Designation: F 38 – 95

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 Test Methods for

Creep Relaxation of a Gasket Material1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 38; 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 3.2 In Test Method A, normally run at room temperature, the

1.1 These test methods provide a means of measuring the stress is measured by a calibrated strain gage on the bolt. In
amount of creep relaxation of a gasket material at a stated time running the test, strain indicator readings are taken at intervals
after a compressive stress has been applied. of time, beginning at the loading time, to the end of the test.
1.1.1 Test Method A—Creep relaxation measured by means The strain indicator readings are converted to percentages of
of a calibrated strain gage on a bolt. the initial stress which are then plotted against the log of time
1.1.2 Test Method B—Creep relaxation measured by means in hours. The percentage of initial stress loss or relaxation can
of a calibrated bolt with dial indicator. be read off the curve at any given time, within the limits of the
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the total test time.
standard. 3.3 In Test Method B, run at room or elevated temperatures,
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the the stress is determined by measuring the change in length of
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the the calibrated bolt with a dial indicator. The bolt length is
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- measured at the beginning of the test and at the end of the test;
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- from this the percentage of relaxation is calculated.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4. Significance and Use
2. Referenced Documents 4.1 These test methods are designed to compare related
2.1 ASTM Standards: materials under controlled conditions and their ability to
A 193 Specification for Alloy Steel and Stainless Steel maintain a given compressive stress as a function of time. A
Bolting Materials for High-Temperature Service2 portion of the torque loss on the bolted flange is a result of
D 3040 Practice for Preparing Precision Statements for creep relaxation. Torque loss can also be caused by elongation
Standards Related to Rubber and Rubber Testing3 of the bolts, distortion of the flanges, and vibration; therefore,
F 104 Classification System for Nonmetallic Gasket Mate- the results obtained should be correlated with field results.
rials4 These test methods may be used as a routine test when agreed
2.2 Adjuncts: ASTM upon between the consumer and the producer.
Relaxometer, Method A (F 38)5 NOTE 1—Test Method B was developed using asbestos gasket materials
Relaxometer, Method B (F 38)6 and at issuance substantiating data were not available for other gasket
materials.
3. Summary of Test Methods
3.1 In both test methods the specimen is subjected to a 5. Apparatus
compressive stress between two platens, with the stress applied 5.1 Test Method A:
by a nut and bolt. 5.1.1 Strain Indicator.7
5.1.2 Timer.
5.1.3 Relaxometer,5 composed of two platens, upper and
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F-3 on lower; a bolt, with mounted strain gage; and a thrust bearing as
Gaskets and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F03.20 on Methods of shown in Fig. 1.
Test.
Current edition approved Jan. 15, 1995. Published March 1995. Originally issued 5.1.4 Strain Gages,8 120 V resistance with a gage factor of
1962 as D 2139. Redesignated in 1963. Last previous edition F 38 – 93. 2.0 6 0.10 %. The gages shall be mounted to indicate tensile
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.01.
3
Discontinued—see 1986 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vols 09.01 and
09.02.
4 7
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 09.02. A strain recorder such as the Leeds & Northrup Type G is preferred for this
5
A print of this apparatus is available at a nominal cost from ASTM, 1916 Race purpose; however, SR-4 strain indicator Models L, K, and N from Baldwin-Lima-
St., Philadelphia, PA 19103. Request Adjunct No. 12-600380-00. Hamilton; HW-1 portable strain indicator from the Budd Co.; and Bridge Amplifier
6
Detailed working drawings of this apparatus are available from ASTM. Order and Meter BAM-1 from Ellis Associates have been found satisfactory.
8
Adjunct No. 12-600381-00. Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton Type AB-7 strain gages have been found satisfactory.

