ASTM D7029-09

Standard Test Method for Determination of Reactivity of Unsaturated Polyesters and Vinyl Esters at 180.0F [82.2°C]

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method is used to measure the reactivity of different lots of unsaturated polyester and vinyl ester resins. The information provided by this test can be used for assessing the predicted performance of a resin when used in elevated temperature as part of the process used to convert the resin into a finished product.
The method is used in research and development by companies that manufacture resins and for incoming quality control companies using these polymers as raw materials for production. The method is based on the methods which were previously outlined in the Handbook of Reinforced Plastics, “Procedure for Running Exotherm Curves Using the Block Test Method” published by the Society of the Plastics Industry.
SCOPE
1.1 This standard provides a standardized test method for determining the gelation and exotherm curve of unsaturated polyester and vinyl ester resins. This method provides guidance for measurement of the “Standard 180°F (82.2°C) Exotherm Curve” along with information on variances of the measurement which may be required for special resins. This test method provides information concerning the reactivity of unsaturated polyester and vinyl ester resins as they go through polymerization after mixing with the initiator.
Note 1—There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard, although ISO 584 is similar.
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the standard.
1.3 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: 31-Aug-2009
• ICS: 71.080.70 - Esters
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.18 - Reinforced Thermosetting Plastics

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D7029-04 - Standard Test Method for Determination of Reactivity of Unsaturated Polyesters and Vinyl Esters at 180.0F [82.2°C]
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2009
• Replaced By: ASTM D7029-17 - Standard Test Method for Determination of Reactivity of Unsaturated Polyesters and Vinyl Esters at 180.0°F (82.2°C)
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2017
• Referred By: ASTM D7745-19 - Standard Practice for Testing Pultruded Composites
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2009

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: D7029 − 09
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Reactivity of Unsaturated Polyesters and
1
Vinyl Esters at 180.0°F (82.2°C)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7029; 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.
1. Scope 3.1.1 gel time—the period of time in minutes and seconds
required for the recording pyrometer to go from a temperature
1.1 This standard provides a standardized test method for
below (usually 10 to 30°F or 5.5 to 16°C) bath temperature to
determining the gelation and exotherm curve of unsaturated
10°F (5.55°C) above the bath temperature, typically 150°F
polyester and vinyl ester resins. This method provides guid-
(65.5°C) to 190°F (78.8°C) for a bath at 180°F (82.2°C).
ance for measurement of the “Standard 180°F (82.2°C) Exo-
therm Curve” along with information on variances of the
3.1.2 cure time—the period of time in minutes and seconds
measurement which may be required for special resins. This
required for the recording pyrometer to go from a temperature
test method provides information concerning the reactivity of
below (usually 10 to 30°F or 5.5 to 16°C) bath temperature to
unsaturated polyester and vinyl ester resins as they go through
the maximum temperature reading, typically 150°F (65.5°C) to
polymerization after mixing with the initiator.
the maximum temperature for a bath at 180°F (82.2°C).
NOTE 1—There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard, although
ISO 584 is similar. 3.1.3 interval time—the period of time in minutes and
seconds required for the recording pyrometer to go from 10°F
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
(5.5°C) above the bath temperature to the maximum tempera-
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
ture reading, typically 190°F (78.8°C) to the maximum tem-
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
perature. Thus, interval time is cure time minus gel time.
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
values from the two systems may result in nonconformance
3.1.4 peak exotherm—the maximum temperature reached
with the standard.
during the testing.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.5 recording pyrometer—a broad class of temperature
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
measuring devices including thermocouples with the ability for
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
continuous temperature recording.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 3.1.6 initiator—a compound that generates free radicals to
start the free radical polymerization of the unsaturated polyes-
2. Referenced Documents
ter and vinyl ester resins. It is typically a single peroxide, but
a combination of initiators could be used.
2.1 Society of Plastics Industry, Inc.:
Handbook of Reinforced Plastics “Procedure for Running
4. Summary of Test Method
Exotherm Curves Using the Block Test Method”
2.2 ISO Standard:
4.1 Polyester or vinyl ester resin is mixed with the initia-
ISO584 ReinforcedPlasticsBasedonUnsaturatedPolyester
tor(s) in a beaker causing a polymerization of the resin to
2
Resins—Determination of Reactivity at 80°C
occur. Heat will accelerate the polymerization reaction. The
exotherm generated by the resin as it cures is measured using
3. Terminology
a thermocouple. The curve is plotted and the time to reach
3.1 Definitions:
various temperatures along with the peak temperature obtained
(peak exotherm) is determined. The initiator normally em-
1
ployedtogeneratethetestresultsisbenzoylperoxide,although
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D20 on Plastics
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.18 on Reinforced Thermoset-
the method may be used with other initiator systems.
ting Plastics.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2009. Published September 2009. Originally
4.2 Thetestmethodisusefulinprovidinginformationabout
approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as D7029 - 04. DOI:
the heat generated during cure of the resin and the length of
10.1520/D7029-09.
2 time the resin remains in the liquid state prior to polymeriza-
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036. tion into solid form.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D7029 − 09
5. Significance and Use minute.Thebathshallhaveam
...

