ASTM D618-21

Standard Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Conditioning of specimens is typically conducted: (1) for the purpose of bringing the material into equilibrium with normal or average room conditions, (2) simply to obtain reproducible results, regardless of previous history of exposure, or (3) to subject the material to abnormal conditions of temperature or humidity in order to predict its service behavior.  
4.2 The conditioning procedures prescribed in this practice are designed to obtain reproducible results and have the potential to give physical values somewhat higher or somewhat lower than values under equilibrium at normal conditions, depending upon the particular material and test. Depending on the thickness, type of material and its previous history, it is possible that it would take 20 to 100 days or more to ensure substantial equilibrium under normal conditions of humidity and temperature. Consequently, conditioning for reproducibility must of necessity be used for general purchase specifications and product control tests.
SCOPE
1.1 In general, the physical and electrical properties of plastics are influenced by temperature and relative humidity in a manner that materially affects test results. In order to make reliable comparisons between different materials and between different laboratories, it is necessary to standardize the humidity conditions, as well as the temperature, to which specimens of these materials are subjected prior to and during testing. This practice defines procedures for conditioning plastics (although not necessarily to equilibrium) prior to testing, and the conditions under which they shall be tested.  
1.2 For some materials, it is possible that a material specification exists that requires the use of this practice, but with some procedural modifications. The material specification takes precedence over this practice. Refer to the material specification before using this practice. Table 1 in Classification D4000 lists the ASTM material specifications that currently exist.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Note 1: This standard and ISO 291 address the same subject matter, but differ in technical content. ISO 291 describes only two temperature and humidity conditions for conditioning or testing, or both.  
1.4 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: 14-Jul-2021
• ICS: 29.035.20 - Plastics and rubber insulating materials
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.50 - Durability of Plastics

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: D618 − 21
Standard Practice for
1
Conditioning Plastics for Testing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D618; 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
1.1 In general, the physical and electrical properties of 2.1 ASTM Standards:
D709 Specification for Laminated Thermosetting Materials
plastics are influenced by temperature and relative humidity in
D756 Practice for Determination of Weight and Shape
a manner that materially affects test results. In order to make
ChangesofPlasticsUnderAcceleratedServiceConditions
reliable comparisons between different materials and between
3
(Withdrawn 1998)
different laboratories, it is necessary to standardize the humid-
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
ity conditions, as well as the temperature, to which specimens
D4000 Classification System for Specifying Plastic Materi-
ofthesematerialsaresubjectedpriortoandduringtesting.This
als
practice defines procedures for conditioning plastics (although
D5032 Practice for Maintaining Constant Relative Humidity
not necessarily to equilibrium) prior to testing, and the condi-
by Means of Aqueous Glycerin Solutions
tions under which they shall be tested.
E104 Practice for Maintaining Constant Relative Humidity
1.2 For some materials, it is possible that a material speci-
by Means of Aqueous Solutions
fication exists that requires the use of this practice, but with
2.2 ISO Standard:
some procedural modifications. The material specification
ISO 291 Plastics—Standard Atmospheres for Conditioning
takes precedence over this practice. Refer to the material
4
and Testing
specification before using this practice. Table 1 in Classifica-
tion D4000 lists the ASTM material specifications that cur-
3. Terminology
rently exist.
3.1 Definitions:
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.1 For definitions related to plastics, see Terminology
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
D883.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1.2 room temperature, n—a temperature in the range from
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
20 to 30°C (68 to 86°F).
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1.3 standard laboratory atmosphere, n—an atmosphere
NOTE 1—This standard and ISO 291 address the same subject matter,
having a temperature of 23°C (73.4°F) and a relative humidity
but differ in technical content. ISO 291 describes only two temperature
of 50 % with standard tolerances as specified in Section 8 shall
and humidity conditions for conditioning or testing, or both.
be the standard laboratory atmosphere.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.1.4 standard laboratory temperature, n—a temperature of
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
23°C (73.4°F) with standard tolerance as specified in Section 7
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
shall be the standard laboratory temperature.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
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
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and the ASTM website.
3
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.50 on Durability of Plastics. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
Current edition approved July 15, 2021. Published July 2021. Originally www.astm.org.
4
approved in 1941. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D618 - 13. DOI: Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
10.1520/D0618-21. 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 ----------------------
D618 − 21
TABLE 1 Test Temperatures and Tolerances
4. Significance and Use
Test Tolerance,
4.1 Conditioning of specimens is typically conducte
...

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: D618 − 13 D618 − 21
Standard Practice for
1
Conditioning Plastics for Testing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D618; 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 In general, the physical and electrical properties of plastics are influenced by temperature and relative humidity in a manner
that materially affects test results. In order to make reliable comparisons between different materials and between different
laboratories, it is necessary to standardize the humidity conditions, as well as the temperature, to which specimens of these
materials are subjected prior to and during testing. This practice defines procedures for conditioning plastics (although not
necessarily to equilibrium) prior to testing, and the conditions under which they shall be tested.
1.2 For some materials, it is possible that a material specification exists that requires the use of this practice, but with some
procedural modifications. The material specification takes precedence over this practice. Refer to the material specification before
using this practice. Table 1 in Classification D4000 lists the ASTM material specifications that currently exist.
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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
NOTE 1—This standard and ISO 291 address the same subject matter, but differ in technical content. ISO 291 describes only two temperature and humidity
conditions for conditioning or testing, or both.
NOTE 1—This standard and ISO 291 address the same subject matter, but differ in technical content. ISO 291 describes only two temperature and humidity
conditions for conditioning or testing, or both.
1.4 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D709 Specification for Laminated Thermosetting Materials
D756 Practice for Determination of Weight and Shape Changes of Plastics Under Accelerated Service Conditions (Withdrawn
3
1998)
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
D4000 Classification System for Specifying Plastic Materials
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.50 on Durability of Plastics.
Current edition approved June 1, 2013July 15, 2021. Published July 2013July 2021. Originally approved in 1941. Last previous edition approved in 20082013 as
D618 - 08.D618 - 13. DOI: 10.1520/D0618-13.10.1520/D0618-21.
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.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.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 ----------------------
D618 − 21
D5032 Practice for Maintaining Constant Relative Humidity by Means of Aqueous Glycerin Solutions
E104 Practice for Maintaining Constant Relative Humidity by Means of Aqueous Solutions
2.2 ISO Standard:
4
ISO 291 Plastics—Standard Atmospheres for Conditioning and Testing
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions related to plastics, see Terminology D883.
3.1.2 room temperature—temperature, n—a temperature in the range from 20 to 30°C (68 to 86°F).
3.1.3 standard laboratory atmosphere—atmosphere, n—an atmosphere having a temperature of 23°C (73.4°F) and a relative
humidity of 50 % with standard tolerances as specified in Section 8 shall be the standard laboratory atmosphere.
3.1.4 standard
...