EN 60684-2:1997

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-junij-1998
Gibke izolacijske cevi - 2. del: Preskusne metode (IEC 60684-2:1997)
Flexible insulating sleeving -- Part 2: Methods of test
Isolierschläuche -- Teil 2: Prüfverfahren
Gaines isolantes souples -- Partie 2: Méthodes d'essai
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 60684-2:1997
ICS:
29.035.20 3ODVWLþQLLQJXPHQLL]RODFLMVNL Plastics and rubber insulating
PDWHULDOL materials
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

NORME
CEI
INTERNATIONALE
IEC
60684-2
INTERNATIONAL
Deuxième édition
STANDARD
Second edition
1997-07
Gaines isolantes souples –
Partie 2:
Méthodes d'essai
Flexible insulating sleeving –
Part 2:
Methods of test
 IEC 1997 Droits de reproduction réservés  Copyright - all rights reserved
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60684-2 © IEC:1997 – 3 –
CONTENTS
Page
FOREWORD . 7
INTRODUCTION. 9
Clause
1 General. 11
2 Test conditions . 15
3 Measurements of bore, wall thickness and concentricity. 15
4 Density. 19
5 Resistance to splitting after heating . 21
6 Heat shock (resistance to heat) . 21
7 Resistance to soldering heat.23
8 Loss in mass on heating of uncoated textile glass sleeving. 23
9 Longitudinal change . 25
10 Deformation under load (resistance to pressure at elevated temperature). 27
11 Thermal stability of PVC sleeving. 29
12 Volatile content of silicone sleeving. 29
13 Bending after heating . 31
14 Bending at low temperature . 33
15 Brittleness temperature . 33
16 Dimensional stability on storage. 33
17 Hydrolysis of coating . 35
18 Flexibility. 37
19 Tensile strength, tensile stress at 100 % elongation, elongation at break and
secant modulus at 2 % elongation . 37
20 Fraying resistance test . 45
21 Breakdown voltage. 47
22 Insulation resistance. 53
23 Volume resistivity . 55
24 Permittivity and dissipation factor. 59
25 Resistance to tracking. 61
26 Flame propagation tests. 61
27 Oxygen index . 69
28 Transparency . 69
29 Ionic impurities test. 69
30 Silver staining test . 71
31 Electrolytic corrosion resistance. 71
32 Corrosion resistance (tensile and elongation). 73

60684-2 © IEC:1997 – 5 –
Clause Page
33 Copper corrosion (presence of corrosive volatiles). 73
34 Colour fastness to light. 75
35 Resistance to ozone. 77
36 Resistance to selected fluids.77
37 Thermal endurance . 81
38 Mass per unit length. 81
39 Heat ageing . 81
40 Water absorption. 83
41 Restricted shrinkage . 83
42 Colour stability to heat. 85
43 Smoke index . 85
44 Toxicity index. 95
45 Halogen content . 105
46 Acid gas generation. 109
47 Hot elongation and hot set . 109
48 Tension set. 111
49 Tear propagation. 113
Figures. 115
Annex A – Bibliography . 141

60684-2 © IEC:1997 – 7 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
_________
FLEXIBLE INSULATING SLEEVING −
Part 2: Methods of test
FOREWORD
1) The IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of the IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, the IEC publishes International Standards. Their preparation is
entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested in the subject dealt with may
participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-governmental organizations liaising
with the IEC also participate in this preparation. The IEC collaborates closely with the International Organization
for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by agreement between the two
organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of the IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an
international consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation
from all interested National Committees.
3) The documents produced have the form of recommendations for international use and are published in the form
of standards, technical reports or guides and they are accepted by the National Committees in that sense.
4) In order to promote international unification, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC International
Standards transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional standards. Any
divergence between the IEC Standard and the corresponding national or regional standard shall be clearly
indicated in the latter.
5) The IEC provides no marking procedure to indicate its approval and cannot be rendered responsible for any
equipment declared to be in conformity with one of its standards.
6) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this International Standard may be the subject
of patent rights. The IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 60684-2 has been prepared by subcommittee 15C: Specifications,
of IEC technical committee 15: Insulating materials.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 1984 and amendment 1
(1992). This edition constitutes a technical revision.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
15C/657/FDIS 15C/790/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.
Annex A is for information only.
The contents of the corrigendum of December 1997 have been included in this copy.

