ASTM D4020-18
(Specification)Standard Specification for Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Molding and Extrusion Materials
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, natural color, unmodified homopolymer ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) 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 This specification also provides guidance for the characterization of UHMWPE materials based on various mechanical, thermal, electrical, and other analyses.
1.3 It is not intended to differentiate between various molecular weight grades of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene commercially available.
1.4 It is not the function of this specification to provide specific engineering data for design purposes.
1.5 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.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.7 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the test method portions in Section 7 and the Annex and Appendixes, 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Note 1: This standard and ISO 11542-1 address the same subject matter, but differ in technical content. ISO 11542-1 provides a classification system based on various characteristics and a range of viscosity numbers determined in accordance with ISO 1628-3.
1.8 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.
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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:D4020 −18
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 U.S. Department of Defense.
tion system based on various characteristics and a range of viscosity
1. Scope*
numbers determined in accordance with ISO 1628-3.
1.1 This specification provides for the identification of
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
virgin, natural color, unmodified homopolymer ultra-high-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) plastics molding
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
and extrusion materials. This identification is made in such a
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
manner that the seller and purchaser can agree on the accept-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
ability of different commercial lots or shipments.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.2 This specification also provides guidance for the char-
2. Referenced Documents
acterization of UHMWPE materials based on various
2
mechanical, thermal, electrical, and other analyses.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D883Terminology Relating to Plastics
1.3 It is not intended to differentiate between various
D1601Test Method for Dilute Solution Viscosity of Ethyl-
molecular weight grades of ultra-high-molecular-weight poly-
ene Polymers
ethylene commercially available.
3
2.2 ISO Standards:
1.4 It is not the function of this specification to provide
ISO 11542-1Plastics—Ultra High Molecular-Weight Poly-
specific engineering data for design purposes.
ethylene (PE-UHMW) Moulding and Extrusion
1.5 Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylenes, as defined
Materials—Part 1: Designation System and Basis for
in this specification, are those linear polymers of ethylene
Specification
which have a relative viscosity of 1.44 or greater, in accor-
ISO 1628-3Plastics—Determination of Viscosity Number
dance with the test procedures described herein.
and Limiting Viscosity Number—Part 3: Polyethylenes
and Polypropylenes
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
3. Terminology
only.
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of terms used in this specifica-
1.7 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the
tion are in accordance with Terminology D883.
test method portions in Section 7 and the Annex and
Appendixes, of this specification: This standard does not 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated 3.2.1 ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene molding
with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard and extrusion materials—asdefinedbythisspecification,those
to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental substantiallylinearpolyethyleneswhichhavearelativeviscos-
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita- ityof1.44orgreater,ataconcentrationof0.02%,at135°C,in
tions prior to use. decahydronaphthalene.
3.2.1.1 Discussion—Ithasbeencommonpracticetoreferto
NOTE 1—This standard and ISO 11542-1 address the same subject
the “molecular weight” of UHMWPE resins. The following
matter, but differ in technical content. ISO 11542-1 provides a classifica-
calculations shall be used to approximate the specific viscosity
1 2
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.15 on Thermoplastic contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Materials. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2018. Published August 2018. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1981. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as D4020-11. DOI: Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
10.1520/D4020-18. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
*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
1
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...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D4020 − 11 D4020 − 18
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. 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*
1.1 This specification provides for the identification of virgin, natural color, unmodified homopolymer ultra-high-molecular-
weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE)(UHMWPE) 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 This specification also provides guidance for the characterization of UHMWPE materials based on various mechanical,
thermal, electrical, and other analyses.
1.3 It is not intended to differentiate between various molecular weight grades of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene
commercially available.
1.4 It is not the function of this specification to provide specific engineering data for design purposes.
1.5 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.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.7 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the test method portions in Section 7 and the Annex and Appendixes,
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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and
determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
NOTE 1—This standard and ISO 11542-1 address the same subject matter, but differ in technical content. ISO 11542-1 provides a classification system
based on various characteristics and a range of viscosity numbers determined in accordance with ISO 1628-3.
NOTE 1—This standard and ISO 11542-1 address the same subject matter, but differ in technical content. ISO 11542-1 provides a classification system
based on various characteristics and a range of viscosity numbers determined in accordance with ISO 1628-3.
1.8 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
D1601 Test Method for Dilute Solution Viscosity of Ethylene Polymers
3
2.2 ISO Standards:
ISO 11542-1 Plastics—Ultra High Molecular-Weight Polyethylene (PE-UHMW) Moulding and Extrusion Materials—Part 1:
Designation System and Basis for Specification
ISO 1628-3 Plastics—Determination of Viscosity Number and Limiting Viscosity Number—Part 3: Polyethylenes and
Polypropylenes
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.15 on Thermoplastic Materials.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2011Aug. 1, 2018. Published October 2011August 2018. Originally approved in 1981. Last previous edition approved in 20052011 as
D4020 - 05.D4020 - 11. DOI: 10.1520/D4020-11.10.1520/D4020-18.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
*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
1
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D4020 − 18
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of terms used in this specification are
...
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