ISO 16010:2019

Elastomeric seals - Material requirements for seals used in pipes and fittings carrying gaseous fuels and hydrocarbon fluids

This document specifies requirements for elastomeric materials used in seals for supply pipes and fittings, ancillaries and valves at operating temperatures in general from ?5 °C up to 50 °C and in special cases from ?15 °C up to 50 °C, for the following: a) general applications (see Table 4, type G series): - gaseous fuel [manufactured, natural and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in the gaseous phase], - hydrocarbon fluids with an aromatic content up to 30 % (by volume), including LPG in the liquid phase; b) special applications (see Table 4, type H): - materials suitable for carrying gaseous fuels containing gas condensates and hydrocarbon fluids of unrestricted aromatic content. General requirements for finished joint seals are also given; any additional requirements called for by the particular application are specified in the relevant product standards, taking into account that the performance of pipe joints is a function of the seal material properties, seal geometry and pipe joint design. This document is used where appropriate with product standards which specify performance requirements for joints. This document is applicable to joint seals for all pipeline materials, including iron, steel, copper and plastics. In the case of composite sealing rings, the requirements in 5.2.8 and 5.2.9 apply only when the materials used for any elastomeric parts come into contact with gaseous fuel or hydrocarbon fluid. Elongation at break, tensile strength, compression set and stress relaxation requirements for materials of hardness classes 80 and 90 apply only when they constitute that part of the seal which participates directly in the sealing function or contributes directly to long-term stability. This document is not applicable to the following: - seals made from cellular materials; - seals with enclosed voids as part of their design; - seals required to be resistant to flame or to thermal stress; - seals which contain splices joining pre-vulcanized profile ends.

Garnitures d'étanchéité en élastomères — Exigences matérielles pour les joints utilisés dans les canalisations et les raccords véhiculant des combustibles gazeux et des hydrocarbures liquides

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 27-Aug-2019
• ICS: 83.140.50 - Seals
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 45/SC 4 - Products (other than hoses)
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 45/SC 4/WG 2 - Rubber seals
• Current Stage: 9092 - International Standard to be revised
• Start Date: 17-Dec-2024
• Completion Date: 13-Dec-2025

Relations

• Consolidated By: ISO 16823:2025 - Non-destructive testing - Ultrasonic testing - Through-transmission technique
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2023
• Revises: ISO 16010:2005 - Elastomeric seals - Material requirements for seals used in pipes and fittings carrying gaseous fuels and hydrocarbon fluids
• Effective Date: 23-Apr-2020

Overview

ISO 16010:2019 specifies material requirements for elastomeric seals used in pipes, fittings, ancillaries and valves that convey gaseous fuels (manufactured, natural and LPG in the gaseous phase) and hydrocarbon fluids. It covers typical operating temperatures from −5 °C to 50 °C (and in special cases −15 °C to 50 °C), defines classification and hardness ranges, and gives general requirements for finished joint seals. The standard is applicable to seals for all pipeline materials (iron, steel, copper, plastics) and is intended to be used alongside product standards that define joint performance.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Material classification and hardness: five hardness classes (50, 60, 70, 80, 90) with specified IRHD ranges.
• Service categories:
  • Type G (general): gaseous fuels and hydrocarbons with aromatic content up to 30% (by volume).
  • Type H (special): suitable for gases with condensates and hydrocarbons of unrestricted aromatic content.
• Mechanical and physical properties: mandatory limits for tensile strength, elongation at break, compression set, and stress relaxation; hardness variation limits (max 4 IRHD difference per seal).
• Ageing and chemical resistance: requirements after accelerated ageing (70 °C, 7 days) and volume change tests in hydrocarbon liquids (ISO 1817).
• Low-temperature performance: compression set testing at −5 °C (and special provisions for −15 °C cases).
• Stress relaxation testing: measured at ambient temperature with 7‑day and 90‑day criteria; regression correlation coefficients required (≥ 0.93 for 7‑day, ≥ 0.83 for 90‑day). The 90‑day test is considered a type-approval test.
• Finished-seal quality: dimensional tolerances (ISO 3302-1), surface and internal defect classifications (ISO 9691), and exclusion of cellular materials, seals with enclosed voids, flame/thermal‑resistant seals, and spliced pre‑vulcanized profiles.
• Composite seals: additional requirements apply only to elastomeric parts that contact the fluid.

