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UNDERSTANDING STANDARD GASKET TESTING METRICS OF NON-METALLIC

GASKET MATERIALS
In the gasket industry there are a multitude of diameter from 4.8mm to 101.6mm, starting with the are predetermined test specific shaped samples.
tests performed on materials that will supposedly largest diameter) and forced slowly to contact 180˚ Tensile testing is a quality control test by measuring
help the end user make an educated decision on of the full diameter. This procedure is repeated using the strength of the product, which in turn, determines
which material to use based on specific application decreasing mandrel diameters on a new sample until the conformance of the manufacturing process. It
criteria. However due to the lack of gasket property a failure occurs. A failure is considered to be any should be noted that Tensile strength is not equivalent
knowledge, what often ends up happening is that the cracks, breaks, or surface separations at the end of to the maximum pressure rating of the product, but
end user becomes more confused, running the risk of the Flexibility test. When a failure occurs the mandrel more of a standard internal QA check.
choosing an incorrect material and causing untimely diameter is recorded.
leaks or even unsafe gasket blowouts. ASTM D4745 – Standard Classification System and
A Flexibility factor can be calculated by taking the Basis for Specification for Filled PTFE Molding and
This article is intended to shed some light on 4 Minimum Diameter divided by the Original Thickness. Extrusion Materials
commonly misinterpreted and misunderstood gasket It is important to understand that when looking at The ASTM D4745 Tensile test involves cutting
material tests: the Flexibility factor the lowest possible value is material both transversely and longitudinally
considered a positive result. For example, Flexibility (conditioned based on sample type). These samples
1. Flexibility (ASTM F147) values are a lot like golf scores, meaning the lower are then placed and clamped into our Tensile machine
the score, the better. Therefore, with Flexibility a with an extensometer also attached to the sample.
value of 4 would be more flexible than a value of 10. An extensometer is used to determine the strain
measurement of the material under stress. The
2. Tensile Strength (ASTM D4745, ASTM F152) machine is then set up and parameters of the sample
are imported. The machine is then started and runs
until a failure occurs (any cracks, breaks, or surface
separations at the end of the test). The results are
recorded in psi and percent elongation.

Continued on next page.

This test method measures the gasket material’s

Flexibility both transverse and longitudinal to the
grain orientation. This test can also determine quality
of the gasket material by determining the product’s
Flexibility factor.

In this test, several “dog bone” shaped samples (based

on the ASTM F147 standard) are cut in both transverse
and longitudinal orientations. These samples are At our manufacturing facility technical lab we do
placed in a conditioning oven at 100˚C (212˚F) for an 2 different types of Tensile testing using ASTM
hour then cooled to room temperature in a desiccator. D4745 and F152 meaning we test both little “dog
The test material’s thickness is determined with a bones” and big “dog bones”. The test used is
micrometer and recorded. The test material is firmly dependent on the type of material being tested,
held at one point on a circular mandrel (ranging in i.e. fiber, PTFE, and graphite. These “dog bones”

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NEWS ARTICLE
www.durlon.com

UNDERSTANDING STANDARD GASKET TESTING METRICS OF NON-METALLIC

GASKET MATERIALS
Continued from previous page. higher the gasket’s ability to seal. However there are
many units used to measure Sealability (ml/min, cc/
ASTM F152 – Standard Test Methods for Tension min or ml/hr) so you must make sure that you are
Testing of Nonmetallic Gasket Materials comparing the correct test method and the reported
The ASTM F152 Tensile test is similar to the D4745 units as well. Sealability is one of the most important
Tensile test except this test only involves samples characteristics in today’s sealing world, as even
to be cut transversely (conditioned based on sample “small” leaks are frowned upon due to worker safety
type) and no extensometer is attached. These samples and environmental concerns.
are then placed and clamped into the Tensile machine
and the test is performed. 4. Maximum Pressure
Maximum Pressure is used to determine a value
3. Sealability (ASTM F2378) where the material can be used safely (at room Final Thoughts
ASTM F2378 – Standard Test Method for Sealability temperature). The material samples are pressurized Hopefully this gives you a little more understanding
of Sheet, Composite, and Solid Form-in-Place until the gasket “blows” out and then using a FOS and information on these four commonly
Gasket Materials (Factor of Safety) a number can be determined, misinterpreted and misunderstood gasket material
however it should be noted that in most cases, tests, so that you can select a quality gasket material
This test method is suitable for evaluating the leakage gasket materials are not used at room temperature. or at least be able to compare gasket materials on
rate, sealing properties and characteristics of gasket What we mean by this is that as gasket material is an “apples to apples” basis. If you are still unsure
materials under a load pressure at room temperature exposed to elevated temperatures the properties of about gasket material selection, you can download
(21-30˚C/70-86˚F). the gasket change, so it is very important to check a our handy iGasket App here.
PxT (Pressure x Temperature) chart for the material
This testing process involves placing a cut sample selected and your specific application (pressure,
(conditioned-based on sample type) using the ASTM temperature, and media).
F2378 specified die dimensions in between 2 flat steel
platens. A seating load of 4,640 psi is applied and For instance, Durlon 9000 is rated for 1500psi,
nitrogen is introduced into the center gasket cavity however as you can see in the below PxT chart at
at a pressure of 580 psi. A timer is set for one hour, 400°F the maximum pressure would be 1000 psi.
forty-five minutes. The evaluation stage occurs next The Dark Grey area = safe to use; Light Grey area
as a manometer is connected to measure any leakage = Do not use in these conditions or contact the
coming through or around the gasket. The leak rate is manufacturers applications engineering.
recorded at one minute, and again at fifteen minutes.
The results are recoded and the average leak rate
is calculated. The lower the average leak rate, the

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