ASTM D3576-20

Standard Test Method for Cell Size of Rigid Cellular Plastics

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Several physical properties of rigid cellular plastics are dependent on cell size and cell orientation. Measuring water absorption and open-cell content in accordance with Test Method D2842 and Test Method D6226 requires knowledge of surface cell volume, which uses cell size values in the calculations.  
5.2 This test method provides an apparent cell size because it assumes that there is no measurable edge to edge or top to bottom variation in average cell size and that the cell size distribution about the average cell size is normal. If the analyst is concerned there may be significant variation in either the average cell size or the cell size distribution more detailed analysis may be required.  
5.3 Before proceeding with this test method, reference should be made to the specification of the material being tested. Any test specimen preparation, conditioning, dimensions, or testing parameters, or a combination thereof, covered in the materials specification shall take precedence over those mentioned in this test method. If there are no material specifications, then the default conditions apply.
FIG. 1 Razor Blade Cell Size Specimen Slicer
FIG. 2 Cell Size Scale Slide Assembly
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the apparent cell size of rigid cellular plastics by counting the number of cell-wall intersections in a specified distance.  
1.2 Procedure A requires the preparation of a thin slice, not more than one half the average cell diameter in thickness, that is mechanically stable. For most rigid cellular plastics this limits the test method to materials with an average cell size of at least 0.2 mm.  
1.3 Procedure B is intended for use with materials whose friable nature makes it difficult to obtain a thin slice for viewing.  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Note 1: The annex to ISO 2896 is technically equivalent to this test method.  
1.6 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: 30-Nov-2020
• ICS: 83.100 - Cellular materials
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.22 - Cellular Materials - Plastics and Elastomers

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: D3576 − 20
Standard Test Method for
1
Cell Size of Rigid Cellular Plastics
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3576; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* D2842Test Method for Water Absorption of Rigid Cellular
Plastics
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the appar-
D6226TestMethodforOpenCellContentofRigidCellular
entcellsizeofrigidcellularplasticsbycountingthenumberof
Plastics
cell-wall intersections in a specified distance.
E456Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
1.2 ProcedureArequires the preparation of a thin slice, not
E691Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
more than one half the average cell diameter in thickness, that
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
is mechanically stable. For most rigid cellular plastics this
2.2 ISO Standard:
limits the test method to materials with an average cell size of
ISO 2896Cellular Plastics, Rigid—Determination of Water
at least 0.2 mm.
3
Absorption
1.3 Procedure B is intended for use with materials whose
friable nature makes it difficult to obtain a thin slice for
3. Terminology
viewing.
3.1 Terms used in this standard are defined in accordance
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
with Terminology D883, unless otherwise specified. For terms
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
relating to precision and bias and associated issues, the terms
only.
used in this standard are defined in accordance with Terminol-
ogy E456.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4. Summary of Test Method
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
4.1 Procedure A—Thecellularplasticspecimeniscuttonot
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
more than one half the average cell diameter in thickness on a
slicer and the shadowgraph is projected on a screen by the use
NOTE 1—The annex to ISO 2896 is technically equivalent to this test
of a cell-size scale slide assembly and a projector.The average
method.
chord length is obtained by counting the cells on cell-wall
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
intersections and converting this value to average cell size by
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
mathematical derivation.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
4.2 Procedure B—The cellular plastic specimen is sliced to
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
provide a smooth surface. The cell walls are accented by the
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
useofamarkingpenormarkingink.Theaveragechordlength
is obtained by counting the cell wall intersections and convert-
2. Referenced Documents
ing this value to average cell size by mathematical derivation.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5. Significance and Use
D883Terminology Relating to Plastics
5.1 Several physical properties of rigid cellular plastics are
dependent on cell size and cell orientation. Measuring water
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD20onPlastics
absorption and open-cell content in accordance with Test
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.22 on Cellular Materials -
MethodD2842andTestMethodD6226requiresknowledgeof
Plastics and Elastomers.
surface cell volume, which uses cell size values in the
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2020. Published December 2020. Originally
approved in 1977. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D3576-15. DOI:
calculations.
10.1520/D3576-20.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
the ASTM website. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
*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
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D3576 − 20
FIG. 1 Razor Blade Cell Size Specimen Slicer
5.2 This test method provides an apparent cell size because 6.2.1
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D3576 − 15 D3576 − 20
Standard Test Method for
1
Cell Size of Rigid Cellular Plastics
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3576; 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*
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the apparent cell size of rigid cellular plastics by counting the number of cell-wall
intersections in a specified distance.
1.2 Procedure A requires the preparation of a thin slice, not more than one half the average cell diameter in thickness, that is
mechanically stable. For most rigid cellular plastics this limits the test method to materials with an average cell size of at least 0.2
mm.
1.3 Procedure B is intended for use with materials whose friable nature makes it difficult to obtain a thin slice for viewing.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
NOTE 1—The annex to ISO 2896 is technically equivalent to this test method.
NOTE 1—The annex to ISO 2896 is technically equivalent to this test method.
1.6 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
D2842 Test Method for Water Absorption of Rigid Cellular Plastics
D6226 Test Method for Open Cell Content of Rigid Cellular Plastics
E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.22 on Cellular Materials - Plastics
and Elastomers.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2015Dec. 1, 2020. Published October 2015December 2020. Originally approved in 1977. Last previous edition approved in 20102015
as D3576 - 04D3576 - 15.(2010). DOI: 10.1520/D3576-15.10.1520/D3576-20.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*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
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D3576 − 20
2.2 ISO Standard:
3
ISO 2896 Cellular Plastics, Rigid—Determination of Water Absorption
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of terms applicable to this test method are given in Terms used in this standard are defined in accordance with
Terminology D883, unless otherwise specified. For terms relating to precision and bias and associated issues, the terms used in
this standard are defined in accordance with Terminology E456.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 Procedure A—The cellular plastic specimen is cut to not more than one half the average cell diameter in thickness on a slicer
and the shadowgraph is projected on a screen by the use of a cell-size scale slide assembly and a projector. The average chord
length is obtained by counting the cells on cell-wall intersections and converting this value to average cell size by mathematical
derivation.
4.2 Procedure B—The cellular plastic specimen is sliced to provide a smooth surface. The cell walls are accented by the use of
a marking pen or marking ink. The average chord length is obtained by counting the cell wall intersections and converting this
value to average cell size by mathematical derivation.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Several physical properties of rigid cellular plastics are dependent on cell size and cell orientation. Measuring water absorption
and open-ce
...