Group standard VW 2.8.

1
Issue 2021-03
Class. No.: 55152

Descriptors: DOTG, elastomer, elastomer material, molded part, rubber

Elastomers
Materials Requirements and Testing

Previous issues
VW 2.8.1: 1960-08, 1965-08, 1970-04, 1973-07, 1974-11, 1976-03, 1978-10, 1980-09, 1989-09,
1989-11, 1997-06, 2003-11, 2007-03, 2007-07, 2007-12, 2009-08, 2009-12, 2010-12, 2011-02,
2013-06, 2014-01, 2014-06, 2014-09, 2014-12, 2016-11

Changes
The following changes have been made to VW 2.8.1: 2016-11:
a) Section 2.1 "General requirements": notes on nitrosamines added
b) Section 2.3 "Specifications in technical documentation": designation examples updated
c) Table 1, consec. no. 8 and Table 2, consec. no. 8 "Glass transition temperature": requirement
changed (from "as per drawing" to "as per sample")
d) Table 1, consec. no. 14 and Table 2, consec. no. 14: requirements changed
e) Section "Applicable documents" updated
f) Standard edited

Contents
Page
1 Scope ......................................................................................................................... 2
2 Requirements ............................................................................................................. 2
2.1 General requirements ................................................................................................ 2
2.2 Evaluation of the measurement results ...................................................................... 3
2.3 Specifications in technical documentation ................................................................. 3
2.4 Marking as per German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) standard
VDA 260 ..................................................................................................................... 3
2.5 Appearance ................................................................................................................ 4
2.6 Properties, grade ........................................................................................................ 4
3 Notes on testing ....................................................................................................... 16
3.1 General information .................................................................................................. 16
3.2 Specimen ................................................................................................................. 16
3.3 Preferred hardness .................................................................................................. 16
3.4 Heat aging ................................................................................................................ 16

Always use the latest version of this standard.

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VW 2.8.1: 2021-03

3.5 Aging in contact media ............................................................................................. 16

3.5.1 Gasoline ................................................................................................................... 17
3.5.2 Diesel fuel, fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) .............................................................. 17
3.5.3 Oil ............................................................................................................................. 17
3.5.4 Grease ..................................................................................................................... 17
3.5.5 Coolant additive ....................................................................................................... 18
3.6 Drying ....................................................................................................................... 18
3.7 Tensile strength ........................................................................................................ 18
3.8 Elongation at tear ..................................................................................................... 18
3.9 Low-temperature resistance ..................................................................................... 18
3.10 Ozone resistance ..................................................................................................... 18
3.11 Lightfastness ............................................................................................................ 19
3.12 Weather resistance .................................................................................................. 19
3.13 Paint indifference ..................................................................................................... 19
3.14 Greasing ................................................................................................................... 19
3.15 Abrasion behavior .................................................................................................... 20
4 Applicable documents .............................................................................................. 20

1 Scope
This standard defines the materials requirements and testing for elastomer materials used for parts
and technical molded parts in motor vehicles (it does not apply to vehicle tires).

2 Requirements

2.1 General requirements

Requirements for suppliers of sealing materials as per VW 01153.
Approval of first supply and changes as per Volkswagen standard VW 01155.
Material conformity as per VW 91101.
Free of di-ortho-tolyl guanidine (DOTG) and free of its cleavage product, o-toluidine.
Material components that include or exude nitrosamines as per VW 91101 with a restriction on use
are not permissible. An analysis confirming the nitrosamine-free state must be provided if the ni-
trosamine-free state cannot be proved completely by the material composition. The analysis must
be carried out by a laboratory with a corresponding accreditation.
Elastomer qualities are tested on parts, part sections, or, in exceptional cases, test plates (see
section 3.2).
Samples must always be delivered with the manufacturer's quality designation.
The number of parts required for laboratory evaluation must be agreed upon with the appropriate
Materials Engineering department.
Deviations from this standard must be indicated in drawings and test reports.
Parts whose grades cannot be classified on the basis of this standard require specific Technical
Supply Specifications (TLs).
Recycled materials must not be used as raw materials in parts that are subject to dynamic loads
during driving operation.
 Page 3
VW 2.8.1: 2021-03

In this context, recycled material means mixture components that are fed back into the rubber mix-
ture as products of a recycling process (thermal, mechanical, and chemical) from fully vulcanized
rubber products (new parts or used parts, e.g., used tires). Examples of this are reclaimed rubber,
regenerated rubber, rubber powder, and carbon black.

2.2 Evaluation of the measurement results

The required numerical values apply to each individual measurement.

