ASTM D1603-06

Standard Test Method for Carbon Black Content in Olefin Plastics

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The information provided by this test method is useful for control purposes and is required by various material specifications and for the calculation of optical absorptivity.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the carbon black content in polyethylene, polypropylene, and polybutylene plastics. Its use with acrylic or other polar monomer modifications which might affect the accuracy is not recommended. Determinations of carbon black content are made gravimetrically after pyrolysis of the sample under nitrogen. This test method is not applicable to compositions that contain nonvolatile pigments or fillers other than carbon black.
1.1.1 This test method is not applicable to materials containing brominated flame retardant additives at the end.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values in brackets are given for information only.
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.
This test method is similar to ISO 6964-1986(E) in title only. The technical content is significantly different.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 14-Mar-2006
• ICS: 83.080.10 - Thermosetting materials
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.70 - Analytical Methods

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D1603-01 - Standard Test Method for Carbon Black In Olefin Plastics
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2006
• Replaced By: ASTM D1603-11 - Standard Test Method for Carbon Black Content in Olefin Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2011
• Referred By: ASTM F3288/F3288M-20 - Standard Specification for MRS-Rated Metric- and Inch-sized Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Pressure Pipe
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2006
• Referred By: ASTM F3597-23 - Standard Specification for MRS-Rated Metric- and Inch-sized Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Pressure Pipe for Oil and Gas Producing Applications
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2006
• Referred By: ASTM F3534/F3534M-22 - Standard Specification for MRS-Rated Metric- and Inch-Sized Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Pressure Pipe for Gas Distribution Applications
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2006
• Referred By: ASTM D1248-16 - Standard Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Extrusion Materials for Wire and Cable
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2006
• Referred By: ASTM F3123-22 - Standard Specification for Metric Outside Diameter Polyethylene (PE) Plastic Pipe (DR-PN)
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2006
• Referred By: ASTM D6434-12(2018) - Standard Guide for the Selection of Test Methods for Flexible Polypropylene Geomembranes
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2006
• Referred By: ASTM D4218-20 - Standard Test Method for Determination of Carbon Black Content in Polyethylene Compounds by the Muffle-Furnace Technique
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2006
• Referred By: ASTM F3203-19(2023) - Standard Test Method for Determination of Gel Content of Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Pipes and Tubing
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2006
• Referred By: ASTM D7273/D7273M-08(2020) - Standard Guide for Acceptance Testing Requirements for Geonets and Geonet Drainage Geocomposites
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2006
• Referred By: ASTM F2619/F2619M-20 - Standard Specification for High-Density Polyethylene (PE) Line Pipe
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2006
• Referred By: ASTM D2737-22 - Standard Specification for Polyethylene (PE) Plastic Tubing
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2006
• Referred By: ASTM F2968/F2968M-21 - Standard Specification for Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Pipe for Gas Distribution Applications
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2006
• Referred By: ASTM D2239-22 - Standard Specification for Polyethylene (PE) Plastic Pipe (SIDR-PR) Based on Controlled Inside Diameter
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2006

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: D1603 – 06
Standard Test Method for
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Carbon Black Content in Olefin Plastics
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1603; 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 Department of Defense.
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1. Scope* Pyrolysis—Test Method and Basic Specification
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the carbon
3. Terminology
black content in polyethylene, polypropylene, and polybuty-
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of technical terms pertain-
lene plastics. Its use with acrylic or other polar monomer
ing to plastics used in this specification, see Terminology
modifications which might affect the accuracy is not recom-
D883.
mended. Determinations of carbon black content are made
gravimetrically after pyrolysis of the sample under nitrogen.
4. Significance and Use
This test method is not applicable to compositions that contain
4.1 The information provided by this test method is useful
nonvolatile pigments or fillers other than carbon black.
for control purposes and is required by various material
1.1.1 This test method is not applicable to materials con-
specifications and for the calculation of optical absorptivity.
taining brominated flame retardant additives at the end.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
5. Apparatus
standard.Thevaluesinbracketsaregivenforinformationonly.
5.1 Electric Furnace, at least 20 cm [7.9 in.] long suitable
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
for use with the tubing described in 5.2.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
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5.2 High Temperature Glass Combustion Tube, of appro-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate diameter and approximately twice as long as the furnace
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
described in 5.1.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5.3 Stoppers—Two rubber or neoprene stoppers, to fit the
NOTE 1—This test method is similar to ISO 6964-1986(E) in title only.
tube described in 5.2, unless the tube is fitted with ground
The technical content is significantly different.
joints and mating connectors.
5.4 Glass Tubing, approximately 10 mm [0.39 in.] in
2. Referenced Documents
diameter, of sufficient amount, and matching rubber or plastic
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
tubing for connections.
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
5.5 Combustion Boat, approximately 8 by 1.9 by 1.3 cm
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
[3.15 by 0.75 by 0.51 in.]. Glazed porcelain, quartz high-silica
ASTM Test Methods
glass, or platinum is suitable.
2.2 ISO Standard:
NOTE 2—A loose-fitting cover for the combustion boat is optional. If
ISO 6964-1986(E) Polyolefin Pipes and Fittings—
used, it shall be considered a part of the boat and handled and weighed
Determination of Carbon Black by Calcination and
with it.
5.6 Iron-Constantan Thermocouple, and a potentiometer or
1 millivoltmeter suitable for determining temperatures in the
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D20 on Plastics
range 300 to 700°C [572 to 1292°F].
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.70 on Analytical Methods
(Section D20.70.01).
Current edition approved March 15, 2006. Published March 2006. Originally
approved in 1958. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as D1603 - 01. DOI:
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10.1520/D1603-06. ISO/IEC Selected Standards for Testing Plastics, Second Edition, published by
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or ASTM. Also available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W.
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036.
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Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Borosilicate, high-silica, or equivalent glass tubing has been found satisfactory
the ASTM website. for this purpose.
*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.
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D1603 – 06
FIG. 1 Assembly of Apparatus
5.7 Flow Meter, suitable for measuring gas flow at rates of third full of potassium hydroxide - pyrogallol solution made to
1 to 10 L/min. contain5gof pyrogallol and 50 g of KOH in 100 mLof water.
5.8 Traps, three glass traps with removable ground-glass Technical grade, or better, reagents are satisfactory.
connected heads and 10-mm [0.39-in.] diameter
...