CHAPTER 2 EXTRUDED RUBBER PRODUCTS

PURPOSE AND SCOPE

The purpose of this section is to outline in usable and easily autoclave is heated by steam which is allowed to fill the autoclave,
understood form the methods used in the manufacture of a dense building up the required temperature, which then vulcanizes the
extruded rubber product, the problems that can arise from these rubber into its usable form. This is known as open steam vulcan-
methods and how they affect the finished product. By presenting izing. The pressure surrounding the extrusion during open steam
this side of the process to the user he will be more adequately pre- curing minimizes porosity in the extrusion.
pared to convey to the rubber supplier his needs and requirements.
He will also be better able to understand the limits and tolerances CONTINUOUS VULCANIZATION
that can normally be expected of this type product.
The extrudate is fed into the vulcanization process directly
It is also the purpose of this section to improve the relationship from the extruder permitting the extrusion to be vulcanized in a
of supplier and user through the use of common and meaningful continuous length. Several media are employed in the continuous
terms and symbols (RMA Designations). Through this better vulcanization of rubber, all of which must be operated at elevated
understanding and the proper use of RMA Designations by the temperatures: air, molten salts, oils, fluidized beads, and
user, the manufacturer should be better able to supply the needs of microwave. Microwave is a method whereby the extrudate is sub-
the user thereby giving him better economy and satisfaction. jected to high frequency electro magnetic waves which raises the
temperature of the extrusion to near curing state, uniformly
Certain statements and tables in this chapter have been changed throughout. The lack of pressure in most continuous vulcanization
to reflect current industry practices and to agree with International processes makes porosity in the extrusion difficult to control. For
Standard ISO 3302-1:1996, Rubber -- Tolerances for products -- most rubber compounds the open cure process is most practical.
Part 1: Dimensional tolerances.
A great many variables are encountered in the extrusion
The information in this chapter is not intended to apply to ther- process which make it necessary to require tolerances more liber-
moplastic elastomers. al than molded parts. A design engineer should have a general
PRINCIPLES OF EXTRUSION knowledge of the extrusion process and its variables to enable him
to design parts that can be extruded at reasonable cost.
An extruded rubber product differs from a molded rubber prod-
uct in that the rubber is forced through a die of the desired cross- PROCESS ILLUSTRATIONS
section under pressure from an extruder. The extruded product RUBBER EXTRUDING SYSTEMS
leaves the extruder in a soft pliable unvulcanized state. The
extruded product normally must be vulcanized before it is usable. The systems shown below are a few variations of vulcanizing
extruded rubber.
Unvulcanized rubber compound is fed into the extruder. The
flutes of the revolving screw carry the rubber forward to the die,
building up pressure and temperature as it advances toward the
die. The rubber is forced through the die by this pressure and
swells in varying amounts depending on the type and hardness of
the compound. Due to the many variables such as temperature,
pressure, etc., the extrusion varies in size as it leaves the die, thus
requiring plus or minus tolerances on the cross-section. During the
vulcanization, the extrusion will swell or shrink in the cross-sec-
tion and length depending on the compound used. After vulcaniza-
tion, a length of extrusion has a tendency to be reduced in dimen-
sion more in the center of the length than the ends.
The extruded product is vulcanized either in a heated pressure
vessel (static vulcanization) or by the continuous vulcanization
process. A brief description of each follows:

STATIC VULCANIZATION
The extrusion is conveyed from the extrusion machine to a sta-
tion where it is cut to varying lengths depending on the finished
length and placed on a metal pan in a free state; that is, it is not
contained in a cavity as in molding. The part is then vulcanized in
a heated pressure vessel known as an autoclave. Generally the

19 RMA MO-1 (2005)

EXTRUSION DIE
The extrusion die is a precise tool which is made by cutting an
opening through a blank of steel; the opening is shaped to form the
rubber into the desired cross-section as it is forced through the die
by the pressure from the revolving screw of the extruder. Most
rubber compounds swell and increase in dimension coming
through the die orifice. The die, by necessity, is made for a partic-
ular extruder and a particular compound.

