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Tyco Electronics Corporation
300 Constitutional Drive
Menlo Park, CA 94025 USA
Specification
This Issue:
Date:
Replaces:
RT-1304
Issue 3
April 17, 1995
Issue 2
Thermofit® Polyolefin Molded Components
Flame-Retarded. Flexible, Heat-Shrinkable
1. SCOPE
This specification covers the requirements for one type of flexible, electrical insulating molded component
whose expanded dimensions will reduce to a predetermined size upon the application of heat in excess of
100°C (212°F).
2. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS
This specification takes precedence over documents referenced herein. Unless otherwise specified, the
latest issue of referenced documents applies. The following documents form a part of this specification to
the extent specified herein.
2.1 GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED DOCUMENTS
Military
MIL-G-5572 Gasoline, Aviation, Grades 80/87, 100/130, 115/145
MIL-H-5606 Hydraulic Fluid, Petroleum Base, Aircraft, Missile and Ordnance
MIL-T-5624 Turbine Fuel, Aviation, Grades JP-4 and JP-5
MIL-STD-105 Sampling Procedures and Tables for Inspection by Attributes
2.2 OTHER PUBLICATIONS
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
D 149 Standard Methods of Tests for Dielectric Breakdown Voltage and Dielectric
Strength of Electrical Insulating Materials at Commercial Power Frequencies
D 257 Standard Methods of Test for D-C Resistance or Conductance of Insulating Material.
D 412 Standard Method of Tests for Rubber Properties in Tension
D 570 Standard Methods of Test for Water Absorption of Plastics
D 635 Standard Methods of Test for Rate of Burning and/or Extent and Time of
Burning of Self-Supporting Plastics in a Horizontal Position
D 747 Standard Methods of Test for Stiffness of Plastics by Means of a Cantilever Beam
D 792 Standard Methods of Test for Specific Gravity and Density of Plastics by Displacement
D 2240 Standard Method of Tests for Rubber Property-Durometer Hardness
D 2671 Standard Methods of Testing Heat Shrinkable Tubing for Electrical Use
G 21 Recommended Practice for Determining Resistance of Synthetic Polymeric Materials to Fungi
(Copies of ASTM Publications may be obtained from the American Society for Testing and Materials,
1916 Race Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103.)
3. REQUIREMENTS
3.1 MATERIAL
The molded components shall be fabricated from a crosslinked, thermally stabilized, flame resistant,
modified polyolefin composition. They shall be homogeneous and essentially free from flaws, defects,
pinholes, bubbles, seams, cracks, and inclusions.
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3.2 COLOR
The molded components shall be black.
3.3 PROPERTIES
The molded components and the material from which they are fabricated shall meet the requirements of
Table 1.
4. QUALITY ASSURANCE PROVISIONS
4.1 CLASSIFICATION OF TESTS
4.1.1 Qualification Tests
Qualification tests are those performed on molded slabs and components submitted for qualification as
satisfactory products and shall consist of all tests listed in this specification.
4.1 .2 Acceptance Tests
Acceptance tests are those performed on molded slabs and components submitted for acceptance under
contract. Acceptance tests shall consist of the following: dimensional recovery, tensile strength, ultimate
elongation, heat shock, and flammability.
4.2 SAMPLING INSTRUCTIONS
4 2.1 Qualification Test Samples
Qualification test samples shall consist of six molded slabs, 6 x 6 x 0.075 + 0.010 inches (152 x 152 x 1.9
+ .25mm) and the number of molded components specified. The molded slabs shall be fabricated from the
same lot of material and shall be subjected to the same degree of crosslinking as the molded components.
4.2.2 Acceptance Test Samples
Acceptance test samples shall consist of specimens cut from a molded slab 6 x 6 x 0.075 + 0.010 inches
(152 x 152 x 1.9 + .25 mm), and molded components selected at random in accordance with MIL-STD-
105, Inspection Level S-2, AQL 6.5 percent. The molded slab shall be fabricated from the same lot of
material and shall be subjected to the same degree of crosslinking as the molded components. A lot of
components shall consist of all molded components from the same lot of material, from the same
production run, and offered for inspection at the same time.
4.3 TEST PROCEDURES
4.3.1 Dimensional Recovery
Samples of molded components, as supplied, shall be measured for dimensions in accordance with ASTM
D 2671. The samples then shall be conditioned for 10 minutes in a 150 + 2 °C (302 + 4°F) oven, or
equivalent, cooled to room temperature and remeasured.
4.3.2 Elastic Memory
A 6 x 1/8-inch (152 x 3.2-mm) specimen cut from a molded slab shall be marked with two parallel gage
lines 1 inch (25 mm) apart in the central portion of the specimen. The distance between gage lines shall be
recorded as the original length. A 2-inch (51-mm) portion of the specimen including both gage lines then
shall be heated for 1 minute in a 150 + 2°C (302 + 4°F) oven, or equivalent, removed from the oven and
stretched within 10 seconds, until the gage lines are 4 inches (102 mm) apart. The extended specimen shall
be cooled to room temperature and released from tension. After 24 hours at room temperature, the distance
between the gage lines shall be measured and recorded as the extended length. The portion of the
specimen including both gage lines then shall be reheated for 1 minute in a 150 + 2 °C (302 + 4°F) oven,
or equivalent, and the distance between gage lines then shall be measured and recorded as the retracted
length.
SPECIFICATION RT-1304 ISSUE 3 Page 3
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Expansion and retraction shall be calculated as follows:
L e- Lo
E = Lo x 100
L e - Lr
R = Le - Lo x 100
Where: E = Expansion (percent)
R = Retraction (percent)
Lo= Original Length (inches) (mm)
Le= Extended Length inches (mm)
Lr = Retracted Length (inches) (mm)
4.3.3 Tensile Strength and Ultimate Elongation
Three specimens cut from a molded slab using Die D of ASTM D 412 shall be tested for tensile strength
and ultimate elongation in accordance with ASTM D 412.
