ASTM D2839-02

Standard Practice for Use of a Melt Index Strand for Determining Density of Polyethylene

SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the preparation of a sample for polyethylene density determination in accordance with Test Method D 1505. The sample consists of a strand produced by extrusion of the polyethylene in accordance with Test Method D 1238, Condition 190/2.16 (Melt Index).
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
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 similar or equivalent ISO standard.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Sep-2002
• ICS: 83.080.20 - Thermoplastic materials
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.15 - Thermoplastic Materials

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D2839-96 - Standard Test Method for Use of a Melt Index Strand for Determining Density of Polyethylene
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-2002
• Replaced By: ASTM D2839-05 - Standard Practice for Use of a Melt Index Strand for Determining Density of Polyethylene
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2005
• Referred By: ASTM D4976-12a(2020) - Standard Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Molding and Extrusion Materials
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D1505-18 - Standard Test Method for Density of Plastics by the Density-Gradient Technique
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D7774-22 - Standard Test Method for Flexural Fatigue Properties of Plastics
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D7791-22 - Standard Test Method for Uniaxial Fatigue Properties of Plastics
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D1248-16 - Standard Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Extrusion Materials for Wire and Cable
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D2103-15 - Standard Specification for Polyethylene Film and Sheeting
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D3350-21 - Standard Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Pipe and Fittings Materials
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-2002

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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:D2839–02
Standard Practice for
Use of a Melt Index Strand for Determining Density of
1
Polyethylene
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 2839; 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* 4. Significance and Use
1.1 This practice covers the preparation of a sample for 4.1 This practice has been found to be very useful for
polyethylene density determination in accordance with Test preparing polyethylene samples suitable for determination of
Method D 1505. The sample consists of a strand produced by density by Test Method D 1505, for quality control purposes,
extrusion of the polyethylene in accordance with Test Method especially in a resin manufacturing facility where fast, repro-
D 1238, Condition 190/2.16 (Melt Index). ducible, comparative results are needed. It is not necessarily
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the recommended for resin specifications which may be a part of a
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information sales contract between the buyer and the seller.
only. 4.2 The density of a polyethylene sample is highly depen-
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the dent on the preparation and thermal history of the specimens.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the The level of density results obtained by this practice of sample
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- preparation differs from that obtained by other methods as
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- described in Practice D 4703.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 4.3 Before proceeding with this practice, reference should
be made to the specification of the material being tested. Any
NOTE 1—There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.
test specimen preparation, conditioning, dimensions, or testing
parameters, or some combination thereof, covered in the
2. Referenced Documents
2 materials specification shall take precedence over those men-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
tioned in this practice. If there are no material specifications,
D 1238 Test Method for Flow Rates of Thermoplastics by
the default conditions apply.
Extrusion Plastometer
D 1505 Test Method for Density of Plastics by the Density-
5. Apparatus
Gradient Technique
5.1 Extrusion Plastometer, as described in Test Method
D 4703 Practice for Compression Molding Thermoplastic
D 1238.
Materials into Test Specimens, Plaques, or Sheets
5.2 Hot Plate, to boil water.
E 691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
5.3 Beakers, 250-mLlow form, graduated, with watch-glass
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
covers.
3. Terminology
6. Sample
3.1 Definitions:
6.1 Polyethylene, in any form suitable for test in accordance
3.1.1 melt index strand—theextrudateproducedwhenpoly-
with Test Method D 1238.
ethylene is extruded in accordance with Test Method D 1238,
Condition 190/2.16.
7. Procedure
7.1 Prepare a Melt Index Strand by extruding the sample in
1
accordance with Test Method D 1238, Condition 190/2.16,
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.15 on Thermoplastic Materials
dropping the strand on a cool metal plate after cutting off.
(D20.15.01).
When Procedure B of Test Method D 1238 is used, cut off the
Current edition approved September 10, 2002. Published November 2002.
extrudate at about the time the timer is actuated and discard.
Originally published as D 2839 – 69. Last previous edition D 2839 – 96.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Save the portion extruded during the timed interval.
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
NOTE 2—The conditioning procedure as described in 7.2 and 7.3 may
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. be omitted, if desired; in such case, after a 10-min cooling period, cut off
*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.
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D2839–02
the density specimen as described in 7.4 and determine the density in TABLE 1 Precision Data
accordance with Test Method D 1505. A B C D
Material N Average S S r R
r R
7.2 Drop the strand into a 250-mLbeaker containing at least
B 10 0.9139 0.00026 0.00078 0.00072 0.00219
F 12 0.9179 0.00020 0.00078 0.00055 0.00220
200 mLof briskly boili
...