Group standard PV 3330

Issue 2021-01
Class. No.: 55161

Descriptors: CS, compression set, deformation, elastomer, o-ring, plastic deformation, sealing ring

Elastomer O-rings
Compression Set (Plastic Deformation)

Previous issues
PV 3330: 1976-11, 1996-09, 2004-07, 2014-09

Changes
The following changes have been made to PV 3330: 2014-09:
a) Section 1 „Scope“ updated
b) Section 2 „Designation“ revised
c) Section 3.1.2 „Spacers“ revised
d) Section 3.1.3 „Test fixture“: Note added
e) Section 3.2.1 „Specimen shape“: Note regarding rings with an inside diameter of ≤ 20 mm
added.
f) Section 3.4 „Test procedure“ revised
g) Section 5 „Test report“ added
h) Standard edited

Contents
Page
1 Scope ......................................................................................................................... 2
2 Designation ................................................................................................................ 2
3 Testing ........................................................................................................................ 2
3.1 Test equipment and auxiliary equipment .................................................................... 2
3.1.1 Thickness gage .......................................................................................................... 2
3.1.2 Spacers ...................................................................................................................... 2
3.1.3 Test fixture .................................................................................................................. 2
3.2 Specimens ................................................................................................................. 4
3.2.1 Specimen shape ........................................................................................................ 4
3.2.2 Number of specimens ................................................................................................ 4
3.3 Test conditions ........................................................................................................... 4
3.3.1 Compression .............................................................................................................. 4
3.3.2 Test duration ............................................................................................................... 4
3.3.3 Test temperature ........................................................................................................ 4
Always use the latest version of this standard.
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The English translation is believed to be accurate. In case of discrepancies, the German version controls.

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3.4 Test procedure ........................................................................................................... 4

4 Evaluation .................................................................................................................. 5
5 Test report .................................................................................................................. 5
6 Applicable documents ................................................................................................ 5

1 Scope
This standard describes the test to determine the compression set after plastic deformation of o-
rings and rectangular seals made of elastomers.

2 Designation
Example of designation of the compression set:
Compression set as per Test Specification PV 3330, 94 h at 110 °C, 40% compression, ≤ 60%

3 Testing

3.1 Test equipment and auxiliary equipment

3.1.1 Thickness gage

The measuring instrument must be calibrated to be able to measure specimens within an accuracy
of 0,01 mm.
Contact force: 0,45 N to 0,75 N
Test tool diameter: 4,8 mm to 5,0 mm

3.1.2 Spacers
Spacers should be accurate to a value within ± 0,01 mm. Three spacers must be used when aging
a specimen in a test fixture.

3.1.3 Test fixture

See figure 1.
This test fixture allows measuring specimens shortly after removing the load. Fixtures according to
DIN ISO 815-1 can also be used if the above test fixtures are not available. This must be noted
accordingly in the test record.
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Legend
1 Specimen
2 Spacers (3 pieces)
3 Pressure plates (2 pieces)
4 Guide pins (2 pieces)
5 Coil springs (2 pieces)
6 Knurled thumb screw
7 Yoke
8 Socket head cap screws (2 pieces)
9 Dimpled knurled thumb screw
10 S cross-section
Figure 1 – Test fixture (scale 1:2, tolerance: ± 0,25; broken edges)
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3.2 Specimens

3.2.1 Specimen shape

The shape of the specimen depends on the dimensions of the finished part to be tested. Testing
should be conducted on the finished part for o-ring seals or rectangular sealing washers with a
small outer diameter (of up to 30 mm) and on device-under-test (DUT) sections with a specified
length when testing sealing washers with larger diameters.
For rings with an inside diameter of ≤ 20 mm, a small ring section must be cut out of the o-ring to
avoid, e.g., adhesion effects. The volume of this section must not exceed 10% of the total volume
of the ring.
The specimen shape is specified in the pertinent drawing under „Specimen“

3.2.2 Number of specimens

A minimum of three specimens must be tested.

3.3 Test conditions

3.3.1 Compression
The compression set depends on the relevant operating conditions of the DUT. Compression, de-
pending on the ring thickness, must be between 30% and 50%, usually 40%, and is to be specified
in the drawing.

3.3.2 Test duration

The test duration is 24 h. If extended test durations are required (e.g., 94 h), they are to be speci-
fied in the drawing.

3.3.3 Test temperature

The test temperature depends on the operating temperatures of the ring to be tested. The test is
conducted at the respective peak temperature of operating temperatures. The test temperature is
to be specified in the drawing.

3.4 Test procedure

Measure the height of the specimen (h0) prior to compression. Place the required spacers on all
three corners of the test fixture.
Place the measured specimens between the two level pressure platens. Press down the top platen
until it is resting on the spacers (h1) (one specimen section only per test fixture). For better han-
dling, treating the specimens with talcum is permissible.
The specimens are then aged at the specified temperature and for the specified duration in forced-
air ovens according to DIN 53508.
Once the test duration is complete, the loaded specimens are acclimatized to room temperature at
(23 ± 2)° C.
Measure the height of the specimen after aging (h2) 20 s after removing the load.
If test conditions deviate from this Test Specification, these are to be noted in the test report.
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4 Evaluation
Plastic deformation is calculated using the compression set after constant deformation as per
formula (1):

h0 - h2 (1)
Compression set = × 100
h0 - h1
Legend
h0 initial height of the specimen specified in mm
h1 height of the specimen in deflected state specified in mm
h2 height of the specimen after load is removed specified in mm

5 Test report
The following must be specified in the test report:
– Minimum value, maximum value, and average value or median
– For specimen number n ≥ 5: Standard deviation and confidence interval of the average value
including the significance level must also be specified.
– Test conditions deviating from this Test Specification
– Date, standard, and name of the inspector

6 Applicable documents
The following documents cited in the standard are required for the application of this standard:
Some of the cited documents are translations from the German original. The translations of Ger-
man terms in such documents may differ from those used in this standard, resulting in terminologi-
cal inconsistency.
Standards whose titles are given in German may be available only in German. Editions in other
languages may be available from the institution issuing the standard.

DIN 53508 Testing of rubber - Accelerated ageing

DIN ISO 815-1 Rubber, vulcanized or thermoplastic - Determination of compression set
- Part 1: At ambient or elevated temperatures