - Standard Test Methods for Rigid Sheet and Plate Materials Used for Electrical Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2009
• Refers: ASTM E1640-09 - Standard Test Method for Assignment of the Glass Transition Temperature By Dynamic Mechanical Analysis
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2009
• Refers: ASTM D229-09a - Standard Test Methods for Rigid Sheet and Plate Materials Used for Electrical Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2009
• Refers: ASTM D229-09 - Standard Test Methods for Rigid Sheet and Plate Materials Used for Electrical Insulation
• Effective Date: 15-Jan-2009
• Refers: ASTM D618-08 - Standard Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Refers: ASTM D695-08 - Standard Test Method for Compressive Properties of Rigid Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2008
• Refers: ASTM D792-08 - Standard Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Relative Density) of Plastics by Displacement
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2008
• Refers: ASTM D790-07e1 - Standard Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2007

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:F3131 −14 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Specification for
Epoxy / Cotton Raw Materials for the Use in Bearing Cages
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3131; 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 D695 Test Method for Compressive Properties of Rigid
Plastics
1.1 This specification covers basic characteristics required
D790 Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced
for porous laminated Epoxy materials intended for use as
and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materi-
instrument and thin-section ball-bearing retainers (cages) and
als
the methods of determining these characteristics.
D792 Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Rela-
1.2 Forms—Sheets and Rolled Tubes are recommended
tive Density) of Plastics by Displacement
forms of laminated material covered by this specification.
D2257 Test Method for Extractable Matter in Textiles
1.3 Intended Use—Materials produced to this specification E1640 Test Method for Assignment of the Glass Transition
Temperature By Dynamic Mechanical Analysis
are intended for use as ball bearing retainers (cages). Tempera-
ture range is limited to 284 °F (140 °C) and below.
2.2 ANSI/ASQC Standards:
ANSI/ASQC Z1.4 Sampling Procedures and Tables for In-
1.4 Units—The values stated in inch-pound units are to be
spection by Attributes
regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are
mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for 2.3 Federal Standard:
information only and are not considered standard. MIL-STD-129 Military Making for Shipment and Storage
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3. Material and Test Conditioning
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 3.1 Material Conditioning Prior to Tests: (designation as
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- follows)
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 3.1.1 Anumber indicating in degrees Celsius the condition-
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor- ing temperature, or
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- 3.1.2 A number indicating relative humidity, whenever hu-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the midity is controlled, or a word to indicate immersion in liquid.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.2 The numbers shall be separated from each other by a
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
slant marks. A sequence of conditions shall be denoted by use
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
of a plus (+) sign between successive conditions. “Des” shall
be used to indicate desiccation over anhydrous calcium chlo-
2. Referenced Documents
ride. A capital letter “T” (test condition) following the prior
2.1 ASTM Standards: material conditioning designation shall be separated by a
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing colon, with the testing condition noted in the same format as
D229 Test Methods for Rigid Sheet and Plate Materials the material conditioning. Temperature and relative humidity
Used for Electrical Insulation tolerancesshallbeinaccordancewithPracticeD618Section7,
D570 Test Method for Water Absorption of Plastics unless otherwise specified.
3.2.1 Examples:
3.2.1.1 C-96/35/90—Humidityconditioning–96hat95 °F,
(35 °C) and 90 % relative humidity.
This specification is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F34 on Rolling
Element Bearings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F34.06 on 3.2.1.2 E-48/50—Temperature conditioning – 48 h at
Aerospace.
122 °F, (50 °C).
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2023. Published January 2023. Originally
approved in 2014. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as F3131 – 14. DOI:
10.1520/F3131-14R23.
2 3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Available from American Society for Quality (ASQ), 600 N. Plankinton Ave.,
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Milwaukee, WI 53203, http://www.asq.org.
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F3131−14 (2023)
3.2.1.3 D1-24/23—Immersion conditioning – 24 h in dis- 5.2 Required test data shall be requested at the time the
tilled water at 73.4 °F, (23 °C), followed by E-1/105 – tem- purchase order is submitted and listed on the purchase order.
perature conditioning–1hat221°F, (105 °C).
6. Order of Precedence
3.3 Standard Procedures:
3.3.1 Procedure A:
6.1 In the event of a conflict between the text of this
3.3.1.1 Condition A—40/23/50 for thickness equal or less
specification and references cited herein, the text of this
than 0.250 in., (7 mm) or Condition A-88/23/50 for thickness
specification takes precedence. Nothing in this specification,
greaterthan0.250in.,(7 mm)StandardLaboratoryatmosphere
however, supersedes applicable laws and regulations unless a
for a minimum of either 40 h or 88 h, dependent on thickness,
specific exemption has been obtained.
at 73.4 °F (23 °C) and 50 % relative humidity.
3.3.2 Procedure D:
7. Performance Requirement
3.3.2.1 Condition D —24/23 See example above.
7.1 Tube—Performance requirements for tube laminated
3.3.2.2 Condition D—24/23 – Immersion conditioning –
materials specified in Table 1.