2.3 Specifications in technical documentation

Designation example for a transmission-fluid-resistant, black hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR)
with increased requirements on ozone resistance (e.g., used in boots with high dynamic loads):
HNBR, VW 2.8.1, E60, black, fully hydrated (residual double bond proportion ≤ 2%), ozone-
resistant during buckling load
Designation example for a fuel-resistant, black acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), with a prefer-
red hardness of 75 Shore A:
NBR, VW 2.8.1 – A, black
Designation example for a transmission-fluid-resistant, black polyacrylate elastomer (ACM) with a
usage temperature of max. +100 °C and a hardness of 60 Shore A:
ACM, VW 2.8.1, E60, black, temperature +100 °C
Designation example for a black ethylene propylene terpolymer resistant to sunlight, weather,
ozone, and hot air up to a temperature of +100 °C, with rebound resilience and a hardness of
50 Shore A:
EPDM, VW 2.8.1, G50, black, ozone-resistant, rebound resilient > 50%, resistant to hot air up
to +100 °C

2.4 Marking as per German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) standard
VDA 260
For the recycling of vehicles and powertrains, the components are marked as specified in
VDA 260. The codes as per DIN ISO 1629 must be used for this purpose.
Elastomer/polymer blends:
For elastomer blends, the composition of the blends must be specified in detail and also indicated
as per VDA 260.
Designation example:
NR/BR, VW 2.8.1, 90% : 10%
Page 4
VW 2.8.1: 2021-03

Examples of codes
The list of codes below does not claim to be exhaustive. Raw polymer materials for components
must always be designated as specified in DIN ISO 1629.
ACM Copolymer consisting of ethyl acrylate (or other acrylates) with a small frac-
tion of a monomer that facilitates vulcanization (usually referred to as acryl-
ate rubber).
AEM Copolymer consisting of ethyl acrylate (or other acrylates) and ethylene
BR Butadiene rubber
CM Chlorinated polyethylene
CO Polychloromethyloxirane (typically referred to as epichlorohydrin rubber)
CR Chloroprene rubber
CSM Chlorosulfonated polyethylene
ECO Copolymer consisting of ethylene oxide (oxirane) and chloromethyl oxirane
(also referred to as epichlorohydrin copolymer or epichlorohydrin rubber)
EPDM Terpolymer consisting of ethylene, propylene, and a diene with an unsatu-
rated part of the diene in the side chain
EPM Ethylene-propylene copolymer
FKM Fluorinated rubber with fluorine, perfluoroalkyl, or perfluoroalkoxy groups
on the polymer chain
FVMQ Silicone rubber with methyl, vinyl, and fluorine groups on the polymer chain
IIR Isobutene isoprene rubber (typically referred to as butyl rubber)
NBR Acrylonitrile butadiene rubber
NR Natural rubber
SBR Styrene butadiene rubber
VMQ Silicone rubber with methyl and vinyl groups on the polymer chain

2.5 Appearance
The parts must have a flawless surface texture on delivery. Tackiness, inclusions, cavities, cracks,
damage, etc., are not permissible.
Part color: See drawing.

2.6 Properties, grade

See table 1 and table 2.
 Table 1
Resistant to contact medium Fuel Oil
Test temperature in °C ≥ (125 ±3)
23 ±2 23 ±2
(deviating requirements as per drawing) The required temperature must be indicated.
Test medium Gasoline Limited resist- Diesel fuel Engine oil as Hypoid gear Oil as per Limited resist-
ance to gaso- with 20 vol- per Technical oil and auto- drawing spe- ance to en-
line ume percent Supply Speci- matic trans- cifications gine oil as per
fatty acid fication mission fluid TL 52185
methyl ester TL 52185 (ATF) as per
(FAME) pro- drawing spe-
portion as per cifications
DIN EN 14214
Grade A W T C E P U
No. Properties For notes on
testing, see
1 Thermogravimetric analy-
sis
Constituents in %
as per Test Specifica-
As per sample
tionPV 3927 and/or pyrol-
ysis gas chromatography
mass spectrometry as an
identification test
2 Density in g/cm3
as per As per sample
DIN EN ISO 1183-1
3 Hardness in Shore A DIN ISO 48-4
International Rubber Hardness Degree (IRHD) as per DIN ISO 48-2 (for o-rings)
3.1 Preferred hardness in the 60 ±5
as-received condition Section 3.3 or 70 ±5 75 ±5 60 ±5 75 ±5 60 ±5
75 ±5
3.2 Change as compared to as-received condition
VW 2.8.1: 2021-03
Page 5
 Table 1 (continued)
Resistant to contact medium Fuel Oil
Page 6

Test temperature in °C ≥ (125 ±3)

