Foreword

Publishing information

This British Standard is published by BSI Standards Limited, under licence from The British Standards Institution, and came into effect on 31 August 2012. It was prepared by Technical Committee PRI/22 Physical Testing of Rubber. A list of organizations represented on this committee can be obtained on request to its secretary.

Supersession

This British Standard supersedes BS 903‑0:2003, which is withdrawn.

Information about this document

BS 903 is the best-known British Standard for rubber and was first published as a compilation of test methods in 1940. It quickly developed an international reputation, especially in the Commonwealth and parts of Europe, and many of its methods were subsequently adopted as international (ISO) standards. Some individual parts of BS 903 remain but most test methods for rubber are now BS ISO standards which are no longer part of an easily recognizable series. This Part of BS 903 has been prepared to bring these test methods together. The work of Subcommittee ISO/TC 45/SC2, Rubber and rubber products - Testing and analyses, continues in reviewing and revising international standards and in developing new test methods and guides to keep abreast of changes and developments in technology, and in this the UK plays a leading and active role. As a consequence, the status of methods is continually changing, as new editions are published and new methods appear. It is therefore never possible for this Part of BS 903 to be completely up-to-date and this edition only provides a snapshot in time.

The methods in BS 903 were originally divided into four series of parts:

• the ‘A’ series for physical testing of rubber;
• the ‘B’ series for chemical tests for raw and vulcanized rubber;
• the ‘C’ series for determination of electrical properties; and
• the ‘D’ series for testing of ebonite.

The current methods for physical testing, including determination of electrical properties, are listed in this standard. The BS 903 ‘B’ series has been replaced by BS 7164. The BS 903 ‘D’ series has been withdrawn but certain test methods for plastics are applicable to ebonite (see BS 2782‑0).

Contractual and legal considerations

This publication does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.

Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity from legal obligations.

Amendments/corrigenda issued since publication

Date	Text affected

BS 903-0:2012

Physical testing of rubber - General

Current

Published:

31 Oct 2012