24 h at 73.4 °F, (23 °C).
3.3.2.3 Condition D—48/50 – Immersion conditioning – 48 7.2 Sheet—Performance requirements for sheet laminated
h at 122 °F, (50 °C).
materials, specified in Table 2.
3.3.3 Procedure E:
7.3 Construction—Tubes and Sheets shall consist of cotton
3.3.3.1 Condition E-1/150:T-150 –Temperature condition-
base material (reinforcement) as described in 4.1, impregnated
ing–1hat302°F, (150 °C) - immediately followed with Test
and bonded with a non-plasticized Epoxy resin. Tubes will be
at 302 °F, (150 °C).
made by passing the impregnated material over heated rolls
3.3.3.2 Condition E—48/50 See example above.
and winding the heated material onto a mandrel while applying
3.3.3.3 ConditionE—168/185–Temperatureconditioning–
pressure to the material/mandrel. The overwrapped mandrel is
168 h at 365 °F, (185 °C).
then placed in an oven to cure the tube. Sheets will be made by
stacking pre-cut impregnated material between steel plates and
4. Classification
loadedintoapressapplyingheatandpressuretocurethesheet.
4.1 The material shall be furnished in the following types
7.4 Base Materials:
and forms as specified:
7.4.1 Cotton Fabric Construction—Material shall consist of
Type Description
a woven cotton fabric substrate impregnated and bonded with
2 2
FB Rolled tube made from cotton fabric weighing 4 oz/yd (0.14 kg/m )
an Epoxy resin matrix and processed to meet the requirements
or less, with a nominal thread count of 80 by 80 threads per in.
(31.5 cm by 31.5 cm). Thread tolerance of ± 5 %.
ofthisspecification,(see4.1).Finishedfabricshallbede-sized,
washed, and bleached, with remaining impurities per Test
2 2
FBFW Rolled tube made from cotton fabric weighing 4 oz/yd (0.14 kg/m )
or less, with a nominal thread count of 100 by 100 threads per in. Method D2257 Extractable Matter, not greater than 1.5 % after
(39.4 cm by 39.4 cm). Thread tolerance of ± 5 %.
finishing.
2 2
FBEFW Rolled tube made from cotton fabric weighing 3 oz/yd (0.1 kg/m )or
7.5 Property Values—Tubes shall conform to the property
less, with a nominal thread count of 130 by 130 threads per in. (51.2
values shown in Table 1, when tested in accordance with
cm). Thread tolerance of ± 5 %.
Section 8. The property value requirements for special sizes of
tubesshallbeasspecifiedinthepurchaseorder(seeSection5).
5. Ordering Information
Sheets shall conform to the property values shown in Table 2,
5.1 Procurement documents should specify the following:
when tested in accordance with Section 8. The property value
5.1.1 Title, designation, and date of this specification,
requirements for special sizes of sheets shall be as specified in
5.1.2 Type required (see Section 4),
the purchase order (see Section 5).
5.1.3 Dimensions required, and
5.1.4 Special marking required (see 10.2). 7.6 Dimensional:
TABLE 1 Performance Requirements for Tubes
Condition ASTM Unit FB FBFW FBEFW
Test
Method
A
Compressive Strength Axial A D695 Min. psi 27 000 27 000 27 000
A
Compressive Strength Axial A D695 Min. kpsi 255 255 285
Modulus
A
Density (Range) A D792 gm/cc 1.24 – 1.34 1.28 – 1.38 1.30 – 1.38
Tg by DMA A E1640 Min. °C 150 150 150
Water Absorption (ID range of 0.25 D – 24/23 D570 Max. % Wall < 0.062 in. Wall < 0.125 in. Wall <0.250 in. Wall <0.5 in.
in. (0.635 cm) to 8.0 in. (20.3 cm)) (0.16 cm) 1.5 (0.32 cm) 1.0 (0.63 cm) 0.75 (1.27 cm) 0.5
A
Pounds per square inches (psi). 1 psi = 6.8948 kPa. Test is limited to tubes 0.250 in. (0.635 cm) and greater ID. One specimen to be taken from center of sample tube.
The other two specimens to be taken 1 in. (2.54 cm) from each end of the sample tube.
F3131−14 (2023)
TABLE 2 Performance Requirements for FB Sheets
A
Condition ASTM Unit Thickness (in.)
Test 0.031 0.062 0.094 0.125 0.188 0.250 0.500 0.750 1.000 1.001 – Max.
