Heat buildup in a rubber or plastic material occurs as it is exposed to any of a variety of compressive stresses in service. Data from heat buildup testing is commonly used to estimate the service quality and expected service life of different compounds or material options for end-product applications.
 
Heat buildup testing - which is also referred to as blow out - is generally conducted by exposing a rubber or plastic sample of a specified size and shape to oscillating compressive stresses in a controlled environment.  During this process, heat will be generated by the stress. The increase in temperature through the procedure is measured as either an increase to a specific equilibrium temperature or as a total rise in temperature over a given period of time. 
 
Testing can also be used to evaluate other performance characteristics such as the degree of permanent set, test sample dimensional changes and the time required to reach a failure by rupture or blow out. The expert team at our rubber and plastic testing labs have years of experience conducting heat buildup testing to industry standards or custom specifications.

Common Standards for Heat Buildup Testing

  • ASTM D623— Standard Test Methods for Rubber Property—Heat Generation and Flexing Fatigue In Compression

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