ASTM D3159-15

Standard Specification for Modified ETFE Fluoropolymer Molding and Extrusion Materials

ABSTRACT
This specification covers melt processible molding and extrusion materials of modified ETFE-fluoropolymer. The ETFE resin is a copolymer of ethylene containing approximately 75 mass% of tetrafluoroethylene. This specification addresses virgin materials only as performance requirements cannot be met with recycled material. Modified ETFE-fluoropolymers shall be supplied in pellet form and classified into five types according to their specific gravity. Furthermore, the resins of each type are divided into three grades according to their melt flow rate. Materials shall be sampled, prepared, and conditioned as appropriate for testing, wherein the following performance requirements must be met: melting point and flow rate; melting endotherm peak temperature; specific gravity; tensile properties (tensile strength and elongation); and dielectric constant and dissipation factor.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers molding and extrusion materials of modified ETFE fluoropolymer. The ETFE resin is a copolymer of ethylene and tetrafluoroethylene. Modified ETFE resin contains no more than 5 mole % of other fluoromonomers.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units as detailed in IEEE/ASTM SI-10 are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
Note 1: Although this specification and ISO 12086-1 and ISO 12086-2 differ in approach or detail, data obtained using either are technically equivalent.  
1.3 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the test method portion, Section 11, of this specification. 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.  
1.4 Recycled material is not appropriate for this specification because performance requirements cannot be met with recycled material. Therefore, this specification is for virgin material only.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Aug-2015
• ICS: 83.080.20 - Thermoplastic materials
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.15 - Thermoplastic Materials

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D3159-10 - Standard Specification for Modified ETFE-Fluoropolymer Molding and Extrusion Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2015
• Referred By: ASTM F1545-15a(2021) - Standard Specification for Plastic-Lined Ferrous Metal Pipe, Fittings, and Flanges
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2015
• 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: 01-Sep-2015
• Referred By: ASTM D4000-23 - Standard Classification System for Specifying Plastic Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2015

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:D3159 −15
Standard Specification for
Modified ETFE Fluoropolymer Molding and Extrusion
1
Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3159; 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* D792 Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Rela-
tive Density) of Plastics by Displacement
1.1 This specification covers molding and extrusion mate-
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
rials of modified ETFE fluoropolymer. The ETFE resin is a
D1238 Test Method for Melt Flow Rates of Thermoplastics
copolymerofethyleneandtetrafluoroethylene.ModifiedETFE
by Extrusion Plastometer
resin contains no more than 5 mole % of other fluoromono-
D1600 Terminology forAbbreviatedTerms Relating to Plas-
mers.
tics
1.2 The values stated in SI units as detailed in IEEE/ASTM
D3418 Test Method for Transition Temperatures and En-
SI-10 are to be regarded as standard. The values given in
thalpies of Fusion and Crystallization of Polymers by
parentheses are for information only.
Differential Scanning Calorimetry
D3892 Practice for Packaging/Packing of Plastics
NOTE 1—Although this specification and ISO 12086-1 and ISO
12086-2 differ in approach or detail, data obtained using either are E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
technically equivalent.
ASTM Test Methods
IEEE/ASTM SI-10 Use of the International System of Units
1.3 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the
test method portion, Section 11, of this specification. This (SI): The Modern Metric System
2.2 ISO Standards:
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user ISO 12086-1 Plastics—Fluoropolymer Dispersions and
Moulding and Extrusion Materials—Part 1
of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health
ISO 12086-2 Plastics—Fluoropolymer Dispersions and
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita-
tions prior to use. Moulding and Extrusion Materials—Part 2
1.4 Recycled material is not appropriate for this specifica-
3. Terminology
tion because performance requirements cannot be met with
3.1 Definitions:
recycled material. Therefore, this specification is for virgin
3.1.1 General—The terminology given in Terminology
material only.
D883 is applicable to this specification.
2. Referenced Documents
3.1.2 lot, n—one production run or a uniform blend of two
2
or more production runs.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D150 Test Methods forAC Loss Characteristics and Permit-
3.1.3 Abbreviated Terms:
tivity (Dielectric Constant) of Solid Electrical Insulation
3.1.4 General—The abbreviated terms given in Terminol-
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
ogy D1600 are applicable to this specification.
D638 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics
4. Classification
4.1 This specification covers five types of modified ETFE
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on
fluoropolymer supplied in pellet form classified according to
Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.15 on Thermoplastic
Materials (Section D20.15.12).
their specific gravity. The resins of each type are divided into
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2015. Published September 2015. Originally
one to three grades according to their melt flow rate.
approved in 1973. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as D3159 - 10. DOI:
10.1520/D3159-15.
4.2 A one-line system shall be used to specify materials
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
covered by this specification. The system uses predefined cells
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
to refer to specific aspects of this specification, as illustrated as
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. follows:
*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 ----------------------
D3159−15
TABLE 1 Specific Gravity, Melting Point, and Flow Rate Requirements
I II III IV V
Type Grade
123123121 1
Specific
gravity,
min: 1.69 1.69 1.69 1.75 1.75 1.75 1.83 1.83 1.74 1.74
max: 1.76 1.76 1.76 1.84 1.84 1.84 1.88 1.88 1.78 1.80
Melting point,
°C,
min: 255 255 250 220 220 220 218 218 220 250
max: 280 280 280 259 259 259 230 230 240 260
Flow rate,
g/10 min,
min: 2.0 8.0 25 2.0 10.1 25 9.0 25.0 10 15
A
ma
...

