ASTM D618-00

Standard Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing

SCOPE
1.1 In general, the physical and electrical properties of plastics are influenced by temperature and relative humidity in a manner that materially affects test results. In order that reliable comparisons may be made of different materials and between different laboratories, it is necessary to standardize the humidity conditions, as well as the temperature, to which specimens of these materials are subjected prior to and during testing. This practice defines procedures for conditioning plastics (although not necessarily to equilibrium) prior to testing, and the conditions under which they shall be tested.
1.2 For some materials, there may be a material specification that requires the use of this practice, but with some procedural modifications. The material specification takes precedence over this practice. Refer to the material specification before using this practice. Table 1 in Classification D 4000 lists the ASTM material specifications that currently exist.
1.3 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-ISO 291 is related to this practice; however, ISO 291 describes only two temperature and humidity conditions for conditioning or testing, or both.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Nov-2000
• ICS: 29.035.20 - Plastics and rubber insulating materials
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.50 - Durability of Plastics

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D618-05 - Standard Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2005
• Referred By: ASTM F2788/F2788M-21 - Standard Specification for Metric and Inch-sized Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Pipe
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2000
• Referred By: ASTM D1043-16 - Standard Test Method for Stiffness Properties of Plastics as a Function of Temperature by Means of a Torsion Test
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2000
• Referred By: ASTM F3506-21e1 - Standard Specification for Standard Specification for Polyethylene of Raised Temperature/Aluminum/Polyethylene of Raised Temperature (PE-RT/AL/PE-RT) Composite Pressure Pipe based on Inner Diameter (ID) for use in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Line Set Systems
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2000
• Referred By: ASTM F2418-19 - Standard Specification for Polypropylene (PP) Corrugated Wall Stormwater Collection Chambers
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2000
• Referred By: ASTM D2241-20 - Standard Specification for Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Pressure-Rated Pipe (SDR Series)
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2000
• Referred By: ASTM F877-23 - Standard Specification for Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Hot- and Cold-Water Distribution Systems
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2000
• Referred By: ASTM F2806-23 - Standard Specification for Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) Plastic Pipe (Metric SDR-PR)
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2000
• Referred By: ASTM F3219-19 - Standard Specification for 3 to 30 in. (75 To 750 mm) Polypropylene (PP) Corrugated Single Wall Pipe and Fittings
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2000
• Referred By: ASTM D3307-21 - Standard Specification for Perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) Resin Molding and Extrusion Materials
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2000
• Referred By: ASTM D5948-05(2020) - Standard Specification for Molding Compounds, Thermosetting
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2000
• Referred By: ASTM D1621-16(2023) - Standard Test Method for Compressive Properties of Rigid Cellular Plastics
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2000
• Referred By: ASTM D2578-23 - Standard Test Method for Wetting Tension of Polyethylene and Polypropylene Films
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2000
• Referred By: ASTM F2763/F2763M-16(2021)e1 - Standard Specification for 12 to 60 in. [300 to 1500 mm] Dual and Triple Profile-Wall Polyethylene (PE) Pipe and Fittings for Sanitary Sewer Applications
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2000
• Referred By: ASTM D1248-16 - Standard Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Extrusion Materials for Wire and Cable
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2000

