ASTM D6109-03

Standard Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastic Lumber

SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of flexural properties of plastic lumber with rectangular or square cross-sections. The test specimens are whole "as manufactured" pieces without any altering or machining of surfaces beyond cutting to length. As such, this is a test method for evaluating the properties of plastic lumber as a product and not a material property test method. Flexural strength cannot be determined for those products that do not break or that do not fail in the extreme outer fiber.
1.2 Test Method A—designed principally for products in the flat or "plank" position.
1.3 Test Method B—designed principally for those materials in the edgewise or "joist" position.
1.4 Plastic lumber is currently made predominately with recycled plastics where the product is non-homogeneous in the cross-section. However, this test method would also be applicable to similar manufactured plastic products made from virgin resins or other plastic composite materials.
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulator limitations prior to use.
Note 1—There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Mar-2003
• ICS: 83.140.01 - Rubber and plastics products in general
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.20 - Plastic Lumber

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D6109-97e1 - Standard Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastic Lumber
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2003
• Replaced By: ASTM D6109-05 - Standard Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastic Lumber and Related Products
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2005
• Referred By: ASTM D6662-22 - Standard Specification for Polyolefin-Based Plastic Lumber Decking Boards
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D7031-11(2019) - Standard Guide for Evaluating Mechanical and Physical Properties of Wood-Plastic Composite Products
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D7032-21 - Standard Specification for Establishing Performance Ratings for Wood-Plastic Composite and Plastic Lumber Deck Boards, Stair Treads, Guards, and Handrails
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D7568-23 - Standard Specification for Polyethylene-Based Structural-Grade Plastic Lumber for Outdoor Applications
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D7258-23 - Standard Specification for Polymeric Piles
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2003

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:D 6109–03
Standard Test Methods for
Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastic
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Lumber
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 6109; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
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1. Scope* D 618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
3
D 883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of flexural
D 4000 Classification System for Specifying Plastic Mate-
properties of plastic lumber with rectangular or square cross-
4
rials
sections. The test specimens are whole “as manufactured”
D5033 GuidefortheDevelopmentofStandardsRelatingto
pieces without any altering or machining of surfaces beyond
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the Proper Use of Recycled Plastics
cutting to length. As such, this is a test method for evaluating
D 5947 Test Methods for Physical Dimensions of Solid
the properties of plastic lumber as a product and not a material
5
Plastics Specimens
property test method. Flexural strength cannot be determined
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E 4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
for those products that do not break or that do not fail in the
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
extreme outer fiber.
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Determine the Precision of a Test Method
1.2 Test Method A—designedprincipallyforproductsinthe
flat or “plank” position.
3. Terminology
1.3 Test Method B—designedprincipallyforthosematerials
3.1 Definitions: Definitions of terms applying to these test
in the edgewise or “joist” position.
methods appear in Terminology D883 and Guide D5033.
1.4 Plastic lumber is currently made predominately with
3.1.1 plastic lumber, n—a manufactured product composed
recycledplasticswheretheproductisnon-homogeneousinthe
ofmorethan50weightpercentresin,andinwhichtheproduct
cross-section. However, this test method would also be appli-
generally is rectangular in cross-section and typically supplied
cable to similar manufactured plastic products made from
in board and dimensional lumber sizes, may be filled or
virgin resins or other plastic composite materials.
unfilled, and may be composed of single or multiple resin
1.5 Thevaluesstatedininch–poundunitsaretoberegarded
blends.
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
3.1.2 plastic shape, n—a manufactured product composed
information only.
ofmorethan50weightpercentresin,andinwhichtheproduct
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
generally is not rectangular in cross-section, may be filled or
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
unfilled, and may be composed of single or multiple resin
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
blends.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.1.3 resin, n—solid or pseudosolid organic material often
bility of regulator limitations prior to use.
of high molecular weight, that exhibits a tendency to flow
NOTE 1—There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.
when subjected to stress, usually has a softening or melting
range, and usually fractures conchoidally. (See Terminology
2. Referenced Documents
D883.)
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.1.3.1 Discussion—In a broad sense, the term is used to
D 198 Methods of Static Tests of Lumber in Structural
designate any polymer that is a basic material for plastics.
2
Sizes
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on
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Plastics and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.20 on Plastic Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01.
4
Products (Section D20.20.01). Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.02.
5
Current edition approved March 10, 2003. Published April 2003. Originally Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.03.
6
approved in 1997. Last previous edition approved in 1997 as D6109-97. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.01.
2 7
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.10. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
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D 6109–03
4. Summary of Test Method If significant indentation or compressive failure occurs or is
observed at the point where the loading noses contact the
4.1 A specimen of rectangular cross section is tested in
specimen, then the radius of the loading noses should be
flexure as a beam as follows:
increased up to 1.5 times the specimen depth. The arc of the
4.1.1 The bar rests on two supports and is loaded at two
loading nose in contact with the specimen shall be sufficiently
...