60684-2 © IEC:1997 – 9 –
INTRODUCTION
This International Standard is one of a series which deals with flexible insulating sleeving. The
series consists of three parts:
Part 1: Definitions and general requirements (IEC 60684-1)
Part 2: Methods of test (IEC 60684-2)
Part 3: Specification requirements for individual types of sleeving (IEC 60684-3)

60684-2 © IEC:1997 – 11 –
FLEXIBLE INSULATING SLEEVING −
Part 2: Methods of test
1 General
1.1 Scope
This part of IEC 60684 gives methods of test for flexible insulating sleeving, including heat-
shrinkable sleeving, intended primarily for insulating electrical conductors and connections of
electrical apparatus, although they may be used for other purposes.
The tests specified are designed to control the quality of the sleeving but it is recognized that
they do not completely establish the suitability of sleeving for impregnation or encapsulation
processes or for other specialized applications. Where necessary, the test methods in this part
will need to be supplemented by appropriate impregnation or compatibility tests to suit the
individual circumstances.
1.2 Normative references
The following normative documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text,
constitute provisions of this part of IEC 60684. At the time of publication, the editions indicated
were valid. All normative documents are subject to revision, and parties to agreements based
on this part of IEC 60684 are encouraged to investigate the possibility of applying the most
recent editions of the normative documents indicated below. Members of IEC and ISO maintain
registers of currently valid International Standards.
IEC 60068-2-20: 1979, Environmental testing – Part 2: Tests, Test T: Soldering
IEC 60093: 1980, Methods of test for volume resistivity and surface resistivity of solid electrical
insulating materials
IEC 60212: 1971, Standard conditions for use prior to and during the testing of solid electrical
insulating materials
IEC 60216, Guide for the determination of thermal endurance properties of electrical insulating
materials
IEC 60216-4-1: 1990, Guide for the determination of thermal endurance properties of electrical
insulating materials – Part 4: Ageing ovens – Section 1: Single-chamber ovens
IEC 60243-1, 1988, Methods of tests for electric strength of solid insulating materials – Part 1:
Tests at power frequencies
IEC 60250: 1969, Recommended methods for the determination of the permittivity and
dielectric dissipation factor of electrical insulating materials at power, audio and radio
frequencies including metre wavelengths

60684-2 © IEC:1997 – 13 –
IEC 60426: 1973, Test methods for determining electrolytic corrosion with insulating materials
IEC 60587: 1984, Test methods for evaluating resistance to tracking and erosion of electrical
insulating materials used under severe ambient conditions
IEC 60589: 1977, Methods of test for the determination of ionic impurities in electrical
insulating materials by extraction with liquids
IEC 60684-3, Flexible insulating sleeving – Part 3: Specification requirements for individual
types of sleeving
IEC 60695-6-30: 1996, Fire hazard testing – Part 6: Guidance and test methods for the
assessment of obscuration hazard of vision caused by smoke opacity from electrotechnical
products involved in fires – Section 30: Small scale static method. Determination of smoke
opacity
IEC 60754-1: 1994, Tests on gases evolved during combustion of materials from cables – Part 1:
Determination of the amount of halogen acid gas evolved during the combustion of polymeric
materials taken from cables
IEC 60754-2: 1991, Tests on gases evolved during combustion of materials from cables – Part 2:
Determination of degree of acidity of gases evolved during the combustion of materials taken from
electric cables by measuring pH and conductivity
ISO 5-1: 1984, Photography – Density measurements – Part 1: Terms, symbols and notations
ISO 5-2: 1991, Photography – Density measurements – Part 2: Geometric conditions for
transmission density
ISO 5-3: 1995, Photography – Density measurements – Part 3: Spectral conditions
ISO 5-4: 1995, Photography – Density measurements – Part 4: Geometric conditions for
reflection density
ISO 37: 1994, Rubber, vulcanized or thermoplastic – Determination of tensile stress-strain
properties
ISO 62: 1980, Plastic – Determination of water absorption
ISO 105: Textiles – Tests for colour fastness
ISO105-A02: 1993, Textiles – Tests for colour fastness – Part A02: Grey scale for assessing
change in colour
ISO 105-B01: 1994, Textiles – Tests for colour fastness – Part B01: Colour fastness to light:
Daylight
ISO 182-1: 1990, Plastics – Determination of the tendency of compounds and products based
on vinyl chloride homopolymers and copolymers to evolve hydrogen chloride and any other
acidic products at elevated temperature – Part 1: Congo red method
ISO 182-2: 1990, Plastics – Determination of the tendency of compounds and products based
on vinyl chloride homopolymers and copolymers to evolve hydrogen chloride and any other
acidic products at elevated temperature – Part 2: pH method