23 ±2 23 ±2
(deviating requirements as per drawing) The required temperature must be indicated.
Test medium Gasoline Limited resist- Diesel fuel Engine oil as Hypoid gear Oil as per Limited resist-
ance to gaso- with 20 vol- per Technical oil and auto- drawing spe- ance to en-
VW 2.8.1: 2021-03

line ume percent Supply Speci- matic trans- cifications gine oil as per
fatty acid fication mission fluid TL 52185
methyl ester TL 52185 (ATF) as per
(FAME) pro- drawing spe-
portion as per cifications
DIN EN 14214
Grade A W T C E P U
No. Properties For notes on
testing, see
3.2.1 After heat aging
as per DIN 53508, the re-
Section 3.4 0 to +3a)
quired temperature must
be specified
3.2.2 After aging in contact me-
Section 3.5 +2 to -12 0 to -25 ±4 -4 to 0
dium
3.2.2.1 After subsequent drying Section 3.6 -3 to +2 0 to +18 ±4 -
4 Weight change in %
4.1 After aging in contact me-
Section 3.5 0 to +15 0 to +45 -1 to +4 -2 to +6
dium
4.1.1 After subsequent drying Section 3.6 -3 to +3 0 to -20 -1 to +4 -
5 Tensile strength in N/mm2 as per DIN 53504 or PV 3973 (for o-rings); for notes on testing, see section 3.7
5.1 In as-received condition >8 >6
5.2 After heat aging
as per DIN 53508, the re-
Section 3.4 > 8a) > 6a)
quired temperature must
be specified
 Table 1 (continued)
Resistant to contact medium Fuel Oil
Test temperature in °C ≥ (125 ±3)
23 ±2 23 ±2
(deviating requirements as per drawing) The required temperature must be indicated.
Test medium Gasoline Limited resist- Diesel fuel Engine oil as Hypoid gear Oil as per Limited resist-
ance to gaso- with 20 vol- per Technical oil and auto- drawing spe- ance to en-
line ume percent Supply Speci- matic trans- cifications gine oil as per
fatty acid fication mission fluid TL 52185
methyl ester TL 52185 (ATF) as per
(FAME) pro- drawing spe-
portion as per cifications
DIN EN 14214
Grade A W T C E P U
No. Properties For notes on
testing, see
5.3 After aging in contact me-
Section 3.5 >6 > 4,5 >6
dium
5.3.1 After subsequent drying Section 3.6 >8 >6 -
6 Elongation at tear in % as per DIN 53504 or PV 3973 (for o-rings); for notes on testing, see section 3.8
6.1 In as-received condition > 150 250 to 550 > 150 250 to 550 > 100 250 to 550
6.2 After heat aging
as per DIN 53508, the re-
Section 3.4 > 150a) 200 to 550a) > 150 200 to 550a) > 100 200 to 550a)
quired temperature must
be specified
6.3 After aging in
Section 3.5 > 150 > 100 > 150 200 to 550 > 100 200 to 550
contact medium
6.3.1 After subsequent drying Section 3.6 > 150 > 200 > 150 -
7 Low-temperature stability
in °C Section 3.9 -35
at least
VW 2.8.1: 2021-03
Page 7
 Table 1 (continued)
Resistant to contact medium Fuel Oil
Page 8

Test temperature in °C ≥ (125 ±3)

23 ±2 23 ±2
(deviating requirements as per drawing) The required temperature must be indicated.
Test medium Gasoline Limited resist- Diesel fuel Engine oil as Hypoid gear Oil as per Limited resist-
ance to gaso- with 20 vol- per Technical oil and auto- drawing spe- ance to en-
VW 2.8.1: 2021-03

