ASTM D2647-18(2024)

Standard Specification for Crosslinkable Ethylene Plastics

ABSTRACT
This specification covers a general classification system for crosslinkable ethylene plastics compounds. Two types of compounds are covered, namely, mechanical types in which mechanical strength properties are of prime importance in applications, and electrical types in which electrical insulating or conducting properties also are of prime importance in applications. These compounds shall be classified as: Type I; Type II; and Grade A. Tests shall be performed to determine the properties in accordance with the following test methods: conditioning; test conditions; ultimate elongation; elongation retention after aging; apparent modulus of rigidity; brittleness temperature; dielectric constant; dissipation factor; and degree of crosslinking.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers a general classification system for crosslinkable ethylene plastics compounds (Note 1). The requirements specified herein are not necessarily applicable for use as criteria in determining suitability for the end use of a fabricated product.
Note 1: It is to be noted that this specification describes materials that are available commercially in their uncrosslinked form. Therefore, they are crosslinkable compounds despite the fact that measurement of the parameters used for their classification and specification will usually be carried out after curing has been effected.  
1.2 Two types of compounds are covered, namely, mechanical types in which mechanical strength properties are of prime importance in applications, and electrical types in which electrical insulating or conducting properties also are of prime importance in applications.  
1.3 The parameters used to classify and specify the mechanical types are ultimate elongation, elongation retention after aging, apparent modulus of rigidity, and brittleness temperature.  
1.4 The parameters used to classify and specify the electrical types are ultimate elongation, elongation retention after aging, apparent modulus of rigidity, brittleness temperature, dielectric constant, dissipation factor, and volume resistivity.  
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
1.6 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the test methods portion, Section 7, of this specification: 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Note 2: There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.  
1.7 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-Jan-2024
• ICS: 83.080.20 - Thermoplastic materials
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.15 - Thermoplastic Materials

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D2647-18 - Standard Specification for Crosslinkable Ethylene Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2024
• Refers: ASTM D883-24 - Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2024
• Refers: ASTM D2765-16(2024) - Standard Test Methods for Determination of Gel Content and Swell Ratio of Crosslinked Ethylene Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2024
• Refers: ASTM D1043-16(2024) - Standard Test Method for Stiffness Properties of Plastics as a Function of Temperature by Means of a Torsion Test
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2024
• Refers: ASTM D883-23 - Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM D1043-16 - Standard Test Method for Stiffness Properties of Plastics as a Function of Temperature by Means of a Torsion Test
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2016
• Refers: ASTM D2765-16 - Standard Test Methods for Determination of Gel Content and Swell Ratio of Crosslinked Ethylene Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2016
• Referred By: ASTM D3004-08(2020) - Standard Specification for Crosslinked and Thermoplastic Extruded Semi-Conducting, Conductor, and Insulation Shielding Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2024

Overview

ASTM D2647-18(2024) - Standard Specification for Crosslinkable Ethylene Plastics provides a comprehensive classification system for crosslinkable ethylene plastics compounds. Developed by ASTM International, this standard addresses two primary types of ethylene compounds:

• Mechanical types, where mechanical strength is crucial to the intended application
• Electrical types, where electrical insulating or conducting properties take precedence

The standard covers compounds available commercially in their uncrosslinked form. It defines standard test methods and classification parameters used to characterize these materials after they are crosslinked (cured). ASTM D2647-18(2024) is essential for manufacturers, suppliers, and users of ethylene plastics in applications demanding tailored mechanical or electrical properties.

Key Topics

Classification of Crosslinkable Ethylene Plastics Compounds

• Types:

  • Type I: Mechanical compounds (focus on strength and durability)
  • Type II: Electrical compounds (focus on insulating or conductive properties)

• Grades:

  • Grades are detailed by type and property characteristics, using cell numbers that correspond to required levels of performance across several physical and electrical properties

Test Methods and Parameters

The standard specifies testing requirements for classification and specification including:

• Ultimate elongation (ASTM D638)
• Elongation retention after aging (ASTM D573)
• Apparent modulus of rigidity (ASTM D1043)
• Brittleness temperature (ASTM D746)
• Dielectric constant and dissipation factor (for electrical types, ASTM D150)
• Volume resistivity (ASTM D257, D991)
• Degree of crosslinking (ASTM D2765)
• Conditioning and environmental controls (ASTM D618)

Packaging, Inspection, and Certification

• Material must be packaged for safe transport and marked clearly with type, grade, and supplier information
• Sampling and statistical inspection methods are established to ensure consistent quality (referencing standards such as MIL-STD-105 for quality assurance in federal procurement)
• Certification requires statistical process control and periodic testing

Applications

ASTM D2647-18(2024) is widely utilized in the plastics industry to ensure reliable performance of crosslinkable ethylene plastics, especially where predictable mechanical and electrical performance after crosslinking is necessary. Typical practical applications include:

• Wire and cable insulation: Leveraging electrical compounds for excellent insulating properties and durability
• Automotive parts: Using mechanical types for components requiring high strength and flexibility
• Pipe and tubing: Ensuring long-term stability under various environmental conditions
• Electrical component housings: Taking advantage of tailored rigidity, resistivity, and elongation retention
• Industrial sheets and films: Where specific crosslinked properties are needed for mechanical or electrical applications

The standard is essential for procurement, quality assurance, and R&D teams in industries using crosslinkable ethylene plastics, promoting compatibility and performance in critical products.