60684-2 © IEC:1997 – 15 –
ISO 974: 1980, Plastics – Determination of the brittleness temperature by impact
ISO 1431-1: 1989, Rubber, vulcanized or thermoplastic – Resistance to ozone cracking – Part 1:
Static strain test
ISO 2921: 1982, Rubber, vulcanized – Determination of low temperature characteristics –
Temperature-retraction procedure (TR test)
ISO 3261: 1975, Fire tests – Vocabulary
ISO 4589-2-2: 1994, Plastics – Determination of flammability – Part 2: Oxygen index (OI) at
room temperature
ISO 4589-3: 1996, Plastics – Determination of burning behaviour by oxygen index – Part 3:
Elevated-temperature test
2 Test conditions
2.1 Unless otherwise specified, all tests shall be made under standard ambient conditions
according to IEC 60212; i.e., at a temperature between 15 °C and 35 °C and at ambient relative
humidity.
In cases of dispute, the tests shall be carried out at a temperature of 23 °C ± 2 K and at (50 ± 5) %
relative humidity.
2.2 When heating at elevated temperature is specified for a test procedure, the specimen
shall be maintained for the prescribed period in a uniformly heated oven complying with
IEC 60216-4-1.
2.3 Where a test at low temperature is specified, the specification sheets of IEC 60684-3 may
require it to be carried out at –
t °C or lower. In such cases the operator may carry out the test
at the specified temperature or any lower temperature which is convenient. If, however, at a
temperature below that specified the specimen fails to meet the requirements, the test shall be
repeated at the specified temperature, subject to a tolerance of ± 3 K as specified in
IEC 60212. If the specimen then passes, it shall be considered to have met the requirements.
3 Measurements of bore, wall thickness and concentricity
NOTE – Within this standard, the terms "bore" and "internal diameter" are interchangeable.
3.1 Bore
3.1.1 Number of test specimens
Three specimens shall be tested.
3.1.2 General method
Plug or taper gauges of appropriate diameter shall be used to establish that the bore lies
between the maximum and minimum specified values. The gauge shall enter the bore without
causing expansion of the sleeving. A lubricant in powder form will assist when some types of
sleeving are being measured.
3.1.3 Relaxed bore of expandable braided sleeving
Select a 250 mm long steel mandrel of the same diameter as the specified minimum relaxed
bore of the sleeving.
60684-2 © IEC:1997 – 17 –
Insert the mandrel completely into the sleeving so that 50 mm of sleeving projects beyond the
mandrel at the cut end.
At the opposite end, wrap wire around the sleeving just beyond the end of the mandrel to
prevent the mandrel penetrating further into the sleeving.
Smooth the sleeving firmly onto the mandrel from the secured end towards the cut end and
twist the sleeving so that it traps the end of the mandrel. Secure by wrapping with wire.
Mark 200 mm gauge lines centrally on the sleeving using a marking medium which does not
degrade the sleeving, e.g., typewriter correction fluid.
Release the cut end and allow sleeving to relax.
Measure the distance between gauge lines in millimetres.
If this measurement is 195 mm or greater then the sleeving is of the maximum relaxed bore
diameter.
If this measurement is less than 195 mm, repeat the determination with progressively larger
mandrels until the measurement is equal to or larger than 195 mm.
3.1.4 Expanded bore of expandable braided sleeving
Select a plug gauge of the same diameter as the specified minimum expanded bore.
Grip the sleeving 50 mm below the cut end.
Open the cut end of the sleeving for 10 mm and insert the plug gauge.
Attempt to push the plug gauge further into the undisturbed gripped sleeving.
If the plug gauge enters further without undue force, the sleeving is of the minimum expanded
bore.
If the plug gauge does not enter further without undue force, repeat the determination with
progressively smaller mandrels.
3.1.5 Result
Report all measured values as the result.
3.2 Wall thickness for textile sleeving
3.2.1 Number of test specimens
Three specimens shall be tested.

