At our rubber testing lab, the experts at Karax have years of experience performing swell testing for rubber components. When in contact with a particular liquid at different temperatures and for varied lengths of time, rubber and rubber-like compounds can react and behave in different ways. Automotive, oil & gas, aerospace, and many other industrial applications require rubber parts that are exposed to liquids, which can affect the product's overall performance and service life as well as create volume swelling.

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What is volume swell testing?

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Volume Swell testing, often referred to as fluid resistance, change in volume, or liquids resistance, assesses how well rubber and rubber-like compounds hold up to changes in liquid volume. A number of test specimens made of vulcanized rubber may be used for this procedure:

• Using standard sheets, cut

• Cut from vulcanized rubber-coated fabric, finished goods

 

To forecast actual outcomes, it is essential to employ an exact match of the liquid that will come into contact with the vulcanizate in service. However, it is not practicable to employ in a laboratory environment because many commercial liquids, especially those with a petroleum origin, are subject to significant variance. Therefore, it is advised to employ regular test liquids.

Common standards for volume swell testing

• Rubber Property Standard Test Method—Effect of Liquids (ASTM D471)

• ISO 1817—Determination of the effect of liquids on rubber, vulcanized rubber, or thermoplastic

The standard test liquids IRM 901, 902, 903, and 905 are frequently used. In addition, ASTM lists the service liquids (101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106) and standard reference fuels (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K) that are employed in both standard and customized test protocols.