Standardization News

A new ASTM International standard will help gasket manufacturers test to see how their products handle various compressions and loads.

The test method shows the compression properties of a gasket by measuring its deflection while subjected to an increasing load.

ASTM International member Jim Lingenfelder says that the test can provide information at both ambient and elevated temperatures, helping producers work with customers who have specific needs.

“In some instances, for example in pumps, a gasket material may not only have to create a seal, but it is also being used as a shim for correct placement of the pump internals,” says Lingenfelder, who works at Gasket Resources. “This would be a situation where the pump manufacturer or repair shop would ask for load-versus-compression properties of a gasket material.”

The new standard, practice for compression versus load properties of gasket materials (soon to be published as F3270/F3270M) was developed by ASTM International’s committee on gaskets (F03).

The committee welcomes participation in the development of its standards; its next meeting is on Sept. 26 in Lake Placid, New York, USA.