Method
Flexural
strength
Lengthwise: A D790 Min. psi 19 000 19 000 19 000 19 000 19 000 19 000 19 000 18 000 16 500 16 000
Crosswise: Min. psi 16 000 16 000 16 000 16 000 16 000 16 000 16 000 15 000 12 500 12 500
Flexural
strength
Lengthwise: A D790 Min. kpsi . 900 900 900 900 900 900 900 900 900
Modulus
Crosswise: . . Min. kpsi . 750 750 750 750 750 750 750 750 750
modulus
Tg by DMA A E1640 Min. °C 150 150 150 150 150 150 150 150 150 150
Bonding A D229 Min. lbs. . . . . . . 1 800 1 800 2 200 2 200
strength D-48/50 1 700 1 700 2 200 2 200
Water ab- D – 24/23 D570 Max. % 1.50 1.25 1.00 1.00 0.75 0.75 0.50 0.50 0.25 0.25
sorption D570
Silicone con- E-168/185 Customer Max. ppm 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50
tent Specific
A
1 in. = 2.54 cm. 1 lb = 0.45 kg. 1 psi = 6.8948 kPa.
B
Maximum thickness tested shall be 2.000 in. (5.08 cm).

F3131−14 (2023)
7.6.1 Diameter of Tubes Rolled Round (TRR)—Range of 7.10 Color—The natural color of the laminate may vary and
sizesfortubesrolledroundshallbeasspecifiedinTable3.The is not a cause for rejection.
inside diameter and outside diameter shall be included in the
7.11 Surface Finish—Laminate shall be finished to meet the
part number. An example of a part number for a rolled tube
customer requirements.
with an inside diameter of 0.188 in., (0.478 cm) and an outside
7.12 Degree of Cure—Degree of cure measuring Tg. (Glass
diameter of 0.250 in., (0.635 cm) is TRR-00.188/00.250. The
Transition) byTest Method E1640, shall be measured by DMA
wall thickness tolerances for finished outside diameter shall be
method (or other similar test method), with a minimum value
as specified in Table 4.
of 302 °F (150 °C).
7.6.2 Thickness of Sheets—Thickness of laminated sheets,
permissible variations, and the applicable part number shall be
8. Verification
as specified in Table 5.
8.1 Responsibility for Inspection—Unless otherwise speci-
7.6.3 Warpage—Warpage of material furnished in the tube
fied in the contract or purchase order, the contractor is
or sheet form, as delivered, shall not be greater than the
responsible for the performance of all inspection requirements
following when measured per method in 8.4: Tubes Outside
(examinations and tests) as specified herein. Except as other-
Diameter (OD) and Sheet Thickness, Permissible Warp, Table
wise specified in the contract or purchase order, the contractor
6.
may use his own or any other facilities suitable for the
NOTE 1—Percentage of warp is specified in terms of 36 in. (91 cm)
performance of the inspection requirements specified herein,
material lengths.
unless disapproved by the customer.The customer reserves the
7.6.4 Lengths—Unless otherwise specified (see Section 5),
right to perform any of the inspections set forth in this
tubes shall be furnished in Manufacturer’s standards lengths.
specification where such inspections are deemed necessary to
7.6.5 Tolerances—Tube diameters ID, OD and Wall thick-
ensure supplies and services conform to prescribed require-
ness shall be specified by only two dimensions ID by OD or ID
ments.
by Wall, (see Section 5). For tube ID and OD tolerances (see
8.2 Conformance Inspection:
Table 3). For tube Wall thickness tolerance (see Table 5).
8.2.1 Sampling for Conformance Inspection—Sampling for
Unlessotherwisespecified,tubesshallconformtothespecified
conformance inspection shall be performed in accordance with
dimensions from nominal ID and OD, but variations in wall
ASQC-Z1.4 unless otherwise specified. For purpose of
thickness shall not be greater than the tolerances shown in
sampling, an inspection lot for examination and tests shall
Table 5.As an option a buyer may request an unfinished OD or
consist of all materials of the same type dimensions, resin, and
trimmed length, or both. For sheet thickness tolerance (see
base material from one impregnation run.
Table 5).
8.2.2 Examination of Material—Examination of material
7.7 Resin—Shall be used and stored within the manufactur-
shall be made in accordance with 7.4. The lot size for
er’s requirements.
determining the sample size in accordance with ASQC-Z1.4.
MIL-STD-129MilitaryMakingforShipmentandStorageshall
7.8 Pre Preg—Prepreg shall be used within six months
be expressed in units of tubes or sheets.
when stored at 68 °F 6 5.4 °F (20 °C 6 3 °C) and 30 %
maximum relative humidity. Some resin systems may require
8.3 AppearanceandWorkmanship—The sample unit for the
Prepreg to be frozen.
following examination shall be tubes or sheets of the specified
lot. The inspection level shall be per ASQC-Z1.4. MIL-STD-
7.9 Surface Defects—Finished, tube OD diameters and
129 Military Making for Shipment and Storage, Level II with
sheet surfaces shall be free from blisters, loose layers, resin
acceptance quality levels (AQLs) as follows: 1.5 for major
pockets,voidsandwrinkles.Finishedwallsandsheetthickness
defects and for minor defects. Classifications of defects are
...