ASTM D2520-13

Standard Test Methods for Complex Permittivity (Dielectric Constant) of Solid Electrical Insulating Materials at Microwave Frequencies and Temperatures to 1650^oC

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Design calculations for such components as transmission lines, antennas, radomes, resonators, phase shifters, etc., require knowledge of values of complex permittivity at operating frequencies. The related microwave measurements substitute distributed field techniques for low-frequency lumped-circuit impedance techniques.  
4.2 Further information on the significance of permittivity is contained in Test Methods D150.  
4.3 These test methods are useful for specification acceptance, service evaluation, manufacturing control, and research and development of ceramics, glasses, and organic dielectric materials.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of relative (Note 1) complex permittivity (dielectric constant and dissipation factor) of nonmagnetic solid dielectric materials. Note 1—The word “relative” is often omitted.  
1.1.1 Test Method A is for specimens precisely formed to the inside dimension of a waveguide.  
1.1.2 Test Method B is for specimens of specified geometry that occupy a very small portion of the space inside a resonant cavity.  
1.1.3 Test Method C uses a resonant cavity with fewer restrictions on specimen size, geometry, and placement than Test Methods A and B.  
1.2 Although these methods are used over the microwave frequency spectrum from around 0.5 to 50.0 GHz, each octave increase usually requires a different generator and a smaller test waveguide or resonant cavity.  
1.3 Tests at elevated temperatures are made using special high-temperature waveguide and resonant cavities.  
1.4 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2013
• ICS: 29.035.01 - Insulating materials in general
• Technical Committee: D09 - Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials
• Drafting Committee: D09.12 - Electrical Tests

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: D2520 − 13
Standard Test Methods for
Complex Permittivity (Dielectric Constant) of Solid Electrical
Insulating Materials at Microwave Frequencies and
1
Temperatures to 1650°C
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2520; 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 D150Test Methods forAC Loss Characteristics and Permit-
tivity (Dielectric Constant) of Solid Electrical Insulation
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of relative
D1711Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
(Note 1) complex permittivity (dielectric constant and dissipa-
tion factor) of nonmagnetic solid dielectric materials.
3. Terminology
NOTE 1—The word “relative” is often omitted.
3.1 Definitions of Terms. For definitions of terms used in
this test method, refer to Terminology D1711.
1.1.1 TestMethodAisforspecimenspreciselyformedtothe
inside dimension of a waveguide.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.1.2 Test Method B is for specimens of specified geometry
3.2.1 neper, n—a division of the logarithmic scale wherein
that occupy a very small portion of the space inside a resonant
the number of nepers is equal to the natural logarithm of the
cavity.
scalar ratio of either two voltages or two currents.
1.1.3 Test Method C uses a resonant cavity with fewer
NOTE 2—The neper is a dimensionless unit. 1 neper equals 0.8686 bel.
restrictions on specimen size, geometry, and placement than
With I and I denoting the scalar values of two currents and n being the
x y
Test Methods A and B.
number of nepers denoted by their scalar ratio, then:
1.2 Although these methods are used over the microwave
n 5ln l ⁄ l
~ !
e x y
frequency spectrum from around 0.5 to 50.0 GHz, each octave
where:
increaseusuallyrequiresadifferentgeneratorandasmallertest
ln = logarithm to base e.
waveguide or resonant cavity. e
3.2.2 For other definitions used in these test methods, refer
1.3 Tests at elevated temperatures are made using special
to Terminology D1711.
high-temperature waveguide and resonant cavities.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4. Significance and Use
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.1 Design calculations for such components as transmis-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
sion lines, antennas, radomes, resonators, phase shifters, etc.,
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
require knowledge of values of complex permittivity at oper-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
ating frequencies. The related microwave measurements sub-
stitute distributed field techniques for low-frequency lumped-
2. Referenced Documents
circuit impedance techniques.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.2 Furtherinformationonthesignificanceofpermittivityis
A893/A893MTest Method for Complex Dielectric Constant
contained in Test Methods D150.
of Nonmetallic Magnetic Materials at Microwave Fre-
quencies 4.3 These test methods are useful for specification
acceptance, service evaluation, manufacturing control, and
research and development of ceramics, glasses, and organic
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D09 on
dielectric materials.
Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D09.12 on Electrical Tests.
TEST METHOD A—SHORTED TRANSMISSION
Current edition approved May 1, 2013. Published August 2013. Originally
approved in 1966. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as D2520–01 which was
LINE METHOD
with drawn in 2010 and reinstated in May 2013. DOI: 10.1520/D2520-13
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
5. Scope
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
5.1 Thistestmethodcoversthedeterminationofmicrowave
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. dielectric properties of nonmagnetic isotropic solid dielectric
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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D2520 − 13
22 22 1⁄2
materials in a shorted transmission line method. This test γ 5 2π λ 2 κ * λ (3)
~ !
c
method is useful over a wide range of values of permittivity
where:
3
and loss (1). It is suitable for use at any frequency where
λ = cut-off wavelength for the cross section and the
c
suitable transmission lines and measuring equipment are avail-
mode in question,
able. Transmission lines capable of withstanding temperatures
λ(=c⁄f) = wavele
...