ASTM D3903-15(2022) - 1.10.2022
 
1. Scope

1.1?This specification covers the general requirements for the rubber seals used in solar energy systems employing air-heat transport. Examples are duct and damper seals. Particular applications may necessitate other requirements that would take precedence over these requirements when specified.

Note 1:?Rubber seals for the collector are covered in Specifications D3667 and D3771.

1.2?Design requirement pertains only to permissible deflections of the rubber during thermal expansion or contraction of the seal in use and the tolerances in dimensions of molded and extruded seals.

1.3?This specification does not include requirements pertaining to the fabrication or installation of the seals.

1.4?The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.5?The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the test methods portion, Section 10, of this specification: 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.6?This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

 
2. Referenced Documents

D1149-18(2025)

Standard Test Methods for Rubber Deterioration—Cracking in an Ozone Controlled Environment

D1229-03(2024)

Standard Test Method for Rubber Property—Compression Set at Low Temperatures

D1349-14(2024)

Standard Practice for Rubber—Standard Conditions for Testing

D1415-18(2026)

Standard Test Method for Rubber Property—International Hardness

D1566-21a

Standard Terminology Relating to Rubber (Includes all amendments and changes 11/10/2021).

D2137-11(2025)

Standard Test Methods for Rubber Property—Brittleness Point of Flexible Polymers and Coated Fabrics

D2240-15(2021)

Standard Test Method for Rubber Property—Durometer Hardness

D3182-21a(2025)

Standard Practice for Rubber—Materials, Equipment, and Procedures for Mixing Standard Compounds and Preparing Standard Vulcanized Sheets (Includes all amendments and changes 12/2/2025).

D3183-10(2024)

Standard Practice for Rubber—Preparation of Pieces for Test Purposes from Products

D3667-16(2022)

Standard Specification for Rubber Seals Used in Flat-Plate Solar Collectors

D3771-15(2022)

Standard Specification for Rubber Seals Used in Concentrating Solar Collectors

G7-05

Standard Practice for Atmospheric Environmental Exposure Testing of Nonmetallic Materials

G151-19

Standard Practice for Exposing Nonmetallic Materials in Accelerated Test Devices that Use Laboratory Light Sources

G155-25

Standard Practice for Operating Xenon Arc Lamp Apparatus for Exposure of Materials

D412-16(2021)

Standard Test Methods for Vulcanized Rubber and Thermoplastic Elastomers—Tension

D865-11(2025)

Standard Test Method for Rubber—Deterioration by Heating in Air (Test Tube Enclosure)

D395-18(2025)

Standard Test Methods for Rubber Property—Compression Set

C719-22

Standard Test Method for Adhesion and Cohesion of Elastomeric Joint Sealants Under Cyclic Movement (Hockman Cycle)

C661-15(2022)

Standard Test Method for Indentation Hardness of Elastomeric-Type Sealants by Means of a Durometer

C717-25

Standard Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants