ASTM D3530/D3530M-97(2008)

Standard Test Method for Volatiles Content of Composite Material Prepreg

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method is used to obtain the volatiles content of composite material prepreg. Knowledge of the volatiles content is useful in developing optimum manufacturing processes.
The volatiles content is determined after exposure to the nominal cure or consolidation temperature.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the volatiles content, in weight percent of composite material prepregs. This standard focuses on composites with thermosetting resins that tend to lose a few percent of the matrix mass when heated due to loss of both retained water and low molecular weight matrix constituents that volatilize during heating.
1.2 Use of this test method is limited to maximum temperature of circulating air ovens (approximately 300°C).
1.3 Use of this test method is limited to temperatures below which the matrix flows from the reinforcement.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard.
1.5 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. Specific precautionary statements are given in Section 8.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 29-Feb-2008
• ICS: 83.120 - Reinforced plastics
• Technical Committee: D30 - Composite Materials
• Drafting Committee: D30.03 - Constituent/Precursor Properties

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D3530/D3530M-97(2003) - Standard Test Method for Volatiles Content of Composite Material Prepreg
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2008
• Replaced By: ASTM D3530M-97(2008)e1 - Standard Test Method for Volatiles Content of Composite Material Prepreg
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2008

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: D3530/D3530M − 97(Reapproved 2008)
Standard Test Method for
Volatiles Content of Composite Material Prepreg
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3530/D3530M; 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 3. Terminology
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the vola- 3.1 Definitions—Terminology D3878 defines terms relating
tilescontent,inweightpercentofcompositematerialprepregs. to composite materials. Terminology D883 defines terms
This standard focuses on composites with thermosetting resins relating to plastics. Practice E177 defines terms relating to
that tend to lose a few percent of the matrix mass when heated statistics.Intheeventofaconflictbetweenterms,Terminology
due to loss of both retained water and low molecular weight D3878 shall have precedence over other documents.
matrix constituents that volatilize during heating. 3.1.1 prepreg, n—the admixture of fibrous reinforcement
andpolymericmatrixusedtofabricatecompositematerials.Its
1.2 Use of this test method is limited to maximum tempera-
form may be sheet, tape, or tow. See Terminology D3878.
ture of circulating air ovens (approximately 300°C).
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.3 Use of this test method is limited to temperatures below
3.2.1 Volatiles Content, n—the amount of volatiles present
which the matrix flows from the reinforcement.
in a prepreg expressed as a weight percent.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3.3 Symbols:
standard.
3.3.1 M—the initial mass of the sample.
i
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.3.2 M—the mass of the sample after oven exposure.
f
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.3.3 V —the weight percent volatiles content.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
c
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4. Summary of Test Method
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precau-
tionary statements are given in Section 8.
4.1 Specimens of prepreg are weighed and then exposed to
elevated temperature, equal to the nominal cure or consolida-
2. Referenced Documents
tion temperature of the material, in an air circulating oven to
remove the volatiles. The exposed samples are reweighed and
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D3878Terminology for Composite Materials the percent change in weight expressed as volatiles content.
E177Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
ASTM Test Methods 5. Significance and Use
E1309 Guide for Identification of Fiber-Reinforced
5.1 This test method is used to obtain the volatiles content
Polymer-Matrix Composite Materials in Databases
of composite material prepreg. Knowledge of the volatiles
2.2 NFPA Standard:
content is useful in developing optimum manufacturing pro-
NFPA 86Standard for Ovens and Furnaces
cesses.
5.2 Thevolatilescontentisdeterminedafterexposuretothe
nominal cure or consolidation temperature.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D30 on
Composite Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D30.03 on
6. Interferences
Constituent/Precursor Properties.
Current edition approved March 1, 2008. Published April 2008. Originally
6.1 Airflow—The amount of measured volatiles may be
approved in 1976. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D3530/
increased or decreased by changing the velocity of airflow.
D3530M–97(2003). DOI: 10.1520/D3530_D3530M-97R08.
Since airflow in most ovens is not linear in each part, a
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. ForAnnual Book ofASTM
velometer should be used to measure airflow where samples
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
are placed. Samples should be placed only in positions of
the ASTM website.
known airflow so that results may be repeatable. Use of baffles
Available from National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch
Park, Quincy, MA 02269-9101. has been found to even airflow between samples.
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D3530/D3530M − 97 (2008)
6.2 Sample Exposure—Thegeometricshapeandpositioning 10. Calibration and Standardization
of the sample have an effect on the measured volatiles content.
10.1 All measuring equipment shall have certified calibra-
Samples placed horizontally in a rack will not be exposed to
tions that are current at the time of use of the equipment. The
the same amount of airflow as samples hung vertically. A
calibration documentation shall be available for inspection.
ribbon wound in a 150 mm diameter hoop may give slightly
different results than the same ribbon wound in a 50 mm
11. Conditioning
diameter hoop. A thinner sample will be exposed to more
11.1 Store carbon fiber-epoxy prepreg at low temperatures
airflow at its surface than a thicker sample.
as recommended by the manufacturer (typically approxi-
6.3 Time of Exposure—For any given temperature, sample
mately−18°C).Allow sealed packages of material to warm as
placement, and airflow, the sample will lose volatiles at a set
recommended by manufacturer or controlling specification
initial rate, that decreases over time. After some time period,
before seal is opened to ensure that the material does not
volatiles lost in the test will approach the true v
...