ASTM D4731-02

Standard Specification for Hot-Application Filling Compounds for Telecommunications Wire and Cable

SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers a variety of petroleum-based and other compounds used for filling the air spaces in telecommunications wires and cables (both electrical and fiber optic) for the purpose of preventing water and other undesirable fluids from entering or migrating through the cable structure. (For related standards see Specifications D4730 and D4732).  
1.2 A hot-application compound is a material that requires melting in order to be applied as a liquid and its melting point may affect its performance in the finished cable product.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are the standard.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Sep-2002
• ICS: 33.120.10 - Coaxial cables. Waveguides
• Technical Committee: D09 - Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D4731-93(1998) - Standard Specification for Hot-Application Filling Compounds for Telecommunications Wire and Cable
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-2002
• Replaced By: ASTM D4731-02(2008)e1 - Standard Specification for Hot-Application Filling Compounds for Telecommunications Wire and Cable
• Effective Date: 01-May-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D4730-13(2020) - Standard Specification for Flooding Compounds for Telecommunications Wire and Cable
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D4732-13(2020) - Standard Specification for Cool-Application Filling Compounds for Telecommunications Wire and Cable
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D4565-20 - Standard Test Methods for Physical and Environmental Performance Properties of <brk/>Insulations and Jackets for Telecommunications Wire and Cable
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D4967-21 - Standard Guide for Selecting Materials to Be Used for Insulation, Jacketing, and Strength Components in Fiber-Optic Cables
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D4568-13(2020) - Standard Test Methods for Evaluating Compatibility Between Cable Filling and Flooding Compounds and Polyolefin Wire and Cable 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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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
An American National Standard
Designation: D 4731 – 02
Standard Specification for
Hot-Application Filling Compounds for Telecommunications
1
Wire and Cable
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4731; 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.
3
1. Scope Waxes, Including Petrolatum
D 1500 Test Method for ASTM Color of Petroleum Prod-
1.1 This specification covers a variety of petroleum-based
3
ucts (ASTM Color Scale)
and other compounds used for filling the air spaces in telecom-
D 2161 Practice for Conversion of Kinematic Viscosity to
munications wires and cables (both electrical and fiber optic)
3
Saybolt Universal Viscosity or to Saybolt Furol Viscosity
forthepurposeofpreventingwaterandotherundesirablefluids
D 3895 Test Method for Oxidative-Induction Time of Poly-
from entering or migrating through the cable structure. (For
5
olefins by Differential Scanning Calorimetry
related standards see Specifications D 4730 and D 4732).
6
D 3954 Test Method for Dropping Point of Waxes
1.2 A hot-application compound is a material that requires
D 4565 Test Methods for Physical and Environmental Per-
melting in order to be applied as a liquid and its melting point
formance Properties of Insulations and Jackets for Tele-
may affect its performance in the finished cable product.
7
communications Wire and Cable
1.3 The values stated in SI units are the standard.
D 4568 Test Methods for Evaluating Compatibility Be-
2. Referenced Documents
tween Cable Filling and Flooding Compounds and Poly-
7
olefin Wire and Cable Materials
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 4730 Specification for Flooding Compounds for Tele-
D 6 Test Method for Loss on Heating of Oil and Asphaltic
7
2
communications Wire and Cable
Compounds
D 4732 Specification for Cool-Application Filling Com-
D 92 Test Method for Flash and Fire Points by Cleveland
7
3
pounds for Telecommunications Wire and Cable
Open Cup
3
D 4872 Test Method for Dielectric Testing of Wire and
D 97 Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products
7
Cable Filling Compounds
D 127 Test Method for Drop Melting Point of Petroleum
3
Wax Including Petrolatum
3. Terminology
D 150 Test Methods for AC Loss Characteristics and Per-
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
mittivity (Dielectric Constant) of Solid Electrical Insula-
4 3.1.1 filling material—any of several materials used to fill
tion
the air spaces in the cores of multi-conductor insulated wires
D 257 Test Methods for DC Resistance or Conductance of
4 and cables, or between buffer tubes covering optical fibers, or
Insulating Materials
within such buffer tubes, or any combination of these configu-
D 445 Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent
rations and any other cable components, for the purpose of
and Opaque Liquids (the Calculation of Dynamic Viscos-
3
excluding water and other undesirable fluids; especially with
ity)
regard to telecommunications wire and cable, including optical
D 938 Test Method for Congealing Point of Petroleum
cable, intended for outside aerial, buried, or underground
installations.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D09 on 3.1.2 producer—the primary manufacturer of the material.
Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials and is the direct responsibility of
3.1.3 suppliers—jobbers and distributors as distinct from
Subcommittee D09.18 on Solid Insulations, Non-Metallic Shieldings and Coverings
producers.
for Electrical and Telecommunication Wires and Cables. Subcommittee D02.10
contributed in the development of this standard.
Current edition approved Sept. 10, 2002. Published October 2002. Originally
published as D 4731 – 87. Last previous edition D 4731–93 (1998).
2 5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.04. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.02.
3 6
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.01. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.04.
4 7
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 10.01. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 10.02.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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D4731–02
4. Classification shall not exceed 0.0010 at a frequency of 1 MHz and the
permittivity shall not exceed 2.30.
4.1 Two basic types of filling compounds are covered, as
8.1.1.1 Warning: If any bubbles are formed in melting the
follows:
compound to prepare the specimen for test, the sample shall be
4.1.1 Type I—General-purpose filling compounds include
discarded and a new sample selected.
all materials to be used for filling cables that are not required
8.1.2 When
...