RMA MO-1 (2005) 20

 SUMMARY OF RMA DRAWING DESIGNATIONS
FOR EXTRUDED RUBBER PRODUCTS
Drawing Designations
In those cases where the design engineer can specify and accept one RMA Class on extruded products for the applicable qualifica-
tions on dimensional tolerances, ground surface, mandrel vulcanization, cut length, contour, forming, finish, T.I.R. and packaging, then
the drawing need only carry the symbol for the acceptable class as RMA Class 1-2-3 or 4 as the case may be.
Normally, however, there will be exceptions to an RMA Class. By using the following chart, these exceptions can be noted.
Table 12 - Summary of RMA Drawing Designations - Extruded Rubber Products

Dimensional Cut Length Angle Cut Spliced Length

Finish Formed Tubing
RMA Class Tolerance* Tolerance* Tolerance Tolerance
Table 14 Table 15
Table 13 Table 16 Table 17 Table 18

1 E1 F1 H1 L1 AG1 S1
2 E2 F2 H2 L2 AG2 S2
3 E3 F3 H3 L3 AG3 S3
4 -- F4 H4 -- -- --

Ground Tubing
Ground Surface* Mandrel Cured* T.I.R. Packaging
RMA Class Tolerance*
Table 19 Table 20 Table 21 Table 23
Table 22

1 EG1 EN1 K1 EW1 P1

2 EG2 EN2 K2 EW2 P2
3 -- EN3 -- -- P3
4 -- -- -- -- --

*As noted in the purpose and scope, certain statements and tables in this chapter have been changed to reflect current industry practices
and to agree with International Standard ISO 3302-1:1996, Rubber -- Tolerances for products -- Part 1: Dimensional tolerances.

Distortion Environmental Storage Conditions

Because rubber is a flexible material affected by temperature, Temperature
distortion can occur when the part is stored or when it is packed
for shipment. This distortion makes it difficult to measure the parts Rubber, like other materials, changes in dimension with
properly. Some of the distortion can be minimized by storing the changes in temperature. Compared to other materials the coeffi-
parts as unstressed as possible for 24 hours at room temperature. cient of expansion of rubber is high. To have agreement in the
measurement of products that are critical or precise in dimension,
it is necessary to specify a temperature at which the parts are to be
measured and the time required to stabilize the part at that temper-
ature.
Humidity
Some rubber materials absorb moisture. Hence the dimensions
are affected by the amount of moisture in the product. For those
products which have this property, additional tolerance must be
provided in the dimensions. The effect may be minimized by sta-
bilizing the product in an area of controlled humidity and temper-
ature for a period not less than 24 hours.

21 RMA MO-1 (2005)

 STANDARDS FOR CROSS SECTIONAL TOLERANCES
The following illustrations should be taken into consideration Cross Sectional Dimension Illustration.
when designing rubber parts and when describing what is needed
Tolerances for illustration are
and expected from the manufacturer.
taken from Class 2, Table 13, page 23.
Extrusion Contour (Shape) Variation Figure 15
Contour designates the degree of rigidity and conformity to the
cross sectional drawing. During vulcanization the tendency of the
extrusion is to sag and flatten. The degree of change in shape is
largely dependent upon the hardness or softness of the compound,
the tensile strength or quality of the compound, the thickness or
thinness of the cross sectional wall, the inner openings of the
extrusion and the rate of vulcanization. This tendency to distort
during vulcanization can best be eliminated by the use of forms or
mandrels which generally add to the cost of manufacture. This
cost can sometimes be eliminated if contour conformity is not nec-
essary to the finished extrusion. The degree of allowable collapse
or sag in a cross section should be indicated on the blueprint as
shown in illustrations below.

Figure 12

Dimension “C” in above illustration is affected by shape

variation.

I.D. - O.D. Tube Tolerances

Tolerances should be established on the I.D. (or O.D.) and wall
Tube may collapse as indicated by dotted line. thickness only. To include a tolerance on both I.D. and O.D. gen-
erally conflicts with the other tolerances.
Figure 13
Figure 16

Lip may collapse as indicated by dotted line.

Squareness & Flatness of Rectangular Cross Sections
Tolerances for squareness and flatness of extruded sections are
not included in these tables. Due to the difficulty of establishing
meaningful limits to satisfy the wide area of needs, purchaser and
manufacturer should discuss and agree on these limits.
Tolerances for I.D. - O.D. tubing are found in Table 13, page 23.
Illustration is for enlightenment only.
Figure 14

