How To Read an ASTM D2000 Specification
ASTM D2000, formally titled "Standard Classification System for Rubber Products in Automotive Applications," is one of the most widely used rubber specifications across manufacturing industries. It was developed jointly by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), whose parallel standard, SAE J200, is for all practical purposes identical.
While the title references automotive applications, D2000 is used across automotive, aerospace, industrial, military, and marine applications wherever rubber compound properties need to be communicated precisely.
At VIP Rubber, we work with ASTM D2000 specifications regularly as part of producing custom rubber extrusions for customers across a broad range of industries. Understanding how to read a D2000 specification is critical for making the right material selection for each application. This guide breaks the specification down into its individual components so you can decode any D2000 call-out with confidence.
What Is an ASTM D2000 Line Call-Out?
Rather than listing every ingredient in a rubber compound, ASTM D2000 uses a shorthand system called a line call-out to define the physical performance requirements a rubber material must meet.
A complete line call-out looks like this:
ASTM D2000 M2BG714 B14 EA14 EF31 EO34 F17
Each segment has a specific meaning, and once you understand the structure, you can decode any D2000 call-out systematically. The sections below walk through each component using this example.
Breaking Down the ASTM D2000 Line Call-Out
1. The Standard Reference: ASTM D2000
The call-out begins with the document identifier. This tells you which standard governs the specification and where to find the full tables, test methods, and acceptance criteria. If you see "SAE J200" in place of "ASTM D2000," the requirements are effectively the same.
Some call-outs also include the revision year immediately after the standard number (for example, ASTM D2000-12 indicates the 2012 revision). This can matter when older specifications reference requirements that have since been updated.
2. Units of Measure
ASTM D2000 M2BG714 B14 EA14 EF31 EO34 F17
The letter M immediately following the standard reference indicates that metric units apply throughout the specification. Tensile strength values will be expressed in megapascals (MPa), and temperatures in degrees Celsius. If no M is present, English units are assumed, meaning tensile strength is expressed in pounds per square inch (psi). To convert MPa to psi, multiply the MPa value by 145.
3. Grade
ASTM D2000 M2BG714 B14 EA14 EF31 EO34 F17
The grade number indicates the extent of testing required beyond the basic material requirements. Grade 1 represents the most basic level, requiring the material to meet only fundamental physical property benchmarks. Grades 2 through 8 (or higher, depending on type) require progressively more rigorous testing. In our example, Grade 2 applies, meaning the material must meet the additional testing criteria defined for that grade level in the full D2000 document.
4. Type (Heat Resistance)
ASTM D2000 M2BG714 B14 EA14 EF31 EO34 F17
Type is the first letter of the two-letter Type/Class designation. It classifies the rubber based on its heat resistance, specifically how well it retains its physical properties after 70 hours of heat aging at a defined temperature. All rubber materials under ASTM D2000 must show, after heat aging at the Type temperature:
- Change in tensile strength: no more than ±30%
- Change in elongation: no more than -50%
- Change in hardness: no more than ±15 points
The test temperature for each Type designation is in the table.
In our example, Type B means the rubber must retain its properties after heat aging at 100°C.
| Type | Maximum Heat Aging Temperature (°C) |
| A | 70 |
| B | 100 |
| C | 125 |
| D | 150 |
| E | 175 |
| F | 200 |
| G | 225 |
| H | 250 |
| J | 275 |
| K | 300 |
5. Class (Oil/Fluid Swell Resistance)
ASTM D2000 M2BG714 B14 EA14 EF31 EO34 F17
Class is the second letter in the Type/Class pair. It classifies the rubber based on its resistance to volume swell when immersed in ASTM IRM No. 903 reference oil for 70 hours at the Type temperature (capped at 150°C, which is the stability limit of the test oil). A lower allowable swell percentage indicates a more oil-resistant material.
In our example, Class G means the rubber must not swell more than 40% when exposed to the reference oil under test conditions.
| Class | Maximum Volume Swell (%) |
| A | No requirement |
| B | 140 |
| C | 120 |
| D | 100 |
| E | 80 |
| F | 60 |
| G | 40 |
| H | 30 |
| J | 20 |
| K | 10 |
6. Type/Class Combined: What Polymer Does It Point To?
The Type and Class together often predict which polymer family will be required to meet the specification. The following table shows the most common polymer used for each Type/Class combination.