line ume percent Supply Speci- matic trans- cifications gine oil as per
fatty acid fication mission fluid TL 52185
methyl ester TL 52185 (ATF) as per
(FAME) pro- drawing spe-
portion as per cifications
DIN EN 14214
Grade A W T C E P U
No. Properties For notes on
testing, see
8 Glass transition tempera-
ture TG
As per sample
as per
DIN EN ISO 11357-2
9 Ozone resistance Section 3.10 No cracks. For grades other than G: required only if "ozone-resistant" is additionally specified in the drawing.
10 Lightfastness No changes compared to as-received condition, e.g., discoloration, embrittlement, decomposition, cracks.
Section 3.11
For grades other than G: Required only if "lightfast" is additionally specified in the drawing.
11 Weather resistance No changes compared to as-received condition, e.g., discoloration, embrittlement, decomposition, cracks.
Section 3.12
For grades other than G: Required only if "weather-resistant" is additionally specified in the drawing.
12 Paint indifference No corona formation, no effects due to washing, slight contact discoloration permissible.
Section 3.13
Required only if "paint-indifferent" is additionally specified in the drawing.
13 Rebound resilience in %
Required only if "rebound resilient > ...%" is additionally specified in the drawing.
as per DIN 53512
 Table 1 (continued)
Resistant to contact medium Fuel Oil
Test temperature in °C ≥ (125 ±3)
23 ±2 23 ±2
(deviating requirements as per drawing) The required temperature must be indicated.
Test medium Gasoline Limited resist- Diesel fuel Engine oil as Hypoid gear Oil as per Limited resist-
ance to gaso- with 20 vol- per Technical oil and auto- drawing spe- ance to en-
line ume percent Supply Speci- matic trans- cifications gine oil as per
fatty acid fication mission fluid TL 52185
methyl ester TL 52185 (ATF) as per
(FAME) pro- drawing spe-
portion as per cifications
DIN EN 14214
Grade A W T C E P U
No. Properties For notes on
testing, see
14 Specific volume resist- Aluminum: as per drawing, but at least > 104
ance Magnesium: as per drawing, but at least > 106
as per PV 1015 Galvanized steel: as per drawing, but at least > 104
Ωcm Required only if "corrosion-resistant" is additionally specified in the drawing.
For components in especially corrosion-critical areas, such as grommets or cover bump stops, higher specific volume
resistance values greater than those in the drawing must be specified after consultation with the responsible depart-
ment.
or
> 1 000
Insulation resistance MΩ
Required only if "insulation-resistant" is additionally specified in the drawing.
as per DIN EN 62631-3-3
15 Self-lubricating Required only if "self-lubricating" is additionally specified in the
Section 3.14 -
drawing.
16 Corrosion properties
Grades 1 and 2 permissible
as per VDA 675 -241
17 Abrasion in mm3 < 200
Section 3.15
as per PV 3984 Required only if "abrasion-resistant" is additionally specified in the drawing.
VW 2.8.1: 2021-03
Page 9
 Table 1 (continued)
Resistant to contact medium Fuel Oil
Page 10

Test temperature in °C ≥ (125 ±3)

23 ±2 23 ±2
(deviating requirements as per drawing) The required temperature must be indicated.
Test medium Gasoline Limited resist- Diesel fuel Engine oil as Hypoid gear Oil as per Limited resist-
ance to gaso- with 20 vol- per Technical oil and auto- drawing spe- ance to en-
VW 2.8.1: 2021-03

line ume percent Supply Speci- matic trans- cifications gine oil as per
fatty acid fication mission fluid TL 52185
methyl ester TL 52185 (ATF) as per
(FAME) pro- drawing spe-
portion as per cifications
DIN EN 14214
Grade A W T C E P U
No. Properties For notes on
testing, see
18 Emission behavior
Required only if "emission behavior as per VW 50180" is specified in the drawing.
as per VW 50180
19 Plastic deformation
in %
as per PV 3307 Required only if "plastic deformation ... h ... °C < ...%" is additionally specified in the drawing.
O-rings as per PV 3330
Compression 40%
20 Tear propagation resist-
ance in N/mm
Required only if "tear propagation resistance > ... N/mm" is additionally specified in the drawing.
as per DIN ISO 34-1
Strip specimen
a) Deviating limits may be specified in justified cases.
 Table 2
Resistant to contact medium Grease Coolant Air
Test temperature in °C
70 ±3 135 ±3 70 ±3
(deviating requirements as per drawing)
Test medium Calcium-lithium Lithium grease Grease as per Coolant additive Resistance to Without special
grease as per TL 745 as per TL 735 drawing specifi- as per TL 774 daylight and properties
cation weather
Grade K L M S G H
For notes on
No. Properties testing, see
1 Thermogravimetric analy-
sis
Constituents in %
as per PV 3927 and/or py- As per sample
rolysis gas chromatogra-
phy mass spectrometry as
an identification test
2 Density in g/cm3
As per sample
as per DIN EN ISO 1183-1
3 Hardness in Shore A DIN ISO 48-4
International Rubber Hardness Degree (IRHD) as per DIN ISO 48-2 (for o-rings)
3.1 Preferred hardness in the
Section 3.3 60 ±5 75 ±5 60 ±5 65 ±5
as-received condition
3.2 Change as compared to as-received condition
3.2.1 After heat aging
as per DIN 53508, the re-
Section 3.3 0 to +3a)
quired temperature must
be specified
3.2.2 After aging in contact me-
Section 3.5 -4 to +1 -4 to +5 -
dium
4 Weight change in %
VW 2.8.1: 2021-03
Page 11
 Table 2 (continued)
Resistant to contact medium Grease Coolant Air
Page 12