60684-2 © IEC:1997 – 19 –
3.2.2 Procedure
A plug gauge or mandrel shall be inserted so that it enters freely but has a diameter not less
than 80 % of the bore. The overall dimension shall then be measured using a micrometer
having flat anvils of approximately 6 mm diameter. In making this measurement, the pressure
applied by the micrometer shall be just sufficient to close the sleeving on to the inserted plug
gauge or mandrel. The wall thickness shall be calculated by halving the difference between the
overall dimension and the plug gauge or mandrel diameter.
3.2.3 Result
Report all measured values for wall thickness as the result.
3.3 Minimum/maximum wall thickness and concentricity for extruded sleeving
3.3.1 Number of test specimens
Three specimens shall be tested.
3.3.2 Wall thickness
This standard does not give mandatory methods for making this measurement. By means of a
suitable number of tests, locate the points on the wall corresponding to the minimum and
maximum wall thickness.
NOTE – The following methods of measurement have proved suitable: optical profile projector, optical
comparator, a suitable micrometer. In the event of a dispute, use one of the optical methods.
3.3.3 Concentricity
Calculate the concentricity of each specimen of the sleeving by use of the following equation:
minimum wall thickness
concentricity (%) =
maximum wall thickness
3.3.4 Result
Report all values for minimum and maximum wall thickness and concentricity as the result.
4 Density
4.1 Number of test specimens
At least three specimens shall be tested.
4.2
Procedure
Any method for the determination of the density may be used which can ensure an accuracy
of 0,01 g/cm .
NOTE – Small bore sleeving specimens should be cut longitudinally and opened out to avoid air entrapment
during the determination.
60684-2 © IEC:1997 – 21 –
4.3 Result
Identify the method selected for the determination and report all measured values for density;
the result is the mean unless specified otherwise in the specification sheets of IEC 60684-3.
5 Resistance to splitting after heating
5.1 Number of test specimens
Three specimens shall be tested.
5.2 Form of test specimen
The specimens shall be produced by cutting rings whose cut length equals the wall thickness.
Precautions shall be taken to ensure that the cut is clean since imperfections can affect the
result.
NOTE – Where practical difficulties do not permit a square section ring to be cut, the length may be increased
to not more than 2,5 mm.
5.3 Procedure
The specimens shall be tested using a tapered mandrel which has an inclined angle of (15 ± 1)°.
The specimens shall be maintained for a period of (168 ± 2) h at a temperature of 70 °C ± 2 K
unless another temperature is specified in IEC 60684-3, and then allowed to cool to 23 °C ± 5 K.
They shall then be rolled up the mandrel so that they are extended by an amount equal to the
percentage of nominal bore specified in IEC 60684-3. The specimens shall be kept in that
position and at a temperature of 23 °C ± 5 K for (24 ± 1) h and then examined for splitting.
5.4 Result
Report whether there is any splitting.
6 Heat shock (resistance to heat)
6.1 Number of test specimens
Five specimens shall be tested.
6.2 Form of test specimens
Lengths of approximately 75 mm of sleeving, or specimens in accordance with clause 19 shall
be prepared where tensile strength or elongation at break are to be measured.
6.3 Procedure
The specimens shall be suspended vertically in an oven for 4 h ± 10 min at the temperature
specified in IEC 60684-3.
The specimens shall be removed and allowed to cool to room temperature. They shall then be
examined for any signs of dripping, cracking or flowing. In addition, when so specified in
IEC 60684-3, the specimens shall be tested for tensile strength and/or elongation at break.

