Designation: D 3832 – 79 (Reapproved 2001)

Standard Specification for

Rubber Seals Contacting Liquids in Solar Energy Systems1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3832; 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 4. Classification
1.1 This specification covers the general requirements for 4.1 Types:
materials used in preformed rubber seals that contact the 4.1.1 Type C, intended for use in cold climates
circulating liquid in solar energy systems. Particular applica- (below − 10°C in winter).
tions may necessitate other requirements that would take 4.1.2 Type W, intended for use in warm climates
precedence over these requirements when specified. (above − 10°C in winter).
1.2 This specification does not include requirements per- 4.2 Grades:
taining to the design, fabrication, or installation of the seals. 4.2.1 Grade designations represent differing degrees of
hardness in accordance with Test Method D 1415 as follows:
2. Referenced Documents 4.2.1.1 Grade 3, hardness of 30 6 5.
2.1 ASTM Standards: 4.2.1.2 Grade 4, hardness of 40 6 5.
D 412 Test Methods for Vulcanized Rubber and Thermo- 4.2.1.3 Grade 5, hardness of 50 6 5.
plastic Rubbers and Thermoplastic Elastomers— Tension2 4.2.1.4 Grade 6, hardness of 60 6 5.
D 471 Test Method for Rubber Property—Effect of Liq- 4.2.1.5 Grade 7, hardness of 70 6 5.
uids2 4.2.1.6 Grade 8, hardness of 80 6 5.
D 1149 Test Method for Rubber Deterioration—Surface
NOTE 1—The grade to be used in a particular application depends on
Ozone Cracking in a Chamber2 the design of the seal and must be specified by the designer.
D 1229 Test Method for Rubber Property—Compression
Set at Low Temperatures2 4.3 Classes:
D 1349 Practice for Rubber—Standard Temperatures for 4.3.1 Seals shall be classified as follows:
Testing2 4.3.1.1 Class A, seals for use with aqueous liquids at a
D 1415 Test Method for Rubber Property—International maximum service temperature of 100°C.
Hardness2 4.3.1.2 Class AT, seals for use with aqueous liquids at a
D 1566 Terminology Relating to Rubber2 maximum service temperature above 100°C.
D 2137 Test Methods for Rubber Property—Brittleness 4.3.1.3 Class N, seals for use with nonaqueous liquids.
Point of Flexible Polymers and Coated Fabrics2 NOTE 2—Aqueous liquids include water and antifreeze solutions.
D 3182 Practice for Rubber—Materials, Equipment, and
Procedures for Mixing Standard Compounds and Prepar- 5. Ordering Information
ing Standard Vulcanized Sheets2 5.1 Orders for seals under this specification shall include the
D 3183 Practice for Rubber—Preparation of Pieces for Test following information:
Purposes from Products2 5.1.1 ASTM designation and year of issue,
2.2 Other Standards: 5.1.2 Type, grade, and class,
RMA Handbook—Rubber Products: Molded, Extruded,
Lathe Cut, and Cellular 3
TABLE 1 Elongation Requirements for Rubber Seals in Liquid
3. Terminology Heat-Transport Systems
3.1 Refer to the definitions of terms in Terminology D 1566. Grade Ultimate Elongation, min, %
3 350
4 300
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D11 on Rubber 5 250
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D11.36 on Seals. 6 200
Current edition approved Aug. 31, 1979. Published October 1979. 7 150
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 09.01. 8 100
3
Available from the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), 444 Madison
Ave., New York, NY 10022.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 D 3832 – 79 (2001)
5.1.3 Design and dimensions of seal, temperatures shall not be less than those for Class A seals.
5.1.4 Contacting liquid, Above 125°C, the standard test temperatures are 150, 175, 200,
5.1.5 Maximum service temperature, and 225, and 250°C.
5.1.6 Quantity. 8.5 Using the liquid in service for the particular heat-
transport system, test in accordance with Test Method D 471.
6. Dimensions
6.1 The tolerances in dimensions shall conform to the 9. Requirements
following designations in the RMA Handbook. 9.1 Seals shall be vulcanized from suitable rubber com-
6.1.1 Molded Seals: pounds and conform to the requirements given in Table 1 and
6.1.1.1 Commercial Dimensions—RMA A3-F3-T.032. Table 2.
6.1.1.2 Critical Dimensions—RMA A2-F3-T.032.
6.1.2 Extruded Seals: 10. Precision and Bias
6.1.2.1 Commercial Dimensions—RMA A2-F3. 10.1 A precision and bias statement is not necessary for this
specification as it is a listing of material requirements.
7. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance
7.1 Seals shall be free of blisters, checks, cracks, and other 11. Inspection and Rejection
imperfections that can affect their ability to make or maintain 11.1 Manufacturers of seals may use their quality-control
a liquid-tight seal. systems for production inspection to assure the seals conform
with this specification, provided appropriate records are kept.
8. Test Methods In case of dispute regarding the quality of a delivered product,
8.1 Prepare the specimens in accordance with Practice a sample of five seals shall be taken from the lot and tested for
D 3183 and test the specimens in accordance with the test compliance with this specification. If one of the five seals does
methods given in 8.2. For control of production, specimens not conform, a second sample of five seals may be taken and
may be taken from standard test sheets prepared in accordance tested. If two or more of the ten seals do not conform, the lot
with Practice D 3182, using the same unvulcanized material may be rejected.
used to prepare the seals and vulcanizing the material at the
same temperature used for the seals to an equivalent state of 12. Product Marking
vulcanization. 12.1 The following information may be marked on either
8.2 Determine ultimate elongation in accordance with Test the seal, packaging, label or tag:
Methods D 412. Determine other requirements in accordance 12.1.1 Name, brand, or trademark of the manufacturer,
with the methods specified in Table 2. 12.1.2 Type and grade,
8.3 Test Class A seals for heat resistance and compression 12.1.3 Compliance with this specification, ASTM Specifi-
set at a temperature of 125°C and for resistance to liquids at a cation D 3832, and
temperature of 100°C. 12.1.4 Any other information required by the manufacturer
8.4 Test Class AT and Class N seals for heat resistance and or the purchaser.
compression set at the standard test temperature in accordance
with Practice D 1349, that is, between 25 and 49°C above the 13. Packaging
maximum service temperature, and for resistance to liquids at 13.1 Material shall be protected by suitable packaging to
the standard test temperature, that is, between 1 and 25°C prevent damage during shipment or storage prior to installation
above the maximum service temperature. The standard test in solar collector.

