Test Method For Rubber Property

Abrasion resistance is a performance factor of paramount importance for many rubber products, such as tires, conveyor belts, power transmission belts, hoses, footwear, and floor covering. A test capable of measuring resistance to abrasion of rubber, including uniformity of wear behavior under abrasive/frictional service conditions is therefore highly desirable.
 

ASTM D5963 may be used to estimate the relative abrasion resistance of different rubbers. Since conditions of abrasive wear in service are complex and vary widely, no direct correlation between this accelerated test and actual performance can be assumed.
 

This test method covers the measurement of abrasion resistance of rubbers (vulcanized thermoset rubbers and thermoplastic elastomers) that are subject to abrasive/frictional wear in actual service. The abrasion resistance is measured by moving a test piece across the surface of an abrasive sheet mounted to a revolving drum, and is expressed as volume loss in cubic millimetres or abrasion resistance index in percent. For volume loss, a smaller number indicates better abrasion resistance, while for the abrasion resistance index, a smaller number denotes poorer abrasion resistance.

This test method is suitable for comparative testing, quality control, specification compliance testing, referee purposes, and research and development work.The test method detailed in this standard is used to evaluate the abrasion resistance of thermoplastic elastomers and vulcanized thermoset rubbers during their performance cycle. The test procedure includes moving a specimen across the surface of a rotating drum with an abrasive sheet.

This test method measures the uniformity of wear in rubbers when under abrasive conditions. This accelerated test can be used to evaluate abrasion resistance in various rubbers, however abrasive wear conditions vary greatly and the actual performance of rubber products during their performance cycle cannot always be predicted.