60684-2 © IEC:1997 – 23 –
6.4 Result
Report all results from the visual examination. Report all measured values for tensile strength
and/or elongation at break. The result is the central value unless otherwise specified in the
specification sheets of IEC 60684-3.
7 Resistance to soldering heat
7.1
Number of test specimens
Three specimens shall be tested.
7.2 Form of test specimen
60 mm lengths of sleeving shall be used and approximately 150 mm of tinned copper wire, of a
diameter which permits a sliding fit in the sleeving.
The wire shall be bent through 90° at its middle point round a mandrel of diameter three times
the nominal bore of the sleeving.
The sleeving shall be slipped over the wire and worked round the bend so that it covers a
length of the straight part of the wire which will be vertical during the test, equal to 1,5 times
the nominal bore of the sleeving but with a minimum length of 1 mm (see figure 1). The wire
shall be cut off on the part to be vertical during the test 20 mm beyond the sleeving.
The wire shall be cut off on the part to be horizontal during the test at the end of the sleeving.
Not less than 5 min after the wire has been bent, a high grade flux consisting of 25 % by mass
of colophony in 75 % by mass of 2-propanol (isopropanol) or of ethanol (ethyl alcohol), shall be
applied to the lower 6 mm of the protruding part of the wire. (Only non-activated colophony
shall be used, the acid value of which is not less than 155 mg KOH/g. A full specification is
given in appendix C of IEC 60068-2-20.)
7.3 Procedure
With the sleeving at a temperature of 23 °C ± 5 K, the test shall be started within 60 min of the
application of the flux. The wire is supported on its horizontal part at least 25 mm from the
bend. The vertical portion shall be immersed in the centre of a bath of molten solder so that
6 mm of the wire is immersed; a convenient way to achieve this is to mark the wire beforehand.
The wire shall be held in this position for (15 ± 1) s or as specified in IEC 60684-3. The solder
bath shall be not less than 25 mm in diameter and 12 mm deep and the temperature of the
solder shall be maintained at 260 °C ± 5 K during the test. To pass the test, no specimen shall
split or widen considerably, slight melting being permissible (see figure 2).
7.4 Result
Report whether there is any splitting, widening or excessive melting.
8 Loss in mass on heating of uncoated textile glass sleeving
8.1 Number and mass of test specimens
Three specimens shall be tested, each consisting of a sufficient length to provide (5 ± 1) g.

