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API CJ-4 Chem and Bench Tests

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	Seal compatibility evaluation equipment should contain a heated immersion test bath or block capable of maintaining the test oil in the glass tube to within ±1°C of the test temperature.

The seal compatibility evaluation procedure is an API CJ-4-approved test. This procedure evaluates the compatibility of automotive engine oils with four reference elastomers typical of those used in sealing materials in contact with the oils. Compatibility is evaluated by determining the changes in:

• Volume

• Hardness

• Tensile properties

when specimens are immersed for a specified temperature and for a specified time.

Seal Compatibility Evaluation Equipment and Procedure

The following list describes the equipment necessary for this procedure:

• Balance capable of weighing to the nearest 0.1 mg, equipped with a suspension hook and platform to locate a hydrostatic-weighing beaker above the balance pan

• Tension-testing machine

• Heated immersion test bath or block capable of maintaining the test oil in the glass tube to within ±1°C of the test temperature. The bath or block should contain a rack or holes that will accept the glass tubes and hold them in a vertical position.

Seal Compatibility Evaluation Method and Summary

Measurements of initial volume, tensile properties, and hardness are made on specimens of specified dimensions of material cut from sheets of elastomers. The specimens are immersed in non-reference oil and reference oil and are aged for 336 hours at pre-determined temperatures. The effects of the test oils on the elastomers are determined by measuring the changes in volume, hardness, and tensile properties resulting from the immersion in the oil.

Pass/Fail Criteria (Unadjusted)

For more information about our seal compatibility evaluation capabilities, or how you can contract with Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), please contact Becky Grinfield at bgrinfield@swri.org or (210) 522-3652.

sealcompat.swri.org

| Engine Lubricants Research Department | Fuels and Lubricants Research Division | SwRI Home |

Southwest Research Institute^® (SwRI^®), headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, is a multidisciplinary, independent, nonprofit, applied engineering and physical sciences research and development organization with 11 technical divisions.

December 28, 2012