ASTM D792-98

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

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.
Note 1--Alternatively, Test Method D1505 may be applied to many such forms, as well as to films and sheeting.
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 problems, 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 2--This standard is not equivalent to ISO 1183 Method A.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Dec-2000
• ICS: 83.120 - Reinforced plastics
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.70 - Analytical Methods

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D792-00 - Standard Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Relative Density) of Plastics by Displacement
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-2000
• Referred By: ASTM F3510-21 - Standard Guide for Characterizing Fiber-Based Constructs for Tissue-Engineered Medical Products
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-2000
• Referred By: ASTM F2118-14(2020) - Standard Test Method for Constant Amplitude of Force Controlled Fatigue Testing of Acrylic Bone Cement Materials
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-2000
• Referred By: ASTM F3087-15 - Standard Specification for Acrylic Molding Resins for Medical Implant Applications
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-2000
• Referred By: ASTM F2468-05(2019) - Standard Classification for Specifying Silicone Adhesives and Sealants for Transportation Applications
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-2000
• Referred By: ASTM F2025-06(2018) - Standard Practice for Gravimetric Measurement of Polymeric Components for Wear Assessment
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-2000
• Referred By: ASTM F2720/F2720M-20 - Standard Specification for Glass Fiber Reinforced Polyethylene (PE-GF) Spiral Wound Large Diameter Pipe
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-2000
• Referred By: ASTM D3489-23 - Standard Test Methods for Microcellular Urethane Materials
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-2000
• Referred By: ASTM D7248/D7248M-21 - Standard Test Method for High Bearing - Low Bypass Interaction Response of Polymer Matrix Composite Laminates Using 2-Fastener Specimens
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-2000
• Referred By: ASTM F3131-14(2023) - Standard Specification for Epoxy / Cotton Raw Materials for the Use in Bearing Cages
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-2000
• Referred By: ASTM D3124-98(2019) - Standard Test Method for Vinylidene Unsaturation in Polyethylene by Infrared Spectrophotometry
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-2000
• Referred By: ASTM D1039-16(2022) - Standard Test Methods for Glass-Bonded Mica Used as Electrical Insulation
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-2000
• Referred By: ASTM F2854-21 - Standard Specification for Push-Fit Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Mechanical Fittings for Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Tubing
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-2000
• Referred By: ASTM B987/B987M-20 - Standard Specification for Carbon Fiber Thermoset Polymer Matrix Composite Core (CFC) for use in Overhead Electrical Conductors
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-2000
• Referred By: ASTM D5436-15(2020) - Standard Specification for Cast Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Plastic Rods, Tubes, and Shapes
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-2000

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: D 792 – 98
Standard Test Methods for
Density and Specific Gravity (Relative Density) of Plastics
1
by Displacement
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 792; 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 (e) 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 * E 380 Practice for Use of the International System of Units
6
(SI) (the Modernized Metric System)
1.1 These test methods describe the determination of the
E 691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
specific gravity (relative density) and density of solid plastics
6
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
in forms such as sheets, rods, tubes, or molded items.
1.2 Two test methods are described:
3. Terminology
1.2.1 Test Method A—For testing solid plastics in water, and
3.1 General—The units, symbols, and abbreviations used in
1.2.2 Test Method B—For testing solid plastics in liquids
these test methods are in accordance with Practice E 380.
other than water.
3.2 Definitions:
NOTE 1—Alternatively, Test Method D 1505 may be applied to many
3.2.1 specific gravity (relative density)—the ratio of the
such forms, as well as to films and sheeting.
mass in air of a unit volume of the impermeable portion of the
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
material at 23°C to the mass in air of equal density of an equal
standard.
volume of gas-free distilled water at the same temperature. The
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
form of expression shall be:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Specific gravity ~relative density! 23/23°C
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
~or sp gr 23/23°C!
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
NOTE 3—This definition is essentially equivalent to the definition for
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
apparent specific gravity and apparent density in Terminology E 12,
because the small percentage difference introduced by not correcting for
NOTE 2—There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.
the buoyancy of air is insignificant for most purposes.
2. Referenced Documents
3.2.2 density—the mass in air in kilograms per cubic metre
2.1 ASTM Standards:
of impermeable portion of the material at 23°C. The form of
D 618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics and Electrical
expression shall be:
2
Insulating Materials for Testing
23 3
D , kg/m ~Notes 2-4!
D 891 Test Methods for Specific Gravity, Apparent, of
3 3
NOTE 4—The SI unit of density, as defined in Practice E 380 is kg/m .
Liquid Industrial Chemicals
3 3
To convert density in g/cm to density in kg/m , multiply by 1000.
D 1505 Test Method for Density of Plastics by the Density-
2 NOTE 5—Specific gravity 23/23°C can be converted to density 23°C,
Gradient Technique
3
kg/m , by use of the following equation:
D 1622 Test Method for Apparent Density of Rigid Cellular
23 C 3
2
Plastics D , kg/m 5 sp gr 23/23°C 3 997.6
2
D 1898 Practice for Sampling of Plastics
4. Summary of Test Method
4
E 1 Specification for ASTM Thermometers
4.1 Determine the mass of a specimen of the solid plastic in
E 12 Terminology Relating to Density and Specific Gravity
5
air. It is then immersed in a liquid, its apparent mass upon
of Solids, Liquids, and Gases
immersion is determined, and its specific gravity (relative
density) calculated.
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-20 on
Plastics and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.70 on Analytical
5. Significance and Use
Methods (Section D20.70.01).
5.1 The specific gravity or density of a solid is a property
Current edition approved Aug. 10, 1998. Published November 1998. Originally
published as D 792 – 44. Last previous edition D 792 – 91. that can be measured conveniently to identify a material, to
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01.
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.05.
4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.03.
5 6
Discontinued; see 1995 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.05. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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D 792
follow physical changes in a sample, to indicate degree of 9.2 Sample Holder, corrosion-resistant.
uniformity among different sampling units or specimens, or to 9.3 Sinker—A sinker for use with specimens of plastics that
indicate the average density of a large item. have spec
...