Creep Relaxation of A Gasket Material: Standard Test Methods For
Creep Relaxation of A Gasket Material: Standard Test Methods For
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bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 3.3 In Test Method B, run at room or elevated temperatures,
the stress is determined by measuring the change in length of
2. Referenced Documents the calibrated bolt with a dial indicator. The bolt length is
2.1 ASTM Standards: 2 measured at the beginning of the test and at the end of the test;
A 193/A 193M Specification for Alloy-Steel and Stainless from this the percentage of relaxation is calculated.
Steel Bolting Materials for High Temperature or High
4. Significance and Use
Pressure Service and Other Special Purpose Applications
B 637 Specification for Precipitation-Hardening Nickel Al- 4.1 These test methods are designed to compare related
loy Bars, Forgings, and Forging Stock for High- materials under controlled conditions and their ability to
Temperature Service maintain a given compressive stress as a function of time. A
D 3040 Practice for Preparing Precision Statements for portion of the torque loss on the bolted flange is a result of
Standards Related to Rubber and Rubber Testing3 creep relaxation. Torque loss can also be caused by elongation
F 104 Classification System for Nonmetallic Gasket Mate- of the bolts, distortion of the flanges, and vibration; therefore,
rials the results obtained should be correlated with field results.
2.2 ASTM Adjuncts: These test methods may be used as a routine test when agreed
Relaxometer, Method A (F 38)4 upon between the consumer and the producer.
NOTE 1—Test Method B was developed using asbestos gasket materials
and at issuance substantiating data were not available for other gasket
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F03 on materials.
Gaskets and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F03.20 on Mechanical
Test Methods. 5. Apparatus
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2006. Published December 2006. Originally
approved in 1962. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as F 38 – 00. 5.1 Test Method A:
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or 5.1.1 Strain Indicator.
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
3 5
Withdrawn. Detailed working drawings of this apparatus are available from ASTM
4
A print of this apparatus is available at a nominal cost from ASTM International International Headquarters. Order Adjunct No. ADJF003802. Original adjunct
Headquarters. Order Adjunct No. ADJF003801. Original adjunct produced in 1965. produced in 1965.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
5.1.2 Timer. 6.2.3 For Type 4 Class 2 materials, specimen size shall be
5.1.3 Relaxometer,4 composed of two platens, upper and one continuous length of 152.4 mm (6.0 in.).
lower; a bolt, with mounted strain gauge; and a thrust bearing 6.3 A minimum of three tests shall be conducted.
as shown in Fig. 1. 6.4 Nominal thickness of specimen shall be 0.8 mm
5.1.4 Strain Gauges,6 120 V resistance with a gauge factor (0.03 in.) unless otherwise agreed upon between the consumer
of 2.0 6 0.10 %. The gauges shall be mounted to indicate and the producer. For Type 4 materials the nominal thickness of
tensile strain and positioned to compensate for torque, tem- the specimen shall be no greater than 1.78 mm (0.07 in.).
perature, and bending. The gauges shall be mounted on the
small diameter of the bolt about 50.8 mm (2 in.) from the head. 7. Conditioning
The bolt with mounted strain gauges must be calibrated. 7.1 Condition cut specimens in accordance with their clas-
5.2 Test Method B: sification as required in Classification F 104.
5.2.1 Relaxometer,5 composed of two platens, special
drilled and calibrated bolt, washer and nut composed of 8. Procedure
Specification A 193/A 193M Grade B7 or Specification B 637 8.1 Test Method A:
Grade UNS N07718 or other alloys of construction that would 8.1.1 Clean all surfaces, platens, and specimen free of wax,
satisfy the calibration procedure (see Annex) for the test mold release, and oils. (Remove with isooctane or other
temperature specified, and a dial indicator assembly as shown suitable solvent.) Lubricate bolt threads.
in Fig. 2. 8.1.2 Use an initial stress of 13.8 6 0.3 MPa (2000 6
5.2.2 Box End Wrench. 50 psi) unless otherwise specified.
8.1.3 Conduct the test at 20 to 30°C (70 to 85°F) unless
6. Test Specimen otherwise specified.
6.1 Test Method A—The sample size shall be 33.02 6 8.1.4 Disassemble the relaxometer and place the specimen
0.05 mm (1.300 6 0.002 in.) in inside diameter and 52.32 6 between platens. The inside diameter of the specimen should
0.05 mm (2.0606 0.002 in.) in outside diameter. be nearly concentric with the inside diameter of the platens.
6.2 Test Method B: Screw on the nut and thrust bearing and tighten very slightly,
6.2.1 Specimen size shall be 10.16 6 0.381 mm (0.400 6 by hand, or just enough to hold the specimen in place during
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0.015 in.) wide by 31.75 6 0.381 mm (1.250 6 0.015 in.) long. subsequent handling. Mount the head of the bolt in a clamp.