RMA MO-1 (2005) 22

 STANDARDS FOR CROSS SECTIONAL TOLERANCE TABLE
The closer tolerance classes outlined below should not be specified unless required by the final application and they should be
restricted to critical dimensions. The closer tolerances demanded, the tighter the control which must be exercised during manufacture
and hence higher costs.
When particular physical properties are required in the product, it is not always possible to provide them in a combination which is
capable of fabrication to close tolerances. It is necessary, in these circumstances, that consultation take place between the customer and
supplier. In general, softer materials need greater tolerances than harder ones. Where close tolerances are required, a specific technique
of measurement should be agreed upon between purchaser and manufacturer.
Table 13
Tolerances for outside (O.D.) diameters, inside (I.D.) diameters, wall thickness, width, height, and general cross sectional dimen-
sions or extrusions...see Figures 15 and 16, Page 22.
1 2 3
RMA Class
High Precision Precision Commercial
Drawing Designation E1 E2 E3
Dimensions (in Millimeters)
Above Up to
0 1.5 ±0.15 ±0.25 ±0.40
1.5 2.5 0.20 0.35 0.50
2.5 4.0 0.25 0.40 0.70
4.0 6.3 0.35 0.50 0.80
6.3 10.0 0.40 0.70 1.00
10.0 16.0 0.50 0.80 1.30
16.0 25.0 0.70 1.00 1.60
25.0 40.0 0.80 1.30 2.00
40.0 63.0 1.00 1.60 2.50
63.0 100.0 1.30 2.00 3.20

1 2 3
RMA Class
High Precision Precision Commercial
Drawing Designation E1 E2 E3
Dimensions (in Inches)
Above Up to
0.00 0.06 ±0.006 ±0.010 ±0.015
0.06 0.10 0.008 0.014 0.020
0.10 0.16 0.010 0.016 0.027
0.16 0.25 0.014 0.020 0.031
0.25 0.39 0.016 0.027 0.039
0.39 0.63 0.020 0.031 0.051
0.63 0.98 0.027 0.039 0.063
0.98 1.57 0.031 0.051 0.079
1.57 2.48 0.039 0.063 0.098
2.48 3.94 0.051 0.079 0.126

Note: Tolerances on dimensions above 100mm (3.94 in.) should be agreed on by supplier and user. General cross sectional dimen-
sions below 1mm (0.04 in.) are impractical.
In general, softer materials and those requiring a post cure need greater tolerances.

23 RMA MO-1 (2005)

 STANDARDS FOR EXTRUDED FINISH AND APPEARANCE
In the process of producing extruded parts, it is necessary to use Table 14 - Drawing Designation for Extrusion Finish
various lubricants, release agents, dusting agents, and other solu-
tions. It may be necessary to remove these materials from the RMA Drawing
extrusion after vulcanization because of an appearance require- Class Designation
ment. The cost of cleaning may be eliminated from those products
which are concealed or do not hinder assembly. The purchaser’s Product shall have surface finish
intent and desire in this area should be conveyed to the rubber 1 F1 smooth, clean and free from any for-
manufacturer by use of the proper RMA class of finish designa- eign matter.
tion. Full consideration of finish requirements may result in con-
siderable cost savings on the product. Product shall have surface finish
cleaned of dust and foreign matter
2 F2
but slight streaks or spots accept-
able.

Product shall have loose dust and

3 F3 foreign matter removed but natural
finish (not washed) acceptable.

Product shall be acceptable with no

cleaning necessary. Dust or solution
4 F4
deposits acceptable. Coarse or
grainy surface acceptable.

STANDARDS FOR FORMED TUBING (FOR SPECIAL SHAPES)

The type of product discussed in this section is formed by forc- Figure 17
ing unvulcanized tubing over a mandrel or flexible core bent to the
required radii or shape.
In forcing the unvulcanized tubing over the mandrel or flexible
core and around a bend, the wall thickness will be stretched on the
outside of the bend and compressed on the inside of the bend. If
the bend or radius is too severe, folds or wrinkles will form on the
inside of the bend and severe stretching will occur on the outside
of the bend.
The minimum bending radius at which tubing may be formed
will depend upon the outside diameter and wall thickness and EXAMPLE OF RADIUS, STRAIGHT END, FLARED END,
should never be less than 150% of the outside diameter (O.D.). WRINKLES, BUCKLES AND WALL THICKNESS. MINI-
If a small radius or a specific angle is required, the part should MUM BEND RADIUS.
be molded. This is necessary because, in addition to folds and Figure 18
wrinkles on the inside of the radius, it may be impossible to force
the tubing over the bend or to strip it from the mandrel during the
manufacturing process.
If a minimum wall thickness is specified, it will mean this min-
imum thickness must be furnished at the outside bend or stretched
section, and depending on the severity of the bend or bends, it will
require an oversize wall thickness on the rest of the tubing from Figure 19
0.40mm (0.016 in.) to 0.80mm (0.032 in.) to ensure the minimum
thickness on the stretched area. If tubing is specified, it must be
understood that, depending on the severity of the bend or bends,
wall thickness will be from 0.40mm (0.016 in.) to 0.80mm (0.032
in.) undersize in the stretched areas.

