ASTM D3530/D3530M-97(2003)

Standard Test Method for Volatiles Content of Composite Material Prepreg

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method is used to obtain the volatiles content of composite material prepreg. Knowledge of the volatiles content is useful in developing optimum manufacturing processes.
The volatiles content is determined after exposure to the nominal cure or consolidation temperature.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the volatiles content, in weight percent of composite material prepregs. This standard focuses on composites with thermosetting resins that tend to lose a few percent of the matrix mass when heated due to loss of both retained water and low molecular weight matrix constituents that volatilize during heating.
1.2 Use of this test method is limited to maximum temperature of circulating air ovens (approximately 300°C).
1.3 Use of this test method is limited to temperatures below which the matrix flows from the reinforcement.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard.
1.5 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. Specific precautionary statements are given in Section 8.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2003
• ICS: 83.120 - Reinforced plastics
• Technical Committee: D30 - Composite Materials
• Drafting Committee: D30.03 - Constituent/Precursor Properties

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D3530/D3530M-97 - Standard Test Method for Volatiles Content of Composite Material Prepreg
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2003
• Replaced By: ASTM D3530/D3530M-97(2008) - Standard Test Method for Volatiles Content of Composite Material Prepreg
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2008

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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:D3530/D3530M–97 (Reapproved 2003)
Standard Test Method for
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Volatiles Content of Composite Material Prepreg
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3530/D3530M; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope 3. Terminology
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the vola- 3.1 Definitions—TerminologyD3878definestermsrelating
tilescontent,inweightpercentofcompositematerialprepregs. to composite materials. Terminology D883 defines terms
This standard focuses on composites with thermosetting resins relating to plastics. Practice E177 defines terms relating to
that tend to lose a few percent of the matrix mass when heated statistics.Intheeventofaconflictbetweenterms,Terminology
due to loss of both retained water and low molecular weight D3878 shall have precedence over other documents.
matrix constituents that volatilize during heating. 3.1.1 prepreg, n—the admixture of fibrous reinforcement
1.2 Use of this test method is limited to maximum tempera- andpolymericmatrixusedtofabricatecompositematerials.Its
ture of circulating air ovens (approximately 300°C). form may be sheet, tape, or tow. See Terminology D3878.
1.3 Use of this test method is limited to temperatures below 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
which the matrix flows from the reinforcement. 3.2.1 Volatiles Content, n—the amount of volatiles present
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as in a prepreg expressed as a weight percent.
standard. 3.3 Symbols:
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the 3.3.1 M—the initial mass of the sample.
i
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 3.3.2 M—the mass of the sample after oven exposure.
f
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 3.3.3 V —the weight percent volatiles content.
c
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4. Summary of Test Method
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precau-
4.1 Specimens of prepreg are weighed and then exposed to
tionary statements are given in Section 8.
elevated temperature, equal to the nominal cure or consolida-
2. Referenced Documents
tion temperature of the material, in an air circulating oven to
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2.1 ASTM Standards: remove the volatiles. The exposed samples are reweighed and
D833 Terminology Relating to Plastics the percent change in weight expressed as volatiles content.
D3529/D3529M Test Method for Matrix Solids Content
5. Significance and Use
and Matrix Content of Composite Prepreg
D3878 Terminology of Composite Materials 5.1 This test method is used to obtain the volatiles content
of composite material prepreg. Knowledge of the volatiles
E177 Practice for Use of Terms Precision and Bias in
ASTM Methods content is useful in developing optimum manufacturing pro-
cesses.
E1309 Guide for the Identification of Composite Materials
in Computerized Material Property Databases 5.2 Thevolatilescontentisdeterminedafterexposuretothe
nominal cure or consolidation temperature.
2.2 NFPA Standard:
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NFPA 86 Standard for Ovens and Furnaces
6. Interferences
6.1 Airflow—The amount of measured volatiles may be
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This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D30 on
increased or decreased by changing the velocity of airflow.
Composite Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D30.03 on
Since airflow in most ovens is not linear in each part, a
Constituent/Precursor Properties.
velometer should be used to measure airflow where samples
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2003. Published October 2003. Originally
approvedin1976.Lastpreviouseditionapprovedin1997asD3530/D3530M–97.
are placed. Samples should be placed only in positions of
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
known airflow so that results may be repeatable. Use of baffles
contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. ForAnnual Book ofASTM
has been found to even airflow between samples.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
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Available from National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch
Park, Quincy, MA 02269-9101.
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D3530/D3530M–97 (2003)
6.2 Sample Exposure—The geometric shape and position- 11. Conditioning
ing of the sample have an effect on the measured volatiles
11.1 Store ca
...