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:D7029–04 Designation: D 7029 – 09
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Reactivity of Unsaturated Polyesters and
1
Vinyl Esters at 180.0°F [82.2°C](82.2°C)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 7029; 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.
1. Scope
1.1 This standard provides a standardized test method for determining the gelation and exotherm curve of unsaturated polyester
andvinylesterresins.Thismethodprovidesguidanceformeasurementofthe“Standard180°F[82.2°C](82.2°C)ExothermCurve”
along with information on variances of the measurement which may be required for special resins. This test method provides
informationconcerningthereactivityofunsaturatedpolyesterandvinylesterresinsastheygothroughpolymerizationaftermixing
with the initiator.
NOTE 1—There is no known ISO Eequivalent to this standard, although ISO 584 is similar.
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each
system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the
two systems may result in nonconformance with the standard.
1.3 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 Society of Plastics Industry, Inc.:
Handbook of Reinforced Plastics “Procedure for Running Exotherm Curves Using the Block Test Method”
2.2 ISO Standard:
2
ISO 584 Reinforced Plastics Based on Unsaturated Polyester Resins—Determination of Reactivity at 80°C
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 gel time—the period of time in minutes and seconds required for the recording pyrometer to go from a temperature below
(usually 10 to 30°F or 5.5 to 16°C) bath temperature to 10°F [5.55°C](5.55°C) above the bath temperature, typically 150°F
[65.5°C](65.5°C) to 190°F [78.8°C](78.8°C) for a bath at 180°F [82.2°C]. (82.2°C).
3.1.2 cure time—theperiodoftimeinminutesandsecondsrequiredfortherecordingpyrometertogofromatemperaturebelow
(usually 10 to 30°F or 5.5 to 16°C) bath temperature to the maximum temperature reading, typically 150°F [65.5°C](65.5°C) to
the maximum temperature for a bath at 180°F [82.2°C]. (82.2°C).
3.1.3 interval time—the period of time in minutes and seconds required for the recording pyrometer to go from 10°F
[5.5°C](5.5°C) above the bath temperature to the maximum temperature reading, typically 190°F [78.8°C](78.8°C) to the
maximum temperature. Thus, interval time is cure time minus gel time.
3.1.4 peak exotherm—the maximum temperature reached during the testing.
3.1.5 recording pyrometer—a broad class of temperature measuring devices including thermocouples with the ability for
continuous temperature recording.
3.1.6 initiator—a compound that generates free radicals to start the free radical polymerization of the unsaturated polyester and
vinyl ester resins. It is typically a single peroxide, but a combination of initiators could be used.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 Polyester or vinyl ester resin is mixed with the initiator(s) in a beaker causing a polymerization of the resin to occur. Heat
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.18 on Reinforced Thermosetting
Plastics.
Current edition approved May 1, 2004. Published June 2004.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2009. Published September 2009. Originally approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as D 7029 - 04.
2
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D7029–09
will accelerate the polymerization reaction.The exotherm generated by the resin as it cures is measured using a thermocouple.The
curve is plotted and the time to reach various temperatures along with the peak temperature obtained (peak exotherm) is
determined.Theinitiatornormallyemployedt
...