ASTM D4473-08(2021)

Standard Test Method for Plastics: Dynamic Mechanical Properties: Cure Behavior

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method provides a simple means of characterizing the cure behavior of thermosetting resins using very small amounts of material (fewer than 3 to 5 g). The data obtained may be used for quality control, research and development, and establishment of optimum processing conditions.  
5.2 Dynamic mechanical testing provides a sensitive method for determining cure characteristics by measuring the elastic and loss moduli as a function of temperature or time, or both. Plots of cure behavior and tan delta of a material versus time provide graphical representation indicative of cure behavior under a specified time-temperature profile.  
5.3 This test method can be used to assess the following:  
5.3.1 Cure behavior, including rate of cure, gel, and cure time.  
5.3.2 Processing behavior, as well as changes as a function of time/temperature.
Note 3: The presence of the substrate prevents an absolute measure, but allows relative measures of flow behavior during cure.  
5.3.3 The effects of processing treatment.  
5.3.4 Relative resin behavioral properties, including cure behavior and damping.  
5.3.5 The effects of substrate types on cure.
Note 4: Due to the rigidity of a supporting braid, the gel time obtained from dynamic mechanical traces will be longer than actual gel time of the unsupported resin measured at the same frequency. This difference will be greater for composites having greater support-to-polymer rigidity ratios.3  
5.3.6 Effects of formulation additives that might affect processability or performance.  
5.4 For many materials, there may be a specification that requires the use of this test method, but with some procedural modifications that take precedence when adhering to the specification. Therefore, it is advisable to refer to that material specification before using this test method. Table 1 of Classification System D4000 lists the ASTM materials standards that currently exist.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the use of dynamic-mechanical-oscillation instrumentation for gathering and reporting the thermal advancement of cure behavior of thermosetting resin. It may be used for determining the cure properties of both unsupported resins and resins supported on substrates subjected to various oscillatory deformations.  
1.2 This test method is intended to provide a means for determining the cure behavior of supported and unsupported thermosetting resins over a range of temperatures by free vibration as well as resonant and nonresonant forced-vibration techniques, in accordance with Practice D4065. Plots of modulus, tan delta, and damping index as a function of time/temperature are indicative of the thermal advancement or cure characteristics of a resin.  
1.3 This test method is valid for a wide range of frequencies, typically from 0.01 to 100 Hz. However, it is strongly recommended that low-frequency test conditions, generally below 1.5 Hz, be utilized as they generally will result in more definitive cure-behavior information.  
1.4 This test method is intended for resin/substrate composites that have an uncured effective elastic modulus in shear greater than 0.5 MPa.  
1.5 Apparent discrepancies may arise in results obtained under differing experimental conditions. These apparent differences from results observed in another study can usually be reconciled, without changing the observed data, by reporting in full (as described in this test method) the conditions under which the data were obtained.  
1.6 Due to possible instrumentation compliance, especially in the compressive mode, the data generated may indicate relative and not necessarily absolute property values.  
1.7 Test data obtained by this test method are relevant and appropriate for use in engineering design.  
1.8 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.  
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use....

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Jun-2021
• ICS: 83.080.10 - Thermosetting materials
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.10 - Mechanical Properties

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: D4473 − 08 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Test Method for
1
Plastics: Dynamic Mechanical Properties: Cure Behavior
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4473; 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 U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope 1.8 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
standard.
1.1 This test method covers the use of dynamic-mechanical-
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the
oscillation instrumentation for gathering and reporting the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
thermal advancement of cure behavior of thermosetting resin.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
It may be used for determining the cure properties of both
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
unsupported resins and resins supported on substrates sub-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
jected to various oscillatory deformations.
Specific precautionary statements are given in Note 5.
1.2 This test method is intended to provide a means for
determining the cure behavior of supported and unsupported NOTE 1—There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.
thermosetting resins over a range of temperatures by free
1.10 This international standard was developed in accor-
vibration as well as resonant and nonresonant forced-vibration
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
techniques, in accordance with Practice D4065. Plots of
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
modulus, tan delta, and damping index as a function of
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
time/temperature are indicative of the thermal advancement or
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
cure characteristics of a resin.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.3 Thistestmethodisvalidforawiderangeoffrequencies,
2. Referenced Documents
typically from 0.01 to 100 Hz. However, it is strongly
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
recommended that low-frequency test conditions, generally
D4000 Classification System for Specifying Plastic Materi-
below 1.5 Hz, be utilized as they generally will result in more
als
definitive cure-behavior information.
D4065 Practice for Plastics: Dynamic Mechanical Proper-
1.4 This test method is intended for resin/substrate compos-
ties: Determination and Report of Procedures
ites that have an uncured effective elastic modulus in shear
D4092 Terminology for Plastics: Dynamic Mechanical
greater than 0.5 MPa.
Properties
1.5 Apparent discrepancies may arise in results obtained
ASTM/IEEE SI–10 Standard for Use of the International
under differing experimental conditions. These apparent differ-
System of Units (SI): The Modern Metric System
ences from results observed in another study can usually be
3. Terminology
reconciled, without changing the observed data, by reporting in
full (as described in this test method) the conditions under
3.1 Definitions—For definitions applicable to this test
which the data were obtained.
method refer to Terminology D4092.
1.6 Due to possible instrumentation compliance, especially
4. Summary of Test Method
in the compressive mode, the data generated may indicate
relative and not necessarily absolute property values. 4.1 A known amount of thermosetting liquid resin or resin-
impregnated substrate is placed in mechanical oscillation at
1.7 Test data obtained by this test method are relevant and
either a fixed or natural resonant frequency or by free vibration
appropriate for use in engineering design.
and at either isothermal conditions, with a linear temperature
increase or using a time-temperature relation simulating a
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D20 on Plastics
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and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.10 on Mechanical Properties. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved July 1, 2021. Published July 2021. Originally approved contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
in 1985. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as D4473 - 08(2016). DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D4473-08R21. the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
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