ASTM F1236-14

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F1236 − 96 (Reapproved 2012) F1236 − 14
Standard Guide for
Visual Inspection of Electrical Protective Rubber Products
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1236; 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 (´) 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 values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
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 appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
F496 Specification for In-Service Care of Insulating Gloves and Sleeves
F819 Terminology 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 normally 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).
3.1.1 abrasions and scratches—surface damage that normally occurs when a product makes contact with an abrasive surface
(see Fig. 1 and Fig. 2).
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 Oct. 1, 2012Nov. 1, 2014. Published October 2012December 2014. Originally approved in 1989. Last previous edition approved in 20072012
as F1236 – 96(2007).(2012). DOI: 10.1520/F1236-96R12.10.1520/F1236-14.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3.1.1.1 Discussion—
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.
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).
3.1.2 age cracks—surface cracks that may look like the crazing of glazed ceramics and become progressively worse with time
(see Fig. 3).
3.1.2.1 Discussion—
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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FIG. 1 Abrasion
FIG. 2 Scratches
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.
3.1.3 breakdown—the electrical discharge or arc occurring between the electrodes and through the equipment being tested (see
Fig. 4, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6).
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. 57).
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. 68).
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. 79).
3.1.7 depressions or indentations —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. 810).
3.1.8 detergent cracks —cracks that appear on the inside surface of a glove or sleeve that encircle the outline of a spot of
detergent residue that was not removed during the cleaning and rinsing of the form prior to the dipping process.
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FIG. 3 Age Cracks
FIG. 4 Breakdown (Dielectric Failure)Failure Blanket: Back)
3.1.9 embedded foreign matter—a particle of non-rubber material that has been molded into the finished product and may appear
as a bump when the rubber is stretched (see Fig. 911).
3.1.10 form marks—a raised or indented section on the surface of the rubber that was caused by an irregularity in the form.
3.1.11 hard spot—a hardened area on the rubber surface that is usually caused by exposure to high heat or chemical attack (see
Figs. 10-12-1315).
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. 1416 and 1517).
3.1.13 nicks, snags, or scratches—angular tears, notches, or chip-like injuries in the surface of the rubber that have been caused
by barbed wire, sharp pointed tools, staples, splinters or similar sharp edged hazards (see Fig. 2, Fig. 1618, and Fig. 1719).
3.1.14 ozone cracks—a series of interlacing cracks that may start at stress points and quickly worsen as a result of rapid
oxidation in a highly concentrated ozone atmosphere usually produced by electrical arcing (see Fig. 1820 and Fig. 1921).
3.1.15 parting line or flash line—a ridge of rubber left on finished products occurring at mold joints during the manufacturing
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. 2022).
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FIG. 5 Breakdown (Dielectric Failure Blanket: Front)
FIG. 6 Breakdown (Dielectric Failure)
FIG. 57 Chemical Bloom
3.1.17 protuberance—bulge or swelling that protrudes above the surface of the rubber that may have occurred during
manufacture (see Fig. 2123).
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FIG. 68 Color Splash
FIG. 79 Cuts
3.1.18 puncture—penetration by a sharp object through the entire thickness of the rubber product (see Fig. 2224).
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. 2325).
3.1.20 runs— raised flow marks that may occur on the 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.
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.
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FIG.
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