ASTM D3004-08(2020)

Standard Specification for Crosslinked and Thermoplastic Extruded Semi-Conducting, Conductor, and Insulation Shielding Materials

ABSTRACT
This specification covers extruded cross linked and thermoplastic semi-conducting, conductor and insulation shielding materials for electrical wires and cables. The materials covered are not compatible with hydro carbon derivatives of a swelling or deteriorating nature. Different tests shall be performed in order to determine physical properties like brittleness, aging requirements, and elongation at rupture and volume resistivity.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers crosslinked and thermoplastic extruded semi-conducting, conductor, and insulation shielding materials for electrical wires and cables.  
1.2 In many instances, the electrical properties of the shielding material are strongly dependent on processing conditions. For this reason, in this specification the material is sampled from cable. Therefore, tests are done on shielded wire in this standard solely to determine the relevant property of the shielding material and not to test the conductor or completed cable.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
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: 31-Jul-2020
• ICS: 29.045 - Semiconducting materials
• Technical Committee: D09 - Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials
• Drafting Committee: D09.07 - Electrical Insulating Materials

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D1711-24 - Standard Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2024
• Refers: ASTM D2647-18(2024) - Standard Specification for Crosslinkable Ethylene Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2024
• Refers: ASTM D2647-18 - Standard Specification for Crosslinkable Ethylene Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2018
• Refers: ASTM D1711-15 - Standard Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2015
• Refers: ASTM D1711-14a - Standard Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2014
• Refers: ASTM D1711-14 - Standard Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-May-2014
• Refers: ASTM D1711-13 - Standard Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2013
• Refers: ASTM D6095-12 - Standard Test Method for Longitudinal Measurement of Volume Resistivity for Extruded Crosslinked and Thermoplastic Semiconducting Conductor and Insulation Shielding Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Refers: ASTM D1711-11a - Standard Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2011
• Refers: ASTM D4703-10 - Standard Practice for Compression Molding Thermoplastic Materials into Test Specimens, Plaques, or Sheets
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2010
• Refers: ASTM D2647-10 - Standard Specification for Crosslinkable Ethylene Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2010
• Refers: ASTM D2647-09 - Standard Specification for Crosslinkable Ethylene Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2009
• Refers: ASTM D1711-08 - Standard Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-May-2008
• Refers: ASTM D257-07 - Standard Test Methods for DC Resistance or Conductance of Insulating Materials
• Effective Date: 15-May-2007
• Refers: ASTM D4703-07 - Standard Practice for Compression Molding Thermoplastic Materials into Test Specimens, Plaques, or Sheets
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2007

Overview

ASTM D3004-08(2020) specifies requirements for crosslinked and thermoplastic extruded semi-conducting conductor and insulation shielding materials used in electrical wires and cables. This international standard ensures that materials used for shielding in cables meet strict criteria for physical and electrical properties, supporting safety, reliability, and performance in electrical applications. The standard also highlights necessary test methods and processing considerations, ensuring the manufactured materials are consistent and dependable for use in critical power and communication infrastructure.

Key Topics

• Material Types: Covers both crosslinked and thermoplastic extruded semi-conducting materials utilized for shielding electrical conductors and cable insulation.
• Application Focus: Ensures shielding materials are suitable for electrical wires and cables, particularly those where electrical properties must be carefully controlled.
• Physical Properties: Specifies requirements for brittleness, aging, elongation at rupture, and other physical characteristics to guarantee durability, flexibility, and effective performance.
• Electrical Properties: Defines acceptable volume resistivity limits for both conductor and insulation shielding materials, ensuring effective grounding and voltage regulation within cables.
• Processing and Testing: Emphasizes that electrical properties are highly dependent on how materials are processed, requiring sampling from finished cable to measure actual in-use characteristics.
• Sampling and Test Methods: Relies on standardized procedures for sampling and testing shielding materials, including ASTM D6095 for volume resistivity and others for physical testing.

