ASTM D4568-13(2020)

Standard Test Methods for Evaluating Compatibility Between Cable Filling and Flooding Compounds and Polyolefin Wire and Cable Materials

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Cable filling and flooding compounds are normally semi-solid at room temperature and fluid in varying degrees at elevated temperatures. They are normally applied in a liquid state and at an elevated temperature during wire and cable manufacturing. The completed finished wire or cable is exposed to various ambient conditions during its useful life. If not carefully selected, components of filling or flooding compounds have the potential to degrade the materials they contact, short term or long term. The following methods are intended to minimize the chances of such problems occurring.  
4.2 Some of the effects that might occur include, but are not limited to:  
4.2.1 Delamination of coated metal shields or screens in completed wire and cable. Delamination is primarily a function of the test temperature and the type of laminant used, so test results are unlikely to vary significantly between filling or flooding compounds of a common family (for example, petroleum based filling or flooding compounds).  
4.2.2 Degradation of physical properties of insulation, jackets, core coverings, etc. Likely manifestations of degradation of plastic material include embrittlement of some materials and excessive softening of other materials.  
4.3 Since the magnitude of any given effect will vary, some test procedures will be more critical than others. It is not, therefore, intended that every listed procedure be performed with every compatibility study. Perform procedures to the extent required by product specifications or as agreed upon between the producer and the purchaser.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods evaluate the compatibility between cable filling or cable flooding compounds, or both, and polyolefin materials used in the manufacture of wire and cable that are usually in intimate contact with the filler or floodant, or both.  
1.2 These test methods are useful to ensure compatibility and to verify that new formulations of filling or flooding compounds will have no deleterious effect upon the other polyolefin materials being used or, conversely, use these methods to ensure that other polyolefin wire and cable materials are evaluated for possible use not degraded by contact with fillers or floodants already in use.  
1.3 Whenever two sets of values are presented, in different units, the values in the first set are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.4 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.  
1.5 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.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Jul-2020
• ICS: 29.035.20 - Plastics and rubber insulating materials
• Technical Committee: D09 - Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials
• Drafting Committee: D09.07 - Electrical Insulating Materials

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D4568-13 - Standard Test Methods for Evaluating Compatibility Between Cable Filling and Flooding Compounds And Polyolefin Wire and Cable Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2020
• Refers: ASTM D1711-24 - Standard Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2024
• Refers: ASTM D4730-13(2020) - Standard Specification for Flooding Compounds for Telecommunications Wire and Cable
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2020
• Refers: ASTM D1711-15 - Standard Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2015
• Refers: ASTM D1711-14a - Standard Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2014
• Refers: ASTM D1711-14 - Standard Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-May-2014
• Refers: ASTM D1711-13 - Standard Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2013
• Refers: ASTM D4730-13 - Standard Specification for Flooding Compounds for Telecommunications Wire and Cable
• Effective Date: 01-May-2013
• Refers: ASTM D1711-11a - Standard Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2011
• Refers: ASTM D1711-08 - Standard Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
• Effective Date: 01-May-2008
• Refers: ASTM D4730-02(2008) - Standard Specification for Flooding Compounds for Telecommunications Wire and Cable
• Effective Date: 01-May-2008
• Refers: ASTM D4731-02(2008)e1 - Standard Specification for Hot-Application Filling Compounds for Telecommunications Wire and Cable
• Effective Date: 01-May-2008
• Refers: ASTM D4732-02(2008)e1 - Standard Specification for Cool-Application Filling Compounds for Telecommunications Wire and Cable
• Effective Date: 01-May-2008
• Refers: ASTM D5423-93(2005) - Standard Specification for Forced-Convection Laboratory Ovens for Evaluation of Electrical Insulation (Withdrawn 2014)
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2005
• Refers: ASTM D4730-02 - Standard Specification for Flooding Compounds for Telecommunications Wire and Cable
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-2002

Overview

ASTM D4568-13(2020), Standard Test Methods for Evaluating Compatibility Between Cable Filling and Flooding Compounds and Polyolefin Wire and Cable Materials, is a key international standard developed by ASTM. This standard provides test methods to assess the compatibility between cable filling and flooding compounds and the polyolefin materials commonly used in wire and cable manufacturing. Its purpose is to ensure that these compounds do not adversely affect the performance or integrity of polyolefin-based insulation, jackets, and coated metal components throughout the cable’s service life.

