ASTM D1895-96(2010)
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Apparent Density, Bulk Factor, and Pourability of Plastic Materials
Standard Test Methods for Apparent Density, Bulk Factor, and Pourability of Plastic Materials
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
These test methods provide useful indexes of performance of plastic materials such as powders and granules with respect to their handling in packaging and fabrication.
Apparent density is a measure of the fluffiness of a material.
Bulk factor is a measure of volume change that may be expected in fabrication.
Pourability characterizes the handling properties of a finely divided plastic material. It is a measure of the readiness with which such materials will flow through hoppers and feed tubes and deliver uniform weights of material.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the measurement of apparent density, bulk factor, and where applicable, the pourability of plastic materials such as molding powders. Different procedures are given for application to the various forms of these materials that are commonly encountered, from fine powders and granules to large flakes and cut fibers.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values 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—Test Method A is equivalent to ISO Method R 60 as described in the appendix. Test Method C is identical with ISO Method R 61.
5.1 Test Method A (see Note 1) covers the measurement of the apparent density of the fine granules and powders that can be poured readily through a small funnel.
8.1 Test Method B covers the measurement of the apparent density of coarse, granular materials, including dice and pellets, that either cannot be poured or that pour with difficulty through the funnel described in Test Method A.
11.1 Test Method C (see Note 1) covers the measurement of the apparent density of materials supplied in the form of coarse flakes, chips, cut fibers, or strands. Such materials cannot be poured through the funnels described in Test Methods A and B. Also, since they ordinarily are very bulky when loosely poured and since they usually are compressible to a lesser bulk, even by hand, a measure of their density under a small load is appropriate and useful.
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:D1895–96 (Reapproved 2010)
Standard Test Methods for
Apparent Density, Bulk Factor, and Pourability of Plastic
Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1895; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope R61 Determination of Apparent Density of Molding Mate-
rial that Cannot be Poured from a Specified Funnel
1.1 These test methods cover the measurement of apparent
density, bulk factor, and where applicable, the pourability of
3. Terminology
plastic materials such as molding powders. Different proce-
3.1 Definitions:
dures are given for application to the various forms of these
3.1.1 apparent density—the weight per unit volume of a
materials that are commonly encountered, from fine powders
material, including voids inherent in the material as tested.
and granules to large flakes and cut fibers.
3.1.1.1 The term bulk density is commonly used for mate-
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
rials such as molding powder.
standard. The values in parentheses are for information only.
3.1.2 bulk factor—the ratio of the volume of any given
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
quantityofthelooseplasticmaterialtothevolumeofthesame
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
quantity of the material after molding or forming. The bulk
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
factor is also equal to the ratio of the density after molding or
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
forming to the apparent density of the material as received.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1.3 pourability—a measure of the time required for a
NOTE 1—TestMethodAisequivalenttoISOMethodR60asdescribed
standard quantity of material to flow through a funnel of
in the appendix. Test Method C is identical with ISO Method R61.
specified dimensions.
2. Referenced Documents
4. Significance and Use
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.1 These test methods provide useful indexes of perfor-
D792 Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Rela-
mance of plastic materials such as powders and granules with
tive Density) of Plastics by Displacement
respect to their handling in packaging and fabrication.
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
4.2 Apparent density is a measure of the fluffiness of a
D1505 Test Method for Density of Plastics by the Density-
material.
Gradient Technique
4.3 Bulk factor is a measure of volume change that may be
2.2 ISO Standards:
expected in fabrication.
R60 Determination of Apparent Density of Molding Mate-
4.4 Pourability characterizes the handling properties of a
rials that Can be Poured from a Specified Funnel
finely divided plastic material. It is a measure of the readiness
with which such materials will flow through hoppers and feed
tubes and deliver uniform weights of material.
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on
Plastics and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.70 on Analytical
Methods. APPARENT DENSITY
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2010. Published January 2010. Originally
Test Method A
approved in 1961. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D1895–96(2003).
ThiseditionincludestheadditionofanextensiveISOequivalencystatementand
5. Scope
keywords section. DOI: 10.1520/D1895-96R10.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
5.1 Test MethodA(see Note 1) covers the measurement of
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
the apparent density of the fine granules and powders that can
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
be poured readily through a small funnel.
the ASTM website.
Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D1895–96 (2010)
6. Apparatus Test Method B
6.1 Measuring Cup—A cylindrical cup of 100 6 0.5-cm
8. Scope
capacity, having a diameter equal to half the height, for
8.1 Test Method B covers the measurement of the apparent
example, 39.9-mm (1.572-in.) inside diameter by 79.8-mm
density of coarse, granular materials, including dice and
(3.144-in.) inside height, as shown in Fig. 1.
pellets, that either cannot be poured or that pour with difficulty
6.2 Funnel, having a 9.5-mm diameter opening at the
through the funnel described in Test Method A.
bottom, and mounted at a height 38 mm above the measuring
cup, as shown in Fig. 1.
9. Apparatus
9.1 Measuring Cup—Acylindricalcupof400-cm capacity,
7. Procedure
as shown in Fig. 2.
7.1 With the apparatus assembled as shown in Fig. 1, close
9.2 Funnel, having a 25.4-mm (1-in.) diameter opening at
thesmallendofthefunnelwiththehandorwithasuitableflat
the bottom, and mounted at a height 38 mm (1.5 in.) above the
strip and pour a 115 6 5-cm sample into the funnel. Open the
measuring cup, as shown in Fig. 2.
bottom of the funnel quickly and allow the material to flow
NOTE 4—Finely divided powders may collect electrostatic charges
freely into the cup. If caking occurs in the funnel, the material
which, if present at the time of measurement, may result in variable
may be loosened with a small glass rod.
apparent density values. Carbon black is a material that may be premixed
7.2 After all the material has passed through the funnel,
with the sample at concentrations of 0.05 to 0.2 weight percent to reduce
immediately scrape off the excess on the top of the cup with a
this variability (Superba Black with a bulk density of about 8 lb/ft has
straightedgewithoutshakingthecup.Weighthematerialinthe
been found satisfactory for some materials).
cuptothenearest0.1g.Calculatetheweightingramsof1cm
10. Procedure
of the material.
10.1 WiththeapparatusassembledasshowninFig.2,close
NOTE 2—To convert grams per cubic centimetre to ounces per cubic
thesmallendofthefunnelwiththehandorwithasuitableflat
inch, multiply by 0.578. To convert to grams per cubic inch multiply by
stripandpoura500 620-cm sampleintothefunnel.Openthe
16.39. To convert grams per cubic centimetre to pounds per cubic foot,
multiply by 62.43. bottom of the funnel quickly and allow the material to flow
NOTE 3—Apparent density figures are not comparable except on
freely into the cup.
materials having the same specific gravity after molding or forming.
NOTE 5—The funnel described in Test Method B is also used for more
7.3 Veryfinematerialsthatwillbridgeandnotflowthrough
finely divided powders such as vinyl resins. While these powders usually
the funnel may be poured lightly from a paper held approxi-
will pour through this funnel, they may bridge in the 400-cm cup shown
mately 38 mm (1.5 in.) above the opening of the measuring in Fig. 2. To avoid this, the 100-cm cup shown in Fig. 1 may be
substituted, and the sample reduced to 115 65cm .
cup.
10.2 After all the material has passed through the funnel,
immediately scrape off the excess on the top of the cup with a
FIG. 1 Apparatus for Apparent Density Test, Method A FIG. 2 Apparatus for Apparent Density Test, Method B
D1895–96 (2010)
straightedgewithoutshakingthecup.Weighthematerialinthe the material in the measuring cylinder. Measure the height of
cup to the nearest 0.1 g; then calculate the weight in grams of theloosematerialincentimetresandidentifythismeasurement
1cm of the material. Make three determinations of the
as H .
apparent density on each sample and average the results (Note
13.2 Fill the weight plunger with lead shot to obtain a total
2).
weightof2300 620g(5.07 60.04lb),includingtheplunger.
Lower this weight gradually into the measuring cylinder until
Test Method C
it is entirely supported by the material. Allow the weight to
settle for 1 min and take the reading from the scale to the
11. Scope
nearest 0.1 cm. This reading will give directly in centimetres
11.1 TestMethodC(seeNote1)coversthemeasurementof
the height, H , of the material.
theapparentdensityofmaterialssuppliedintheformofcoarse
flakes, chips, cut fibers, or strands. Such materials cannot be
14. Precision and Bias
pouredthroughthefunnelsdescribedinTestMethodsAandB.
14.1 Table 1 is based on a round-robi
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