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: D3159 − 10 D3159 − 15
Standard Specification for
Modified ETFE-Fluoropolymer ETFE Fluoropolymer Molding
1
and Extrusion Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3159; 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 specification covers melt processible molding and extrusion materials of modified ETFE-fluoropolymer. ETFE
fluoropolymer. The ETFE resin is a copolymer of ethylene containing approximately 75 mass % of tetrafluoroethylene.and
tetrafluoroethylene. Modified ETFE resin contains no more than 5 mole % of other fluoromonomers.
1.2 The values stated in SI units as detailed in IEEE/ASTM SI-10 are to be regarded as standard. The values given in
parentheses are for information only.
NOTE 1—Although this specification and ISO 12086-1 (1994) and ISO 12086-2 (1994) differ in approach or detail, data obtained using either are
technically equivalent.
1.3 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the test method portion, Section 11, of this specification. 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.
1.4 Recycled material is not appropriate for this specification because performance requirements cannot be met with recycled
material. Therefore, this specification is for virgin material only.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D150 Test Methods for AC Loss Characteristics and Permittivity (Dielectric Constant) of Solid Electrical Insulation
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
D638 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics
D792 Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Relative Density) of Plastics by Displacement
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
D1238 Test Method for Melt Flow Rates of Thermoplastics by Extrusion Plastometer
D1600 Terminology for Abbreviated Terms Relating to Plastics
D3418 Test Method for Transition Temperatures and Enthalpies of Fusion and Crystallization of Polymers by Differential
Scanning Calorimetry
D3892 Practice for Packaging/Packing of Plastics
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
IEEE/ASTM SI-10 Use of the International System of Units (SI): The Modern Metric System
2.2 ISO Standards:
ISO 12086-1 (1994) Plastics—Fluoropolymer Dispersions and Moulding and Extrusion Materials—Part 1
ISO 12086-2 (1994) Plastics—Fluoropolymer Dispersions and Moulding and Extrusion Materials—Part 2
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 General—The terminology given in Terminology D883 is applicable to this specification.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.15 on Thermoplastic Materials
(Section D20.15.12).
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2010Sept. 1, 2015. Published January 2011September 2015. Originally approved in 1973. Last previous edition approved in 20062010
as D3159 - 06.D3159 - 10. DOI: 10.1520/D3159-10.10.1520/D3159-15.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*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 ----------------------
D3159 − 15
3.1.2 lot, n—one production run or a uniform blend of two or more production runs.
3.1.3 Abbreviated Terms:
3.1.4 General—The abbreviated terms given in Terminology D1600 are applicable to this specification.
4. Classification
4.1 This specification covers five types of modified ETFE-fluoropolymer ETFE fluoropolymer supplied in pellet form classified
according to their specific gravity. The resins of each type are divided into one to three grades according to their melt flow rate.
4.2 A one-line system shall be used to specify materials covered by this specification. The system uses pr
...