ASTM D4246-14 (2020) PDF

Full title and description

Standard Specification for Ozone-Resistant Thermoplastic Elastomer Insulation for Wire and Cable, 90 °C Operation — Designation D4246-14 (reapproved 2020). This specification defines requirements for an ozone‑resistant thermoplastic elastomer compound used as insulation on electrical wire and cable (14 AWG and larger) intended for continuous dry‑location service at conductor temperatures up to 90 °C, with specified electrical and physical tests and minimum installation temperature limits.

Abstract

This short specification sets physical and electrical performance requirements for thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) insulating compounds. Key requirements include tensile strength and elongation before and after aging, limits on heat distortion, insulation thickness, and prescribed electrical testing (AC voltage, insulation resistance, DC voltage in that order when specified). The insulation must resist cracking on cold‑bend tests and show no cracking or surface checking after exposure to the prescribed ozone concentration. The standard is brief (2 pages) and intended to be used by manufacturers, test laboratories, and specifiers to confirm insulation material performance on insulated wire or cable samples rather than on bare compounds alone.

General information

• Status: Active (D4246-14 reapproved 2020).
• Publication date: Originally published/approved 2014; reapproved and issued as D4246-14(2020) / D4246-14R20 (effective 2020).
• Publisher: ASTM International.
• ICS / categories: 29.035.20 (Plastic and rubber insulating materials).
• Edition / version: D4246-14 (Reapproved 2020) — often shown as D4246-14(2020) or D4246-14R20.
• Number of pages: 2.

Scope

The specification covers an ozone‑resistant insulating compound composed substantially of a thermoplastic elastomer for use on electrical wires and cables 14 AWG and larger. It applies to insulation intended for continuous operation at conductor temperatures not exceeding 90 °C in dry locations, with operating voltages not to exceed 2000 V and a minimum installation temperature of −40 °C. Tests described are performed on insulated conductors to determine insulation properties rather than to evaluate conductors or completed cable assemblies.

Key topics and requirements

• Physical property limits (examples): minimum tensile strength and elongation at rupture; retention of tensile/elongation after aging (specified percent of unaged value); heat‑distortion/softening limits.
• Electrical testing sequence and requirements: AC voltage withstand, insulation resistance (minimum corresponding to a specified constant), and DC voltage tests when called for; tests are performed on insulated wire or cable samples.
• Aging and environmental tests: air‑oven thermal aging (typical condition referenced in the standard), cold‑bend/crack resistance, and ozone exposure test for surface checking or cracking.
• Dimensional and construction: prescribed minimum insulation thicknesses by conductor size and acceptance criteria for finished insulated conductors.
• Intended operating limits: continuous dry operation to 90 °C, maximum nominal voltage up to 2000 V, minimum installation temperature −40 °C.

Typical use and users

Used by wire and cable manufacturers, material suppliers (TPE compound producers), independent testing laboratories, OEMs specifying wire/cable for electrical equipment, procurement/specification engineers, and standards committees. Typical applications include insulated power and control conductors where ozone resistance and 90 °C continuous operation in dry locations are required.

Related standards

This specification references and is used alongside ASTM test methods and related specifications such as Test Methods D470 (test voltages and methods for rubber/insulations) and other cable insulation standards (for example, related ASTM specifications for ozone‑resistant insulations and variants covering wet‑location service). It is maintained under ASTM Committee D09 (Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials, Subcommittee D09.07).

Keywords

ozone‑resistant, thermoplastic elastomer, TPE insulation, wire insulation, cable insulation, 90 °C operation, AC voltage test, DC voltage test, insulation resistance, aging, cold bend, D4246-14

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: A short ASTM specification (Designation D4246-14, reapproved 2020) that defines performance and test requirements for ozone‑resistant thermoplastic elastomer insulation used on electrical wire and cable rated for 90 °C dry operation.

Q: What does it cover?

A: Physical, electrical and environmental test criteria for the insulation compound and insulated conductor samples — tensile and elongation before and after aging, heat distortion limits, specified electrical tests (AC, insulation resistance, DC), cold‑bend and ozone exposure resistance, and dimensional/thickness requirements by conductor size.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Wire and cable manufacturers, material suppliers, test laboratories, OEMs and specification writers who need to confirm that a thermoplastic elastomer insulation meets ozone resistance and 90 °C dry‑location performance criteria.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The D4246-14 edition was reapproved in 2020 and is published as D4246-14(2020) / D4246-14R20; it is listed as active in ASTM’s records as of the 2020 reapproval. Users should confirm the current status with ASTM before final procurement or design to ensure no later revisions or withdrawals.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of ASTM Committee D09’s family of wire and cable insulation specifications and test methods. Related ASTM documents (for voltages, methods and alternate insulation types) are referenced within the standard and by adjacent designations addressing wet‑location service or other insulation materials.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: ozone‑resistant, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), insulation, wire, cable, 90 °C, aging, tensile, elongation, ozone exposure, AC test, DC test, insulation resistance, D4246