ASTM D4976-00b
(Specification)Standard Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Molding and Extrusion Materials
Standard Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Molding and Extrusion Materials
SCOPE
1.1 This specification provides for the identification of polyethylene plastics molding and extrusion materials in such a manner that the supplier and the user can agree on the acceptability of different commercial lots or shipments. The tests involved in this specification are intended to provide information for identifying materials according to the groups, classes, and grades covered. It is not the function of this specification to provide specific engineering data for design purposes.
1.2 Other requirements may be necessary to identify particular characteristics important to specialized applications. These shall be agreed upon between the user and the supplier, by using the suffixes given in Section 1.3.
1.3 Ethylene plastic materials, being thermoplastic, are reprocessable and recyclable (see Note 1). This specification allows for the use of those ethylene plastic materials, provided that any specific requirements as governed by the producer and the end user are met.
Note 1--See Guide D5033 for information and definitions related to recycled plastics.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are regarded as the standard.
1.5 The following precautionary caveat pertains to the test method portion only, Section 12, of this specification. 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.
1.6 For information regarding plastic pipe materials see Specification D3350. For information regarding wire and cable materials, see Specification D1248.
Note 2--There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.
General Information
Relations
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.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 4976 – 00b
Standard Specification for
Polyethylene Plastics Molding and Extrusion Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4976; 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.
INTRODUCTION
This specification is not intended for the selection of materials, but only as a means to call out
plastic materials to be used for the manufacture of parts. The selection of these materials is to be made
by personnel with expertise in the plastics field where the environment, inherent properties of the
materials, performance of the parts, part design, manufacturing process, and economics are
considered. This specification does not specify the source of the resin to be used for the fabrication
of any given article.
1. Scope * 1.6 For information regarding plastic pipe materials see
Specification D 3350. For information regarding wire and
1.1 This specification provides for the identification of
cable materials, see Specification D 1248.
polyethylene plastics molding and extrusion materials in such
a manner that the supplier and the user can agree on the
NOTE 2—There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.
acceptability of different commercial lots or shipments. The
2. Referenced Documents
tests involved in this specification are intended to provide
information for identifying materials according to the groups,
2.1 ASTM Standards:
classes, and grades covered. It is not the function of this
D 257 Test Methods for D-C Resistance or Conductance of
specification to provide specific engineering data for design
Insulating Materials
purposes.
D 568 Test Method for Rate of Burning and/or Extent and
1.2 Other requirements may be necessary to identify par-
Time of Burning of Flexible Plastics in a Vertical Position
ticular characteristics important to specialized applications.
D 618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics and Electrical
These shall be agreed upon between the user and the supplier,
Insulating Materials for Testing
by using the suffixes given in Section 1.3.
D 635 Test Method for Rate of Burning and/or Extent and
1.3 Ethylene plastic materials, being thermoplastic, are
Time of Burning of Self-Supporting Plastics in a Horizon-
reprocessable and recyclable (see Note 1). This specification
tal Position
allows for the use of those ethylene plastic materials, provided
D 638 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics
that any specific requirements as governed by the producer and
D 790 Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced
the end user are met.
and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materi-
als
NOTE 1—See Guide D 5033 for information and definitions related to
D 792 Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Rela-
recycled plastics.
tive Density) of Plastics by Displacement
1.4 The values stated in SI units are regarded as the
D 883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
standard.
D 1238 Test Method for Flow Rates of Thermoplastics by
1.5 The following precautionary caveat pertains to the test
Extrusion Plastometer
method portion only, Section 12, of this specification. This
D 1248 Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Molding and
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
Extrusion Materials
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
D 1505 Test Method for Density of Plastics by the Density-
of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health
Gradient Technique
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita-
D 1531 Test Methods for Relative Permittivity (Dielectric
tions prior to use.
Constant) and Dissipation Factor by Fluid Displacement
Procedures
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on
Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.15 on Thermoplastic
Materials. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 10.01.
Current edition approved Nov. 10, 2000. Published January 2001. Originally Discontinued. See the 1991 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01.
published as D 4976 – 95. Last previous edition D 4976 – 00a. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01.
*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.
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.
D 4976
D 1600 Terminology for Abbreviated Terms Relating to of Interior Materials
Plastics
3. Terminology
D 1693 Test Method for Environmental Stress-Cracking of
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of technical terms pertain-
Ethylene Plastics
ing to plastics used in this specification, see Terminology
D 1898 Practice for Sampling of Plastics
D 883 and Terminology D 1600.
