Test standards Alpine supports: ISO 2782, ISO 15105, ASTM D3902-90, & custom methods
Gas permeation is a trait of elastomers and can lead to seal damage if the wrong material is used in high pressure situations.
Gas Permeation occurs when gas molecules pass through the microscopic structure of a material, affecting everything from rubber seals and tubing to tires and even metals. In sealing applications, this can lead to critical issues such as subtle pressure losses or pressure migration, material embrittlement, and can contribute to Rapid Gas Decompression (RGD) damage. Understanding a material’s permeation behavior is essential for predicting long-term performance under pressure. Alpine Polytech offers gas permeation testing to help customers choose the right elastomer for demanding applications where integrity and reliability are non-negotiable. A diagram of different testing fixtures for discs and O-rings can be seen below.
Alpine Expanded Capabilities
Test conditions we support:
- Gas or volatile liquid testing media (CO2, H2S, CH4, H2, NH3, and custom)
- High Pressures (40,000 psi)
- Disc or Seal specimen types
- Temperatures from cryogenic up to 400°C
- Rubber Tubing testing
- Identify permeated media with microscopy and FTIR
Alpine Polytech offers high-performance permeation testing for both gas and volatile liquid media, with the ability to simulate extreme service conditions. Our systems accommodate temperatures up to 400°C and pressures as high as 20,000 psi. We test a variety of specimen types, including discs and fully molded seals, across a wide range of rubber and plastic materials.
Testing Details
ISO 2782-1 is a standardized gas permeability test that is conducted at a controlled temperature and pressure. Over time, the pressure change on the low side is monitored to calculate the gas transmission rate, gas permeability coefficient, gas diffusion coefficient, and gas solubility coefficient. This method helps evaluate a material’s suitability for applications where gas permeation could impact performance or safety.
ISO 15105 is a standardized test for determining the gas transmission rate through plastic films and sheets. The test process is nearly identical to ISO 2782 aside from the testing sample material.
ASTM D3902-90 is a new test that Alpine offers. It is designed to test the gas permeation rate in rubber hoses. Samples are filled with pressurized liquefied petroleum gas and submerged in water. The amount of gas that escapes the hose is measured and the rate of diffusion is calculated.