ASTM D3530-97(2008)e2

Standard Test Method for Volatiles Content of Composite Material Prepreg

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method is used to obtain the volatiles content of composite material prepreg. Knowledge of the volatiles content is useful in developing optimum manufacturing processes.  
5.2 The volatiles content is determined after exposure to the nominal cure or consolidation temperature.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the volatiles content, in weight percent of composite material prepregs. This standard focuses on composites with thermosetting resins that tend to lose a few percent of the matrix mass when heated due to loss of both retained water and low molecular weight matrix constituents that volatilize during heating.  
1.2 Use of this test method is limited to maximum temperature of circulating air ovens (approximately 300°C).  
1.3 Use of this test method is limited to temperatures below which the matrix flows from the reinforcement.  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard.  
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precautionary statements are given in Section 8.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 29-Feb-2008
• ICS: 59.100.30 - Aramide materials
• ICS: 71.040.40 - Chemical analysis
• Technical Committee: D30 - Composite Materials
• Drafting Committee: D30.03 - Constituent/Precursor Properties

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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
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Designation: D3530 − 97(Reapproved 2008)
Standard Test Method for
Volatiles Content of Composite Material Prepreg
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3530; 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.
ε NOTE—This standard was corrected to a single-designation standard editorially in October 2013.
ε NOTE—The designation of this standard was corrected editorially in November 2013.
1. Scope 2.2 NFPA Standard:
NFPA 86Standard for Ovens and Furnaces
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the vola-
tilescontent,inweightpercentofcompositematerialprepregs.
3. Terminology
This standard focuses on composites with thermosetting resins
3.1 Definitions—Terminology D3878 defines terms relating
that tend to lose a few percent of the matrix mass when heated
to composite materials. Terminology D883 defines terms
due to loss of both retained water and low molecular weight
relating to plastics. Practice E177 defines terms relating to
matrix constituents that volatilize during heating.
statistics.Intheeventofaconflictbetweenterms,Terminology
1.2 Use of this test method is limited to maximum tempera-
D3878 shall have precedence over other documents.
ture of circulating air ovens (approximately 300°C).
3.1.1 prepreg, n—the admixture of fibrous reinforcement
andpolymericmatrixusedtofabricatecompositematerials.Its
1.3 Use of this test method is limited to temperatures below
form may be sheet, tape, or tow. See Terminology D3878.
which the matrix flows from the reinforcement.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3.2.1 Volatiles Content, n—the amount of volatiles present
standard.
in a prepreg expressed as a weight percent.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.3 Symbols:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.3.1 M—the initial mass of the sample.
i
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.3.2 M—the mass of the sample after oven exposure.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- f
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precau- 3.3.3 V —the weight percent volatiles content.
c
tionary statements are given in Section 8.
4. Summary of Test Method
2. Referenced Documents
4.1 Specimens of prepreg are weighed and then exposed to
elevated temperature, equal to the nominal cure or consolida-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
tion temperature of the material, in an air circulating oven to
D3878Terminology for Composite Materials
remove the volatiles. The exposed samples are reweighed and
E177Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
the percent change in weight expressed as volatiles content.
ASTM Test Methods
E1309 Guide for Identification of Fiber-Reinforced
5. Significance and Use
Polymer-Matrix Composite Materials in Databases
5.1 This test method is used to obtain the volatiles content
of composite material prepreg. Knowledge of the volatiles
content is useful in developing optimum manufacturing pro-
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D30 on
Composite Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D30.03 on cesses.
Constituent/Precursor Properties.
5.2 Thevolatilescontentisdeterminedafterexposuretothe
Current edition approved March 1, 2008. Published April 2008. Originally
approved in 1976. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D3530/ nominal cure or consolidation temperature.
D3530M–97(2003). DOI: 10.1520/D3530_D3530M-97R08E02.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. ForAnnual Book ofASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch
the ASTM website. Park, Quincy, MA 02269-9101.
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D3530 − 97 (2008)
6. Interferences 9.2 The specimen size shall be a minimum of 1600 mm by
material thickness. Ribbon, braid, and fabric forms that do not
6.1 Airflow—The amount of measured volatiles may be
drip resin shall be suspended from the rack. Ribbon shall be
increased or decreased by changing the velocity of airflow.
looped in close proximity so that individual strands are not
Since airflow in most ovens is not linear in each part, a
clumped together. Other forms may be placed horizontally on
velometer should be used to measure airflow where samples
the rack.
are placed. Samples should be placed only in positions of
known airflow so that results may be repeatable. Use of baffles
10. Calibration and Standardization
has been found to even airflow between samples.
10.1 All measuring equipment shall have certified calibra-
6.2 Sample Exposure—Thegeometricshapeandpositioning
tions that are current at the time of use of the equipment. The
of the sample have an effect on the measured volatiles content.
calibration documentation shall be available for inspection.
Samples placed horizontally in a rack will not be exposed to
11. Conditioning
the same amount of airflow as samples hung vertically. A
ribbon wound in a 150 mm diameter hoop may give slightly 11.1 Store carbon fiber-epoxy prepreg at low temperatures
different results than the same ribbon wound in a 50 mm
as recommended by the manufacturer (typically approxi-
diameter hoop. A thinner sample will be exposed to more mately−18°C).Allow sealed packages of material to w
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