Test temperature in °C
70 ±3 135 ±3 70 ±3
(deviating requirements as per drawing)
Test medium Calcium-lithium Lithium grease Grease as per Coolant additive Resistance to Without special
grease as per TL 745 as per TL 735 drawing specifi- as per TL 774 daylight and properties
VW 2.8.1: 2021-03

cation weather
Grade K L M S G H
For notes on
No. Properties testing, see
4.1 After aging in contact me-
Section 3.5 -2 to +8 -4 to +5 -
dium
5 Tensile strength in N/mm2 as per DIN 53504 or PV 3973 (for o-rings); for notes on testing, see section 3.7
5.1 In as-received condition >6 >7 >6
5.2 After heat aging
as per DIN 53508, the re-
Section 3.4 > 8a) > 6a) > 7a) > 6a)
quired temperature must
be specified
5.3 After aging in contact me-
Section 3.5 >6 -
dium
6 Elongation at tear in % as per DIN 53504 or PV 3973 (for o-rings); for notes on testing, see section 3.8
6.1 In as-received condition 250 to 550
6.2 After heat aging
as per DIN 53508, the re-
Section 3.4 200 to 550a)
quired temperature must
be specified
6.3 After aging
Section 3.5 200 to 550 -
in contact medium
7 Low-temperature stability
in °C Section 3.9 -35
at least
 Table 2 (continued)
Resistant to contact medium Grease Coolant Air
Test temperature in °C
70 ±3 135 ±3 70 ±3
(deviating requirements as per drawing)
Test medium Calcium-lithium Lithium grease Grease as per Coolant additive Resistance to Without special
grease as per TL 745 as per TL 735 drawing specifi- as per TL 774 daylight and properties
cation weather
Grade K L M S G H
For notes on
No. Properties testing, see
8 Glass transition tempera-
ture TG
As per sample
as per
DIN EN ISO 11357-2
9 Ozone resistance Section 3.10 No cracks. For grades other than G: required only if "ozone-resistant" is additionally specified in the drawing.
10 Lightfastness No changes compared to as-received condition, e.g., discoloration, embrittlement, decomposition, cracks.
Section 3.11
For grades other than G: Required only if "lightfast" is additionally specified in the drawing.
11 Weather resistance No changes compared to as-received condition, e.g., discoloration, embrittlement, decomposition, cracks.
Section 3.12
For grades other than G: Required only if "weather-resistant" is additionally specified in the drawing.
12 Paint indifference No changes as compared to as-received condition; slight contact discoloration permissible.
Section 3.13
Only required if "paint-indifferent" is additionally specified in the drawing.
13 Rebound resilience in %
Required only if "rebound resilient > ...%" is additionally specified in the drawing.
as per DIN 53512
VW 2.8.1: 2021-03
Page 13
 Table 2 (continued)
Resistant to contact medium Grease Coolant Air
Page 14

Test temperature in °C
70 ±3 135 ±3 70 ±3
(deviating requirements as per drawing)
Test medium Calcium-lithium Lithium grease Grease as per Coolant additive Resistance to Without special
grease as per TL 745 as per TL 735 drawing specifi- as per TL 774 daylight and properties
VW 2.8.1: 2021-03

cation weather
Grade K L M S G H
For notes on
No. Properties testing, see
14 Specific volume resistance Aluminum: as per drawing, but at least > 104
as per PV 1015 Magnesium: as per drawing, but at least > 106
Galvanized steel: as per drawing, but at least > 104
Ωcm Required only if "corrosion-resistant" is additionally specified in the drawing.
For components in especially corrosion-critical areas, such as grommets or cover bump stops, higher specific volume
resistance values greater than those in the drawing must be specified after consultation with the responsible depart-
ment.
or
> 1 000
Insulation resistance MΩ
Required only if "insulation-resistant" is additionally specified in the drawing.
as per DIN EN 62631-3-3
15 Self-lubricating Section 3.14 Required only if "self-lubricating" is additionally specified in the drawing.
16 Corrosion properties
Grades 1 and 2 permissible
as per VDA 675 -241
17 Abrasion in mm3 < 200
Section 3.15
as per PV 3984 Required only if "abrasion-resistant" is additionally specified in the drawing.
18 Emission behavior
Required only if "emission behavior as per VW 50180" is specified in the drawing.
as per VW 50180
 Table 2 (continued)
Resistant to contact medium Grease Coolant Air
Test temperature in °C
70 ±3 135 ±3 70 ±3
(deviating requirements as per drawing)
Test medium Calcium-lithium Lithium grease Grease as per Coolant additive Resistance to Without special
grease as per TL 745 as per TL 735 drawing specifi- as per TL 774 daylight and properties
cation weather
Grade K L M S G H
For notes on
No. Properties testing, see
19 Plastic deformation in %
as per PV 3307
Required only if "plastic deformation ... h ... °C < ...%" is additionally specified in the drawing.
O-rings as per PV 3330
Compression 40%
20 Tear propagation resist-
ance in N/mm
Required only if "tear propagation resistance >... N/mm" is additionally specified in the drawing.
as per DIN ISO 34-1
Strip specimen
a) Deviating limits may be specified in justified cases.
VW 2.8.1: 2021-03
Page 15
Page 16
VW 2.8.1: 2021-03

