ASTM D3748-03

Standard Practice for Evaluating High-Density Rigid Cellular Plastics

ABSTRACT
This practice covers the basic test procedures for the determination of the physical properties and the reporting of data for high-density rigid cellular plastics. Samples shall be prepared by either processing samples directly into proper size specimens, or by preparing samples from larger sections as specified in each individual test. Since cellular plastics are often nonuniform in density distribution, a minimum of five specimens shall, therefore, be tested per testing method to obtain representative values. The test methods covered here are to examine the following material properties: apparent density; compressive strength; tensile properties; coefficient of linear thermal expansion; apparent flexural properties; deflection temperature; dielectric breakdown voltage and dielectric strength; thermal conductivity; and water absorption rate.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the basic test procedures for determination of the physical properties and reporting of data for high-density rigid cellular plastics.
1.2 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—This practice and ISO Standard 9054 are not technically equivalent.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Sep-2003
• ICS: 83.080.20 - Thermoplastic materials
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.22 - Cellular Materials - Plastics and Elastomers

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D3748-98 - Standard Practice for Evaluating High-Density Rigid Cellular Thermoplastics
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-2003
• Replaced By: ASTM D3748-09 - Standard Practice for Evaluating High-Density Rigid Cellular Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2009

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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 3748–03
Standard Practice for
1
Evaluating High-Density Rigid Cellular Plastics
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3748; 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.
1. Scope* D 695 Test Method for Compressive Properties of Rigid
Plastics
1.1 This practice covers the basic test procedures for deter-
D 696 Test Method for Coefficient of Linear Thermal Ex-
mination of the physical properties and reporting of data for
pansion of Plastics between -30°C and 30°C with a
high-density rigid cellular plastics.
Vitreous Silica Dilatometer
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
D 790 TestMethodsforFlexuralPropertiesofUnreinforced
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
D 883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
D 1622 Test Method forApparent Density of Rigid Cellular
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Plastics
NOTE 1—This practice and ISO Standard 9054 are not technically
equivalent.
3. Significance and Use
3.1 This practice provides appropriate testing methods, and
2. Referenced Documents
a specific data reporting procedure for high-density rigid
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
cellular plastics.
C 177 Test Method for Steady-State Heat-Flux Measure-
ments and Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of
4. Terminology
the Guarded Hot Plate Apparatus
4.1 Definitions:
C 518 Test Method for Steady-State Heat-Flux Measure-
4.1.1 cellular plastics—plastics containing numerous small
ments and Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of
cavities (cells), interconnecting or not, distributed throughout
Heat Flow Meter Apparatus
the mass. These cells cannot be mechanically assembled, but
D 149 Test Method for Dielectric Breakdown Voltage and
are produced through the “in situ” plastics processing methods.
Dielectric Strength of Solid Electrical Insulating Materials
4.1.2 density, apparent—the mass, in air, of a unit volume
at Commercial Power Frequencies
of a material.
D 570 Test Method for Water Absorption of Plastics
3 3
4.1.3 high density—greater than 320 kg/m (0.32 g/cm)or
D 618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
3
20 lb/ft apparent density.
D 638 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics
4.1.4 rigid—having an apparent flexural modular greater
D 648 Test Method for Deflection Temperature of Plastics
than 689.5 MPa [100 000 psi] when tested at 23°C in accor-
Under Flexural Load
dance with Test Methods D 790.
4.1.5 skin—a relatively dense layer at the surface of a
cellular polymeric material.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and
4.1.6 For definitions of other terms used in this practice,
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.22 on Cellular Materials—Plastics
refer to Terminology D 883.
and Elastomers.
Current edition approved September 10, 2003. Published November 2003.
5. Sample Preparation
Originally approved in 1978. Last previous edition approved in 1998 as
D 3748 – 98.
5.1 Prepare samples in one of two ways:
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM Web Site, www.astm.org, or
(a) process samples directly into proper size specimens, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
(b) prepare samples from larger sections as specified in
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM web site. each individual test.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
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D 3748–03
5.2 Report the precise manner of sample preparation. 8.10 Water Absorption Rate—Test Method D 570.
6. Conditioning
9. Report
6.1 Condition specimens prior to testing in accordance with
9.1 Report the following information:
Procedure A of Practice D 618.
9.1.1 Complete identification of the tested material as to
material supplier and nomenclature, source of samples, lot or
7. Number of Test Specimens
run number, and type of part.
7.1 Cellular plastics are often nonuniform in density distri-
9.1.2 Type of manufacturing process used to make the part,
bution; therefore, a minimum of five specimens needs to be
for example, extrusion, injection molding, casting, etc.
tested per testing method to obtain representative values.
9.1.3 Technique used to prepare the test specimen
...