ASTM D6440-10(2018)

Standard Terminology Relating to Hydrocarbon Resins

SCOPE
1.1 The hydrocarbon resin industry continues to evolve from a source of replacement products for naturally-derived materials to industrial materials that have no naturally-derived counterparts. Along with this changing character of the industry, various manufacturing participants have introduced terms that have led to confusion among both manufacturers and consumers. This terminology standard is intended to alleviate that confusion and promote standard usage of terms in the hydrocarbon resin industry.  
1.2 Resins derived principally from natural terpene fractions are under the jurisdiction of D01.34.  
1.3 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Aug-2018
• ICS: 01.040.01 - Generalities. Terminology. Standardization. Documentation (Vocabularies)
• ICS: 83.080.20 - Thermoplastic materials
• Technical Committee: D01 - Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications
• Drafting Committee: D01.16 - Terminology

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D6440-10 - Standard Terminology Relating to Hydrocarbon Resins
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2018
• Referred By: ASTM D1726-11(2019) - Standard Test Methods for Hydrolyzable Chloride Content of Liquid Epoxy Resins
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2018
• Referred By: ASTM D4301-05(2019) - Standard Test Method for Total Chlorine in Epoxy Resins and Compounds
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2018
• Referred By: ASTM D1725-12(2019) - Standard Practice for Preparing Resin Solutions for Viscosity Measurement by Bubble Time Method
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2018
• Referred By: ASTM D16-23 - Standard Terminology for Paint, Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2018
• Referred By: ASTM D6267/D6267M-13(2022) - Standard Test Method for Apparent Viscosity of Hydrocarbon Resins at Elevated Temperatures
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2018
• Referred By: ASTM D6605-06(2020) - Standard Practice for Determining the Color Stability of Hydrocarbon Resins After Heating
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2018
• Referred By: ASTM D6579-11(2020) - Standard Practice for Molecular Weight Averages and Molecular Weight Distribution of Hydrocarbon, Rosin and Terpene Resins by Size-Exclusion Chromatography
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2018

Overview

ASTM D6440-10(2018): Standard Terminology Relating to Hydrocarbon Resins is a key standard published by ASTM International to establish clear, consistent definitions for terms used throughout the hydrocarbon resin industry. As the industry moves beyond producing substitutes for natural materials to creating unique industrial materials, inconsistent terminology has created confusion among manufacturers and consumers. This standard provides the foundational vocabulary necessary for effective communication, regulatory compliance, and supply chain management in the rapidly evolving hydrocarbon resin sector.

Key Topics

• Hydrocarbon Resins: Thermoplastic, low-molecular-weight amorphous polymers derived from petroleum, coal-tar, or terpene sources, often used in adhesives, inks, coatings, rubber processing, and more.
• Types of Resins:
  • Aliphatic resin: Produced by polymerization of aliphatic steam-cracker fractions.
  • Aromatic resin: Derived from heavy aromatic steam-cracker or coal-tar fractions.
  • Hydrogenated resin: Resins hydrogenated to reduce unsaturation, improving stability.
  • Dicyclopentadiene resin: Made by thermal polymerization of dicyclopentadiene streams.
  • Polyterpene resin: Produced from the polymerization of terpene fractions obtained from natural sources.
  • Pure monomer resin: Formed from essentially pure compounds like styrene.
  • Natural resin: Resins from vegetable or animal origin, including derivatives.
• Functional Properties:
  • Tackifying resin: Used to impart tack (stickiness) to finished products.
  • Reinforcing resin: Enhances performance characteristics in polymer blends.
  • Cloud point: Defined temperature where haze or cloudiness appears in a resin mixture.
  • Re-mass: The tendency of resins to form massive blocks during storage.
• Standardization Principles: Developed in line with international WTO TBT Committee guidelines for global compatibility and recognition.

Applications

ASTM D6440-10(2018) plays a crucial role across multiple sectors by:

• Facilitating Communication: Ensures manufacturers, suppliers, and end-users use shared, precisely defined hydrocarbon resin terminology.
• Supporting Technical Documentation: Provides a reference for technical datasheets, safety information, and supply contracts.
• Enhancing Product Development: Enables R&D teams to accurately specify and compare resin types and their properties.
• Ensuring Compliance and Quality: Helps companies align with regulatory and quality management frameworks.
• Streamlining Global Trade: By aligning with internationally recognized terminology, the standard eases international transactions and supply chain integration.

Industries that benefit from this standard include adhesives and sealants, coatings, rubber and plastics, printing inks, construction materials, and automotive manufacturing.

Related Standards

For comprehensive understanding and industry best practices, users should also consider:

• ASTM D01.34: For resins derived principally from natural terpene fractions.
• Other ASTM Terminology Standards: Such as ASTM D16 (Paint, Related Coatings, and Materials) for broader context.
• ISO and EN Standards: Related international terminology and classification standards in chemicals and polymers.
• Regulatory References: World Trade Organization (WTO) Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Agreement on standard development principles.

Conclusion

ASTM D6440-10(2018) is an essential terminology standard for industry professionals working with hydrocarbon resins. By establishing uniform language and definitions, it helps prevent miscommunication, supports regulatory consistency, and ensures high standards across production, trade, and application. It underpins global best practices for hydrocarbon resin manufacturing and usage, contributing to reliable supply chains, safer products, and efficient industrial operations.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D6440 − 10 (Reapproved 2018)
Standard Terminology Relating to
Hydrocarbon Resins
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6440; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope dicyclopentadiene resin, n—a resin produced by the thermal
polymerization of a concentrated dicyclopentadiene stream.
1.1 The hydrocarbon resin industry continues to evolve
from a source of replacement products for naturally-derived
hydrocarbon resin, n—in the context of such applications as
materials to industrial materials that have no naturally-derived
adhesives, inks, coatings, flooring and roofing formulations,
counterparts. Along with this changing character of the
and rubber processing aids, a thermoplastic, low-molecular-
industry, various manufacturing participants have introduced
weight, amorphous polymer that is either mined, or made by
termsthathaveledtoconfusionamongbothmanufacturersand
polymerization primarily from one or more of the following:
consumers. This terminology standard is intended to alleviate
certain steam-cracked petroleum fractions, coal-tar fractions,
that confusion and promote standard usage of terms in the
terpene fractions, and streams rich in unsaturated monomers
hydrocarbon resin industry.
that typically have five or more carbon atoms.
DISCUSSION—Typical hydrocarbon resins are brittle solids at room
1.2 Resins derived principally from natural terpene fractions
temperature, chemically similar semi-solid and liquid materials are
are under the jurisdiction of D01.34.
included by association. This term also covers derivatives of hydrocar-
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
bon resins.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
hydrogenated resin, n—a resin that has been subjected to
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
some degree of reaction with hydrogen to decrease the level
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
of residual unsaturation.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
natural resin, n—a resin of vegetable or animal origin.
DISCUSSION—This term includes rosins, wood extracts or paper
2. Terminology
manufacturing by-products, fossil resins, mined resin, secretion prod-
2.1 Definitions:
ucts from insects, and their main derivatives. In the context of
hydrocarbon resins, this refers to mined bituminous resins.
C aliphatic resin, n—a resin produced by the cationic
polymerization of a low-boiling aliphatic steam-cracker
polyterpene resin, n—a resin produced by the polymerization
fraction.
of terpene fractions or mixtures of terpenes obtained from
DISCUSSION—The principal monomers are typically cis- and trans-
naval stores, or paper pulp production, or citrus juice
piperylene (1,3–pentadiene).
production, or co
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