ASTM D3418-21

Standard Test Method for Transition Temperatures and Enthalpies of Fusion and Crystallization of Polymers by Differential Scanning Calorimetry

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Thermal analysis provides a rapid method for measuring transitions due to morphological or chemical changes in a polymer as it is heated/cooled at a controlled rate through a specified temperature range. Change in specific heat capacity, heat flow and temperature values are determined for these transitions. Differential scanning calorimetry is used to assist in identifying specific polymers, polymer alloys, and certain polymer additives, which exhibit thermal transitions. Chemical reactions that cause or affect certain transitions have been measured with the aid of this technique; such reactions include oxidation, curing of thermosetting resins, and thermal decomposition.  
5.2 This test method is useful for specification acceptance, process control, and research.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers determination of transition temperatures and enthalpies of fusion and crystallization of polymers by differential scanning calorimetry.
Note 1: True heats of fusion are to be determined in conjunction with structure investigation, and frequently, specialized crystallization techniques are needed.  
1.2 This test method is applicable to polymers in granular form or to any fabricated shape from which it is possible to cut appropriate specimens.  
1.3 The normal operating temperature range is from the cryogenic region to 600°C. Certain equipment allows the temperature range to be extended.  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are the standard.
Note 2: This test method does not apply to all types of polymers as written (see 6.8).  
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 3: This standard is similar but not equivalent to ISO 11357-1, -2, -3. The ISO procedures provide additional information not supplied by 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: 31-Aug-2021
• ICS: 83.080.01 - Plastics in general
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.30 - Thermal Properties

Relations

• Refers: ASTM E1953-20 - Standard Practice for Description of Thermal Analysis and Rheology Apparatus
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2020

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: D3418 − 21
Standard Test Method for
Transition Temperatures and Enthalpies of Fusion and
Crystallization of Polymers by Differential Scanning
1
Calorimetry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3418; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope* 2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This test method covers determination of transition
E473 Terminology Relating to Thermal Analysis and Rhe-
temperatures and enthalpies of fusion and crystallization of
ology
polymers by differential scanning calorimetry.
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
NOTE 1—True heats of fusion are to be determined in conjunction with
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
structure investigation, and frequently, specialized crystallization tech-
niques are needed. E967 Test Method for Temperature Calibration of Differen-
tial Scanning Calorimeters and Differential Thermal Ana-
1.2 This test method is applicable to polymers in granular
lyzers
form or to any fabricated shape from which it is possible to cut
E968 Practice for Heat Flow Calibration of Differential
appropriate specimens.
Scanning Calorimeters
E1142 Terminology Relating to Thermophysical Properties
1.3 The normal operating temperature range is from the
cryogenic region to 600°C. Certain equipment allows the E1953 Practice for Description of Thermal Analysis and
Rheology Apparatus
temperature range to be extended.
3
2.2 ISO Standards:
1.4 The values stated in SI units are the standard.
ISO 11357-1 Plastics—Differential Scanning Calorimetry
NOTE 2—This test method does not apply to all types of polymers as
(DSC)—Part 1: General Principles
written (see 6.8).
ISO 11357-2 Plastics—Differential Scanning Calorimetry
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
(DSC)—Part 2: Determination of Glass Transition Tem-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
perature
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
ISO 11357-3 Plastics—Differential Scanning Calorimetry
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
(DSC)—Part 3: Determination of Temperature and En-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
thalpy of Melting and Crystallization
NOTE3—ThisstandardissimilarbutnotequivalenttoISO 11357-1,-2,
3. Terminology
-3. The ISO procedures provide additional information not supplied by
this test method. 3.1 Specialized terms used in this test method are defined in
Terminologies E473 and E1142.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
4. Summary of Test Method
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4.1 This test method consists of heating or cooling the test
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
material at a controlled rate under a specified purge gas at a
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
controlled flow rate and continuously monitoring with a
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
suitable sensing device the difference in heat input between a
1 2
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D20 on Plastics For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.30 on Thermal Properties contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
(Section D20.30.07). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2021. Published September 2021. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1975. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D3418 - 15. DOI: Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
10.1520/D3418-21. 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 ----------------------
D3418 − 21
reference material and a test material due to energy changes in crystallization is only possible from solution. For other poly-
the material.Atransition is marked by absorption or release of mers such as crystallizable polystyrene, annealing is only
energy
...

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: D3418 − 15 D3418 − 21
Standard Test Method for
Transition Temperatures and Enthalpies of Fusion and
Crystallization of Polymers by Differential Scanning
1
Calorimetry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3418; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
1.1 This test method covers determination of transition temperatures and enthalpies of fusion and crystallization of polymers by
differential scanning calorimetry.
NOTE 1—True heats of fusion are to be determined in conjunction with structure investigation, and frequently, specialized crystallization techniques are
needed.
1.2 This test method is applicable to polymers in granular form or to any fabricated shape from which it is possible to cut
appropriate specimens.
1.3 The normal operating temperature range is from the cryogenic region to 600°C. Certain equipment allows the temperature
range to be extended.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are the standard.
NOTE 2—This test method does not apply to all types of polymers as written (see 6.8).
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 3—This standard is similar but not equivalent to ISO 11357-1, -2, -3. The ISO procedures provide additional information not supplied by 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.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.30 on Thermal Properties (Section
D20.30.07).
Current edition approved May 1, 2015Sept. 1, 2021. Published June 2015September 2021. Originally approved in 1975. Last previous edition approved in 20122015 as
ε1
D3418 - 12D3418 - 15. . DOI: 10.1520/D3418-15.10.1520/D3418-21.
*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 ----------------------
D3418 − 21
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E473 Terminology Relating to Thermal Analysis and Rheology
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
E967 Test Method for Temperature Calibration of Differential Scanning Calorimeters and Differential Thermal Analyzers
E968 Practice for Heat Flow Calibration of Differential Scanning Calorimeters
E1142 Terminology Relating to Thermophysical Properties
E1953 Practice for Description of Thermal Analysis and Rheology Apparatus
3
2.2 ISO Standards:
ISO 11357-1 Plastics—Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)—Part 1: General Principles
ISO 11357-2 Plastics—Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)—Part 2: Determination of Glass Transition Temperature
ISO 11357-3 Plastics—Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)—Part 3: Determination of Temperature and Enthalpy of
Melting and Crystallization
3. Terminology
3.1 Specialized terms used in this test method are defined in Terminologies E473 and E1142.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 This test method consists of heating or cooling the test material at a controlled rate under a specified purge gas at a controlled
flow rate and continuously monitoring with a suitable sensing device the difference in heat input between a reference material and
a test material due to energy changes in the material. A transition is marked by absorption or release of energy by the specimen
resulting in a corresponding endothermic or exothermic peak or baseline shift in the heating or cooling curve. Areas under the
crystallization exotherm or fusion endotherm of the test materials are compared against the respective areas obtained by the
treatment of a well-characterized sta
...