ASTM D7711-11e1

Standard Guide for Description of Polymer Pellet Defects

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This guide is intended to provide terminology for both suppliers and users of polymer pellets to ensure mutual understanding in discussions concerning pellet defects. It is not an absolute standard but is to be referred to when issues with the quality and/or description of the polymeric materials arise.
The guide is categorized according to the best fit for the term and its description for ease of finding certain description types.
Some terms within this guide do not apply to all resin types. It is the user’s responsibility to determine if the term and its subsequent definition are applicable to the material in question.
Other terminology relating to polymers that are not included in this document can be found in additional standards such as Terminology D883.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide is a compilation of terms used to describe defects of polymeric pellets. Terms that are generally understood or defined adequately in Terminology D883 or in other readily available sources are not included.
1.2 Not every term is applicable to every type of pellet. Terms which apply to transparent pellets, for example, do not always apply to translucent or opaque pellets.
1.3 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 regulatory limitations prior to use.
Note 1—There is no known ISO equivalent to this guide.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Aug-2011
• ICS: 83.080.01 - Plastics in general
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.92 - Terminology

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D7711-11 - Standard Guide for Description of Polymer Pellets Including Defects
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2011

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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
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Designation: D7711 − 11
StandardGuide for
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Description of Polymer Pellet Defects
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7711; 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.
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´ NOTE—Title was editorially corrected in October 2011.
1. Scope 3.2.1 die pearls, n—non-degraded particles that build up
and break off of the die.
1.1 This guide is a compilation of terms used to describe
3.2.2 drools—see die pearls
defects of polymeric pellets. Terms that are generally under-
3.2.3 fines, n—very small particles, dust, or unattached
stood or defined adequately in Terminology D883 or in other
tails.
readily available sources are not included.
3.2.4 foreign material contamination, n—of pellets, any
1.2 Not every term is applicable to every type of pellet.
material in, on, or around the pellets that emanates from an
Terms which apply to transparent pellets, for example, do not
external source and has a composition different than that of the
always apply to translucent or opaque pellets.
pellet; also known as trash if it can be picked up separately.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.2.5 oxidized pellet, n—pellet with a deep yellow, brown,
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
red, or black particle present.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2.6 polymer cross-contamination, n—of pellets, unin-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
tentional mixture of two or more dissimilar resins or com-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
pounds; generally apparent by comparing key properties such
as pellet geometry, color, opacity, or hardness.
NOTE 1—There is no known ISO equivalent to this guide.
3.2.7 speck contamination on/in, n—of a pellet, small
2. Referenced Documents pinpoint particles of discolored matter, internal or external,
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which can sometimes rub off; includes, but is not limited to:
2.1 ASTM Standards:
black, brown, yellow, or white specks.
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
3.3 Pellet Size and Shape Defects and Terms:
3. Terminology and Definitions
NOTE 3—Polymeric pellets are of many shapes.These include cylinders
3.1 Pellet Color Defects and Terms:
(formed by a strand pelletizer), spheres (underwater-face cut), and
sliver-like pieces (hot-face cut).
NOTE 2—Not all color defect terminology is applicable to all pellet
3.3.1 agglomerates, n—of pellets, thoroughly fused accu-
types.
mulation of pellets.
3.1.1 discoloration, n—of a pellet, any deviation from the
3.3.2 angel hair, n—thin, fiber or thread-like strands of
product’s normal color.
polymer.
3.1.2 opaque center pellet, n—pellet that is translucent or
3.3.3 clumps—see agglomerates
slightly translucent and has a less clear/more opaque center by
3.3.4 clusters, n—of pellets, three or more pellets fused
comparison to the remainder of the pellet.
together; only referred to as triples when there are three distinct
3.1.3 striped pellet, n—pellet containing a stripe of a
pellets.
different color than the remainder of the pellet.
3.3.5 daisy chains, n—of pellets, two or more pellets joined
3.2 Pellet Contamination Defects and Terms:
together “chain-like” by strands of polymer; can be separated
to form pellets with tails.
3.3.6 doubles—see marriages
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This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and
3.3.7 globs—see agglomerates
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.92 on Terminology.
3.3.8 marriages, n—of pellets, two pellets fused together.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2011. Published October 2011. DOI:10.1520/
D7711-11.
3.3.9 pellet non-uniformity, n—pellets that deviate from
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
normal size-range and shape; for example, undersized or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
oversized, over-length, not round, flattened on one or both
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. ends, or smashed.
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D7711 − 11
3.3.10 snake skins, n—long, thin, film-like pieces of understanding in discussions concerning pellet defects. It is not
polymer, or a build-up that looks like a shed snake skin when an absolute standard but is to be referred to when issues with
it comes free.
the quality and/or description of the polymeric materials arise.
3.3.11 streamers—see snake skins
4.2 Th
...