ASTM D3349-21

Standard Test Method for Absorption Coefficient of Ethylene Polymer Material Pigmented with Carbon Black

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The absorption coefficient of polyolefin polymer pigmented with carbon black is useful to judge the degree and uniformity of dispersion of the pigment, and the adequacy of the quantitative level of pigment addition. These factors are used to predict the performance of the polymer material in response to prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light as evidenced by minimal changes in specific properties.
Note 1: This test method was developed to evaluate ethylene polymer materials pigmented with small particle size carbon blacks suitable for UV protection. It is not known how accurate and reproducible the test would be with larger (35 nm or greater) particle size blacks. However, for larger particle sizes of carbon black, such as furnace black at 275 nm, when there is at least 5 or higher percent of carbon black, the material pigmented as such has suitable UV protection.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method measures the amount of light transmitted through a film of carbon black pigmented ethylene polymer.  
1.2 After calculation of the amount of light and film thickness, an absorption coefficient is calculated.  
1.3 Whenever two sets of values are presented, in different units, the values in the first set are the standard, while those in parentheses are for information only.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 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-Aug-2021
• ICS: 83.080.20 - Thermoplastic materials
• Technical Committee: D09 - Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials
• Drafting Committee: D09.07 - Electrical Insulating Materials

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: D3349 − 21
Standard Test Method for
Absorption Coefficient of Ethylene Polymer Material
1
Pigmented with Carbon Black
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3349; 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* used to calculate an absorption coefficient that is a reciprocal
function of transmission after correction for thickness.
1.1 This test method measures the amount of light transmit-
ted through a film of carbon black pigmented ethylene poly-
4. Significance and Use
mer.
4.1 The absorption coefficient of polyolefin polymer pig-
1.2 After calculation of the amount of light and film
mented with carbon black is useful to judge the degree and
thickness, an absorption coefficient is calculated.
uniformity of dispersion of the pigment, and the adequacy of
the quantitative level of pigment addition. These factors are
1.3 Whenever two sets of values are presented, in different
units, the values in the first set are the standard, while those in used to predict the performance of the polymer material in
response to prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light as evi-
parentheses are for information only.
denced by minimal changes in specific properties.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
NOTE 1—This test method was developed to evaluate ethylene polymer
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- materialspigmentedwithsmallparticlesizecarbonblackssuitableforUV
protection. It is not known how accurate and reproducible the test would
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
be with larger (35 nm or greater) particle size blacks. However, for larger
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
particlesizesofcarbonblack,suchasfurnaceblackat275 nm,whenthere
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
is at least 5 or higher percent of carbon black, the material pigmented as
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
such has suitable UV protection.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
5. Apparatus
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical 5.1 Spectrophotometer—An instrument in accordance with
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. Practice E60 is required.
NOTE 2—Consult the spectrophotometer’s operation manual or consult
2. Referenced Documents
the manufacturer of the instrument for the calibration procedure.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5.2 Mold—A mold in accordance with Figs. 1 and 2. Make
D1248 Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Extrusion
the mold of Ketos steel (or equivalent) hardened to Rockwell
Materials for Wire and Cable
C45, with mold surfaces chromium plated to 0.005 mm
E60 Practice for Analysis of Metals, Ores, and Related
(0.0002-in.) minimum thickness.
Materials by Spectrophotometry
5.3 Specimen Holder—Cut two concentric rings from
phenolic-paper laminate or other suitable material to the
3. Summary of Test Method
dimensionsshowninFig.3.Slipfittheringssnuglyonewithin
3.1 The transmission of light of a specified wavelength
the other.
through thin ethylene polymer film is measured. The result is
5.4 Reference Material—A reference material is required
having an absorbance value of 1.0 to 1.2 at 375 nm as
measured by the instrument used for testing.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D09 on
3
5.4.1 Neutral Density Filter, M-type carbon 0.85 density,
Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D09.07 on Electrical Insulating Materials.
laminated between cellulose acetate sheets has been found
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2021. Published October 2021. Originally
approved in 1974. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as D3349 – 17. DOI:
3
10.1520/D3349-21. The sole source of supply of the apparatus known to the committee at this time
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or is The Kodak neutral density filter, No. 5, available from the Eastman Kodak Co. If
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM you are aware of alternative suppliers, please provide this information to ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful
...

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: D3349 − 17 D3349 − 21
Standard Test Method for
Absorption Coefficient of Ethylene Polymer Material
1
Pigmented with Carbon Black
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3349; 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*
1.1 This test method measures the amount of light transmitted through a film of carbon black pigmented ethylene polymer.
1.2 After calculation of the amount of light and film thickness, an absorption coefficient is calculated.
1.3 Whenever two sets of values are presented, in different units, the values in the first set are the standard, while those in
parentheses are for information only.
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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 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:
D1248 Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Extrusion Materials for Wire and Cable
E60 Practice for Analysis of Metals, Ores, and Related Materials by Spectrophotometry
D1248 Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Extrusion Materials for Wire and Cable
3. Summary of Test Method
3.1 The transmission of light of a specified wavelength through thin ethylene polymer film is measured. The result is used to
calculate an absorption coefficient that is a reciprocal function of transmission after correction for thickness.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 The absorption coefficient of polyolefin polymer pigmented with carbon black is useful to judge the degree and uniformity of
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D09 on Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D09.07 on Electrical Insulating Materials.
Current edition approved March 1, 2017Sept. 1, 2021. Published March 2017October 2021. Originally approved in 1974. Last previous edition approved in 20122017 as
D3349 – 12.D3349 – 17. DOI: 10.1520/D3349-17.10.1520/D3349-21.
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.
*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

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D3349 − 21
dispersion of the pigment, and the adequacy of the quantitative level of pigment addition. These factors are used to predict the
performance of the polymer material in response to prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light as evidenced by minimal changes in
specific properties.
NOTE 1—This test method was developed to evaluate ethylene polymer materials pigmented with small particle size carbon blacks suitable for UV
protection. It is not known how accurate and reproducible the test would be with larger (35 nm or greater) particle size blacks. However, for larger particle
sizes of carbon black, such as furnace black at 275 nm, when there is at least 5 or higher percent of carbon black, the material pigmented as such has
suitable UV protection.
5. Apparatus
5.1 Spectrophotometer—An instrument in accordance with Practice E60 is required.
NOTE 2—Consult the spectrophotometer’s operation manual or consult the manufacturer of the instrument for the calibration procedure.
5.2 Mold—A mold in accordance with Figs. 1 and 2. Make the mold of Ketos steel (or equivalent) hardened to Rockwell C45,
with mold surfaces chromium plated to 0.005-mm 0.005 mm (0.0002-in.) minimum thickness.
5.3 Specimen Holder—Cut two concentric rings from phenolic-paper laminate or other suitable material to the dimensions shown
in Fig. 3. Slip fit the rings snugly one within the other.
...