RMA MO-1 (2005) 24

 The leading end of the tubing will stretch and enlarge as it is Table 15 - Drawing Designation for Formed Tubing
forced over the mandrel or flexible core, according to the severity
of the bend or bends, and will not fully recover to original size RMA Drawing
during vulcanization. If both ends of the formed tubing must meet Class Designation
specification set forth for the original cross section, the product
should either be molded or the lead end should be designed to fit Product to be furnished to minimum
a 1.6mm (0.063 in.) oversize fixture. If the straight section adja- wall thickness specified and main-
1 H1
cent to any sharp bend is to be shorter than 300% of the O.D. of tained throughout. Ends to be
the tube, it must be understood that the tube must be made long trimmed true and even.
enough to eliminate the flare and cut back to desired length after
removal from mandrel. When forming tubing all bends and radii Product to be furnished to general
must be approximate, as natural spring-back of tubing formed cross section with stretched or thin-
2 H2
under tension precludes the possibility of holding to an exact ner wall acceptable at bends or radii.
radius or shape. The tubing being flexible will adjust itself on Otherwise, same as Class 1.
assembly to compensate for these small variations. Measurement
from beginning of bends or radii to other bends and radii are also Product may be furnished partially
approximate and subject to small variations for the same reasons. out of round in straight or bent sec-
3 H3 tions. Ends may not necessarily be
Where expanded ends are required, the inside and outside of straight and true. Minor flat spots
the tubing should blend from the regular cross section to the permissible.
expanded cross section and not with a definite contour and radius
as formed on a molded part. The walls of the enlarged section will Product may be furnished partially
be thinner than the regular section by 0.40mm (0.016 in.) to out of round in straight or bent sec-
0.80mm (0.032 in.), depending on the severity of enlargement. tions. Flat spots and slight wrinkles
Expansion beyond 100% of I.D. of tubing is not practical. Any or buckles permissible. Product may
requirements beyond 100% must be molded. 4 H4 be cut to length in unvulcanized
state. (Allow 12.3mm (.500 in.) for
every 750mm (30 in.) of length.)
Special tolerance to be established
between supplier and purchaser.

25 RMA MO-1 (2005)

 STANDARDS FOR CUT LENGTH TOLERANCES FOR UNSPLICED EXTRUSIONS
Unspliced extrusions are classified as those that generally require only extruding, vulcanizing and cutting to length. They are of var-
ious cross sectional designs and do not include lathe cut parts, formed tubing, or precision ground and cut parts. They are generally
packed in a straight or coiled condition after being measured and cut to length.
The following tables are to be used to convey to the manufacturer the limits that are desired by the purchaser.
It should be understood by the design engineers that due to the stretch factor in rubber, a period of conditioning at room tempera-
ture must be allowed before measurements for length are taken. Accurate measurement of long lengths is difficult because they stretch
or compress easily. Where close tolerances are required on long lengths, a specific technique of measurement should be agreed upon
between purchaser and manufacturer.

Table 16 - Cut Length Tolerance Table for Unspliced Extrusion

1 2 3
RMA Class
(Precision) (Commercial) (Non-Critical)
Drawing Designation L1 L2 L3
Length (in Millimeters)
Above Up to
0 40 ±0.7 ±1.0 ±1.6
40 63 0.8 1.3 2.0
63 100 1.0 1.6 2.5
100 160 1.3 2.0 3.2
160 250 1.6 2.5 4.0
250 400 2.0 3.2 5.0
400 630 2.5 4.0 6.3
630 1000 3.2 5.0 10.0
1000 1600 4.0 6.3 12.5
1600 2500 5.0 10.0 16.0
2500 4000 6.3 12.5 20.0
4000 0.16% 0.32% 0.50%

Length (in Inches)

Above Up to
0 1.6 ±0.03 ±0.04 ±0.06
1.6 2.5 0.03 0.05 0.08
2.5 4.0 0.04 0.06 0.10
4.0 6.3 0.05 0.08 0.13
6.3 10.0 0.06 0.10 0.16
10.0 16.0 0.08 0.13 0.20
16.0 25.0 0.10 0.16 0.25
25.0 40.0 0.13 0.20 0.40
40.0 63.0 0.16 0.25 0.50
63.0 100.0 0.20 0.40 0.63
100.0 160.0 0.25 0.50 0.80
160.0 0.16% 0.32% 0.50%

Note: Special consideration on tolerances will have to be given to both extremely soft and high tensile stocks.

