What Is Haltermann Liquid F ISO 1817 Reference Test Fluid?
Haltermann Liquid F ISO 1817 is a reference test fluid used to evaluate the resistance of rubber and elastomer materials to liquid exposure under controlled and repeatable laboratory conditions. It is relevant where an ISO 1817 procedure or an OEM/customer specification calls for a Liquid F-type reference medium.
What Is Liquid F ISO 1817?
ISO 1817 defines methods for evaluating the resistance of vulcanized and thermoplastic rubbers to liquids by measuring changes in material properties before and after immersion. The current edition is ISO 1817:2026. Its scope includes service liquids, petroleum derivatives, organic solvents, chemical reagents and reference test liquids.
Liquid F is one of the reference-media options used, where specified, to represent hydrocarbon, diesel or kerosene-like exposure in standardized testing. The aim is not to reproduce every commercial fuel exactly, but to provide a controlled medium for comparing elastomer compounds.
Why Is Haltermann Carless Relevant to Reference Test Fluids?
Haltermann Carless manufactures test and reference fuels and high-purity hydrocarbons for research, development, component testing and material testing. The company states that its ASTM test and reference fuels meet qualitative requirements associated with DIN, EN, ISO and ASTM methods and are used for testing elastomers, rubber and polymer materials.
Its Hamburg site specializes in test and reference fuels and includes an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratory. For reference-fluid testing, consistent production and defined properties help laboratories compare results across batches, locations and test periods.
Typical Uses of Liquid F
Liquid-resistance testing of rubber and elastomers
Material compatibility studies in diesel- or hydrocarbon-like environments
Comparative testing of O-rings, gaskets, seals and hoses
Quality-control testing of automotive and heavy-duty fuel-system components
R&D and elastomer formulation development
OEM or customer procedures that specify a Liquid F-type reference medium
Which Properties Can Be Evaluated?
Volume change and swelling
Mass change
Hardness change
Tensile strength and elongation
Dimensional stability
Surface cracking, softening, hardening or appearance changes
Is Liquid F the Same as Commercial Diesel Fuel?
No. Liquid F is a reference test medium. Its value is repeatability: commercial fuels can vary by region, season, additive package and production batch. A standardized reference liquid reduces these variables for comparative testing. Final validation may still require testing with the actual service fuel if the OEM or customer specification demands it.
Liquid F vs FAM Test Fluids
Liquid F and FAM-type fluids can serve different reference-test purposes. Liquid F is used where an ISO 1817-type procedure specifies that reference medium, while FAM A, FAM B or similar mixtures may be defined by other fuel-compatibility specifications. They should not be assumed to be interchangeable.
For FAM media, see What Are FAM Test Fluids?.
Difference from IRM 901, IRM 902 and IRM 903
IRM 901, IRM 902 and IRM 903 are mainly used as oil-like reference environments for comparing elastomer swelling and property changes. Liquid F is more relevant where a fuel/hydrocarbon reference medium is required. The correct test liquid depends on the applicable standard and the real service environment.
For the IRM series, read IRM 901 vs IRM 902 vs IRM 903.
Key Points in an ISO 1817 Test Plan
Verify the current edition of the applicable standard
Confirm that Liquid F is the specified immersion medium
Use the required test temperature and exposure duration
Control specimen dimensions and conditioning
Record test-fluid batch traceability
Measure volume, mass, hardness and mechanical properties with calibrated equipment
Use acceptance limits from the customer or OEM specification
Typical Application Areas
Automotive fuel-system components
Diesel-system seals and O-rings
Fuel and technical hoses
Industrial sealing elements
Technical rubber manufacturing
Elastomer R&D laboratories
Quality-control and product-validation laboratories
GataMerk Support for Haltermann Liquid F ISO 1817
GataMerk Endüstriyel provides product-selection, supply and technical guidance for Haltermann Liquid F ISO 1817 and other reference test fluids used in the rubber industry. For the broader range, read Testing Fluids and Chemicals Used in the Rubber Industry and explore our Rubber & Elastomer Testing category.
For the testing framework, see What Are ASTM D471 and ISO 1817?.
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