3 Notes on testing

3.1 General information

For aging in fuels, oils, and greases, the volume must be equal to (80 ±5) times the volume of the
specimen. Test vessels (and also specimen holders when aging in fluids) as per PV 3323 must be
used.
Unless otherwise agreed, the tolerances specified in DIN ISO 23529 apply to the aging times.
Unless otherwise specified, measurements must be carried out 30 min after removing the speci-
men from the test medium. The specimens must be cleaned with a lint-free cloth immediately after
removal.
Test conditions deviating from this standard must be specified in drawings and test reports.

3.2 Specimen
Tests are performed on S 3A dumb-bell specimens as per DIN ISO 48-4. These specimens must
be taken from the finished parts. For certain finished part dimensions (e.g., radial shaft seals), S 3
dumb-bell specimens may be used as an alternative. In exceptional cases, if standard test speci-
mens cannot be extracted from the finished parts by means of, for example, a bandknife splitting
machine, test plates (thickness 2 mm) may be used.

3.3 Preferred hardness

Where a deviation from the preferred hardness is necessary, the selected hardness must be indi-
cated following the grade designation, e.g., E60. The tolerance in such cases is always
±5 Shore A.

3.4 Heat aging

Aging for 94 h in a forced-air oven as per DIN 53508. In justified cases, other aging times may be
agreed upon. Measurements must be carried out after cooling to room temperature (23 ±2) °C.

3.5 Aging in contact media

The conditions specified in section 3.5.1 to section 3.5.5 apply to aging in contact media.
 Page 17
VW 2.8.1: 2021-03

3.5.1 Gasoline
The following test fluids are used:
– Test fluid as per DIN 51604-2 (FAM B)
Composition:
84,5 volume percent FAM test fluid as per DIN 51604-1 (FAM A)
15,0 volume percent methanol
0,5 volume percent water
– E85 fuel
Composition:
84 volume percent highest-grade ethanol as per German Pharmacopoeia (DAB) 7
16 volume percent FAM test fluid as per DIN 51604-1 (FAM A)
Other test fluids may be used if required (deviations as per drawing).
168 h aging (other aging times, e.g., 48 h, as per drawing specification) at (23 ±2) °C. The se-
quence must be based on VDA 266-100. After the aging, the specimens are blotted with filter pa-
per (e.g., Schwarzband). The evaluations are carried out 1 min afterwards. In justified cases, eval-
uation may also begin 15 min after removal, but this is subject to agreement.

3.5.2 Diesel fuel, fatty acid methyl ester (FAME)

The following test composition must be used for aging of the specimens in diesel fuel:
– 80 volume percent standard diesel fuel Liquid F as per DIN ISO 1817
– 20 volume percent fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) as per DIN EN 14214. Use soy methyl ester
as the FAME component.
In justified cases, the use of the following test mixture is also permissible for aging in diesel fuel:
– 93 volume percent standard diesel fuel Liquid F as per DIN ISO 1817
– 7 volume percent fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) as per DIN EN 14214 with rapeseed oil meth-
yl ester as the fatty acid methyl ester component.
Test durations and temperatures must be agreed upon.
Aging at an elevated temperature is performed with backflow cooling as per VDA 266-100. After
the aging time ends, the specimens must be cleaned with a lint-free cloth. Specimens that have
been aged at an elevated temperature are left in the test fluid to cool down to the ambient tempera-
ture. The evaluations are carried out 1 min after the specimens are removed from the medium. In
justified cases, other aging times and test temperatures can be agreed upon (e.g., 48 h at 23 °C).

3.5.3 Oil
Aging time: 48 h and 96 h. For grade U, aging in oil is performed for 24 h at (23 ±2) °C. In justified
cases, other aging times may also be agreed upon.
For the aging of specimens in engine oil, reference engine oil as per TL 52185 must be used as
the test fluid. Other test oils may be used, but are subject to agreement.