1
 F 38

FIG. 1 Relaxometer, Test Method A

strain and positioned to compensate for torque, temperature, 8. Procedure

and bending. The gages shall be mounted on the small diameter 8.1 Test Method A:
of the bolt about 50.8 mm (2 in.) from the head. The bolt with 8.1.1 Clean all surfaces, platens, and specimen free of wax,
mounted strain gages must be calibrated. mold release, and oils. (Remove with isooctane or other
5.2 Test Method B: suitable solvent.) Lubricate bolt threads.
5.2.1 Relaxometer,6,9 composed of two platens, special
8.1.2 Use an initial stress of 13.8 6 0.3 MPa (2000 6 50
drilled and calibrated bolt, washer and nut composed of
psi) unless otherwise specified.
Specification A 193 Grade B7, and a dial indicator assembly as
8.1.3 Conduct the test at 20 to 30°C (70 to 85°F) unless
shown in Fig. 2.
otherwise specified.
5.2.2 Box End Wrench.
8.1.4 Disassemble the relaxometer and place the specimen
6. Test Specimen between platens. The inside diameter of the specimen should
6.1 Test Method A—The sample size shall be 33.02 6 0.05 be nearly concentric with the inside diameter of the platens.
mm (1.300 6 0.002 in.) in inside diameter and 52.32 6 0.05 Screw on the nut and thrust bearing and tighten very slightly,
mm (2.0606 0.002 in.) in outside diameter. by hand, or just enough to hold the specimen in place during
6.2 Test Method B: subsequent handling. Mount the head of the bolt in a clamp.
6.2.1 Specimen size shall be 10.16 6 0.381 mm (0.400 6 8.1.5 Hook up and balance the strain indicator. Record the
0.015 in.) wide by 31.75 6 0.381 mm (1.250 6 0.015 in.) long. reading. Then set the reading on the strain indicator for the
Four specimens are required per test. specified initial stress. (The microinches that are added to the
6.2.2 An annular specimen with 1290-mm2 (2.0-in.2 ) sur- above reading will vary the stress and the strain gage bolt
face area may also be used. A size of 15.62-mm (0.615-in.) calibration.)
inside diameter by 43.56-mm (1.715-in.) outside diameter is 8.1.6 Apply stress to the gasket by tightening the nut with a
recommended. solid wrench until the strain indicator reaches a balance. A
6.2.3 For Type 4 Class 2 materials, specimen size shall be torque of approximately 30 N·m (22 lbf·ft) is required for a
one continuous length of 152.4 mm (6.0 in.). compressive force of 17.8 kN (4000 lbf). The stress should be
6.3 A minimum of three tests shall be conducted. applied at uniform rate such that at the end of 10 6 2 s the
6.4 Nominal thickness of specimen shall be 0.8 mm (0.03 specified stress is reached. This is called the “initial stress.”
in.) unless otherwise agreed upon between the consumer and 8.1.7 Beginning at the time of “initial stress,” take strain
the producer. For Type 4 materials the nominal thickness of the indicator readings at intervals of 10 s, 1 min, 6 min, 30 min, 1
specimen shall be no greater than 1.78 mm (0.07 in.). h, 5 h, 24 h, etc., or until the end of the test. (Check the zero
of the strain indicator after the test.)
7. Conditioning 8.1.8 Convert the strain indicator readings of 8.1.7 to a
7.1 Condition cut specimens in accordance with their clas- percentage of “initial stress.” Then plot this percentage on
sification as required in Classification F 104. semilog paper against the log of time in hours.
8.2 Test Method B:
9 8.2.1 Clean all surfaces and lightly lubricate the washer and
Dario P. Bernasconi, 40 Farrington St., Stoughton, MA 02072 and Donald G.
Johnson, Metal Samples, Route 1, Box 152, Munford, AL 36268 are suppliers of the bolt threads; graphite and molybdenum disulfide have been
relaxometer. found to be acceptable lubricants.
2
 F 38