D 1928 Practice for Preparation of Compression-Molded
3.2 Historical usage and user group conventions have re-
Polyethylene Test Sheets and Test Specimens
sulted in inconsistent terminology used to categorize and
D 2565 Practice for Operating Xenon Arc-Type Light-
describe polyethylene resins and compounds. The following
Exposure Apparatus With and Without Water for Exposure
terminology is in use in ASTM specifications pertaining to
of Plastics
polyethylene:
D 2951 Test Method for Resistance of Types III and IV
3.2.1 Specification D 1248:
Polyethylene Plastics to Thermal Stress-Cracking
3.2.1.1 Type (0, I, II, III, IV) = density ranges (same,
D 3350 Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Pipe and
respectively, as Class in Specification D 4976).
Fitting Materials
3.2.1.2 Class (A, B, C, D) = composition and use.
D 3892 Practice for Packaging/Packing of Plastics
3.2.1.3 Category (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) = melt index ranges (same as
D 4000 Classification System for Specifying Plastic Mate-
Grade in Specification D 4976).
rials
3.2.1.4 Grade (E, J, D, or W followed by one or two digits)
D 4883 Test Method for Density of Polyethylene by the
= specific requirements from tables.
Ultrasound Technique
3.2.2 Specification D 3350:
D 5033 Guide for the Development of Standards Relating to
3.2.2.1 Type (I, II, III) = density ranges (same as Types I, II,
the Proper Use of Recycled Plastics
and III in Specification D 1248 and Classes 1, 2, and 3 in
E 29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
Specification D 4976).
Determine Conformance with Specifications
3.2.2.2 Class = a line callout system consisting of “PE”
F 1473 Test Method for Notch Tensile Test to Measure the
followed by six cell numbers from Table 1 plus a letter (A, B,
Resistance to Slow Crack Growth on Polyethylene Pipes
C, D, E) denoting color and UV stabilizer.
and Resins
3.2.2.3 Grade = simplified line callout system using “PE”
G 23 Practice for Operating Light-Exposure Apparatus
followed by density and slow crack growth cell numbers from
(Carbon-Arc Type) With and Without Water for Exposure
Table 1.
of Nonmetallic Materials
3.2.3 Specification D 4976:
G 53 Practice for Operating Light- and Water-Exposure
3.2.3.1 Group (1, 2) = branched or linear polyethylene.
Apparatus (Fluorescent UV-Condensation Type) for Expo-
3.2.3.2 Class (5, 1, 2, 3, 4) = density ranges (same,
sure of Nonmetallic Materials
respectively, as Type in Specification D 1248).
2.2 Military Standard:
3.2.3.3 Grade (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) = melt index ranges (same as
MIL-STD-105 Sampling Procedures and Tables for Inspec-
Category in Specification D 1248).
tion by Attributes
2.3 DOT Standard:
4. Classification
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 302, Flammability
4.1 Unreinforced polyethylene plastic materials are classi-
fied into groups according to polymerization processes. These
Discontinued—See 1997 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01.
groups are subdivided into classes and grades as shown in
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.02.
Table PE (Basic Property Table).
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.03.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.04.
10 12
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.04. Available from United States Department of Transportation, National High-
Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, Bldg. 4 Section D, way Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Partici-
700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS. pation, 400 7th St., SW, Washington, DC 20590.
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.
D 4976
TABLE PE Basic Requirement of Polyethylene Plastics
C
Tensile Strength at Elongation at Break, Secant Modulus , min,
A
Group Description Class Description Grade Flow Rate
B
Yield , min, MPa min, % MPa
1 Branched 1 low density 1 >25 8 70 100
. . . 2 >10 to 25 8 90 125
0.910–0.925 3 >1 to 10 8.5 100 125
. . . 4 >0.4 to 1 9.5 300 125
. . . 5 to 0.4 9.5 400 150
... 0 ... ... ... ...
2 medium density 1 >25 8 40 200
. . . 2 >10 to 25 11 50 200
>0.925–0.940 3 >1 to 10 11 70 200
. . . 4 >0.4 to 1 11 200 250
. . . 5 to 0.4 12 400 300
... 0 ... ... ... ...
0 . 0 . . . .
2 Linear 5 very low density 1 >25 . . . . . . . . .
... 2 >10 to 25 ... ... ...
<0.910 3 >1 to 10 . . . . . . . . .
. . . 4 >0.4 to 1 . . . . . . . . .
... 5 to 0.4 ... ... ...
... 0 ... ... ... ...
1 low density 1 >25 10 300 300
. . . 2 >10 to 25 10 300 325
0.910–0.925 3 >1 to 10 10 300 350
. . . 4 >0.4 to 1 10 400 350
. . . 5 to 0.4 12 500 400
... 0 ... ... ... ...
2 medium density 1 >25 14 90 500
. . . 2 >10 to 25 14 100 500
>0.925–0.940 3 >1 to 10 14 100 550
. . . 4 >0.4 to 1 15 200 600
. . . 5 to 0.4 19 400 600
... 0 ... ... ... ...
3 high density 1 >25 17 10 400
. . . 2 >10 to 25 17 50 400
>0.940–0.960 3 >1 to 10 18 200 450
. . . 4 >0.4 to 1 19 400 500
. . . 5 to 0.4 20 600 600
... 0 ... ... ... ...
