ASTM D792-13

Standard Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Relative Density) of Plastics by Displacement

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The specific gravity or density of a solid is a property that is conveniently measured to identify a material, to follow physical changes in a sample, to indicate degree of uniformity among different sampling units or specimens, or to indicate the average density of a large item.  
5.2 Changes in density of a single material are due to localized differences in crystallinity, loss of plasticizer, absorption of solvent, or to other causes. It is possible that portions of a sample differ in density because of their differences in crystallinity, thermal history, porosity, and composition (types or proportions of resin, plasticizer, pigment, or filler).  
5.3 Density is useful for calculating strength-weight and cost-weight ratios.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods describe the determination of the specific gravity (relative density) and density of solid plastics in forms such as sheets, rods, tubes, or molded items.  
1.2 Two test methods are described:  
1.2.1 Test Method A—For testing solid plastics in water, and  
1.2.2 Test Method B—For testing solid plastics in liquids other than water.  
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. Note 1—This standard is not equivalent to ISO 1183–1 Method A. This test method provides more guidelines on sample weight and dimension. ISO 1183-1 allows testing at an additional temperature of 27 ± 2°C.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Oct-2013
• ICS: 83.080.01 - Plastics in general
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.70 - Analytical Methods

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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:D792 −13
Standard Test Methods for
Density and Specific Gravity (Relative Density) of Plastics
1
by Displacement
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D792; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber 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.
3
1. Scope* of Solids, Liquids, and Gases (Withdrawn 1996)
E691Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
1.1 These test methods describe the determination of the
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
specific gravity (relative density) and density of solid plastics
IEEE/ASTM SI-10Practice for Use of the International
in forms such as sheets, rods, tubes, or molded items.
System of Units (SI) (the Modernized Metric System)
1.2 Two test methods are described:
1.2.1 Test Method A—Fortestingsolidplasticsinwater,and 3. Terminology
1.2.2 Test Method B—For testing solid plastics in liquids
3.1 General—Theunits,symbols,andabbreviationsusedin
other than water.
these test methods are in accordance with IEEE/ASTM SI-10.
3.2 Definitions:
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
standard. 3.2.1 specific gravity (relative density)—the ratio of the
mass of a given volume of the impermeable portion of the
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
material at 23°C to the mass of an equal volume of gas-free
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
distilled or de-mineralized water at the same temperature; the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
form of expression shall be:
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Specificgravity relativedensity 23/23°C
~ !
NOTE1—ThisstandardisnotequivalenttoISO1183–1MethodA.This
orspgr23/23°C
~ !
test method provides more guidelines on sample weight and dimension.
NOTE 2—This definition is essentially equivalent to the definition for
ISO 1183-1 allows testing at an additional temperature of 27 6 2°C.
apparent specific gravity and apparent density in Terminology E12,
because the small percentage difference introduced by not correcting for
2. Referenced Documents
the buoyancy of air is insignificant for most purposes.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.2.2 density—cubic metre of impermeable portion of the
D618Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
material at 23°C. The form of expression shall be:
D891TestMethodsforSpecificGravity,Apparent,ofLiquid
Industrial Chemicals
23 3
D ,kg/m
D4968Guide for Annual Review of Test Methods and
NOTE 3—The SI unit of density, as defined in IEEE/ASTM SI-10,is
3 3 3
Specifications for Plastics
kg/m .To convert density in g/cm to density in kg/m , multiply by 1000.
3
D6436Guide for Reporting Properties for Plastics and
NOTE 4—To convert specific gravity 23/23°C to density 23°C, kg/m ,
use the following equation:
Thermoplastic Elastomers
E1Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
23C 3
E12Terminology Relating to Density and Specific Gravity
D ,kg/m 5 spgr23/23°C 3997.5
3
Where 997.5 kg/m is the density of water at 23°C.
4. Summary of Test Method
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on
Plastics and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.70 on Analytical
4.1 Determine the mass of a specimen of the solid plastic in
Methods (Section D20.70.01).
air. It is then immersed in a liquid, its apparent mass upon
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2013. Published November 2013. Originally
immersion is determined, and its specific gravity (relative
approved in 1944. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D792-08. DOI:
10.1520/D0792-13.
density) calculated.
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
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
the ASTM website. 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 ----------------------
D792−13
5. Significance and Use 1 mg or better is acceptable (see Note 5). The balance shall be
equipped with a stationary support for the immersion vessel
5.1 The specific gravity or density of a solid is a property
above the balance pan (“pan straddle”).
that is conveniently measured to identify a material, to follow
physical changes in a sample, to in
...

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: D792 − 08 D792 − 13
Standard Test Methods for
Density and Specific Gravity (Relative Density) of Plastics
1
by Displacement
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D792; 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.
1. Scope*
1.1 These test methods describe the determination of the specific gravity (relative density) and density of solid plastics in forms
such as sheets, rods, tubes, or molded items.
1.2 Two test methods are described:
1.2.1 Test Method A—For testing solid plastics in water, and
1.2.2 Test Method B—For testing solid plastics in liquids other than water.
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.
NOTE 1—This standard is not equivalent to ISO 1183–1 Method A. This test method provides more guidelines on sample weight and dimension. ISO
1183-1 allows testing at an additional temperature of 27 6 2°C.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
D891 Test Methods for Specific Gravity, Apparent, of Liquid Industrial Chemicals
D4968 Guide for Annual Review of Test Methods and Specifications for Plastics
D6436 Guide for Reporting Properties for Plastics and Thermoplastic Elastomers
E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
3
E12 Terminology Relating to Density and Specific Gravity of Solids, Liquids, and Gases (Withdrawn 1996)
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
IEEE/ASTM SI-10 Practice for Use of the International System of Units (SI) (the Modernized Metric System)
3. Terminology
3.1 General—The units, symbols, and abbreviations used in these test methods are in accordance with IEEE/ASTM SI-10.
3.2 Definitions:
3.2.1 specific gravity (relative density)—the ratio of the mass of a given volume of the impermeable portion of the material at
23°C to the mass of an equal volume of gas-free distilled or de-mineralized water at the same temperature; the form of expression
shall be:
Specific gravity~relative density!23/23°C
or sp gr 23/23°C
~ !
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.70 on Analytical Methods
(Section D20.70.01).
Current edition approved June 15, 2008Nov. 1, 2013. Published July 2008November 2013. Originally approved in 1944. Last previous edition approved in 20002008 as
D792 - 00.D792 - 08. DOI: 10.1520/D0792-08.10.1520/D0792-13.
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 ----------------------
D792 − 13
NOTE 2—This definition is essentially equivalent to the definition for apparent specific gravity and apparent density in Terminology E12, because the
small percentage difference introduced by not correcting for the buoyancy of air is insignificant for most purposes.
3.2.2 density—cubic metre of impermeable portion of the material at 23°C. The form of expression shall be:
23 3
D ,kg/m
(Notes 2-4)
3 3 3
NOTE 3—The SI unit of density, as defined in IEEE/ASTM SI-10, is kg/m . To convert density in g/cm to density in kg/m , multiply by 1000.
3
NOTE 4—To convert specific gravity 23/23°C to density 23°C, kg/m , use the following equation:
23 C 3
D ,kg/m 5 sp gr 23/23°C3997.5
3
Where 997.5 kg/m is the density of water at 23°C.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 Determine the mass of a specimen of the solid plastic in air. It is then immersed in a liquid, its apparent mass upon
immersion is determined,
...