Standard Specification for Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Molding and Extrusion Materials

ABSTRACT
This specification provides for the identification of virgin, unmodified homopolymer ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) molding and extrusion plastic materials in the form of powder, granules, or pellets. This specification is not intended to differentiate between various molecular weight grades of commercially available UHMW-PE, nor does it function to provide specific engineering data for design purposes. Sampled specimens shall be tested for dilute solution viscosity.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification provides for the identification of virgin, unmodified homopolymer ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) plastics molding and extrusion materials. This identification is made in such a manner that the seller and purchaser can agree on the acceptability of different commercial lots or shipments.
1.2 It is not intended to differentiate between various molecular weight grades of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene commercially available.
1.3 It is not the function of this specification to provide specific engineering data for design purposes.
1.4 Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylenes, as defined in this specification, are those linear polymers of ethylene which have a relative viscosity of 1.44 or greater, in accordance with the test procedures described herein.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.6 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the test method portion. Section , 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.
Note 1—There is no ISO equivalent specification. However, in ISO 11542-1, a range of viscosity numbers defines the viscosity of UHMW-PE grades. The viscosity numbers are determined in accordance with ISO 1628-3.

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Publication Date
31-May-2005
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ASTM D4020-05 - Standard Specification for Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Molding and Extrusion Materials
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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: D4020 – 05
Standard Specification for
Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Molding and
1
Extrusion Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4020; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber 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* 2. Referenced Documents
2
1.1 This specification provides for the identification of 2.1 ASTM Standards:
virgin, unmodified homopolymer ultra-high-molecular-weight D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
polyethylene (UHMW-PE) plastics molding and extrusion D1601 Test Method for Dilute Solution Viscosity of Ethyl-
materials.This identification is made in such a manner that the ene Polymers
3
seller and purchaser can agree on the acceptability of different D1898 Practice for Sampling Plastics
4
commercial lots or shipments. 2.2 ISO Standards:
1.2 It is not intended to differentiate between various ISO 11542-1 Plastics—Ultra High Molecular-Weight Poly-
molecular weight grades of ultra-high-molecular-weight poly- ethylene (PE-UHMW) Moulding and Extrusion
ethylene commercially available. Materials—Part 1: Designation System and Basis for
1.3 It is not the function of this specification to provide Specification
specific engineering data for design purposes. ISO 1628-3 Plastics—Determination of Viscosity Number
1.4 Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylenes, as defined and Limiting Viscosity Number—Part 3: Polyethylenes
in this specification, are those linear polymers of ethylene and Polypropylenes
which have a relative viscosity of 1.44 or greater, in accor-
3. Terminology
dance with the test procedures described herein.
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of terms used in this specifica-
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information tion are in accordance with Terminology D883.
only. 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene molding
1.6 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the
test method portion. Section 7, of this specification: This andextrusionmaterials—asdefinedbythisspecification,those
substantiallylinearpolyethyleneswhichhavearelativeviscos-
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user ityof1.44orgreater,ataconcentrationof0.02%,at135°C,in
decahydronaphthalene.
of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita- 3.2.1.1 Discussion—Ithasbeencommonpracticetoreferto
the “molecular weight” of UHMW-PE resins. The following
tions prior to use.
calculations shall be used to approximate the specific viscosity
NOTE 1—There is no ISO equivalent specification. However, in
(h ), reduced viscosity (hred or R.S.V.), intrinsic viscosity (h
sp
ISO11542-1, a range of viscosity numbers defines the viscosity of
or I.V.), and the approximate viscosity average molecular
UHMW-PE grades. The viscosity numbers are determined in accordance
weight of virgin resin. The solution viscosity test on thermally
with ISO1628-3.
processed material is invalid due to inadequate solubility and
possible crosslinking.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.15 on Thermoplastic Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Materials. the ASTM website.
3
Current edition approved June 1, 2005. Published June 2005. Originally Withdrawn.
4
approved in 1981. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as D4020-01a. DOI: Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
10.1520/D4020-05. 4th 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.
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---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4020 – 05
k k
5.2 Themoldingandextrusionmaterialsshallbeasuniform
Relativeviscosity5h 5 t 2 / t 2 (1)
S D S D
r s o
t t
s o in composition and size and as free of contamination as can be
achieved by good manufacturing practice. If necessary, the
Specificviscosity5h 5h 21
sp r
level of contamination may be agreed upon between the seller
h
sp
Reducedviscosity5h 5
and the purchaser.
red
C
5.3 Unless controlled by r
...

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