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MIL-STD-1523A
1 FEBRUARY 1984
SUPERSEDING
MIL-STD-1523
11 SEPTEMBER 1973

MILITARY STANDARD

AGE CONTROLS OF

AGE-SENSITIVE ELASTOMERIC MATERIEL

(FOR AEROSPACE APPLICATIONS) -

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MIL-STD-1523A
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DEPRTMENTOF DEFENSE
D.C. 20360
WASHINGTOIJ,

Age Controlsof Age-SensitiveElastomericMateriel

MIL-STD-1
523A

1. This MilitaryStandardis approvedfor use by all Departmentsand

Agenciesof the Departmentof Defense.

2. Beneficialcomments(recommendations, additions,deletions)and any

pert@ent data which may be of use in improvingthis documentshouldbe
addressedto: CommandingOfficer,Naval OrdnanceStation,Standardization/
DocumentationDivision(Code 524),IndianHead, MD 20640by using the sel??-
addressedStandardization DocumentImprovementProposal(DD Form 1426)
appearingat the end of this documentor by letter.

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MIL-STD-1523A

FOREWORD

1. This standardhas been preparedto allow the timelyflow of certain

elastomericcomponentsthroughthe acquisitioncycle from manufactureof
the items to installationin subassemblies,
assembliesand systemssuch as
militaryaircraftand missilesand spacevehicles. This standardis intended
to be citedin acquisitiondocumentsby Governmentacquiringactivitiesso
that the elastomericitemsof a systemwill have a satisfactoryservicelife.~

2. This documentwas revisedto allowmore flexibilityin life,planning,

developmentand acquisitioncycles. This increasedflexibilityis made
possibleby the developmentof improvedsyntheticelastomersand the
experienceof governmentaland industrialusers of elastomericitems.

3. An elastomermaintainsits structuralintegrityunder mechanicalstressand

rapidlyand forciblyresumesits orig$nalshapeupon removalof the stress.
This recoveryis made possibleby its threeedimensionalmolecularnetwork
structure. The chemicalandphysicalproperties are temperaturedependantand
are determinedby: (a) the spacingof networkcrosslinks,(b) the chemical
compositionsof the organiclong chainsof monomerunits betweencrosslinksand
(c)-thepresenceor absenceof significantvolumeprecentagesof reinforcing
and other typesof fillersand othermixturecomponents. An elastomericitem
is usefulwithina limitedrangeof physicalpropertyvalues. The physical
proper~ valueswill drift out of the usablerange at varyingratesupon
exposureto deleteriousinfluencesand will changemore rapidlyafter the
antioxidantcomponentof the elastomericmixturehas been depleted. The
changein physicalproperties with time makes it necessaryto controlthe
age of elastomericitems at the time of entry into the Gove~ent supplysystem.

4. This documentdoes not applyto elastomericitems after acceptanceby a

Governmentsupplycenteror Governmentuser.

5. Guidancefor age controlof elastomericmaterialis presentedin a table

givingthe miximumage at acceptanceby a Governmentacquiringagency.

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MIL-STD-1523A

coNTms

Paragraph Page

1. SCOPE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.1 Scope. . . . ..o. . . . . . . . . . . 1
2. REFERENCEDDOCUMENTS. . .. . . . . 1
2.1 Issuesof documents. . . . . 1
3. DEFINITIONS. . . . . . . . 2
Age control.. . . . . . . 2
;:; Age sensitive.. . . . . 2
3.3 Elastomer.. . . . . . 2
3.4 Rubber . . . . . . . . 2
3.5 Cure date. . . . . . . 2
3.6 Bulk elastomericproduct . 2
Elastomericend item . . . $ 2
Part . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
3.9 Bulk hose. . . . . . .* . . 2
3.10 Hose assembly.. . . . . . 3
3.11 Assembly. . . . . . . . . . 3
3.I2 Uninstalled.. . . . . . . . 3
3.13 Installed.. . . . . .
. .