4.3.4 Low Temperature Flexibility
Three 6 x 1/4-inch (152 x 6.3-mm) specimens cut from a molded slab shall be conditioned, along with a
3/8-inch (9.5-mm) mandrel, in a cold chamber at -55 + 2°C (-67 + 4°F) for 4 hours. After completion of
the conditioning, and while still in the cold chamber, each specimen shall be bent around the mandrel
through not tess than 360 degrees (6.28 rads) within 10 + 2 seconds. The specimens then shall be visually
examined for cracks.
4.3.5 Heat Shock
Three 6 x 1/4-inch (152 x 6.3-mm) specimens cut from a molded slab shall be conditioned for 4 hours in a
225 + 5 °C (437 + 9°F) mechanical convection oven with an air velocity of from 100 to 200 feet per
minute past the specimens. After conditioning, the specimens shall be removed from the oven, cooled to
room temperature, and bent through 360 degrees (6.38 rads) over a 3/8-inch (9.5-mm) diameter mandrel.
The specimens then shall be visually examined for evidence of dripping, flowing or cracking.
4.3.6 Heat Aging
Three specimens, prepared and measured in accordance with 4.3.3 shall be conditioned for 168 hours in a
175 + 5 °C (347 + 9°F) mechanical convection oven with an air velocity of 100 to 200 feet per minute past
the specimens. After conditioning, the specimens shall be removed from the oven, cooled to room
temperature, and tested for tensile strength and ultimate elongation in accordance with 4.3.3.
4.3.7 Corrosive Effect
Three 1 x 1/4-inch (25.4 x 6.3-mm) specimens cut from a molded slab shall be tested for corrosive effect in
accordance with ASTM D 2671, Procedure A. The specimens shall be conditioned for 16 hours at 175 +
3°C (347 + 5°F).
4.3.8 Fluid Resistance
Three specimens prepared and measured in accordance with 4.3.3 shall be completely immersed in each of
the test fluids listed in Table I for 24 hours at 25 + 3 °C (77 + 5 °F). The volume of the fluid shall be not
less than 20 times that of the specimens. After conditioning, the specimens shall be lightly wiped and then
air-dried for 30 to 60 minutes at room temperature. The specimens then shall be tested for tensile strength
and ultimate elongation in accordance with 4.3 .3.
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4.4 REJECTION AND RETEST
Failure of any sample to comply with any one of the requirements of this specification shall be cause for
rejection of the lot represented. Material which has been rejected may be replaced or reworked to
correct the defect and then resubmitted for acceptance. Before resubmitting, full particulars concerning the
rejection and the action taken to correct the defect shall be furnished to the inspector.
5. PREPARATION FOR DELIVERY
5. 1 PACKAGING
Packaging of molded components shall be in accordance with good commercial practice. The shipping
container shall be not less than 125 pound test fiberboard.
5.2 MARKING
Each molded component shall be distinctly identified with the manufacturing name or symbol and the
manufacturers part number.
SPECIFICATION RT-1304 ISSUE 3 Page 5
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TABLE 1
Requirements
PROPERTY UNIT REQUIREMENTS TEST METHOD
PHYSICAL
Dimensions
Inches (mm)
In accordance with applicable
specification control drawing
Section 4.3.1
ASTM D 2671
Dimensional Recovery Inches (mm) In accordance with applicable
specification control drawing
Elastic Memory Percent 275 minimum expansion
93 minimum retraction
Section 4.3.2
Tensile Strength psi (MPa) 1200 minimum (8.27) Section 4.3.3
Ultimate Elongation Percent 250 minimum ASTM D 412
Stiffness psi (MPa) 10,000 maximum (68.9) ASTM D 747
Specific Gravity --- 1.40 maximum ASTM D 792
Hardness Shore D 40 ± 5 ASTM D 2240
Low Temperature Flexibility
4 hours at -55ºC (-67ºF)
--- No cracking Section 4.3.4
Heat Shock
4 hours at 225ºC (437ºF)
--- No dripping, flowing o cracking. Section 4.3.5
Heat Aging
168hours at 175ºC (347ºF)
Followed by tests for:
--- --- Section 4.3.6
Tensile Strength psi (MPa) 1000 minimum (6.89) Section 4.3.3
Ultimate Elongation Percent 200 minimum
ELECTRICAL
Dielectric Strength
Volts/mil
(kV/mm)
225 minimum (8.9)
ASTM D 149
Volume Resistivity ohm-cm 1012 minimum ASTM D 257
CHEMICAL
Corrosive Effect
16 hours at 175ºC (347ºF)
---
Non corrosive
Section 4.3.7
ASTM D 2671
Procedure A
Flammability
Average Time of Burning
Seconds
120 maximum
ASTM D 635
Average Extent of Burning Inches (mm) 1 maximum (25)
Fungus Resistance --- Rating of 1 or less ASTM G 21
Water Absorption
24 hours at 23ºC (73ºF)
Percent
0.5 maximum
ASTM D 570
Fluid Resistance
24 hours at 23ºC (73ºF) in:
JP-4 Fuel (MIL-T-5624)
Skydrol* 500
Hydraulic Fluid (MIL-H-5606)
Aviation Gasoline (100/130)
(MIL-G-5572)
Water
Followed by tests for:
--- --- Section 4.3.8
Tensile Strength psi (MPa) 750 minimum (5.22) Section 4.3.3
Ultimate Elongation Percent 200 minimum
*Trademark of the Monsanto Company.