Four specimens are required per test. 8.1.5 Hook up and balance the strain indicator. Record the
6.2.2 An annular specimen with 1290-mm2 (2.0-in. 2 ) reading. Then set the reading on the strain indicator for the
surface area may also be used. A size of 15.62-mm (0.615-in.) specified initial stress. (The microinches that are added to the
inside diameter by 43.56-mm (1.715-in.) outside diameter is above reading will vary the stress and the strain gauge bolt
recommended. calibration.)
8.1.6 Apply stress to the gasket by tightening the nut with a
solid wrench until the strain indicator reaches a balance. A
6
The sole source of supply of strain gauges (Type AB-7) known to the torque of approximately 30 N·m (22 lbf·ft) is required for a
committee at this time is Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton. If you are aware of alternative
suppliers, please provide this information to ASTM International Headquarters.
compressive force of 17.8 kN (4000 lbf). The stress should be
Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible applied at uniform rate such that at the end of 10 6 2 s the
technical committee,1 which you may attend. specified stress is reached. This is called the “initial stress.”
9. Report
9.1 Report the following information:
9.1.1 Identification and designation number of the material
tested,
9.1.2 Test temperature,
9.1.3 Length of the test, in hours,
9.1.4 “Initial stress” used, and the specimen thickness,
FIG. 2 Relaxometer and Dial Indicator Assembly, Test Method B 9.1.5 Percentage stress loss for each specimen, and
9.1.6 Average of all the results recorded in 9.1.5.
8.1.7 Beginning at the time of “initial stress,” take strain 10. Precision and Bias 8
indicator readings at intervals of 10 s, 1 min, 6 min, 30 min, 10.1 These precision and bias statements have been pre-
1 h, 5 h, 24 h, etc., or until the end of the test. (Check the zero pared in accordance with Practice D 3040. Please refer to this
of the strain indicator after the test.) practice for terminology and other testing and statistical
8.1.8 Convert the strain indicator readings of 8.1.7 to a concept explanations.
percentage of “initial stress.” Then plot this percentage on 10.2 Seven laboratories tested the following five gasket
semilog paper against the log of time in hours. materials (Classification F 104 material designations) for creep
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8.2 Test Method B: relaxation: Type 1, Class 1; Type 1, Class 2; Type 5, Class 1;
8.2.1 Clean all surfaces and lightly lubricate the washer and Type 7, Class 1; Type 7, Class 2. Test Method B, Type 1
bolt threads; graphite and molybdenum disulfide have been conditioning was used by all laboratories. Rectangular test
found to be acceptable lubricants.
8.2.2 Place rectangular specimens between the platens in
7
accordance with Fig. 2 and making sure they are no closer than Some laboratories have found Alloy A-286 meets the calibration standard at
temperatures up to 482.2°C (900°F). The user may specify any alloy of construction
2 mm (0.078 in.) to the other pieces and the edge of the platens.
as long as the alloy meets the calibration standard for the desired test temperature.
If an annular specimen is used, center the specimen around the 8
Supporting data have been filed at ASTM International Headquarters and may
bolt hole between the platens. If a Type 4 Class 2 specimen is be obtained by requesting Research Report RR: F03-1009.
Type 1, Class 1 11.5–15.4 13.3 1.22 9.4 26.5 1.58 11.9 33.7
Type 1, Class 2 27.2–33.7 30.9 1.87 6.2 17.6 2.52 8.2 23.1
Type 5, Class 1 4.0–8.9 6.3 1.27 18.1 51.2 2.01 31.9 90.1
Type 7, Class 1 14.2–24.5 18.1 1.33 8.0 22.7 3.93 21.8 61.5
Type 7, Class 2 20.7–28.5 26.0 0.97 4.2 11.8 3.10 11.9 33.7
specimens were prepared from gasket sheets by cutting them 10.4 Additional F 38 Round Robin test data regarding the
with the long dimension in the machine direction. Tests were evaluation of Specification B 637 UNS N07718 is provided in
conducted in accordance with Test Methods F 38, Test Method Appendix X1.
B, with an initial stress of 20.68 MPa (3000 psi) applied on a
1290-mm2 (2-in.2) sample area, total of 26.7-kN (6000-lb) 11. Keywords
compressive force. The tests were conducted for 22 h at 100°C
(212°F). The tests were conducted in triplicate on each material 11.1 creep relaxation; deflection; gasket material; platens;
using the A193 Grade B7 Fixture. relaxometer; strain; stress; temperature; torque bolt; torque loss
10.3 The precision results for the Specification A 193/
A 193M Grade B7 Fixture are given in Table 1.
ANNEX
(Mandatory Information)
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A1.1.1 To precondition (strain relieve) the bolts at elevated A1.3.1 If the bolts to be calibrated are new, they must be
temperature prior to calibration. preconditioned using the following procedure. Assemble the
A1.1.2 To calibrate the bolts after preconditioning, and on a relaxometer without gaskets. Load the bolt to obtain a deflec-
periodic basis after use. Bolts used at temperatures greater than tion of 0.13 6 0.0013 mm (0.00500 6 0.00005 in.) and record
205°C (401°F) should be recalibrated more often than bolts this value as the original deflection. Place the fixture in a
used at lower test temperatures. circulating air oven preheated to 50°F above the intended
maximum test temperature. After 22 h, remove the fixture from
A1.1.3 To ensure that the bolt is functioning properly. the oven, cool to room temperature, and remove the load from
Should the calibration of a bolt result in an elongation of less the bolt, measuring the deflection to the nearest 0.0013 mm
than 0.114 mm (0.00450 in.) or more than 0.140 mm (0.00005 in.). Record this deflection as the final deflection.