3.14 Acce~tance. . . . . .
. .

3.15 Acce~tancedate. . .
.

3.16 Servicelife . . . .
. 3
3.17 System life. . . . .
.

4. GEiERALREQUIREMENTS. .. .

4.1 Usage. . . . . . . . 3
5* DETAILEDREQUIREMENTS . 3
5.1 Conditions. . . . .

5.2 Maximumage limitions.. :

Cure date marking.. . . . 4
;::.1 kc.. . . . . . . . . . . 4
5.3.2 U&wtalled item age control 4
5*393 Assemblyage control. . . . . 4
5.3.4 Shippingcontainermarkings. 4
5.3.4.1 Hose assemblies.. . . . . . . 4
5.3.4.2 Mixed categoriesof elastomericmaterial 5
5.4 Storageconditions. . . . . . . . . . . 5
6. NOTES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5
6.I Additionaltables.. . . . . . . . . . . 5
6.2 Supersessioninformation. . . . 5
6.3 Changesfrom previousissue. . . 5
TABLE I 4

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MIL-STD-1523A

1. SCOPE

1.1 Scope. This documentestablishesrequirementsfor the maximumages of

age sensitiveelastomericitems for use in militaryaircraftand missilesand
for spacevehiclesat the time of acceptanceby a Governmentacquiringactivity.
The provisionsof this documentapply to hoses and O-r-s from specificclasses
of elastomerswhich are resistsntto lubricants,hydraulicfluids,and petroleum
base fuelssnd which conformto the specifications citedherein.

2. REFERENCEDDOCUMENTS

2.1 Issuesof documents. The followingdocumentsof the issuein effecton

the date of invitionsfor bids or requestfor proposalform a part of this
standardto the extentspecifiedherein.

MILITARYSPECIFICATIONS

MIL-P-5315 Packing,PreformedjHydrocarbonFuel Resistant

M1L-P-551O Packing,Preformed,StraightThreadTube Fitting
Boss Type 1 Hydraulic(Minus65 Deg to 160 Deg F)
MIL-H-5593 Hose, Aircraft,Low-Pressure,Flexible
MIL-H-6000 Hose, RubberFuel, Oil, Coolant,Water and Alcohol
MIL-R-6855 Rubber,Synthetic,Sheets,Strips,Moldedor
ExtrudedShapes (Class1 only)
MIL-H-7061 Hose, Rubber,Aircraft,Self-Sealing, AromaticFuel
MIL-R-7362 Rubber,Synthetic,Solid,Sheet,Strip and
FabricatedParts,SyntheticOil Resistant
MIL-H-7938 Hosej Rubber,Flame-resistant
MIL-H-8788 Hose, Hydraulic,High Pressure
MnJ-H-8790 Hose Assembly,Rubber,Hydraulic,High Pressure
(3,000psi)
MIL-H-8794 Hose, Rubber,Hydraulic,Fuel and Oil Resistsnt
MIL-H-8795 Hose Assembly,Rubber,Hydraulic,Fuel and Oil Resistant
MIL-P-25732 Packing,Preformed,PetroleumHydraulicFluid
Resistaut,LimitedServiceat 275 Deg F (135Deg C)
141L-H-26521 Hose and Hose Assembly;Nonmetallic,Fuel, Collapsible,
Low TemperatureWith ReattachableCoupl@s
MIL-H-27516 Hose and Hose Assembly,Nonmetallic,Suctionand Discharge
MIL-P-83461 PackingPreformed,PetroleumHydraulicFluid
ResistantImprovedPerformanceat 275 Deg F
(135Deg C) Sizes and Tolerances
MIL-H-83796 Hose Assembly,Rubber,Lightweight,MediumPressure,
GeneralSpecificationFor

STANDARDS

MILITARY

m-sTD-129 Markingfor Shipmentand Storage

(Copiesof specifications,standards,drawings,and publications

required
......,
. by contractorsin connectionwith specificacquisitionfunctionsshouldbe
obtatiedfrom the acquiringactivityor as directedby the contracting
officer.) ...
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MIL-sTD-1523A

3. DEFINITIONS ;,+--
\<
,{
3.1 Age control. Age controlis the designationof a specificmaximum
periodof age aftercure date thatwill assuredesiredperformancecharacteristics
of an elastomer. Age controlis based on the premisethat elastomersare age
sensitive.

3.2 Age sensitive. An age sensitivematerialis one whose ph@ical property

valuesor physicalform slowlydrift outsidethe useablerange. These changesin
elastomericmaterialsare causedby exposureto harmfulinfluencessuch as:
o~gen and ozone especiallyin the presence,ofultra-violetlight,moisture,
high temperatures,swellingagentssuch as fuel and other solvents,corrosive
vaporsand mechanicalstresswhichmodify the networkstructureof the elasto-
meric componentof the item and may modify the reinforcingactionof the
fillers. The presenceof protectivesubstancesand the chemicalcomposition
retardthese changes. Upon depletionof theseprotectivematerials,the rate
of degradationincreasesand the item more rapidlyapproachesthe end of its
servicelife.