4 high density 1 >25 24 10 500
. . . 2 >10 to 25 24 10 600
>0.960 3 >1 to 10 25 30 800
. . . 4 >0.4 to 1 28 300 900
. . . 5 to 0.4 28 400 1000
... 0 ... ... ... ...
0 0 . 0 . . . .
A
Melt index = g/10 min at 190°C/2.16 kg.
B 3
Type IV tensile bars at 500 mm/min (20 in./min) for materials with densities of 0.925 g/cm and less; and 50 mm/min (2 in./min) for materials with densities greater
than 0.925 g/cm .
C
Secant Modulus at 2 % strain using Procedure B with 50.8-mm (2-in.) span on 3.18 3 12.7-mm (0.125 3 0.5-in.) specimens.
A
Cell Table A Detail Requirements for Polyethylene Plastics
Cell Limits
Designation Or-
Property
der Number
0 1 2 3 4 5678 9
B
1 Tensile Strength at Yield, Test Method D 638, MPa , min unspecified 4 8 12 16 21 30 35 . . . specify value
2 Elongation at Break, Test Method D 638, %, min unspecified 25 50 200 400 600 800 1000 . . . specify value
A,C
3 Flexural Modulus, Test Methods D 790, MPa , min unspecified 50 100 200 400 600 800 1000 . . . specify value
4 Thermal stress-crack resistance, hours without cracking, min, unspecified 24 48 96 168 . . . . . . . . . . . . specify value
Test Method D 2951
D
5 Environmental stress-crack resistance, min F h, Test unspecified 24 48 96 168 336 672 1008 . . . specify value
Method D 1693
A
It is recognized that detailed test values may not predict nor even correlate with performance of parts molded of these materials.
B
MPa 3 145 = psi.
C
Using test specimens with a nominal cross section of 3.2 3 12.7 cross section and a span of 50.8 mm.
D
F is the time required for failure of 50 % of the specimens tested in accordance with the graphical method described in Test Method D 1693. Class 1 polyethylenes
shall be tested in accordance with Test Method D 1693, Condition A. Classes 2, 3, 4, and 5 shall be tested in accordance with Condition B. Igepal concentration for all
conditions is 100 %. Mold samples in accordance with Procedure C of Practice D 1928 (cooling rate of 15 6 2°C/min).
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.
D 4976
A
Cell Table B Detail Requirements for Polyethylene Plastics
Cell Limits
Designation Or-
Property
der Number
0 1 2 3 4 5678 9
B
1 Tensile Strength at Yield, Test Method D 638, MPa , min unspecified 4 8 12 16 21 30 35 . . . specify value
2 Elongation at Break, Test Method D 638, %, min unspecified 25 50 200 400 600 800 1000 . . . specify value
A C
3 Flexural Modulus, Test Methods D 790, MPa , , min unspecified 50 100 200 400 600 800 1000 . . . specify value
4 Thermal stress-crack resistance, hours without cracking, min unspecified 24 48 96 168 . . . . . . . . . . . . specify value
Test Method D 2951
D
5 Slow Crack Growth Resistance, PENT-Test Method F 1473 , unspecified 0.3 1 3 10 30 100 300 . . . specify value
h, min
A
It is recognized that detailed test values may not predict nor even correlate with performance of parts molded of these materials.
B
MPa 3 145 = psi.
C
Using test specimens with a nominal cross section of 3.2 3 12.7 cross section and a span of 50.8 mm.
D
Molded Plaque, 80°C, 2.4 MPa, notch depth in Table1Iof Test Method F 1473.
NOTE 3—An example of this classification system is as follows: The
1 =Volume resistivity, permittivity, and dissipation factor meet property
designation PE 112 would indicate PE, polyethylene as found in Termi- limits as shown as follows. These are electrical limits usually ap-
plied to unreinforced polyethylene plastics when control of their
nology D 1600, 1 (group) branched, 1 (class) low density, 2 (grade) >25
electrical properties is required.
melt index.
4.2 Cell Tables A or B shall be used to specify the physical
Electrical Properties:
property requirements that shall be shown by a five-digit
Test
designation. The designation shall consist of the letter A and
Methods
the five digits comprising the cell numbers for the property
Permittivity, max D 1531 2.30
requirements in the order they appear in Cell Table A.
Dissipation factor, max D 1531 0.001
Volume resistivity, min D 257 1 3 10
4.2.1 Although the values listed are necessary to include the
V-cm
range of properties available in the existing materials, users Water immersion stability D 1531 shall meet the dielectric
constant and dissipation
should not infer that every possible combination of the
factor requirements
properties exist or can be obtained.
NOTE 4—It is recognized that some high-density polyethylene plastics
5.1.2 F = F
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.