ISO 6943-2017 PDF

Full title and description

St ISO 6943-2017 — Rubber, vulcanized — Determination of tension fatigue. This International Standard specifies a laboratory method for determining the resistance of vulcanized rubber materials to fatigue under repeated tensile (tension) deformations in which the specimen is relaxed to zero strain for part of each cycle. The test is intended to produce quantitative, reproducible fatigue-life data for comparative evaluation of vulcanizates under controlled test conditions.

Abstract

ISO 6943:2017 describes a tension-fatigue test in which specimens (rings or dumb-bell shaped) are cyclically stretched and partially relaxed so that failure occurs by crack growth leading to specimen severance. The method is restricted to conditions that avoid significant temperature rise and is suitable for rubbers with relatively stable stress–strain behaviour; it is not intended for many thermoplastic elastomers or materials showing large set or viscous behaviour. Guidance on selection of test conditions and interpretation of results is included in Annex A.

General information

• Status: Published (confirmed in 2022).
• Publication date: 9 August 2017.
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 83.060 (Rubber).
• Edition / version: Edition 4 (ISO 6943:2017).
• Number of pages: 18.

Key bibliographic and lifecycle details above are taken from the ISO catalogue entry for ISO 6943:2017.

Scope

This standard specifies a laboratory test method to determine the resistance of vulcanized rubber to fatigue when subjected to repeated tensile deformations that include a period of zero strain each cycle. It covers specimen types, preparation, test apparatus, test conditions (including limits on frequency and specimen size to avoid temperature rise), procedures for running tests, and guidance for selecting conditions and interpreting results. It does not apply to fatigue processes that do not pass through zero strain, to many thermoplastic elastomers, or to cases where large set or highly viscous behaviour makes strain ill-defined.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of specimen types (dumb-bell and ring specimens) and required dimensions.
• Specification of test equipment and calibration requirements to ensure controlled cyclic tensile deformation.
• Limits on test frequency and specimen geometry to minimise temperature rise during cycling.
• Procedures for marking, measuring, and reporting fatigue life (number of cycles to failure) and related observations (e.g., set, crack growth behaviour).
• Guidance on selection of test conditions and interpretation of comparative results; cautions about relating laboratory fatigue results directly to service performance.
• Annexed notes providing practical guidance and explanation of test selection and interpretation.

These topics reflect the normative and informative requirements used to generate reproducible fatigue-life measurements for vulcanizates.

Typical use and users

Used by rubber manufacturers, compounders, R&D laboratories, quality-control and test laboratories, OEMs specifying rubber components, and standards bodies. Typical applications include comparative evaluation of formulations, verification of production batches, materials research on fatigue resistance, and qualification of elastomer components where tensile fatigue is a critical failure mode.

Related standards

ISO 6943 complements other rubber-testing standards. It is distinct from flexometer-type fatigue tests (ISO 4666 series) and offers advantages over certain other crack-growth/flex-cracking tests (for example, De Mattia/ISO 132). Related tensile and material-property standards such as ISO 37 (tensile stress–strain properties) and other ISO/TC 45 deliverables may be referenced for specimen preparation and supporting measurements.

Keywords

rubber, vulcanized, tension fatigue, fatigue life, cyclic tensile test, crack growth, fatigue testing, ISO 6943, elastomer testing, test method

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 6943:2017 is an international test method titled "Rubber, vulcanized — Determination of tension fatigue" that specifies how to measure the resistance of vulcanized rubber to fatigue under repeated tensile deformations.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers specimen types and dimensions, apparatus and calibration, test conditions (including limits to avoid specimen heating), test procedures, measurement and reporting of cycles to failure, and guidance on interpreting comparative results. It is limited to tests where the specimen returns to zero strain in part of each cycle.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Rubber manufacturers, compound formulators, R&D and quality-control laboratories, OEMs requiring component qualification, and test houses use this standard to evaluate and compare fatigue resistance of vulcanized elastomers.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 6943:2017 is the current published edition (Edition 4). The publication was confirmed in 2022 following the ISO systematic review process; earlier editions (2011, 2007, 1984) have been withdrawn and superseded by the 2017 edition.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It forms part of ISO/TC 45 rubber-testing deliverables and is related to other rubber testing standards (for example the ISO 4666 flexometer series and ISO 37 tensile tests). It should be used alongside relevant complementary standards when designing a comprehensive test programme.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Key keywords include: rubber, vulcanized rubber, tension fatigue, fatigue life, cyclic tensile testing, crack growth, elastomer testing, ISO 6943.