ISO 3384-1-2024 PDF

Full title and description

Rubber, vulcanized or thermoplastic — Determination of stress relaxation in compression — Part 1: Testing at constant temperature. This international standard specifies two procedures for determining the decrease in counterforce (stress relaxation) exerted by a compressed rubber test piece held at a constant, predetermined temperature; it covers measurement methods, specimen shapes and sizes, and two alternative test methods (A and B).

Abstract

The document defines two test procedures to measure stress relaxation in compression for vulcanized or thermoplastic rubber: method A (compression and all force measurements at the test temperature) and method B (compression and measurements at standard laboratory temperature, so thermal contraction on return is included). It permits continuous or discontinuous force measurement systems and two specimen geometries (cylindrical and ring specimens). The standard applies to ambient and elevated constant temperatures; low-temperature testing is not specified because reliability under those conditions is not proven.

General information

• Status: Published (current international standard).
• Publication date: March 2024 (published in March 2024).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 83.060 (Rubber and rubber products).
• Edition / version: Edition 3 (ed. 3, 2024).
• Number of pages: 15 pages according to the ISO bibliographic entry (note: some national distributors list 14 pages).

Scope

This part of ISO 3384 specifies procedures to determine the decrease of counterforce (stress relaxation) in rubber specimens compressed to a constant deformation and maintained at a constant test temperature. It defines two measurement approaches (continuous and discontinuous), two test methods (A and B, differing in whether compression/measurement occurs at test temperature or at laboratory temperature), and two specimen types (cylindrical and ring). The standard is limited to constant ambient or elevated temperatures; it does not specify test methods for temperatures below standard laboratory temperature.

Key topics and requirements

• Two test methods: Method A (all operations at the test temperature) and Method B (compression and measurements at standard laboratory temperature; includes thermal retraction effects).
• Measurement systems: provisions for both continuous-measurement systems and discontinuous-measurement systems for reaction force.
• Specimen geometry: requirements and specification for cylindrical specimens and ring (annular) specimens; comparisons valid only for like sizes/shapes.
• Environmental conditions: application to ambient and elevated constant temperatures; low-temperature testing not specified due to unproven reliability.
• Reporting: requirement to state test method used (A or B), specimen type and dimensions, temperature, deformation, measurement system, and calculation of relaxation values (as specified in the standard).

Typical use and users

Used by materials and test laboratories, rubber and elastomer manufacturers, quality and R&D departments, certification and compliance bodies, and researchers who need standardized, repeatable methods to quantify stress relaxation (loss of sealing force, relaxation under sustained compression) for rubber components and seals. Results are used for product development, quality control, lifetime assessment and comparison of materials or formulations.

Related standards

ISO 3384 is a multipart series. The closely related Part 2 (ISO 3384-2:2019) covers determination of stress relaxation in compression with temperature cycling (testing with temperature changes rather than constant temperature). Earlier consolidated or superseded versions include ISO 3384 (2005) and previous editions of ISO 3384-1.

Keywords

stress relaxation, compression test, rubber, elastomer, vulcanized rubber, thermoplastic rubber, test method, specimen, ring specimen, cylindrical specimen, constant temperature, measurement system, ISO 3384-1, compression relaxation.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 3384-1:2024 is an international test method standard that specifies how to determine stress relaxation in compression for vulcanized or thermoplastic rubber under constant temperature conditions.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers two test procedures (method A and method B), two measurement system types (continuous and discontinuous), allowable specimen geometries (cylindrical and ring), and the conditions and reporting needed to obtain comparable stress-relaxation data at constant ambient or elevated temperatures.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Test laboratories, rubber manufacturers, R&D and quality departments, standards bodies, and any organization needing standardized stress-relaxation data for seals, gaskets, elastomer components, or material comparisons.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 3384-1:2024 is the current (published) edition (edition 3, published March 2024) and it replaces earlier versions (for example ISO 3384-1:2019).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 3384 is a multipart standard for stress relaxation in compression; Part 1 covers constant-temperature testing and Part 2 covers testing with temperature cycling (ISO 3384-2:2019).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Stress relaxation, compression, rubber, elastomer, test methods, specimen, constant temperature, ISO 3384-1.