Standards for Industrial Rubber Materials
Why Standards Matter in Rubber Procurement?
Rubber materials can vary widely in performance based on formulation, processing, and intended application. International and national standards provide benchmarks to evaluate:
- Physical properties (e.g., hardness, tensile strength, elongation).
- Chemical resistance.
- Durability under stress or temperature.
- Safety and compliance.
Purchasing non-compliant or substandard rubber products can lead to equipment failure, costly downtimes, or even safety hazards.
Common Standards for Industrial Rubber Products
Here are some of the most widely recognized standards you should be aware of:
| Standard | Organization | Scope |
| ASTM D2000 | ASTM International | Standard classification for rubber properties based on a line call-out system |
| ISO 3302-1 | ISO | Tolerances for rubber molded parts |
| DIN 53505 / ISO 7619 | DIN / ISO | Hardness testing (Shore A / Shore D) |
| SAE J200 | SAE International | Classification for elastomers by property requirements |
Key Testing Points to Verify Quality
- Hardness (Shore A / D) – Measures resistance to indentation.
- Tensile Strength and Elongation – Indicates the rubber’s ability to withstand pulling forces and deformation. Measured in MPa and % respectively.
- Compression Set – Determines how well a rubber part returns to its original thickness after being compressed.
- Aging and Heat Resistance – Tests under elevated temperatures (e.g., 70°C, 100°C for 72 hours) to simulate long-term usage. Verifies resistance to cracking, hardening, or softening.
- Oil and Chemical Resistance – Especially important for applications involving fuels, lubricants, or chemicals. ASTM D471 is commonly used.
- Environmental Compliance – Ask for certifications like RoHS, REACH, and PAHs testing if your products are for the EU or global markets.