ASTM International Committee F03 on Gaskets has developed and approved a new standard that can be used to evaluate gasket materials covered by ASTM F104, Classification System for Nonmetallic Gasket Materials. The new standard, F2716, Practice for Comparison of Nonmetallic Flat Gaskets in High Pressure Saturated Steam, is under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee F03.10 on Composite Gaskets.

ASTM F2716 provides a means of comparing nonmetallic flat gasket materials in saturated steam service under controlled conditions. Upon modification, the standard can also be applied to various form-in-place gasket materials. Gasket manufacturers will be able to use ASTM F2716 as a quality control test, as a means of testing competitor's materials and for research and development purposes.

Nancy Burkhart, quality assurance manager, Thermoseal Inc., and chair of F03, says that the committee welcomes participation from all interested parties, particularly end users of gaskets. "The committee would really like to achieve increased membership of end users so that their voice is heard," says Burkhart. "As a result, manufacturers will have standards available to them in which the majority of end users would have confidence."

ASTM International standards can be purchased from Customer Service (phone: 610-832-9585; https://www.astm.org/contact/) or at www.astm.org.

For technical Information, contact Nancy Burkhart, Thermoseal Inc., Sidney, Ohio (phone: 937-498-2222 ext. 240; nburkhart@thermosealinc.com). Committee F03 meets Sept. 30-Oct. 1 during the October committee week in Miami, Fla. For meeting or membership information, contact Joseph Hugo (phone: 610-832-9740; jhugo@astm.org).

Release #8038