RMA MO-1 (2005) 26

 STANDARDS FOR ANGLE CUT TOLERANCES FOR EXTRUSIONS

Many methods are employed to cut extruded sections to length: Table 17

circular knife, rotating knife, guillotine, shear, saw and hand knife.
Angle (AG) Tolerances
The angle and curve on cut face of extrusion will differ in
degree depending upon the method used to cut the extrusion as Drawing
RMA Class Cut (Max)
well as the hardness of the compound, design or cross section and Designation
thickness of the extrusion.
Precision AG1 4°
Commercial AG2 6°
Non-Critical AG3 10°

(The force of the knife upon the extrusion at the line of pene- Figure 20
tration deforms the extrusion resulting in a curved surface and an
angle cut.)

27 RMA MO-1 (2005)

 STANDARDS FOR SPLICED EXTRUSIONS
Testing Procedure Figure 24
The manufacture of extrusions in circular or rectangular shaped
gaskets, or a combination of both, can be accomplished by means
of butt or corner vulcanized splices. The splice is usually never as
strong as the original material from which the gasket is made. The
stronger the splice is required to be, the more difficult the labor
Figure 25
operations. A pressure mark will appear at the splice area due to
required holding pressure in the mold. Glass and metal channels Tolerance on Illustration are Class 2.
will be open at the corners 50mm (2 in.) to 75mm (3 in.) from the
corner as a result of the forming plates of the mold. These will
generally be open from 50% to 75% of the base of the channel.
(See Figure 21.)
Figure 21

In some applications, the splice is required only to position a

gasket into place in assembly. This can be accomplished by staples
Open as indicated or by using room temperature vulcanizing cements. These are
by Dotted Lines more economical than vulcanized splices.
Tolerances must be allowed in the length of spliced parts.
These tolerances must be varied according to length between
The method of testing splices should be given serious consid- splices and due to the method of making the splice. The following
eration. The doubling over, pinching and the twisting of a splice or tables show classes which include both conventional splice
bending back on a corner splice are not proper methods of testing. requirements and injection splice requirements. Class 1 and 2 are
Because of the wide variety in the types of cross sections, splice acceptable for conventional splices and Class 2 and 3 are accept-
strength is very difficult to define. able for injection splices. Discussion between manufacturer and
customer should determine the class acceptable and the method of
Splice strength varies due to configuration of the cross section. manufacture most acceptable.
Transfer and injection splices are stronger than butt splice joints. Table 18 - Spliced Length Tolerances
Pulling perpendicular to the plane of the splice is a sufficient 1 2 3
test in the testing of a corner splice. The gasket should be clamped RMA Class
Precision Commercial Non-Critical
in such a way that the pull is evenly distributed over the splice and
not have most of the stress on the inside corner. For injection Drawing
S1 S2 S3
splice, see Figure 22 and for 45° corner splice, see Figure 23. Designations
Millimeters
Figure 22 Above - Up to
0 - 250 ±3.2 ±6.3 ±7.1
250 - 400 4.0 7.1 8.0
Pull test in Direction of 400 - 630 5.0 8.0 9.0
Arrows. Pull rate of 630 - 1000 6.3 9.0 10.0
500mm/min. (20 in./min.) 1000 - 1600 8.0 10.0 11.2
is generally acceptable. 1600 - 2500 10.0 11.2 12.3
2500 - over 12.5 12.5 16.0

Inches
Figure 23 Above - Up to
0 - 10 ±.13 ±.25 ±.28
10 - 16 .16 .28 .32
16 - 25 .20 .32 .36
Pull test for 45° corners. 25 - 40 .25 .36 .40
Pull in direction of arrow. 40 - 63 .32 .40 .45
63 - 100 .40 .45 .50
100 - over .50 .50 .53