60684-2 © IEC:1997 – 25 –
8.2 Procedure
The specimens shall be conditioned by heating at 105 °C ± 2 K for 1 h and then allowed to cool
in a desiccator to room temperature. They shall then be weighed to the nearest 0,0002 g (m )
and then heated in a ventilated furnace at 600 °C ± 10 K for 60 min to 75 min. After cooling to
room temperature in a desiccator, the specimens shall be re-weighed (m ).
8.3 Calculation
The percentage loss in mass of each test shall be calculated as:
mm −
m
8.4 Result
Report all calculated values for the percentage loss in mass. The result is the central value
unless otherwise specified in the specification sheets of IEC 60684-3.
9 Longitudinal change
9.1 Number of test specimens
Three specimens shall be tested.
9.2 Form of test specimen
Each specimen of sleeving approximately 150 mm long is cut cleanly and marked with two
gauge marks, nominally 100 mm apart and approximately centrally placed on the specimen,
using a marking medium that is not detrimental to the material. The distance between gauge
marks shall be measured to an accuracy of 0,5 mm (L ).
9.3 Procedure
The specimens shall be supported horizontally on a medium on which they can recover freely.
The supported specimens shall be maintained in an oven for the time and at the temperature
specified in IEC 60684-3.
The sleeving shall be allowed to cool to room temperature and the distance between the gauge
marks re-measured to an accuracy of 0,5 mm (L ).
9.4 Calculation
Calculate the longitudinal change (LC) from the formula:
−
LL
LC = 100
L
where
L is the original length;
L is the length after unrestricted shrinkage.
60684-2 © IEC:1997 – 27 –
9.5 Result
Report all values for longitudinal change as the result.
10 Deformation under load (resistance to pressure at elevated temperature)
10.1 Number of test specimens
Three specimens shall be tested.
The tests shall be carried out not less than 16 h after the extrusion of the sleeving.
10.2 Form of test specimen
Each test specimen shall be formed by slitting the sleeving along its length and then cutting
from the sleeving a section approximately 10 mm × 5 mm (or the full circumference of the
sleeving if this is less than 5 mm), so that the long axis of the specimen is parallel to the length
of the sleeving.
10.3 Apparatus
The apparatus consists of an instrument capable of measurement to ±0,01 mm with a
rectangular indentor blade with an edge (0,70 ± 0,01) mm which applies a load to the specimen
of (1,2 ± 0,05) N, unless otherwise specified in IEC 60684-3. The specimen is placed on a
metal mandrel (6,00 ± 0,1) mm in diameter which is supported on a V block. The essential
features of this arrangement are shown in figure 3.
o
The assembly shall be placed in an oven maintained at 110
C ± 2 K during the heating period,
unless another temperature is specified in IEC 60684-3. To minimize vibration, a gravity-
circulated oven, mounted on suitable damping pads, shall be used.
10.4 Procedure
The wall thickness of the test specimen shall be measured by the method of 3.2, except that
the plug gauge and the sleeving sample therein shall be replaced by the test specimen resting
on the mandrel. The wall thickness shall be the measured difference between the overall
dimensions and the mandrel diameter.
The assembly with mandrel but without the test specimen shall be conditioned for at least 2 h before
the test in the oven at 110 °C ± 2 K, unless another temperature is specified in IEC 60684-3.
The indentor blade shall be raised, the test specimen placed on the mandrel with its long axis
parallel to the mandrel and the indentor gently lowered on to the surface of the test specimen.
NOTE – With small bore sleevings the manipulation of the test specimen may cause difficulty. In such cases it
is recommended that the test specimen be flattened under a 1 kg weight for approximately 10 min at room
temperature before placing it on the mandrel.
The assembly and test specimen shall then remain in the oven at the specified temperature for
(60 ± 5) min.
The position of the indentor blade shall then be recorded. Remove the specimen, allow the
indentor to rest directly on the mandrel and again record the position. Subtract the difference
between these two readings from the original measured wall thickness to give the indentation.

60684-2 © IEC:1997 – 29 –
Differences between any two of the three values for the position of the indentor resting directly
on the mandrel shall be not more than 0,02 mm.
10.5 Result
The indentation of the specimen shall be expressed as a percentage of the initial wall
thickness.
The percentage indentation shall be taken as the central value of the three determinations; the
other two values are also reported.
11 Thermal stability of PVC sleeving
11.1 Principle
This method determines the time taken for hydrogen chloride to be evolved from polyvinyl
chloride (PVC), its copolymers or compounds or products based on them, when heated.
The evolution of hydrogen chloride is detected either by the use of Congo red paper (ISO 182-1) or
by the change in pH of a potassium chloride solution contained in a measuring cell (ISO 182-2).
11.2 Form of test specimen
11.2.1 ISO 182-1 method
The specimen shall be sufficient to fill two of the specified test tubes to a depth of 50 mm and
is formed by cutting the sleeving into pieces of maximum dimension 6 mm, slitting where
necessary. The pieces of sleeving shall not be deliberately compacted in the test tubes.
11.2.2 ISO 182-2 method
2 2
To prepare specimens, cut pieces of sleeving approximately 5 mm to 6 mm in size and place
approximately 1,0 g into each test tube.
11.3 Procedure
The test shall be carried out in accordance with either ISO 182-1 or ISO 182-2. The relevant
specification sheet IEC 60684-3 will specify which test is to be used, the test temperature and,
in the case of ISO 182-2, if a moving gas medium other than air is to be employed.
12 Volatile content of silicone sleeving
12.1 Number and mass of test specimens
Three specimens shall be tested, each consisting of sufficient length to provide (10 ± 1) g.
12.2 Procedure
The specimens shall be weighed to the nearest 0,001 g (m ) and then heated in an oven at
200 °C ± 3 K for (24 ± 1) h. A convenient way to achieve this is to suspend the test pieces over
a wire that is thermally insulated from the metalwork of the oven.

