ASTM D5203-98
(Specification)Standard Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Molding and Extrusion Materials from Recycled Post-Consumer (HDPE) Sources
Standard Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Molding and Extrusion Materials from Recycled Post-Consumer (HDPE) Sources
SCOPE
1.1 This specification provides for the identification of recycled post-consumer HDPE molding and extrusion materials, from specified sources, in pellet or chip form so that the supplier and the user can agree on the acceptability of lots or shipments. This specification covers post-consumer HDPE materials from the following: (1) blow molded household chemical containers, (2) blow molded milk, juice, and water containers, (3) materials from the spunbonded process, (4) thermoformed packaged food containers and personal care packages, (5) injection molded packaged food containers and beverage bottle base cups, and (6) injection molded housewares and industrial articles such as pails, crates, totes, and pallets. Other post-consumer HDPE materials may be added to this specification when such material streams are characterized.
1.1.1 The tests described in this specification are intended to provide information for identifying these materials. The separation by sources improves the usefulness of the materials.
1.1.2 It is not the function of this specification to provide specific data for design purposes.
1.2 This specification provides a procedure to certify that the materials are from post-consumer sources.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are for information only.
1.4 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the test method portion, Section 10, of this specification: This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, 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. Note 1-There are no ISO standards covering the primary subject matter of this specification.
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Designation: D 5203 – 98
Standard Specification for
Polyethylene Plastics Molding and Extrusion Materials from
Recycled Post-Consumer (HDPE) Sources
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5203; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
This specification provides for the identification of post-consumer recycled high-density polyeth-
ylene plastics (HDPE) plastics molding and extrusion materials derived from specified sources. It
provides for the identification of resin characteristics and certification so that the user and the supplier
can agree on the acceptability of shipments of the plastic materials. This specification provides that the
source of the materials be listed as an aid in identifying the material. The tests described in this
specification are intended to provide additional information for identifying these materials.
1. Scope * of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita-
1.1 This specification provides for the identification of
tions prior to use.
recycled post-consumer HDPE molding and extrusion materi-
als, from specified sources, in pellet or chip form so that the
NOTE 1—There are no ISO standards covering the primary subject
supplier and the user can agree on the acceptability of lots or
matter of this specification.
shipments. This specification covers post-consumer HDPE
2. Referenced Documents
materials from the following: (1) blow molded household
2.1 ASTM Standards:
chemical containers, (2) blow molded milk, juice, and water
D 618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics and Electrical
containers, (3) materials from the spunbonded process, (4)
thermoformed packaged food containers and personal care Insulating Materials for Testing
D 638 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics
packages, (5) injection molded packaged food containers and
beverage bottle base cups, and (6) injection molded house- D 790 Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced
and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materi-
wares and industrial articles such as pails, crates, totes, and
pallets. Other post-consumer HDPE materials may be added to als
D 792 Test Methods for Specific Gravity (Relative Density)
this specification when such material streams are characterized.
1.1.1 The tests described in this specification are intended to and Density of Plastics by Displacement
D 883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
provide information for identifying these materials. The sepa-
ration by sources improves the usefulness of the materials. D 1238 Test Method for Flow Rates of Thermoplastics by
Extrusion Plastometer
1.1.2 It is not the function of this specification to provide
specific data for design purposes. D 1505 Test Method for Density of Plastic by the Density-
Gradient Technique
1.2 This specification provides a procedure to certify that
the materials are from post-consumer sources. D 1898 Practice for Sampling Plastics
D 1928 Test Method for Preparation of Compression-
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are for Molded Polyethylene Test Sheets and Test Specimens
D 2839 Practice for Use of Melt Index Strand for Determin-
information only.
1.4 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the ing Density of Polyethylene
D 3892 Practice for Packaging/Packing of Plastics
test method portion, Section 10, of this specification: This
D 4883 Test Method for Density of Polyethylene by the
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user Ultrasound Technique
D 5033 Guide for Development of Standards Relating to the
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-20 on
Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.12 on Olefin Plastics. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01.
Current edition approved April 10, 1998. Published December 1998. Originally Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.02.
published as D 5203 – 91. Last previous edition D 5203 – 93. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.03.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 5203
Proper Use of Recycled Plastics 5.3 The materials described in this specification are limited
E 29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to to high-density polyethylene from the sources indicated. Dif-
Determine Conformance with Specifications ferent end uses can be categorized as from the same source
provided the physical properties of the HDPE meet the
3. Terminology
requirements specified in Table 1.
5.3.1 Source A—Post-consumer blow molded or thermo-
3.1 Definitions—The definitions of terms used in this speci-
formed HDPE containers, usually from household chemicals,
fication are in accordance with Terminology D 883 and Guide
packaged food, or personal care packages.
D 5033.
5.3.2 Source B—Post-consumer blow molded HDPE con-
3.2 Descriptions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
tainers usually from milk, juice, and water containers.
3.2.1 nominal density—the density of the unpigmented
5.3.3 Source C—Post-consumer HDPE items that have been
high-density polyethylene resin, which may differ from the
fabricated from spunbonded materials.
apparent density of the material due to the addition of fillers or
5.3.4 Source D—Post-consumer injection molded articles,
pigments to the resin.
usually from packaged food containers and beverage base
3.2.2 source—the original end use of the HDPE materials
cups.
described in this specification.
5.3.5 Source E—Post-consumer injection molded articles,
3.2.3 spunbonded—a method of fabrication wherein a ma-
usually from housewares and industrial articles such as pails,
terial is bonded to form a sheet-like structure during the
crates, totes, and pallets.
spinning process.
6. Physical Properties
4. Ordering Information
6.1 Test specimens of the materials shall conform to the
4.1 The purchase order or inquiry for these materials shall
requirements prescribed in Section 8 and tested as described in
state the specification number, date of issue and desired values
Section 10.
for the items listed in Table 1.
6.2 Observed or calculated values obtained from analysis,
4.2 Further definition as may be required for the items listed
measurement or test, shall be rounded as specified in Practice
in Table 1 shall be on agreement between the user and the
E 29. Round to the nearest unit in the last right-hand place of
supplier.
figures used in expressing the specified limiting value. The
4.3 It is recognized that some contaminants may result in an
value obtained is compared directly with the specified limiting
odor being present in the recycled material. The acceptability
value. Conformance or nonconformance with the specification
of the type and level of odor shall be as agreed upon by the user
is based on this comparison.
and supplier. Methods to evaluate odors in recycled materials
are being developed elsewhere in the plastics industry.
7. Sampling
7.1 The materials shall be sampled in accordance with
5. General Requirements
Practice D 1898. Adequate statistical sampling shall be consid-
5.1 The material shall be in the form of pellets or chips.
ered as an acceptable alternative. Procedures to ensure sample
5.2 The material shall be as free of contamination as can be
homogeneity should be part of the sampling plan. A batch or lot
achieved by good manufacturing practice. If necessary, the
of resin shall be considered as a unit of manufacture as
level of contamination may be agreed upon between the user
prepared for shipment and may consist of a blend of two or
and the supplier.
more production runs of material.
NOTE 2—Tests for measurement of contamination are under develop-
8. Specimen Preparation
ment.
8.1 Test specimens shall be molded in accordance with
Procedure C of Test Method D 1928. If the material is known
to be homogenous or has been melt blended, milling, prior to
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
TABLE 1 Specification Values
Specific
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