Applications and who uses it

ISO 16010:2019 is used by:

• Seal and gasket manufacturers designing and qualifying pipe joint seals for gas distribution and liquid hydrocarbon systems.
• Pipeline and fittings manufacturers selecting compatible elastomers for gas utilities, LPG systems, and fuel installations.
• Test laboratories and certification bodies performing mechanical, ageing and chemical resistance tests to verify material compliance.
• Engineers and specifiers ensuring long-term sealing performance and regulatory compliance in gas and hydrocarbon conveyance.

Related standards

ISO 16010 references and is intended to be applied with other test and product standards, e.g., ISO 37, ISO 48-2, ISO 188, ISO 815-1/2, ISO 1817, ISO 3384-1 and ISO 9691 for specific test methods and workmanship guidance. Use ISO 16010:2019 when specifying elastomeric seal materials for reliable, safe pipeline joints.

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 16010
Second edition
2019-08
Elastomeric seals — Material
requirements for seals used in pipes
and fittings carrying gaseous fuels and
hydrocarbon fluids
Garnitures d'étanchéité en élastomères — Exigences matérielles pour
les joints utilisés dans les canalisations et les raccords véhiculant des
combustibles gazeux et des hydrocarbures liquides
Reference number
©
ISO 2019
© ISO 2019
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting
on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address
below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
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Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 2
4 Classification . 2
5 Requirements . 2
5.1 Materials . 2
5.2 Finished-seal requirements . 3
5.2.1 Dimensional tolerances. 3
5.2.2 Imperfections and defects . 3
5.2.3 Hardness . 3
5.2.4 Tensile strength and elongation at break . 3
5.2.5 Compression set in air . 3
5.2.6 Accelerated ageing in air . 4
5.2.7 Stress relaxation in compression . 4
5.2.8 Volume change in liquid B . 4
5.2.9 Volume change in oil . 4
5.2.10 Ozone resistance . 4
5.2.11 Compression set at –15 °C . 5
6 Test pieces and temperature. 5
6.1 Preparation of test pieces . 5
6.2 Test temperature . 5
7 Quality assurance . 7
8 Storage . 7
9 Designation . 8
10 Marking and labelling . 8
Annex A (informative) Quality assurance. 9
Annex B (informative) Guidance on storage of seals .10
Bibliography .11
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www .iso .org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www .iso
.org/iso/foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 45, Rubber and rubber products,
Subcommittee SC 4, Products other than hoses.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 16010:2005), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:
— normative references has been updated to the latest version
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/members .html.
iv © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 16010:2019(E)
Elastomeric seals — Material requirements for seals
used in pipes and fittings carrying gaseous fuels and
hydrocarbon fluids
1 Scope
This document specifies requirements for elastomeric materials used in seals for supply pipes and
fittings, ancillaries and valves at operating temperatures in general from –5 °C up to 50 °C and in special
cases from –15 °C up to 50 °C, for the following:
a) general applications (see Table 4, type G series):
— gaseous fuel [manufactured, natural and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in the gaseous phase],
— hydrocarbon fluids with an aromatic content up to 30 % (by volume), including LPG in the
liquid phase;
b) special applications (see Table 4, type H):
— materials suitable for carrying gaseous fuels containing gas condensates and hydrocarbon
fluids of unrestricted aromatic content.
General requirements for finished joint seals are also given; any additional requirements called for by
the particular application are specified in the relevant product standards, taking into account that the
performance of pipe joints is a function of the seal material properties, seal geometry and pipe joint
design. This document is used where appropriate with product standards which specify performance