60684-2 © IEC:1997 – 31 –
After cooling in a desiccator, the specimens shall be re-weighed (m ).
12.3 Calculation
The percentage loss in mass of each test specimen shall be calculated as:
mm −
m
12.4 Result
Report all values for percentage volatile content. The result is the central value of the three
determinations unless otherwise specified in the specification sheets of IEC 60684-3.
13 Bending after heating
13.1 Number of test specimens
Three specimens shall be tested, each of length sufficient to wind conveniently round a
mandrel of the size specified in IEC 60684-3 for the sleeving under test.
13.2 Form of test specimen
When the nominal bore does not exceed 2 mm, a length of wire giving a sliding fit shall be
inserted in the sleeving.
When the nominal bore exceeds 2 mm but does not exceed 15 mm (or other value as specified
in IEC 60684-3 for a particular type of sleeving), the specimen shall be filled by any suitable
means (e.g., a number of wires) to prevent undue collapse of the sleeving during winding.
When the nominal bore exceeds 15 mm (or other value as specified in IEC 60684-3 for a
particular type of sleeving), the specimen shall consist of a strip of sleeving 6 mm wide cut
parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sleeving.
13.3 Procedure
The specimen, prepared as described in 13.2, shall be suspended for (48 ± 1) h in an oven
maintained at the temperature specified in IEC 60684-3. It shall then be removed from the oven
and allowed to cool to room temperature.
It shall then be wound without jerking for one complete turn in a close helix round a mandrel of
the diameter specified in IEC 60684-3. For cut strips, the inside surface shall be in contact with
the mandrel. The time to achieve one complete turn shall be not greater than 5 s. The
specimen shall be held in this position for 5 s.
It shall then be visually examined without magnification while still on the mandrel for signs of
cracking, detachment of coating, or delamination.
Detection of cracking in sleeving up to 15 mm bore by application of voltage using a method
described in clause 21 may be specified in IEC 60684-3.

60684-2 © IEC:1997 – 33 –
13.4 Result
Report whether there is any cracking, detachment of coating or delamination.
14 Bending at low temperature
14.1 Number and form of test specimens
The number and form of test specimens shall be as in clause 13, except that, when the
nominal bore exceeds 6 mm (instead of 15 mm), the specimen shall consist of a strip of
sleeving 6 mm wide, cut parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sleeving. Alternatively, where so
specified in IEC 60684-3, specimens of nominal bore up to and including 6 mm shall be tested
unfilled.
14.2 Procedure
The specimen, prepared as described in 14.1 shall be suspended for 4 h ± 10 min in a
chamber maintained at the temperature specified in IEC 60684-3 and, while still at that
temperature, shall be wound without jerking for one complete turn in a close helix round a
mandrel at the same temperature and having a diameter specified in IEC 60684-3. For cut
strips, the inside surface shall be in contact with the mandrel. The time to achieve one
complete turn shall be not greater than 5 s. The specimen shall then be allowed to regain room
temperature.
The specimen shall then be visually examined without magnification while still on the mandrel
for signs of cracking, detachment of coating or delamination.
14.3 Result
Report whether there is any cracking, detachment of coating or delamination.
15 Brittleness temperature
The test is made in accordance with ISO 974 using specimens prepared as follows:
For sleeving of nominal bore up to 4 mm diameter, the specimen shall be cut in full section
40 mm long. For sleeving of bore larger than 4 mm, the specimen shall be 6 mm wide
and 40 mm long, with the longer dimension parallel to the longitudinal axis. The strip
specimens shall be mounted so that the hammer strikes the convex side of the specimen.
16 Dimensional stability on storage
(Applicable to heat-shrinkable sleeving only.)
16.1 Number and length of test specimens
Three specimens shall be tested, each approximately 100 mm long.

