ASTM D7661 Determining Compatibility of Personal Lubricants with Natural Rubber Latex Condoms

Scope:

Contact with some lubricants, notably petroleum-based products, is known to cause natural rubber latex to weaken. The ASTM D7661 testing process was created to help lubricant producers test if a particular personal lubricant substantially impacted the tensile and airburst characteristics of an NRL condom.

Procedure:

As per ASTM D7661 testing, after 60 minutes of immersion in a liquid or gel lubricant, the change in tensile and airburst characteristics of non-lubricated NRL condoms and condom rings, especially force at break, percent elongation at break, airburst pressure, and airburst volume are examined. Condoms and condom rings are submerged in a personal lubricant, heated to body temperature, and then cleaned of excess lubricant. The tensile, and airburst qualities are evaluated. These features are then compared to condoms and rings that were not lubricated and made to undergo the same processes. Baseline testing is also done on condoms straight from their packets for comparison purposes. To confirm the laboratory’s test procedure, a final group is exposed to mineral oils.

Specimen size:

For ASTM D7661 testing, the specimen should be conditioned at 40°C for 60 minutes.

Data:

For each group of rings and condoms, the mean and standard deviation of the breaking force (N), elongation at break (%), burst pressure (kPa), and burst volume (L) are measured.

Conclusion:

The ASTM D7661 testing process was created to help lubricant producers test if a particular personal lubricant substantially impacted the tensile and airburst characteristics of an NRL condom.