(0.00550 in.) at 26.7 kN (6000 lbf), the bolt should be Repeat this cycle until the original and final deflection differ by
discarded. a value that does not show a trend to decrease further from one
cycle to the next. Typically, the bolts will stabilize at 3 % or
A1.2 Apparatus less difference between the original and final deflection.
A1.2.1 Relaxometer, in accordance with 5.2.1, modified so NOTE A1.1—Normally, seven cycles or less are sufficient to precondi-
that each platen can accept a pair of steel dowel pins. tion bolts.
A1.2.2 Spacer, washer-shaped, 0.80 6 0.13 mm (0.031 6
A1.3.2 with the steel washer in place of the gasket, and
0.005 in.) thick.
tighten the nut only finger tight. Mount the fixture in the
A1.2.3 Tensile Testing Machine, capable of obtaining and calibration apparatus as shown in Fig. A1.1. Adjust the span so
recording a load of 26.7 kN (6000 lbf). The maximum that no tensile load is applied to the relaxometer bolt and set the
allowable system error equals 0.5 % of the applied load. dial indicator at zero. Apply the tensile force until a load of
A1.2.4 Calibration Apparatus, to connect the relaxometer 4.45 kN (1000 lbf) is attained. Maintain this load and record
to the tensile machine. See Fig. A1.1. the bolt elongation by estimating to the nearest 0.0013 mm
(0.00005 in.) on the dial indicator. Continue loading the bolt, elongations. Apply the loads to the relaxometer bolt three
recording the elongation at 4.45-kN increments up to 26.7 kN consecutive times, recording the elongation at the 4.45-kN
(6000 lbf). (1000-lbf) increments.
A1.3.3 Remove the tensile load from the relaxometer bolt. A1.3.4 Prepare a bolt calibration curve by plotting the
If the dial indicator does not read zero (within 0.0025 mm average bolt elongation against the bolt loads on linear graph
(0.0001 in.)), reject the data. Reset the dial indicator to zero paper. The curve must be a straight line.
and reload the bolt in accordance with A1.3.2, recording the
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(Nonmandatory Information)
X1.1 The attached F 38 Round Robin test data regarding is provided for informational purposes only in Tables X1.1 and
the evaluation of Specification B 637 UNS N07718 was X1.2 and Figs. X1.1-X1.4.
completed by the Creep Relaxation task group, F3.20.01, and
SAMPLE 1 13.4 % 21.5 % 32.5 % 34.2 % 17.6 % 33.3 % 41.4 % 41.3 % 42.6 % 42.4 %
SAMPLE 2 11.9 % 19.4 % 32.4 % 35.6 % 16.7 % 34.0 % 41.7 % 41.5 % 40.0 % 42.6 %
Type 7, Class 2 SAMPLE 3 12.2 % 17.7 % 31.3 % 36.0 % 17.6 % 33.8 % 42.2 % 41.3 % 41.9 % 42.4 %
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AVERAGE 12.5 % 19.5 % 32.1 % 35.3 % 17.3 % 33.7 % 41.8 % 41.4 % 41.5 % 42.5 %
SAMPLE 1 13.6 % 20.1 % 21.6 % 25.6 % 15.5 % 30.8 % 32.3 % 56.9 % 34.8 % 54.3 %
SAMPLE 2 12.4 % 19.4 % 25.8 % 25.6 % 15.6 % 30.4 % 32.1 % 56.0 % 27.8 % 53.7 %
Type 7, Class 1 SAMPLE 3 9.6 % 17.9 % 25.0 % 23.9 % 16.2 % 32.5 % 36.1 % 56.3 % 29.8 % 59.8 %
AVERAGE 11.9 % 19.1 % 24.1 % 25.0 % 15.8 % 31.2 % 33.5 % 56.4 % 30.8 % 55.9 %
SAMPLE 1 5.2 % 1.9 % 4.0 % 5.7 % 4.7 % 7.7 % 10.7 % 22.2 % 10.7 % 29.5 %
SAMPLE 2 2.8 % 3.0 % 4.5 % 3.8 % 4.9 % 7.4 % 9.9 % 18.1 % 7.7 % 18.5 %
Type 5, Class 1 SAMPLE 3 2.4 % 1.5 % 3.6 % 2.4 % 5.5 % 5.9 % 10.8 % 20.2 % 6.9 % 35.2 %
AVERAGE 3.5 % 2.1 % 4.0 % 4.0 % 5.0 % 7.0 % 10.5 % 20.2 % 8.4 % 27.7 %
A
Test Lab 2 used calibrated F 38 fixtures made with Alloy A-286.
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