3.5.4 Grease
Aging time 48 h.
In justified cases, other aging times may be agreed upon.
Page 18
VW 2.8.1: 2021-03

3.5.5 Coolant additive

S 3A dumb-bell specimens as per DIN 53504 are aged in test fluid consisting of 50 parts by vol-
ume deionized water, and 50 parts by volume coolant additive, as per the latest version of TL 774
at +135 °C in an autoclave. The fluid volume must be 150 to 180 times the specimen volume. After
this, the specimens are cooled down to (23 ±2) °C in the test fluid within 2 h and measured.
Aging time: 94 h. In justified cases, other aging times may be agreed upon.

3.6 Drying
To be performed based on VDA 266-100. The specimens are pre-dried for 2 h to 4 h at (23 ±2) °C.
They are then dried for 22 h at +85 °C in a natural convection oven as per DIN 53508. The speci-
mens must be stored such that there is complete circulation of air around them.

3.7 Tensile strength

The tensile strength of the aged dumb-bell specimen must be based on its cross-section before
aging. For tests performed on o-rings, the ring thickness is determined using a reference ring taken
from the sample batch (as per PV 3973).

3.8 Elongation at tear

Elongation at tear of the aged dumb-bell specimen is based on its condition after aging. Deviating
from this, the o-ring inner diameter is determined when determining the elongation at tear following
aging in media (as per PV 3973).

3.9 Low-temperature resistance

Test specimens must still be elastic after 24 h of low-temperature aging. No breaking or cracking
must be visible in bend tests. The specimens' dimensions must be approx. 100 mm × 20 mm; devi-
ating specimens must be agreed upon. Gloves and/or vice-grip pliers must be used during the test.
The parts must be bent within 3 to 5 s until the inner surfaces at the ends touch. O-rings are tested
at the part. For this, the ring must be cut open before aging in cold air and prepared like the strip
specimen. The bend test is performed in and against the direction of the curvature. Deviations are
subject to agreement.
Where the shape of the specimen does not permit bending by hand, the hardness of the specimen
must be < 90 Shore A (measured after aging in a cold chamber).
Deviations must be indicated in the drawing.
The hardness is determined by means of a test device conditioned at low temperature.

3.10 Ozone resistance

The test is conducted in the ozone climate chamber with a 2 ppm (-15%) ozone concentration, at
(25 +3) °C and (60 ±5)% relative humidity. The test duration is 48 h.
Unless otherwise agreed upon in the part drawings, the test must be performed as per Test Specifi-
cation PV 3305 using panel material.
The basic requirement is 20% pre-elongation.
If this basic requirement is exceeded by the part's operating stress (e.g., increased elongations of
30%, 40%, etc., buckling stress, increased dynamic stress), the resulting increased requirements
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for the test conditions with regard to selecting materials and creating drawings must be agreed
upon with the responsible Materials Engineering department (see, e.g., designation example in
section 2.3 "Specifications in technical documentation").
In certain cases, the specimens may also be tested in an installed operational condition, or an in-
stalled condition similar to normal operation. This must be agreed upon accordingly.
Specific load conditions have been specified for certain parts, e.g., profiles are aged on a mandrel
with a 30 mm radius; profiles with a thickness ≤ 5 mm are elongated by 20% to 25% in a fixture (as
per PV 3305) and/or are tested on a mandrel with a radius 5 times the thickness of the specimen.
The test specimens are brought into the ozone atmosphere 15 min after installation.
Determination of ozone concentration as per DIN ISO 1431-3.
Evaluation of cracking as per PV 3316.

3.11 Lightfastness
Interior parts must be tested as specified in PV 1303 (the number of periods must be agreed
upon); exterior parts must be tested as per PV 3929 and PV 3930 (test cycle: 1 year each).

3.12 Weather resistance

Open-air weathering for 1 year in damp heat as per PV 3930 (Florida) and in dry heat as per
PV 3929 (Kalahari, Arizona).

3.13 Paint indifference

Testing is carried out after heat aging (24 h at +70 °C) and after rain simulation (24 h as per
PV 3930).

3.14 Greasing
The parts must have a clearly discernible wax film in the as-received condition. After this wax film
is removed by cleaning (by moving the specimen for 5 s in FAM test fluid as per DIN 51604-1
= FAM 2 at room temperature with tweezers), the specimens are aged for 94 h at +70 °C in a
forced-air oven as per DIN 53508. After the aging period, exudation must have produced a new,
clearly discernible wax film on the surface of the specimens.
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3.15 Abrasion behavior

Abrasion behavior must be tested under 10 N load. Deviations must be indicated in the drawing.
Other abrasion test methods (e.g., as per DIN ISO 4649) are permissible following agreement with
the appropriate Materials Engineering department.

4 Applicable documents
The following documents cited in the standard are required for the application of this standard:
Some of the cited documents are translations from the German original. The translations of Ger-
man terms in such documents may differ from those used in this standard, resulting in terminologi-
cal inconsistency.
Standards whose titles are given in German may be available only in German. Editions in other
languages may be available from the institution issuing the standard.