RMA MO-1 (2005) 28

 DESIGN OF EXTRUDED ENDLESS SPLICES
When designing endless splices for extruded profiles, several Figure 26
factors must be considered: durometer of compound, cut length,
size of cross section and in the case of tubing, wall thickness.
Mold cavities are normally designed to the nominal dimension.
If the extrudate cross section is at the top of the extruded toler-
ance, mold pressure marks will be visible on the surface and more
so with the use of lower durometer compounds. If the extrudate
cross section is at the low end of the extruded tolerance, the mold
cavity would have to be shimmed in order to attain splicing pres-
sure creating some surface marking. The longer the cut length, the
greater the difference in size at each end. (One end may be on high
tolerance and the other end on low tolerance.) Generally, this gives
the appearance of a step or mismatch. See Figure 26.
Tubing is subject to the same considerations but in addition,
thin wall tubing may require internal support in order to achieve
sufficient molding pressure. The type of insert used and whether
or not it should be removed would have to be resolved between
Figure 27
manufacturer and purchaser.
It is to the advantage of both customer and rubber manufactur-
er to discuss design and application of extruded endless splices.
See Figure 27.

29 RMA MO-1 (2005)

 STANDARDS FOR OUTSIDE DIMENSIONS OF SURFACE GROUND EXTRUSIONS
If it becomes necessary to hold the outside diameter of extruded mandrel cured tubing to closer tolerances than normal manufactur-
ing methods will permit, this can be accomplished by surface grinding the part if the part has an inside diameter of 5.0mm (0.20 in.) or
more.
A drawing of this type of part should specify inside diameter or outside diameter, wall thickness, and outside finish. If ground fin-
ish is desired, it should be classified as one of the following : rough, smooth, or fine.

Table 19 - Tolerances on Outside Dimensions of Surface-Ground Extrusions

1 2
RMA Class
(Precision) (Commercial)
Drawing Designation EG1 EG2
Dimensions (In Millimeters)
Above Up to
5 10 ±0.15 ±0.25
10 16 0.20 0.35
16 25 0.20 0.40
25 40 0.25 0.50
40 63 0.35 0.70
63 100 0.40 0.80
100 160 0.50 1.00
160 0.3% 0.6%
Dimensions (In Inches)
Above Up to
0.20 0.40 ±0.006 ±0.010
0.40 0.63 0.008 0.014
0.63 1.00 0.008 0.016
1.00 1.60 0.010 0.020
1.60 2.50 0.014 0.028
2.50 4.00 0.016 0.032
4.00 6.30 0.020 0.040
6.30 0.3% 0.6%

RMA MO-1 (2005) 30

 STANDARDS FOR INTERNAL DIMENSIONS
OF MANDREL-SUPPORTED EXTRUSIONS
When it becomes necessary to hold the tubing round and to close tolerances, a mandrel of the proper size must be inserted in the I.D.
of the tubing before vulcanizing. This limits the length of the tubes. Shrinkage usually occurs when the product is removed from the
mandrel so that the resulting size of the mandrel-supported dimension is smaller than the mandrel size. The dimension may, however,
be larger should the positive tolerance for the mandrel exceed the shrinkage of the extrudate and in this case both positive and negative
tolerances will need to be applied.
The designer should indicate what type of surface would be required on the O.D. of the tubing such as ground surface, cloth wrapped
surface or as extruded. Any tube that has to have close tolerances on the O.D. generally will have a ground finish. A cloth wrap is used
usually to help maintain a round I.D. and O.D. when the stock is soft and may sag in curing. The cloth wrapping of a tube (the tube is
placed on a mandrel and wrapped tightly in cloth before vulcanizing and then removed after vulcanizing) leaves the imprint of the cloth
weave in the rubber.
If type of surface is not indicated, it would then be assumed that the surface is to be as extruded.
Table 20 - Tolerances on Internal Dimensions of Mandrel-Supported Extrusions

1 2 3
RMA Class
(Precision) (Commercial) (Non-Critical)
Drawing Designation EN1 EN2 EN3
Dimensions (in Millimeters)
Above Up to
0 4 ±0.20 ±0.20 ±0.35
4 6.3 0.20 0.25 0.40
6.3 10 0.25 0.35 0.50
10 16 0.35 0.40 0.70
16 25 0.40 0.50 0.80
25 40 0.50 0.70 1.00
40 63 0.70 0.80 1.30
63 100 0.80 1.00 1.60
100 160 1.00 1.30 2.00
160 0.6% 0.8% 1.2%