In our example, BG typically points to NBR or urethane compounds.
| Type/Class | Polymer Most Often Used |
| AA | Natural rubber, reclaimed rubber, SBR, butyl, EP, polybutadiene, polyisoprene |
| AK | Polysulfides |
| BA | Ethylene propylene, high temperature SBR, butyl |
| BC | Chloroprene (neoprene), CM |
| BE | Chloroprene (neoprene), CM |
| BF | NBR |
| BG | NBR, urethanes |
| BK | NBR |
| DH | Polyacrylic, HNBR |
| EE | AEM |
| EH | ACM |
| FC | Silicone (high strength) |
| FE | Silicone |
| FK | Fluorinated silicone |
| GE | Silicone |
| HK | Fluorinated elastomers (Viton, Fluorel) |
| KK | Perfluoro elastomers |
7. Hardness
ASTM D2000 M2BG714 B14 EA14 EF31 EO34 F17
The single digit immediately following the Type/Class designation specifies the required Shore A durometer hardness. The digit is multiplied by 10, with a tolerance of ±5. So a digit of 7 indicates a required hardness of 70 Shore A (acceptable range: 65 to 75).
8. Tensile Strength
ASTM D2000 M2BG714 B14 EA14 EF31 EO34 F17
The two digits following the hardness digit indicate the minimum required tensile strength. Because our example includes the M prefix, the value is in MPa. A value of 14 means the material must achieve a minimum tensile strength of 14 MPa (approximately 2,031 psi). Without the M prefix, the same digits would represent 1,400 psi.
9. Suffix Requirements
ASTM D2000 M2BG714 B14 EA14 EF31 EO34 F17
Suffix requirements are added to the call-out when the basic Type/Class requirements alone are not sufficient for a given application. Each suffix consists of one or two letters identifying the test type, followed by two digits. The first digit references the test duration and method; the second references the test temperature. For complete numeric tables, refer to Tables 4 and 5 of the ASTM D2000 document.
The suffix letter codes are as follows:
| Suffix | Test Required |
| A | Heat resistance |
| B | Compression set |
| C | Ozone or weather resistance |
| D | Compression-deflection resistance |
| EA | Water resistance |
| EF | Fuel resistance |
| EO | Oil and lubricant resistance |
| F | Low temperature resistance |
| G | Tear resistance |
| H | Flex resistance |
| J | Abrasion resistance |
| K | Adhesion |
| M | Flammability resistance |
| N | Impact resistance |
| P | Staining resistance |
| R | Resilience |
| Z | Any special requirement not covered in D2000 (described in detail) |
Breaking down our example suffixes:
- B14 - Compression set testing, 22-hour duration at 100°C
- EA14 - Water resistance testing at 100°C
- EF31 - Fuel resistance testing in Fuel C at 23°C
- EO34 - Oil and lubricant resistance testing at 150°C
- F17 - Low temperature resistance testing at -40°C
The Z suffix is used for requirements that fall outside the standard D2000 tables, such as a specific color requirement or a non-standard test temperature. Common examples include Z1 to specify an intermediate durometer (such as 75 Shore A ±5 rather than the standard 70 or 80) or Z2 to specify a color other than black.
A Note on Suffix Complexity and Cost
Adding suffix requirements tightens the specification and ensures the rubber compound will perform in demanding service conditions. However, each additional suffix increases the testing burden on the compounder. Rubber manufacturers may stock standard compounds that meet basic Type/Class call-outs, but a compound with a long suffix list may require custom formulation and additional qualification testing, which can affect lead time and cost. Specifying only the suffix requirements genuinely relevant to the application helps keep the process efficient.
Supporting ASTM Test Standards Referenced in D2000 Qualification
When a rubber compound is tested against an ASTM D2000 call-out, several additional ASTM standards govern the individual test methods used to measure performance. Understanding these standards gives you a clearer picture of how a material is evaluated and what each number in a data sheet actually represents.
ASTM D2000 - Classification System
The foundation of the entire specification system for rubber materials, used to classify elastomers by heat resistance (Type) and oil swell resistance (Class).
Hardness - ASTM D2240
Measures the hardness of vulcanized rubber using a durometer. Results are expressed on the Shore A scale for most elastomers. Hardness affects a material's ability to bear loads, maintain shape under compression, and resist surface deformation.
Tensile Strength - ASTM D412
Tests the rubber's strength under tension and measures elongation at break. Together, tensile strength and elongation help evaluate how a material will behave under mechanical stress before reaching its failure point.
Ozone Resistance - ASTM D1149
Tests a rubber compound's resistance to surface cracking and degradation when exposed to elevated ozone concentrations. This is particularly relevant for outdoor or underhood applications where ozone exposure is a known factor.
Electrical Resistivity - ASTM D991
Measures the electrical conductivity of a rubber compound. This is relevant in applications where electrostatic discharge or charge buildup must be controlled, such as certain industrial conveying or electronics manufacturing environments.
Working with ASTM D2000 Specifications at VIP Rubber
Whether you are sourcing rubber extrusions to an existing D2000 call-out or need help determining which material designation fits your application, VIP Rubber has the experience to guide you through the process. We work with a wide range of elastomers across the Type/Class spectrum and can manufacture custom profiles to meet the performance requirements defined in your specification.