FIG. 2 Relaxometer and Dial Indicator Assembly, Test Method B

8.2.2 Place rectangular specimens between the platens in elongation of 0.1222 to 0.1270 mm (0.00481 to 0.00500 in.) is
accordance with Fig. 2. If an annular specimen is used, center typical for a compressive force of 26.7 kN (6000 lbf). Remove
the specimen around the bolt hole between the platens. If a the dial indicator assembly. (The calibration procedure is
Type 4 Class 2 specimen is used, center the specimen around outlined in Annex A1.)
the bolt hole between the platens, being certain that the two
NOTE 2—When testing materials thicker than 0.8 mm (0.03 in.), the
ends overlap by a minimum of 6.35 mm (0.25 in.). time to tighten the nut may be extended to 5 s maximum to allow for the
8.2.3 Place the washer in position and screw on the nut, longer arc required to apply the test load.
finger tight.
8.2.4 Screw on the dial indicator assembly, finger tight, and 8.2.6 Place the specimen unit in a hot air-circulating oven
set the dial indicator at the zero reading. for 22 h at 100 6 2°C (212 6 3.6°F), unless otherwise
8.2.5 Apply stress to the specimens by tightening the nut specified. The maximum test temperature for Specification
with a wrench until the desired dial indicator reading is A 193 Grade B7 shall not exceed 400°F.
reached. Record the reading (D0). Apply the stress in one 8.2.7 Remove from the oven and cool to room temperature.
continuous motion with a maximum loading time of 3 s. A bolt 8.2.8 Replace the dial indicator assembly, finger tight, and

3
 F 38
set the dial indicator at the zero reading. Loosen the nut, pared in accordance with Practice D 3040. Please refer to this
without disturbing the dial indicator assembly, and record the practice for terminology and other testing and statistical
dial reading (Df). concept explanations.
8.2.9 Calculate the percentage relaxation as follows: 10.2 Seven laboratories tested the following five gasket
Relaxation, % 5 @~D0 2 Df!/ D0# 3 100 (1) materials (Classification F 104 material designations) for creep
relaxation: Type 1, Class 1; Type 1, Class 2; Type 5, Class 1;
9. Report Type 7, Class 1; Type 7, Class 2. Test Method B, Type 1
9.1 Report the following information: conditioning was used by all laboratories. Rectangular test
9.1.1 Identification and designation number of the material specimens were prepared from gasket sheets by cutting them
tested, with the long dimension in the machine direction. Tests were
9.1.2 Test temperature, conducted in accordance with Test Methods F 38 Test Method
9.1.3 Length of the test, in hours, B, with an initial stress of 20.68 MPa (3000 psi) applied on a
9.1.4 “Initial stress” used, and the specimen thickness, 1290-mm2 (2-in.2) sample area, total of 26.7-kN (6000-lb)
9.1.5 Percentage stress loss for each specimen, and compressive force. The tests were conducted for 22 h at 100°C
9.1.6 Average of all the results recorded in 9.1.5. (212°F). The tests were conducted in triplicate on each
material.
10. Precision and Bias 10 10.3 The precision results are given in Table 1.
10.1 These precision and bias statements have been pre-
11. Keywords
10
Supporting data are available from ASTM Headquarters. Request RR: F-3- 11.1 creep relaxation; deflection; gasket material; platens;
1009. relaxometer; strain; stress; temperature; torque bolt; torque loss

TABLE 1 Precision of Creep Relaxation Test of Gasket Materials, Using Coefficient of Variation Method of Presenting Results

NOTE 1—S 5 standard deviation.

CV 5 % coefficient of variation 5 (S 3 100)/(average).
LSD 5 % least significant difference between two individual test results based on a 95 % confidence level, 5 2 =2 (CV).
NOTE 2—An annular specimen can be used in place of rectangular specimens for Type 1, Class 2; Type 5, Class 1; Type 7, Class 1; and Type 7, Class
2. An annular specimen cannot be used in place of rectangular specimens for Type 1, Class 1 because of the statistically significant difference in results.
Material Type and Relaxation Values, % Repeatability Reproducibility
Class, Classification
F 104 Range Average S CV, % LSD, % S CV, % LSD, %
Type 1, Class 1 11.5–15.4 13.3 1.22 9.4 26.5 1.58 11.9 33.7
Type 1, Class 2 27.2–33.7 30.9 1.87 6.2 17.6 2.52 8.2 23.1
Type 5, Class 1 4.0–8.9 6.3 1.27 18.1 51.2 2.01 31.9 90.1
Type 7, Class 1 14.2–24.5 18.1 1.33 8.0 22.7 3.93 21.8 61.5
Type 7, Class 2 20.7–28.5 26.0 0.97 4.2 11.8 3.10 11.9 33.7