requirements for joints.
This document is applicable to joint seals for all pipeline materials, including iron, steel, copper and
plastics.
In the case of composite sealing rings, the requirements in 5.2.8 and 5.2.9 apply only when the materials
used for any elastomeric parts come into contact with gaseous fuel or hydrocarbon fluid.
Elongation at break, tensile strength, compression set and stress relaxation requirements for materials
of hardness classes 80 and 90 apply only when they constitute that part of the seal which participates
directly in the sealing function or contributes directly to long-term stability.
This document is not applicable to the following:
— seals made from cellular materials;
— seals with enclosed voids as part of their design;
— seals required to be resistant to flame or to thermal stress;
— seals which contain splices joining pre-vulcanized profile ends.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 37, Rubber, vulcanized or thermoplastic — Determination of tensile stress-strain properties
ISO 48-2, Rubber, vulcanized or thermoplastic — Determination of hardness — Part 2: Hardness between
10 IRHD and 100 IRHD
ISO 188:2011, Rubber, vulcanized or thermoplastic — Accelerated ageing and heat resistance tests
ISO 815-1, Rubber, vulcanized or thermoplastic — Determination of compression set — Part 1: At ambient
or elevated temperatures
ISO 815-2, Rubber, vulcanized or thermoplastic — Determination of compression set — Part 2: At low
temperatures
ISO 1431-1, Rubber, vulcanized or thermoplastic — Resistance to ozone cracking — Part 1: Static and
dynamic strain testing
ISO 1817, Rubber, vulcanized or thermoplastic — Determination of the effect of liquids
ISO 3302-1, Rubber — Tolerances for products — Part 1: Dimensional tolerances
ISO 3384-1:2011, Rubber, vulcanized or thermoplastic — Determination of stress relaxation in compression
at ambient and at elevated temperatures
ISO 9691:1992, Rubber — Recommendations for the workmanship of pipe joint rings — Description and
classification of imperfections
ISO 23529, Rubber — General procedures for preparing and conditioning test pieces for physical test methods
3 Terms and definitions
No terms and definitions are listed in this document.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https: //www .iso .org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http: //www .electropedia .org/
4 Classification
Five classes of material for pipe seals are specified in Tables 2 and 3.
A nominal hardness shall be specified within the ranges in Table 1.
Table 1 — Hardness classification
Hardness class 50 60 70 80 90
Range of hardness, IRHD 46 to 55 56 to 65 66 to 75 76 to 85 86 to 95
5 Requirements
5.1 Materials
The materials shall be free of any substances which may have a deleterious effect on the life of the seals,
or on the pipe or fittings.
2 © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

5.2 Finished-seal requirements
5.2.1 Dimensional tolerances
Tolerances shall be specified from the appropriate classes in ISO 3302-1.
5.2.2 Imperfections and defects
The seals shall be free of defects or irregularities which could affect their function. Classification of
imperfections shall be in accordance with ISO 9691, as follows:
— surface imperfections in zones involved in the sealing function as described in 4.1.1 of ISO 9691:1992
shall be considered as defects;
— minor surface imperfections in zones not involved in the sealing function as described in 4.1.2.1 b)
of ISO 9691:1992 shall not be considered as defects.
Major surface imperfections in zones not involved in the sealing function as described in 4.1.2.1 a) of
ISO 9691:1992 can be considered as defects. This shall be agreed between the interested parties; the
acceptance criteria will depend upon the seal type or design.
Internal imperfections as described in 4.2 of ISO 9691:1992 could be considered as defects. The
compressive force can be determined in accordance with ISO 7743. The acceptable limiting values of
the compressive force shall be agreed between the interested parties; they will depend upon the seal
type or design.
5.2.3 Hardness
When determined by the micro-test specified in ISO 48-2, the hardness shall comply with the
requirements given in Table 2 or 3.
NOTE If
...