Home

Product List

ASTM Information

Sales Contacts

Terms & Conditions of Sale

 
ASTM D2000ASTM Specifications

ASTM Specification Requirements

Grade Numbers, Suffix Letters, and Numbers

Grade Numbers – Since the basic requirements do not always describe sufficiently all the necessary qualities, provision is made for deviation or adding requirements through a system of prefix grade numbers. Grade No. 1 indicates that only the basic requirements are compulsory, and no suffix requirements are permitted. Grades other than No. 1 are used for expressing deviation or additional requirements and are listed as "Available Suffix Grade Numbers."

Suffix Letters – The suffix letters that may be used, together with their meaning, appear in Table 2.

Suffix Numbers – Each suffix letter should preferably be followed by two suffix numbers. The first suffix number always indicates the method of test; time of test is part of the method. The second suffix number, if used, always indicates the temperature of test. Where three-digit numbers are required, they are separated by a dash – for example: A1-10; B4-10; f1-11.

Suffix Requirements

Suffix requirements shall be specified only as needed to define qualities necessary to meet service requirements. These suffix requirements are set forth for the various grade numbers. Suffix letters and suffix numbers describing these suffix requirements may be used singly or in combination, but not all suffix values available for a given material need be specified.

Note 6 – Examples of the use of suffix letters and numbers would be A14 and E034. Suffix A (Table 2) stands for heat resistance; Suffix 1 specifies that the test be run according to Method D 573 for 70 h, and Suffix 4 indicates the temperature of test as 100°C. Similarly, Suffix E034 indicates resistance in ASTM Oil No. 3 in accordance with Method D 471 for 70 h at 100°C.

Basic requirements are always in effect, unless superseded by specific suffix requirements in the "line call-out."

Line Call-Outs

A "line call-out," which is a specification, shall contain: the documents names, the prefix letter M, the grade number, the material designation (type and class), and the hardness and tensile strength, followed by the appropriate suffix requirements. Following is an example of a "line call-out" or specification:

ASTM D 2000 M2BC 507 A14E034

Basic Requirements

 
SI
|
M
 
Grade No.
|
2
 
Type
|  
BC
    |  
Class
 
Hardness
|   
507
         |     
Tensile Strength

Suffix Requirements

Heat Resistance

Fluid Resistance       Oils and Lubricants
 

               |        
              A1           4
                |            |  
     S 573, 70h     100°C
 
        |
        E03                              4

          |                                |  
    D 471, No. 3 Oil, 70h     100°C

TABLE XI.I Polymers Most Often Used in Meeting Material Requirements
ASTM D2000-SAE J200
Material Designation
(Type and Class)

Type of Polymer Most Often Used*

AA

Natural rubber, reclaimed rubber, SBR, butyl, EP polybutadiene, polyisoprene

AK

Polysulfides

BA

Ethylene propylene, high temperature SBR and butyl compounds

BC

Chloroprene polymers (neoprene)

BE

Chloroprene polymers (neoprene)

BF

NBR polymers

BG

NBR polymers, urethanes

*Refer to Recommended Practice D 1418.

 

TABLE 2 Meaning of Suffix Letters
Suffix Letter

Test Required

A

Heat Resistance

B

Compression Set

C

Ozone or Weather Resistance

D

Compression-Deflection Resistance

EA

Fluid Resistance (Aqueous)

EF

Fluid Resistance (Fuels)

EO

Fluid Resistance (Oils and Lubricants)

F

Low-Temperature Resistance

BACK

©1998-2005, The Biltrite Corporation. All rights reserved