ASTM F1236-96(2001)

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Designation: F 1236 – 96 (Reapproved 2001)
Standard Guide for
Visual Inspection of Electrical Protective Rubber Products
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1236; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 The purpose of this guide is to present methods and
techniques for the visual inspection of electrical protective
rubber products. This guide also includes descriptions and
photographs of irregularities found in these products.
NOTE 1—It is not the purpose of this guide to establish the acceptance
level of any irregularity described herein. That shall be established by the
standard for each product.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as standard. The SI units in parentheses are for information
only.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
FIG. 1 Abrasion
2. Referenced Documents
3.1.3 breakdown—the electrical discharge or arc occurring
2.1 ASTM Standards:
between the electrodes and through the equipment being tested
F 496 Specification for In-Service Care of Insulating
(see Fig. 4).
Gloves and Sleeves
F 819 Definitions of Terms Relating to Electrical Protective
Equipment for Workers
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 abrasions and scratches—surface damage that nor-
mally occurs when a product makes contact with an abrasive
surface. Scuff-like damage can also occur from a brush contact
with a hot object such as a soldering iron. This can sometimes
look like the graining on leather (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 2).
3.1.2 age cracks—surface cracks that may look like the
crazing of glazed ceramics and become progressively worse
with time. It is normally a slow oxidation process caused by
exposure to sunlight and ozone in the atmosphere and starts in
areas of the rubber that are under stress (see Fig. 3).
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F18 on Electrical
Protective Equipment for Workers and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
F18.60 on Terminology.
Current edition approved March 10, 1996. Published August 1996. Originally
published as F 1236 – 89. Last previous edition F 1236 – 89.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 10.03. FIG. 2 Scratches
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
F 1236 – 96 (2001)
FIG. 3 Age Cracks
FIG. 5 Chemical Bloom
FIG. 4 Breakdown (Dielectric Failure)
3.1.4 chemical bloom—a white or yellowish discoloration
on the surface of a rubber product caused by the migration to
the surface of chemical additives used in the manufacture of
the finished product (see Fig. 5).
3.1.5 color splash—a spot or blotch on the surface of a
rubber product that occurred during the manufacturing process
when a contrasting colored particle of unvulcanized rubber
became embedded into the finished product (see Fig. 6).
3.1.6 cuts— smooth incisions in the surface of the rubber
that are usually caused by a sharp-edged object that can
increase in size when they are placed under strain (see Fig. 7).
3.1.7 depressions or indentations—a shallow recess in the
surface of the rubber that exhibits a thinner rubber thickness at
the bottom of the depression than in the surrounding areas (see
FIG. 6 Color Splash
Fig. 8).
3.1.8 detergent cracks—cracks that appear on the inside
surface of a glove or sleeve that encircle the outline of a spot 3.1.9 embedded foreign matter—a particle of non-rubber
of detergent residue that was not removed during the cleaning material that has been molded into the finished product and
and rinsing of the form prior to the dipping process. mayappearasabumpwhentherubberisstretched(seeFig.9).
F 1236 – 96 (2001)
FIG. 7 Cuts
FIG. 10 Hard Spot
FIG. 8 Depressions or Indentations
FIG. 11 Hard Spot
3.1.12 mold marks—a raised or indented section on the
surface of the rubber that was caused by an irregularity in the
mold (see Figs. 14 and 15).
FIG. 9 Foreign Matter
3.1.13 nicks, snags, or scratches—angular tears, notches, or
chip-like injuries in the surface of the rubber that have been
3.1.10 form marks—a raised or indented section on the caused by barbed wire, sharp pointed tools, staples, splinters or
surface of the rubber that was caused by an irregularity in the similar sharp edged hazards (see Fig. 2, Fig. 16, and Fig. 17).
form. 3.1.14 ozone cracks—a series of interlacing cracks that may
3.1.11 hard spot—ahardenedareaontherubbersurfacethat start at stress points and quickly worsen as a result of rapid
is usually caused by exposure to high heat or chemical attack oxidation in a highly concentrated ozone atmosphere usually
(see Figs. 10-13). produced by electrical arcing (see Fig. 18 and Fig. 19).
F 1236 – 96 (2001)
FIG. 13 Hard Spot
FIG. 12 Hard Spot
3.1.15 parting line or flash line—a ridge of rubber left on
finished products occurring at mold joints during the manufac-
turing process.
3.1.16 pitting—a pit-like depression in the surface of the
rubber that may have been created by the rupturing of an air
bubble at or near the surface of the rubber during the
manufacturing process (see Fig. 20).
3.1.17 protuberance—bulge or swelling that protrudes
above the surface of the rubber that may have occurred during
manufacture (see Fig. 21).
3.1.18 puncture—penetration by a sharp object through the
entire thickness of the rubber product (see Fig. 22).
3.1.19 repair marks—an area on the surface of the finished
product that has a different texture due to the repair or
reworking of an irregularity in the mold or form (see Fig. 23).
3.1.20 runs— raised flow marks that may occur on the
FIG. 14 Mold Marks
fingers of rubber gloves during the dipping process.
3.1.21 skin breaks—cavities in the surface of the rubber
with filmy ragged edges and smooth interior surfaces that are
normally caused by embedded dirt specks during manufacture.
F 1236 – 96 (2001)
FIG. 17 Snag
FIG. 15 Mold Marks
FIG. 18 Ozone Cracks
FIG. 16 Nick
3.1.22 soft spots—surface areas of the rubber that have
become soft and sometimes tacky as a result of exposure to
heat, oils, or chemical solvents.
3.1.23 tears— a separation of the rubber through its entire
thickness, usually at an edge, that has been created by a
forceful pulling apart of the rubber (see Fig. 24).
3.1.24 tracking—the formation of a carbonized path on the
surface of a solid insulating me
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