Related Standards

For comprehensive testing and specification of crosslinkable ethylene plastics, ASTM D2647-18(2024) references several related ASTM standards, including:

• ASTM D638 - Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics
• ASTM D573 - Test Method for Rubber Deterioration in an Air Oven
• ASTM D1043 - Stiffness Properties of Plastics by Torsion Test
• ASTM D746 - Brittleness Temperature of Plastics and Elastomers
• ASTM D257 - DC Resistance or Conductance of Insulating Materials
• ASTM D150 - AC Loss Characteristics and Permittivity of Solid Electrical Insulation
• ASTM D2765 - Determination of Gel Content and Swell Ratio of Crosslinked Ethylene Plastics
• ASTM D618 - Conditioning Plastics for Testing
• ASTM D3892 - Packaging/Packing of Plastics
• ASTM D883 - Terminology Relating to Plastics

There is currently no known ISO equivalent to this standard.

Keywords: crosslinkable ethylene plastics, ASTM D2647, mechanical properties, electrical properties, volume resistivity, dielectric constant, elongation retention, plastics specification, crosslinked plastics testing, polymer standards

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: D2647 − 18 (Reapproved 2024)
Standard Specification for
Crosslinkable Ethylene Plastics
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2647; 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* 1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.1 This specification covers a general classification system
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
for crosslinkable ethylene plastics compounds (Note 1). The
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
requirements specified herein are not necessarily applicable for
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
use as criteria in determining suitability for the end use of a
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
fabricated product.
NOTE 1—It is to be noted that this specification describes materials that
2. Referenced Documents
are available commercially in their uncrosslinked form. Therefore, they
2.1 ASTM Standards:
are crosslinkable compounds despite the fact that measurement of the
parameters used for their classification and specification will usually be
D150 Test Methods for AC Loss Characteristics and Permit-
carried out after curing has been effected.
tivity (Dielectric Constant) of Solid Electrical Insulation
1.2 Two types of compounds are covered, namely, mechani-
D257 Test Methods for DC Resistance or Conductance of
cal types in which mechanical strength properties are of prime Insulating Materials
importance in applications, and electrical types in which D573 Test Method for Rubber—Deterioration in an Air
electrical insulating or conducting properties also are of prime Oven
importance in applications. D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
D638 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics
1.3 The parameters used to classify and specify the me-
D746 Test Method for Brittleness Temperature of Plastics
chanical types are ultimate elongation, elongation retention
and Elastomers by Impact
after aging, apparent modulus of rigidity, and brittleness
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
temperature.
D991 Test Method for Rubber Property—Volume Resistiv-
1.4 The parameters used to classify and specify the electri-
ity Of Electrically Conductive and Antistatic Products
cal types are ultimate elongation, elongation retention after
D1043 Test Method for Stiffness Properties of Plastics as a
aging, apparent modulus of rigidity, brittleness temperature,
Function of Temperature by Means of a Torsion Test
dielectric constant, dissipation factor, and volume resistivity.
D2765 Test Methods for Determination of Gel Content and
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the Swell Ratio of Crosslinked Ethylene Plastics
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information D3892 Practice for Packaging/Packing of Plastics
only. IEEE/ASTM SI-10 Standard for Use of the International
System of Units (SI): (The Modernized Metric System)
1.6 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the
test methods portion, Section 7, of this specification: This
2.2 Military Standard:
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, MIL-STD-105 Sampling Procedures and Tables for Inspec-
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
tion by Attributes (Obsolete 1995)
of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and
environmental practices and determine the applicability of
3. Terminology
regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of plastics terms used in
NOTE 2—There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard. this specification, see Terminology D883.
1 2
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.15 on Thermoplastic contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Materials. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2024. Published February 2024. Originally the ASTM website.
approved in 1967. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as D2647 - 18. DOI: Available from Defense Automation and Production Service, Bldg. 4 Section D,
10.1520/D2647-18R24. 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D2647 − 18 (2024)
3.2 Abbreviations—Units, Symbols, and Abbreviations— than 40 h prior to test in accordance with Procedure A of
For units, symbols, and abbreviations used in this specification Practice D618, for those tests where conditioning is required
see IEEE/ASTM SI-10.
and in all cases of disagreement.
8.2 Test Conditions—Conduct tests in the standard labora-
4. Classification
tory atmosphere of 23 6 2°C (73.4 6 3.6°F) and 50 6 10 %
4.1 Classification System—Table 1 and Table 2 provide a
relative humidity, unless otherwise specified in the test meth-
classification system for these compounds so that the relations
ods or in this specification.
among them are delineated and those that are commercially
available are readily specified. It is not the intent to indicate
8.3 Ultimate Elongation—Test Method D638, using three
that all the combinations of properties possible are represented
Type IV specimens tested at 500 mm/min (20.0 in./min). If any
by commercial products or that they are technically possible at
absolute value differs more than 620 % from the average, two
the present state of knowledge.
additional samples shall be tested, making a total of five
4.2 Types—This specification covers two general types of specimens. The average value for these specimens shall be
compounds: Type I—Mechanical types (Table 1), and Type used for the classification.
II—Electrical types (Table 2).
8.4 Elongation Retention After Aging—Age three or five test
4.3 Grades—A grade is designated by first indicating the
specimens, conforming to Type IV of Test Method D638, in
type (I or II) followed by cell numbers for each property in the
accordance with the number evaluated in 8.3. Use a circulating
order in which they are listed in the tables. Where there is no
air oven at either 121 6 2°C (250 6 3.6°F) or 150 6 2°C (302
interest in a property, a “0” is entered in place of a cell number.
6 3.6°F) in accordance with Test Method D573 and ensure that
the hot air circulates freely around each specimen for 7 days
5. General Requirements
(168 h). After 7 days, recondition the test specimens and
5.1 The compound shall be in powder, pellet or granular
measure the ultimate elongation in accordance with 8.3.
form, as agreed upon between the seller and the purchaser.
Average the results and designate as A. Calculate the percent-
5.2 The compound, after crosslinking, shall conform to the age elonga
...