TABLE 2 Other Requirements for Rubber Seals in Liquid Heat-Transport Systems

Property Unit Requirement ASTM Test Method
Compression set:
High temperatureA % 30 max D 395, Method B
Low temperatureB % 60 max D 1229
Resistance to Heating:C
Hardness change IRHD 10 max D 1415
Ultimate elongation change % of original 30 max D 412
Resistance to ozone,D 100 mPa, for 166 h — no cracking D 1149
at 40°C
Resistance to low temperatureE °C −40 max D 2137
Resistance to Liquid:F
Volume change % + 40 to − 10 D 471
Hardness change IRHD 610 D 1415
A
After compression for 70 h at the temperature specified in 8.3 or 8.4.
B
After compression for 166 h at − 10°C. Set shall be measured at 10 s after force is released. Lubricated plates or polytetrafluoroethylene film is recommended if the
rubber adheres to the metal plates during the test.
C
Condition for 166 h at the temperature specified in 8.3 or 8.4.
D
This requirement applies only to seals that are exposed to outside atmospheres.
E
This requirement applies to Type C seals only.
F
Rubber shall be immersed in liquid used in service for 166 h at the temperature specified in 8.3 or 8.4.

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 D 3832 – 79 (2001)
14. Keywords
14.1 liquids; rubber seals; solar energy systems

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