Dimensions (in Inches)

Above Up to
0 0.16 ±0.008 ±0.008 ±0.014
0.16 0.25 0.008 0.010 0.016
0.25 0.40 0.010 0.014 0.020
0.40 0.63 0.014 0.016 0.028
0.63 1.00 0.016 0.020 0.032
1.00 1.60 0.020 0.028 0.040
1.60 2.50 0.028 0.032 0.051
2.50 4.00 0.032 0.040 0.063
4.00 6.30 0.040 0.051 0.079
6.30 0.6% 0.8% 1.2%

31 RMA MO-1 (2005)

 STANDARD FOR CONCENTRICITY OF MANDREL CURED
AND GROUND EXTRUDED TUBING
CONCENTRICITY
Concentricity is the relationship of two or more circles or circular surfaces having a common center. It is usually designated as T.I.R.
(Total Indicator Reading) and is the total movement of the hand of an indicator set to record the amount that a surface varies from being
concentric.

Table 21 - T.I.R. Tolerances

1 2
RMA Class
(Precision) (Commercial)
Drawing Designation K1 K2
O.D. (In Millimeters)
Above Up to
0 13 0.20 0.40
13 20 0.25 0.50
20 32 0.33 0.75
32 50 0.47 1.15
50 80 0.50 1.65
80 Over 0.64 2.30

O.D. (In Inches)

Above Up to
0.0 0.5 0.008 0.015
0.5 0.8 0.010 0.020
0.8 1.25 0.013 0.030
1.25 2.00 0.016 0.045
2.00 3.15 0.020 0.065
3.15 Over 0.025 0.090

When the above specimen is rotated 360° about the center of the inside circle with a dial indicator in contact with the outside circle,
the total sweep of the indicator hand or difference to right and left of zero in above example is referred to as “Total Indicator Reading”
or T.I.R. The T.I.R. in this example is 20 units.

RMA MO-1 (2005) 32

 OPTIONAL METHOD OF TOLERANCING GROUND EXTRUDED TUBING
Table 22 - Tolerances on Wall Thickness of Surface-Ground Extrusions
1 2
RMA Class
(Precision) (Commercial)
Drawing Designation EW1 EW2
Nominal Dimension (In Millimeters)
Above Up to
0.0 4.0 ±0.10 ±0.20
4.0 6.3 0.15 0.20
6.3 10.0 0.20 0.25
10.0 16.0 0.20 0.35
16.0 25.0 0.25 0.40
Nominal Dimension (In Inches)
Above Up to
0.0 0.16 ±0.004 ±0.008
0.16 0.25 0.006 0.008
0.25 0.40 0.008 0.010
0.40 0.63 0.008 0.014
0.63 1.00 0.010 0.016

33 RMA MO-1 (2005)

 STANDARDS FOR PACKAGING
When a rubber part is packaged, it is for the sole purpose of Table 23 - Extrusion Packaging
transportation from the supplier to the user. Packaging usually
causes some distortion of the rubber part which, if used in a rea-
sonable length of time, does not permanently affect the part.
However, when rubber parts are held in a distorted position for a RMA Drawing
prolonged period of time, permanent set may cause permanent dis- Class Designation
tortion and result in unusable parts. Any product on which distor- This class of product will be pack-
tion may make the part unusable should be specified and packaged aged to eliminate all possible distor-
by such methods as will prevent distortion. However, such meth- tion during transportation and stor-
ods are expensive and should not be specified unless absolutely 1 P1
age. This may require special boxes,
necessary. With extrusions in long lengths, where it is impractical cartons, forms, cores, inner liners, or
to ship in straight lengths and coiling in boxes or cartons causes other special methods.
distortion of the product, the product should be removed from the
container when received and stored in straight lengths on shelves This class of product will be pack-
to preserve usability. Packaging is a complex area and should be aged in corrugated containers or
given serious consideration. The table at right is to be considered boxes. The quantity of the product
only as a guide. Special packaging problems should be considered packaged per container will be held
2 P2
between purchaser and supplier. to an amount which will not crush
the lower layers from its own
weight, but no forms, cores, inner
liners, etc. are necessary.

This class of product will be pack-

aged in corrugated paper containers,
boxes, crates, burlap bags or bun-
3 P3 dles, or on skids and pallets. This is
the most economical method of
packaging but may also produce the
greatest distortion in the product.

RMA MO-1 (2005) 34