Applications

The standard has wide-ranging applications in the wire and cable industry, particularly where semi-conducting materials are required to manage the electrical interface between the conductor, insulation, and external environment. Key practical uses include:

• Power Cable Manufacturing: Ensures that cable shields prevent electrical discharges, help control electric fields, and enhance safety and performance in power transmission and distribution.
• Telecommunications: Supports high-performance shielding essential for data integrity and electromagnetic compatibility in communication cables.
• Industrial & Renewable Energy: Applied to control and instrumentation cables used in industrial automation, wind energy, and solar energy systems, where robust electrical insulation and shielding are critical.
• Quality Assurance: Used by manufacturers and testing laboratories to certify the compliance of cable components to industry benchmarks for physical and electrical properties, supporting procurement, specification, and regulatory approval.

Related Standards

Implementation of ASTM D3004-08(2020) often involves reference to several related ASTM standards, including:

• ASTM D257: Standard Test Methods for DC Resistance or Conductance of Insulating Materials
• ASTM D4496: Test Method for DC Resistance or Conductance of Moderately Conductive Materials
• ASTM D6095: Test Method for Longitudinal Measurement of Volume Resistivity for Extruded Crosslinked and Thermoplastic Semiconducting Conductor and Insulation Shielding Materials
• ASTM D4703: Practice for Compression Molding Thermoplastic Materials into Test Specimens, Plaques, or Sheets
• ASTM D1711: Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
• ASTM D3182/D3183: Practices for mixing and preparing rubber and related materials for test purposes

Practical Value

Complying with ASTM D3004-08(2020) ensures that electrical cables offer enhanced safety, electrical integrity, and reliability, addressing both manufacturer and user needs. The standard helps mitigate risks associated with improper or substandard insulation and shielding, such as premature aging, brittleness, or electrical failure. By following the prescribed testing and material requirements, industry stakeholders can uphold product consistency, meet regulatory demands, reduce liability, and foster trust in cable system performance within energy, industrial, and communications networks.

Keywords: conductor shielding material, insulation shielding material, semi-conducting shielding material, volume resistivity, electrical wire and cable standards, cable insulation, crosslinked thermoplastic, ASTM cable testing.

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: D3004 −08 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Specification for
Crosslinked and Thermoplastic Extruded Semi-Conducting,
Conductor, and Insulation Shielding Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3004; 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 D4496 Test Method for D-C Resistance or Conductance of
Moderately Conductive Materials
1.1 This specification covers crosslinked and thermoplastic
D4703 Practice for Compression Molding Thermoplastic
extruded semi-conducting, conductor, and insulation shielding
Materials into Test Specimens, Plaques, or Sheets
materials for electrical wires and cables.
D6095 Test Method for Longitudinal Measurement of Vol-
1.2 In many instances, the electrical properties of the
ume Resistivity for Extruded Crosslinked and Thermo-
shielding material are strongly dependent on processing con-
plastic Semiconducting Conductor and Insulation Shield-
ditions. For this reason, in this specification the material is
ing Materials
sampled from cable. Therefore, tests are done on shielded wire
in this standard solely to determine the relevant property of the
3. Terminology
shielding material and not to test the conductor or completed
3.1 Definitions:
cable.
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this specification, refer
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
to Terminology D1711.
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
standard.
3.2.1 aging (act of), n—the exposure of materials to an
environment for an interval of time.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.2.2 longitudinal volume resistivity, n—an electrical resis-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
tance multiplied by a factor calculated from the geometry of a
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
specimen volume between electrodes in contact with one, and
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
only one, surface of the specimen.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3.2.2.1 Discussion—In normal wire and cable usage, the
longitudinalvolumeresistivityissimplyreferredtoas“volume
2. Referenced Documents
resistivity.” This usage is at variance with terminology in Test
2.1 ASTM Standards: Methods D257, D4496, and Terminology D1711.
D257 Test Methods for DC Resistance or Conductance of
3.2.3 semi-conducting, adj—moderately conductive; see
Insulating Materials
Terminology D1711 and Test Method D4496.
D1711 Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
D2647 Specification for Crosslinkable Ethylene Plastics
4. Physical Properties
D3182 PracticeforRubber—Materials,Equipment,andPro-
4.1 The shielding material, when processed into molded
cedures for Mixing Standard Compounds and Preparing
slabs, in accordance with Procedure C in the annex of Practice
Standard Vulcanized Sheets
D4703, the Sampling section of Specifica
...