ANNEX

(Mandatory Information)

A1. TEST METHOD B CREEP RELAXATON APPARATUS: BOLT CALIBRATION PROCEDURE

A1.1 Purpose Methods F 38, modified so that each platen can accept a pair of
A1.1.1 To precondition (strain relieve) the bolts at elevated steel dowel pins.
temperature prior to calibration. A1.2.2 Spacer, washer-shaped, 0.80 6 0.13 mm (0.031 6
0.005 in.) thick.
A1.1.2 To calibrate the bolts after preconditioning, and on a
A1.2.3 Tensile Testing Machine, capable of obtaining and
periodic basis after use. Bolts used at temperatures greater than
recording a load of 26.7 kN (6000 lbf). The maximum
205°C (401°F) should be recalibrated more often than bolts
allowable system error equals 0.5 % of the applied load.
used at lower test temperatures.
A1.2.4 Calibration Apparatus, to connect the relaxometer
A1.1.3 To ensure that the bolt is functioning properly. to the tensile machine. See Fig. A1.1.
Should the calibration of a bolt result in an elongation of less
than 0.114 mm (0.00450 in.) or more than 0.140 mm (0.00550 A1.3 Procedure
in.) at 26.7 kN (6000 lbf), the bolt should be discarded.
A1.3.1 If the bolts to be calibrated are new, they must be
preconditioned using the following procedure. Assemble the
A1.2 Apparatus relaxometer without gaskets. Load the bolt to obtain a
A1.2.1 Relaxometer, in accordance with 5.2.1 of Test deflection of 0.13 6 0.0013 mm (0.00500 6 0.00005 in.) and
4
 F 38

FIG. A1.1 Schematic of Bolt Calibration Apparatus

record this value as the original deflection. Place the fixture in dial indicator at zero. Apply the tensile force until a load of
a circulating air oven preheated to 50°F above the intended 4.45 kN (1000 lbf) is attained. Maintain this load and record
maximum test temperature. After 22 h, remove the fixture from the bolt elongation by estimating to the nearest 0.0013 mm
the oven, cool to room temperature, and remove the load from (0.00005 in.) on the dial indicator. Continue loading the bolt,
the bolt, measuring the deflection to the nearest 0.0013 mm recording the elongation at 4.45-kN increments up to 26.7 kN
(0.00005 in.). Record this deflection as the final deflection. (6000 lbf).
Repeat this cycle until the original and final deflection differ by A1.3.3 Remove the tensile load from the relaxometer bolt.
a value that does not show a trend to decrease further from one If the dial indicator does not read zero (within 0.0025 mm
cycle to the next. Typically, the bolts will stabilize at 3 % or (0.0001 in.)), reject the data. Reset the dial indicator to zero
less difference between the original and final deflection. and reload the bolt in accordance with A1.3.2, recording the
NOTE A1.1—Normally, seven cycles or less are sufficient to elongations. Apply the loads to the relaxometer bolt three
precondition bolts. consecutive times, recording the elongation at the 4.45-kN
A1.3.2 with the steel washer in place of the gasket, and (1000-lbf) increments.
tighten the nut only finger tight. Mount the fixture in the A1.3.4 Prepare a bolt calibration curve by plotting the
calibration apparatus as shown in Fig. A1.1. Adjust the span so average bolt elongation against the bolt loads on linear graph
that no tensile load is applied to the relaxometer bolt and set the paper. The curve must be a straight line.

5
 F 38
The American Society for Testing and Materials takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection
with any item mentioned in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such
patent rights, and the risk of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.

This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years and
if not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standards
and should be addressed to ASTM Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible
technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you should make your
views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428.