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:D618–00
Standard Practice for
Conditioning Plastics for Testing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 618; 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 * D 5032 Practice for Maintaining Constant Relative Humid-
ity by Means of Aqueous Glycerin Solutions
1.1 In general, the physical and electrical properties of
E 104 Practice for Maintaining Constant Relative Humidity
plastics are influenced by temperature and relative humidity in
by Means of Aqueous Solutions
a manner that materially affects test results. In order that
2.2 ISO Standard:
reliable comparisons may be made of different materials and
ISO 291 Plastics—Standard Atmospheres for Conditioning
betweendifferentlaboratories,itisnecessarytostandardizethe
and Testing
humidity conditions, as well as the temperature, to which
specimens of these materials are subjected prior to and during
3. Terminology
testing. This practice defines procedures for conditioning
3.1 Definitions:
plastics (although not necessarily to equilibrium) prior to
3.1.1 room temperature—a temperature in the range from
testing, and the conditions under which they shall be tested.
20 to 30°C (68 to 85°F).
1.2 For some materials, there may be a material specifica-
3.1.2 standard laboratory atmosphere—an atmosphere hav-
tion that requires the use of this practice, but with some
ing a temperature of 23°C (73.4°F) and a relative humidity of
procedural modifications. The material specification takes
50 % with standard tolerances as specified in 3.2 shall be the
precedence over this practice. Refer to the material specifica-
standard laboratory atmosphere.
tion before using this practice.Table 1 in Classification D 4000
3.1.3 standard laboratory temperature—a temperature of
lists the ASTM material specifications that currently exist.
23°C (73.4°F) with standard tolerance as specified in 3.2 shall
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
be the standard laboratory temperature.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2 Tolerances:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.3 relative humidity—standard tolerance shall be65%.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.3.1 Discussion—Where the closer tolerance 62 % is re-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
quired, it may be specified and the tolerance used reported.
NOTE 1—ISO 291 is related to this practice; however, ISO 291
3.4 standard test temperatures other than standard labora-
describes only two temperature and humidity conditions for conditioning
tory temperature—when data are to be obtained for compari-
or testing, or both.
son purposes at a specific temperature either above or below
the standard laboratory temperature, the temperature should be
2. Referenced Documents
selected from the following:
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Test Tolerance,
D 709 Specification for Laminated Thermosetting Materi-
Temperatures, °C (°F) plus or minus, °C (°F)
als
−70 (−94) 2.0 (3.6)
−55 (−67) 2.0 (3.6)
D 756 Practice for Determination of Weight and Shape
−40 (−40) 2.0 (3.6)
Changes of Plastics Under Accelerated Service Condi-
−25 (−13) 2.0 (3.6)
tions
0 (32) 2.0 (3.6)
35 (95) 1.0 (1.8)
D 4000 Classification System for Specifying Plastic Mate-
4 50 (122) 2.0 (3.6)
rials
70 (158) 2.0 (3.6)
90 (194) 2.0 (3.6)
105 (221) 2.0 (3.6)
120 (248) 2.0 (3.6)
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.50 on Permanence Properties.
Current edition approved Nov. 10, 2000. Published January 2001. Originally
published as D 618 – 41. Last previous edition D 618 – 99. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 10.02.
2 6
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 10.01. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.03.
3 7
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01. Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., 13th
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.02. Floor, New York, NY 10036.
*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.
D618
7.1.1 Conditioning of test specimens may be designated as
Test Tolerance,
Temperatures, °C (°F) plus or minus, °C (°F)
follows:
130 (266) 2.0 (3.6)
7.1.1.1 A number indicating in hours the duration of the
155 (311) 2.0 (3.6)
conditioning,
180 (356) 2.0 (3.6)
200 (392) 3.0 (5.4)
7.1.1.2 A number indicating in degrees Celsius the condi-
225 (437) 3.0 (5.4)
tioning temperature, or
250 (482) 3.0 (5.4)
7.1.1.3 A number indicating relative humidity, whenever
275 (527) 3.0 (5.4)
300 (572) 3.0 (5.4)
relativehumidityiscontrolled,orawordtoindicateimmersion
325 (617) 4.0 (7.2)
in a liquid.
350 (662) 5.0 (9.0)
400 (752) 6.0 (10.8) 7.1.2 The numbers shall be separated from each other by
450 (842) 8.0 (14.4)
slant marks. A sequence of conditions shall be denoted by use
500 (932) 10.0 (18.0)
of a plus ( + ) sign between successive conditions. “Des” shall
600 (1112) 12.0 (21.6)
be used to indicate desiccation over anhydrous calcium chlo-
3.5 temperature—standard tolerance shall be 62°C
ride. Temperature and relative humidity tolerances shall be in
(63.6°F).
accordance with Section 3, unless otherwise specified.
3.5.1 Discussion—Where the closer tolerance 61°C
NOTE 2—Examples:
(61.8°F)isrequired,itmaybespecifiedandthetoleranceused
Condition 96/23/50—Condition 96 h at 23°C and 50 % relative humid-
reported.
ity.
3.6 temperature and relative humidity measurement—
Condition 48/50/water—Condition 48 h at 50°C in water.
measurements shall be made as close as possible to the center
Condition 48/50 + 96/23/50—Condition 48 h at 50°C; then condition
of the room or chamber.
96 h at 23°C and 50 % relative humidity.
3.6.1 Discussion—The temperature and relative humidity Condition 48/50 + Des—Condition 48 h at 50°C followed by desicca-
tion.
indicated at the control point, or on a recorder, may not be
representativeofaconditionelsewhereinanenclosureorroom
7.2 Designation for Test Condition:
because of local effects or deficiency in circulation of air.
7.2.1 Test condition may be designated as follows:
Additional measurements shall be made throughout the area to
7.2.1.1 Acapital letter “T” following the prior conditioning
show compliance to the temperature and relative humidity
designation and separated therefrom by a colon.
required.
7.2.1.2 A number indicating in degrees Celsius the test
temperature;
4. Significance and Use
7.2.1.3 Anumber indicating the relative humidity in the test
4.1 Conditioning of specimens may be undertaken: (1) for
whenever relative humidity is controlled.
the purpose of bringing the material into equilibrium with
7.2.2 The numbers shall be separated from each other by a
normal or average room conditions, (2) simply to obtain
slant mark, and from the “T” by a dash. Temperature and
reproducible results, regardless of previous history of expo-
relative humidity tolerances shall be in accordance with
sure, or (3) to subject the material to abnormal conditions of
Section 3, unless otherwise specified.
temperatureorhumidityinordertopredictitsservicebehavior.
NOTE 3—Examples:
4.2 The conditioning procedures prescribed in this practice
Condition 24/180: T—180—Condition 24 h at 180°C: Test at 180°C.
are designed to obtain reproducible results and may give
Condition 96/35/90: T—35—90—Condition 96 h at 35°C and 90 %
physical values somewhat higher or somewhat lower than
relative humidity: Test at 35°C and 90 % relative humidity.
valuesunderequilibriumatnormalconditions,dependingupon
the particular material and test. To ensure substantial equilib-
8. Standard Procedures for Conditioning Prior to Test
rium under normal conditions of humidity and temperature,
8.1 Procedure A—Condition 40/23/50 for specimens 7 mm
however, may require from 20 to 100 days or more depending
(0.25 in.) or under in thickness, 88/23/50 for specimens over 7
upon thickness and type of material and its previous history.
mm—Condition test specimens 7 mm or under in thickness in
Consequently, conditioning for reproducibility must of neces-
the standard laboratory atmosphere for a minimum of 40 h
sity be used for general purchase specifications and product
immediatelypriortotesting.Treattestspecimensover7mmin
control tests.
thickness as above, except that the minimum time shall be
88 h. Provide adequate air circulation on all sides of the test
5. Sampl
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