3.3 Elastomer. An elastomerisa substancewhichmaintainsit structural

integrityundermechanicalstressand which rapidlyand forciblyresumesits
originalshapeupon removalof the stress. The physicaland chemicalproperty
valuesof an elastomerare dependentupon its temperature,its threedimen-
sionalmolecularnetworkstructureand the presenceor absenceof fillersand
other additives.

3.4 Rubber. Rubberis a naturallyoccur,ing materialthatcan be or alreadyhas

been vulcanizedinto a state in which it has high extensibilityand forciblerapid
retraction.By commonuseageit has come to mean any elastomer. The teri
l*elastomerl
includesnaturalrubber.

3.5 Cure date The date (see 5.3) when the mixturecontainingthe high
molecularweightpolymer:the crosslinkingagentaqd additivesis chemically
reactedusuallyat ~ elevatedtemperatureto producea curedbulk elastomeric
productor is cured and moldedsimult~eouslyto producean elastomericend item.
3.6 Bulk elastomericproduct., This productis a curedbulk elastomeric
substancethat, by itself,has no usefulpurposeuntil shapedor formedto
createa usefulend item.

3.7 Elastomericend item. An elastomericend item is a piece so formed

and shapedas to performa designedfunctionand includeshoses and O-rings.

3.8 part. A part is one piece,or two or more pieces joinedtogether

which a=ot normallysubjectto disassemblywithoutdestructionof the
designeduse.
I
3.9 Bulk hose. Bulk hose is a flexibleconduitof circularcrosss@ction
withoutcouplingsor fittingsinstalled,usuallyconsistingof an inner tube,
reinforcementand an outer cover. The
,, inner tube and outer cover are often
elastomers.

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MIL-STD-1523A

3.10 Hose assembly. A hose assemblyis a bulk hose cut to a specificlength

with a couplingor fittingattachedto one or each end.

3.11 Assembly. An assemblyis a numberof items or parts or any combination

thereofjoinedtogetherto performa specificfunctionand capableof disassembly.

3.12 Uninstalled.Uninstalleddesignatesend items that are not yet intro-

duced into the site where theywill performtheir designedfunctions. \

3.13 Installed. Installeddesignatesend items joinedto otherparts to

form assembliesor componentsofferedfor acceptanceon a contractfor such
assemblies,componentsor completesystems.

3.14 Acceptance. Acceptanceis the act of an authorizedrepresentative

of the Governmentby which the Governmentassumesfor itself,or as the
agent of another,owershipof existingand identifiedsupplies.

3.15 Acceptancedate. The acceptancedate is the specificdate (day,month,

year) that the acceptanceas definedin 3.14 occurs. The date of acceptance
is to be clearlydefinedby contractor negoitatedagreement.

3.16 Servicelife. The servicelife of an elastomerichose assemblyor O-ring

is the time elapsedbetweenits acceptancedate and its date of failureor
replacement.

3.17 System life. The systemlife is the time elapsedfrom the starting
date of the developmentphase for developmentequipmentor the production
phase for productionequipmentto the date of obsolescenceof the system.

4. GENERALREQUIREMENTS

4.1 Usage. This staudardshall apply to contractorssupplying:

militaryaircraftand missiles,milita~ aircraftand missileenginesand
their components,and spacevehiclesto the rflvernment.Governmentacquiring
activitiesshalluse the maximumage limitationsand workingrequirements
specifiedhereinwhen initiatingacquisitiondocuments. This standarddoes
not applyto contractsbetweenprime and subcontractors or betweensubcon-
tractors. The ages of elastomericitems acquiredby subcontractorsshallbe
-controlledby the contractsbetweenthe prime and subcontractors
or between
subcontractors.Ages of itemsin acquisitionsfor systemmaintenanceshallbe
determinedby: failurerates in serviceuse, remainingsystem life,
availability of productsand othermanagementconstraints.This docunqt shall
not be invoked after acceptanceof itemsby a Governmentacquiringactivity.