60684-2 © IEC:1997 – 35 –
16.2 Procedure
The bore of the sleeving shall be measured in the expanded state as delivered. The sleeving
shall then be stored in a ventilated oven for (336 ± 2) h at a temperature of 40 °C ± 3 K unless
otherwise specified in the relevant sheet of IEC 60684-3. It shall then be removed from the
oven, allowed to cool to ambient temperature and the expanded bore re-measured.
Following this measurement, the sleeving shall be allowed to fully recover, using the time and
temperature specified in IEC 60684-3 for the sleeving being evaluated. The sleeving shall then
be cooled to ambient temperature and the recovered bore re-measured.
16.3 Result
Report, as the result, all measured values for each of the three sets of measurements:
expanded bore before and after storage at elevated temperature, and fully recovered bore after
storage at elevated temperature.
17 Hydrolysis of coating
17.1 Number of test specimens
Three specimens shall be tested.
17.2 Form of test specimen
Each specimen of the sleeving shall be cut into lengths of 40 mm to 50 mm, which shall be
wrapped in filter paper to form a bundle of a diameter to give a push fit into a 125 mm × 12 mm
borosilicate glass test tube. Where the size of the sleeving requires it, specimens may be cut
along their length to enable them to be rolled up before insertion in the test tube.
NOTE – It is essential that heavy wall thickness test tubes are used for this test to minimize the risk of
explosion and injury to personnel. As a further safety precaution, it is recommended that the test tubes are
placed behind a screen protecting the observer.
17.3 Procedure
The sleeving shall be pushed to the bottom of the test tube and approximately 2 ml of distilled
water added. A short length of copper wire, of approximately 0,6 mm diameter, shall then be
inserted, the end nearest to the sleeving being bent into a somewhat circular shape at right
angles to the length. The length of wire shall be such that it is totally within the test tube after
sealing, with the formed end above the water level when the tube is inverted. The wire acts as
a stop to prevent the sleeving from slipping down into the water.
The end of the test tube shall then be sealed. This is done conveniently by drawing it out in a
flame.
The test tube shall then be held vertically, with the sealed end downwards, and maintained
at 100 °C ± 2 K for (72 ± 1) h.
17.4 Result
Report whether there is any running of the coating, any adherence between sleeving and paper
or between the pieces of sleeving, and any sign of discolouration of the paper.

60684-2 © IEC:1997 – 37 –
18 Flexibility
18.1 Number and length of test specimens
Three specimens shall be tested, each approximately 150 mm long.
18.2 Conditioning
The test specimen shall be left loose on a flat surface in an ambient temperature of 23 °C ± 5 K
for approximately 24 h. Thereafter, the specimen should be handled as little as possible to
avoid increasing its temperature.
18.3 Apparatus
Apparatus of the type shown in figure 4 shall be used.
A length of sewing thread shall be attached to the mandrel and passed through the sleeving.
The specimen shall be attached to the mandrel by a screw clamp as shown in figure 4.
NOTE – A polyethylene terephthalate sewing thread is suitable for this purpose, but for 0,5 mm bore sleeving, it
may be necessary to use suction or a pull-through to get the thread through the sleeving.
The mandrel shall be provided with a means of rotating it through 270°. The weight shall be
attached to the thread. The weight to be attached is specified in IEC 60684-3 for the particular
type of sleeving relative to the bore size.
The thread below the sleeving shall pass and almost touch a scale of deflection in millimetres.
A plumb line shall be used to ensure that the zero of the scale is directly below the side of the
mandrel.
18.4 Test temperature
The test shall be made with the sleeving and the apparatus at 23 °C ± 2 K.
18.5 Procedure
The mandrel shall be rotated so that the screw clamp used to anchor the sleeving is above the
zero mark on the deflection scale. The weight shall be applied with the mandrel in this position
and the mandrel shall immediately be rotated smoothly through 270°, at such a rate that it
reaches the position shown in figure 4 in about 10 s. The deflection shall be recorded (30 ± 5) s
after completion of the rotation. If there is any curvature, the test shall be carried out with the
curvature and not against it. The true deflection is obtained by subtracting the wall thickness of
the sleeving under test from the deflection recorded.
NOTE – It may be necessary to use a guide to ensure that the sleeving remains in a vertical plane.
18.6 Result
Report all measured values for deflection; the result is the central value unless otherwise
specified in the specific
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