PV 1015 Bimetallic Corrosion Caused by Elastomers and Plastics Connected to

Light Metals; Specific Volume Resistance Testing
PV 1303 Non-Metallic Materials; Xenon Arc Light Aging of Vehicle Interior Com-
ponents
PV 3305 Kautschukvulkanisate; Prüfung der Ozonbeständigkeit und der bleiben-
den Verformung
PV 3307 Elastomer Components; Plastic and Elastic Deformability
PV 3316 Rubber Products; Reference Photographs after Exposure to Ozone
PV 3323 Test Vessels and Specimen Holders for Aging Standard Specimens
PV 3330 Elastomer O-Rings; Compression Set (Plastic Deformation)
PV 3927 Thermogravimetric Analysis for Plastics and Elastomers; Determination:
Plasticizers, Carbon Black
PV 3929 Non-Metallic Materials; Weathering in Dry, Hot Climate (Exterior)
PV 3930 Non-Metallic Materials; Weathering in Humid, Hot Climate (Exterior)
PV 3973 Elastomer O-Rings; Determining Tensile Strength, Elongation at Tear
and Stress Values in the Tensile Test
PV 3984 Elastomers and Thermoplastic Elastomers; Determination of Abrasion
TL 52185 Reference Engine Oil SAE 5W-30 for Testing of Compatibility with Re-
spect to Elastomer Materials; Lubricant Requirements
TL 735 Multi-Purpose Grease; Lubricant Requirements
TL 745 Multi-Purpose Low-Temperature Grease; Lubricant Requirements
TL 774 Ethylene Glycol-Based Coolant Additive; Requirements on Materials
VW 01153 Vehicle Parts; Suppliers of Sealing Materials (Purchase Parts); Elasto-
mer Materials (Not Valid for Liquid Sealants)
VW 01155 Vehicle Parts; Approval of First Supply and Changes
VW 50180 Components, Semi-Finished Products, and Materials in the Vehicle Inte-
rior; Emission Behavior
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VW 91101 Environmental Standard for Products; Material Conformity

DIN 51604-1 FAM-testing fluid for polymer materials - Composition and requirements -
Part 1: Testing Fluid A
DIN 51604-2 FAM-testing fluid for polymer materials - Composition and requirements -
Part 2: Testing Fluid B, containing methanol
DIN 53504 Testing of rubber - Determination of tensile strength at break, tensile
stress at yield, elongation at break and stress values in a tensile test
DIN 53508 Testing of rubber - Accelerated ageing
DIN 53512 Testing of rubber - Determination of rebound resilience (Schob pendu-
lum)
DIN EN 14214 Liquid petroleum products - Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) for use in
diesel engines and heating applications - Requirements and test meth-
ods
DIN EN 62631-3-3 Dielectric and Resistive Properties of Solid Insulating Materials -
Part 3-3: Determination of Resistive Properties (DC Methods) – Insula-
tion Resistance
DIN EN ISO 11357-2 Plastics - Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) - Part 2: Determination
of glass transition temperature and glass transition step height
DIN EN ISO 1183-1 Plastics - Methods for determining the density of non-cellular plastics -
Part 1: Immersion method, liquid pycnometer method and titration meth-
od
DIN ISO 1431-3 Rubber, vulcanized or thermoplastic - Resistance to ozone cracking -
Part 3: Reference and alternative methods for determining the ozone
concentration in laboratory test chambers
DIN ISO 1629 Rubber and latices - Nomenclature
DIN ISO 1817 Rubber, vulcanized or thermoplastic - Determination of the effect of liq-
uids
DIN ISO 23529 Rubber - General procedures for preparing and conditioning test pieces
for physical test methods
DIN ISO 34-1 Rubber, vulcanized or thermoplastic - Determination of tear strength -
Part 1: Trouser, angle and crescent test pieces
DIN ISO 4649 Rubber, vulcanized or thermoplastic - Determination of abrasion resist-
ance using a rotating cylindrical drum device
DIN ISO 48-2 Rubber, vulcanized or thermoplastic - Determination of hardness - Part
2: Hardness between 10 IRHD and 100 IRHD
DIN ISO 48-4 Rubber, vulcanized or thermoplastic - Determination of hardness - Part
4: Indentation hardness by durometer method (Shore hardness)
VDA 260 Components of motor vehicles; marking of material
VDA 266-100 Material testing in fuels
VDA 675 -241 Elastomere-Bauteile in Kraftfahrzeugen - Prüfverfahren zur Eigen-
schaftsbestimmung - Korrosionswirkung auf Kupfer