ASTM D2538-02

Standard Practice for Fusion of Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Compounds Using a Torque Rheometer

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
When PVC compounds are mixed under appropriate conditions of heat and shear, a fused mass is produced. This mass has certain melt characteristics which can be defined with a torque rheometer operated under fixed conditions of shear and temperature. The fusion characteristics of a PVC compound are manifest as fusion time, fusion torque, melt torque, melt viscosity, and heat and color stability.
A control lot is to be used as a standard against which other test results are to be compared. Test data are to be evaluated relative to the control lot.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the relative fusion characteristics of poly(vinyl chloride) compounds.
1.2 The test procedures appear in the following order: SectionFusion Test9 Thermal Stability Test10Color-Hold Stability Test11Shear Stability Test12
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
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. Specific hazards statements are given in Section 8 .
Note 1—There are no ISO standards covering the primary subject matter of this ASTM standard.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Aug-2002
• ICS: 83.080.20 - Thermoplastic materials
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.15 - Thermoplastic Materials

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D2538-95(2001) - Standard Practice for Fusion of Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Compounds Using a Torque Rheometer
• Effective Date: 10-Aug-2002
• Replaced By: ASTM D2538-02(2010) - Standard Practice for Fusion of Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Compounds Using a Torque Rheometer
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2010

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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:D2538–02
Standard Practice for
Fusion of Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Compounds Using a
1
Torque Rheometer
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2538; 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 4. Summary of Practice
1.1 This practice covers the relative fusion characteristics of 4.1 A sample of powder-mix compound is added to the
poly(vinyl chloride) compounds. heated roller mixer chamber and is transformed into a fused
1.2 The test procedures appear in the following order: mass.
4.2 The resulting torque curve can be used to determine the
Section
relative fusion time and fusion characteristics.
Fusion Test 9
Thermal Stability Test 10
5. Significance and Use
Color-Hold Stability Test 11
Shear Stability Test 12
5.1 When PVC compounds are mixed under appropriate
conditions of heat and shear, a fused mass is produced. This
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
mass has certain melt characteristics which can be defined with
standard.
a torque rheometer operated under fixed conditions of shear
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
and temperature. The fusion characteristics of a PVC com-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
pound are manifest as fusion time, fusion torque, melt torque,
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
melt viscosity, and heat and color stability.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
5.2 A control lot is to be used as a standard against which
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazards
other test results are to be compared. Test data are to be
statements are given in Section 8.
evaluated relative to the control lot.
NOTE 1—There are no ISO standards covering the primary subject
matter of this ASTM standard.
6. Apparatus
3
6.1 Microprocessor Torque Rheometer, equipped with a
2. Referenced Documents
high-shear mixer with roller-style blades, bowl-jacket thermo-
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
couple, stock thermocouple, and temperature recorder.
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
NOTE 2—Atorque rheometer without microprocessor capability can be
D1600 Terminology for Abbreviated Terms Relating to
used to perform the fusion, thermal stability, and color hold tests.
Plastics
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
6.1.1 For flexible and rigid compounds, use a Type 6 roller
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
head with a rotor ratio of 3 Drive: 2 Driven.
NOTE 3—AType 5 roller head can also be used, but the data generated
3. Terminology
cannot be compared with the Type 6 data.
3.1 Definitions—Definitions are in accordance with Termi-
6.2 Quick-Loading Powder Chute or equivalent.
nologies D883 and D1600 unless otherwise indicated.
6.3 Brass Knife.
6.4 Brass Wool or Brush.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and
6.5 Insulated Gloves.
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.15 on Thermoplastic Materials.
6.6 Balance, 500-g minimum capacity, with a 0.1-g sensi-
Current edition approved August 10, 2002. Published October 2002. Originally
tivity.
published as D2538 – 69. Last previous edition D2538 – 95(01). DOI: 10.1520/
D2538-02.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
3
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Suitable equipment may be obtained from C. W. Brabender, 50 E. Wesley St.,
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on South Hackensack, NJ 07606, and Haake Buchler Instruments, 244 Saddle River
the ASTM website. Rd., Saddle Brook, NJ 07662.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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D2538–02
6.7 Beaker, stainless steel, 400 mL.
6.8 Oven.
6.9 Aluminum Foil.
6.10 Timer.
6.11 Long-Nose Pliers.
6.12 Hand-Press Mold.
7. Materials
7.1 Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Resin.
7.2 Filter.
7.3 Lubricants.
7.4 Plasticizer.
7.5 Process-Aid.
7.6 Impact Modifier.
7.7 Stabilizer.
7.8 Pigments.
8. Hazards
8.1 Do not exceed the power capacity of the instrument, as
damage to the mixer or to the torque rheometer may result.
8.2 Do not attempt to clean or poke objects into the mixer
while it is running.
8.3 Gloves with sufficient insulation to enable the operator
to handle the hot equipment should be worn when conducting
these tests.
9. Fusion Test Method
9.1 Compound Preparation:
FIG. 1 Torque Rheometer Curve
9.1.1 The compound may be beaker-mixed, blended in
...