Overview
ISO 4080:2024 specifies standardized test methods for determining the permeability to gas of rubber and plastics hoses, tubing and their assemblies. The standard defines three complementary methods to measure the volume of gas diffusing through hose/tubing walls and interfaces over a specified time:
- Method 1 - permeability of the hose/tubing wall (excluding end fittings)
- Method 2 - permeability at the hose-to-fitting interface
- Method 3 - permeability of the complete assembly including end fittings
ISO 4080:2024 updates earlier editions and provides a consistent framework for laboratory testing, data reporting and comparison of gas permeability for gas-service hoses and tubing.
Key Topics and Requirements
- Test methods: clear procedural steps for Method 1, Method 2 and Method 3, including specimen preparation, immersion and gas collection arrangements.
- Test pieces: specified test lengths (e.g. 1 m for Methods 1 and 2; minimum 0.5 m for Method 3), requirements for end fittings and cover conditions.
- Apparatus: required equipment includes a regulated gas supply, calibrated pressure gauge/transducer, water bath, gas-collecting apparatus (collecting troughs/funnels or transparent tubes), barometer and thermometers.
- Test conditions: default ambient and bath temperature of 23 °C ± 2 °C (unless otherwise specified); default test pressure 1 MPa unless agreed otherwise; conditioning of test pieces per ISO 23529 (at least 3 h) before testing.
- Procedure highlights: purge and seal specimen, check for leaks, maintain test pressure for at least 24 h before steady-state collection, and repeat measurements until reproducibility criteria (e.g., two successive readings within 5%) are met.
- Limitations: water‑soluble gases cannot be quantified by the methods described.
- Results and reporting: guidance on expressing gas-permeability results and the required test-report content are provided.
Applications and Who Uses It
ISO 4080:2024 is used by:
- Hose and tubing manufacturers for product development and quality control
- Independent testing laboratories performing permeability, leak-rate and conformity testing
- OEMs and system integrators specifying hoses for gas delivery (industrial gases, medical, HVAC, automotive, etc.)
- Procurement, regulatory bodies and certification agencies requiring documented gas-permeability performance
Practical applications include assessing leak risk, selecting compatible materials and end fittings for gas service, verifying assembly integrity, and comparing products across suppliers.
Related Standards
- ISO 8330 - Rubber and plastics hoses and hose assemblies: vocabulary (terms and definitions referenced)
- ISO 23529 - Rubber: procedures for preparing and conditioning test pieces
Keywords: ISO 4080:2024, gas permeability, rubber and plastics hoses and tubing, permeability to gas, gas-permeability testing, hose assemblies, Method 1 Method 2 Method 3.
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