5. -DETAILED
REQUIREMENTS
5.1
- Conditions.

- The maximumage of elastomericitems at the time of
acceptanceby the Governmentacquiringactivityas given in Table I shall
applyonly when the followingconditionsare met:

(a) Thehoseor O-ringmeets the performance,packagingand marking

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cited in 2.1.

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~L-STD-1523A

(b) The elastomericitem wisnot subjectedto any of the deleterious

influencesgiven in 3.2. Packagingin accordancewith the specification
shouldprovidethisprotection. Storagetemperatures shallnot have
exceeded125F.

(c) The cure date of the item is known and is availableto the
acceptor. Itemswith unkown cure dates shallnot be accepted.

5.2 Maximumage limitations.The maximumage of elastomericitemsat .

the time of acceptanceby the Governmentacquirtigactivityshallbe as
given in Table I:

Table I

Elastomerichoses - quartersfrom cure date - 32

ElastomericO-rings - quartersfrom cure date - 40

MaximumAge At Acceptanceby a GovernmentAcquiringActivity

5.3 Cure date marking. In accordancewith I!IL-STD-129,

the cure date
shallbe markedby quarterand year. The year shallbe dividedinto
quartersas follows:

1St quarter- January,February,March

2nd quarter- April,May, June
3rd quarter- July,August,September
4th quarter- October,November,December

5.3.1 ~. Elastomericitems and productsmanufacturedduringany given -

quartershall not be consideredone quarterold until the end of the
succeedingquarter.

Examples: A productcuredduringJanuary,Feburary,or March of

any year will not be consideredone quarterold until July 1 of that same
year. A productcuredduringOctober,November,or Decemberof any year
will riotbe consideredone quarterold until April 1 of the folowingyear.

5.3.2 Uninstalleditem age control. Age controlof uninstalledelastomeric

itemsshallbe based on the cure date. Cure date shallbe markedon containers
h accordancewith MIIATD-129.

5.3.3 Assmbly age control. Age controlof an assemblyshallbe basedon

the cure date of its oldestelastomericcomponent. The cure date shallbe
physicallymarkedon the assemblyin accordancewith MIL-STD-129.

5.3.4 Shippingcontainermarkings. Shippingcontainersshall be markedin

accordancewith MIL-STD-129.

5.3.4.1 Hose assemblies. Unit, intermediate, and shippingcontainers

containtighose assembliesor componentsthat includehose or hose assemb-
lies shallbemarkedwith the cure date of the oldesthose assemblycontained
thereinfor each hose or hose assemblyspecificationlistedon the container. ...
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MIL-STD-1523A

.. .. 5.3.4.2 Mixed categoriesof elastomericmaterial. Unit, intermediate, and

shippingcontainerscontainingcomponentsthat includemixed categoriesof
elastomericmaterialand hose and hose assembliesshall be markedwith the
cure date of the oldestitem containedthereinfor each specificationlisted
on the container.

5.4 StorWe conditions. Elastomericitems,products,and assemblies

shallbe protectedfrom circulatingair, sunlight,fuel, oil, water,dust,,
and
ozone (whichis generatedby electricarc, fluorescentlamps,and similar
electricalequipment.) The storagetemperatureshall not exceed125F.

6. NOTES

6.1 Additionaltables. Requestfor generationof additionaltablesmay be

made by using the self-addressed
DD Form 1426 appearingat the end of this
documentor by letter.

6.2 Supersessioninformation.MIL-STD-1523Aincludesthe requirementsof

and supersedesMIL-STD-1523and ANA BulletingNo 438c, dated 15 February
1965; Naval Sea SystemsCommand(CodeIdent 10001)weaponsrequirements
WI-64,dated 11 December1964;and Naval Sea SystemsCommand(CodeIdent
10001) purchasedescriptions 8040C,dated 14 November1969.

6.3 changesfrom previousissue. Asterisksare not used in this revision

to identifychangeswith respectto the previousissue due to the extensi-
venessof the changes.

custodians: PreparingActivity:
Navy - OS Navy - OS
Air Force - 99
Army- ME projectNo. 5330-0498

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STANDARDIZATION DOCUMENT IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL

(SeeInstructions
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NUMOER 2.00CUMENTTITLE (ForAerospaceApplications)
MIL-STD-1523A Age Controls of A~eSensitive Elastomeric Materiel
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