ASTM D813-07(2014)

1.1 This test method covers the determination of crack growth of vulcanized rubber when subjected to repeated bending strain or flexing. It is particularly applicable to tests of synthetic rubber compounds which resist the initiation of cracking due to flexing when tested by Method B of Test Methods D430. Cracking initiated in these materials by small cuts or tears in service, may rapidly increase in size and progress to complete failure even though the material is extremely resistant to the original flexing-fatigue cracking. Because of this characteristic of synthetic compounds, particularly those of the SBR type, this test method in which the specimens are first artificially punctured in the flex area should be used in evaluating the fatigue-cracking properties of this class of material.