ASTM F495-99a(2019)

Standard Test Method for Weight Loss of Gasket Materials Upon Exposure to Elevated Temperatures

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
2.1 Weight loss represents the amount of combustibles and volatiles of the material at various temperatures between 315°C (600°F) and 815°C (1499°F). This procedure should not be used to determine percent of binder content.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of gasket material weight loss upon exposure to elevated temperatures.  
1.2 This test method may include hazardous materials, operations, and equipment.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 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
• ICS: 23.100.60 - Filters, seals and contamination of fluids
• Technical Committee: F03 - Gaskets
• Drafting Committee: F03.40 - Chemical Test Methods

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F495-99a(2011) - Standard Test Method for Weight Loss of Gasket Materials Upon Exposure to Elevated Temperatures
• Effective Date: 01-May-2019
• Referred By: ASTM E2785-14(2022) - Standard Test Method for Exposure of Firestop Materials to Severe Environmental Conditions
• Effective Date: 01-May-2019

Overview

ASTM F495-99a(2019), Standard Test Method for Weight Loss of Gasket Materials Upon Exposure to Elevated Temperatures, establishes procedures to determine how much weight a gasket material loses when subjected to high temperatures. Developed by ASTM International, this standard is essential for assessing material performance in applications where thermal stability and resistance to volatile loss are critical. The test method is applicable to a wide range of gasket materials exposed to temperatures between 315°C (600°F) and 815°C (1499°F).

Understanding the weight loss of gasket materials helps manufacturers and users evaluate composition and predict behavior in high-temperature environments. This method focuses specifically on the quantity of combustibles and volatiles lost, rather than total binder content.

Key Topics

• Test Method Purpose: Measures the amount of weight loss due to volatile components in gasket materials at elevated temperatures.
• Temperature Range: Examines gasket performance between 315°C and 815°C.
• Sample Preparation: Involves cutting specimens to specific sizes, conditioning in a circulating air oven, and weighing using analytical balances.
• Heating Procedure: Utilizes muffle furnaces capable of maintaining required temperature accuracy.
• Calculation of Weight Loss: Specifies formulas and steps for calculating percentage weight loss.
• Reporting Requirements: Mandates full identification of gasket material, including type, source, date of manufacture, thickness, and test temperature.
• Precision and Bias: Provides guidance on reproducibility and reliability of results across different laboratories.
• Safety and Regulatory Compliance: Users are responsible for adhering to appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices as the method can involve hazardous materials and equipment.

Applications

The ASTM F495-99a(2019) test method is widely used in the gasket manufacturing and sealing industries to:

• Assess thermal stability: Identify gasket materials that can withstand high temperatures with minimal degradation or loss of vital properties.
• Material selection: Aid engineers and product managers in selecting suitable materials for applications in automotive, aerospace, chemical processing, and power generation, where exposure to elevated temperatures is routine.
• Quality assurance: Enable manufacturers to guarantee consistent material characteristics for critical sealing applications.
• Product development: Support the development of new gasket materials designed for improved performance in high-heat environments by providing a benchmark test for thermal resistance.
• Compliance and certification: Ensure that gasket materials meet industry and regulatory standards, thereby reducing risk and increasing reliability in service.

Related Standards

For a comprehensive approach to gasket material testing and selection, consider these related ASTM standards:

• ASTM F36: Compressibility and recovery of gasket materials.
• ASTM F37: Sealability of gasket materials.
• ASTM F152: Tensile strength of gasket materials.
• ASTM F104: Classification system for nonmetallic gasket materials.
• ASTM D573: Deterioration in an air oven (commonly used for rubber materials at elevated temperatures).

Practical Value

Implementing ASTM F495-99a(2019) helps organizations ensure their gasket materials perform optimally under harsh thermal conditions, reducing downtime and maintenance costs while enhancing safety and product reliability. By understanding the weight loss characteristics, users can select or certify materials with confidence, supporting robust engineering and regulatory compliance in demanding industries.

Keywords: ASTM F495, gasket material testing, weight loss, elevated temperature resistance, muffle furnace, volatile loss, combustibles, thermal stability, sealing materials, gasket industry standards.

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: F495 − 99a (Reapproved 2019)
Standard Test Method for
Weight Loss of Gasket Materials Upon Exposure to Elevated
Temperatures
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationF495;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 3.5 Circulating Air Oven, maintained at 100 6 2°C (2126
3.6°F).
1.1 This test method covers the determination of gasket
material weight loss upon exposure to elevated temperatures.
4. Test Specimens
1.2 This test method may include hazardous materials,
4.1 Specimens shall consist ofa5to 10-g quantity of the
operations, and equipment.
material. The specimens shall be cut into pieces not larger than
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
12.7 mm ( ⁄2 in.) square to allow all of it to be placed within the
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
crucible.
only.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
5. Conditioning
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
5.1 Afterthespecimenhasbeencutorbrokenupandplaced
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
in the crucible, heat it in the circulating air oven for 1 h at
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
100°C (212°F) and allow it to cool to 21 to 30°C (70 to 86°F)
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
in the desiccator.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the 6. Number of Tests
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
6.1 A minimum of three tests shall be run on separate
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
specimens taken from the same sample with the results
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
averaged, unless otherwise agreed upon between the producer
and the user.
2. Significance and Use
2.1 Weight loss represents the amount of combustibles and
7. Procedure
volatiles of the material at various temperatures between
7.1 Heat a clean crucible for 30 min at the specified test
315°C (600°F) and 815°C (1499°F).This procedure should not
temperature. Cool to 21 to 30°C (70 to 86°F) in a desiccator.
be used to determine percent of binder content.
Weigh the crucible on the analytical balance and record as W .
3. Apparatus
7.2 Place the cut or broken-up specimen in the crucible and
3.1 Muffle Furnace, capable of maintaining a temperature
condition in accordance with 5.1. Weigh the specimen and
range between 315°C (600°F) and 815°C (1499°F) with an
crucible and record the weight as W .
accuracy of 65°C (9°F).
7.3 Place the specimen and the crucible in the muffle
3.2 Porcelain Crucible.
furnace at the temperature level determined for this test for 60
3.3 Analytical Balance. min (recommend 61 min), cool the specimen and the crucible
to 21 to 30°C (70 to 86°F) in a desiccator,
...