Maintaining the compatibility of these materials is essential to prevent issues such as delamination, degradation, embrittlement, or excessive softening, which can compromise the performance of electrical and telecommunication cables.

Key Topics

• Compatibility Assessments: Methods to evaluate the interaction between cable filling or flooding compounds and polyolefin materials (including insulation, jackets, and coated metals).
• Sample Preparation and Conditioning: Procedures for preparing specimens of both cable compounds and polyolefin materials, including heating and coating protocols.
• Accelerated Aging: Guidelines for exposing specimens to elevated temperatures to simulate long-term aging and environmental exposure.
• Visual and Mechanical Evaluation: Criteria for assessing delamination, cracking, swelling, or distortion, as well as quantifying changes in tensile strength and elongation.
• Pass/Fail Criteria: Reporting guidelines for visual test outcomes and property retention, with flexibility for manufacturer and purchaser agreement.

Applications

• Telecommunications Cables: Assessment of compatibility is especially important for telecommunications wire and cable, often utilizing polyolefin insulation, jacketing, and coated metallic shields. Ensuring compounds do not cause delamination or degradation maintains signal integrity.
• Direct Buried Cables: Cables designed for direct burial are exposed to varying ambient conditions, making the stable interaction between filling/flooding compounds and polyolefin materials critical for long-term reliability.
• Product Development & Qualification: The standard supports the introduction of new or modified cable filling and flooding compounds by providing validation procedures to demonstrate material compatibility with existing polyolefin components.
• Quality Assurance and Compliance: Manufacturers use these test methods to meet product specifications, customer requirements, or procurement contracts, ensuring cables perform safely and as intended in their operational environment.

Related Standards

Several ASTM standards complement or are referenced by ASTM D4568-13(2020):

• ASTM D1711: Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation - provides key definitions.
• ASTM D2633: Test Methods for Thermoplastic Insulations and Jackets for Wire and Cable - offers protocols for measuring physical properties.
• ASTM D4730: Specification for Flooding Compounds for Telecommunications Wire and Cable.
• ASTM D4731 & D4732: Specifications for Hot and Cool-Application Filling Compounds.
• ASTM D5423: Specification for Forced-Convection Laboratory Ovens for Evaluation of Electrical Insulation.

Practical Value

Applying ASTM D4568-13(2020) helps manufacturers and quality control laboratories:

• Mitigate risks of premature cable failure due to incompatibility between filling/flooding compounds and polyolefin-based materials.
• Ensure product reliability throughout the cable’s intended lifespan, especially when exposed to thermal, chemical, or environmental stresses.
• Comply with international procurement and regulatory standards, supporting global trade and technical acceptance.
• Streamline development and approval processes when introducing new compounds, by providing recognized, repeatable test procedures for verifying compatibility.

By following this standard, stakeholders in the electrical and telecommunications industries can ensure the safety, durability, and performance of wired infrastructure using polyolefin-based cables and associated compounds.

Standards Content (Sample)

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:D4568 −13 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Test Methods for
Evaluating Compatibility Between Cable Filling and
Flooding Compounds and Polyolefin Wire and Cable
Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4568; 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.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 These test methods evaluate the compatibility between
D1711 Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
cable filling or cable flooding compounds, or both, and
D1928 Practice for Preparation of Compression-Molded
polyolefin materials used in the manufacture of wire and cable
Polyethylene Test Sheets and Test Specimens (Withdrawn
thatareusuallyinintimatecontactwiththefillerorfloodant,or
2001)
both.
D2633 Test Methods for Thermoplastic Insulations and
1.2 These test methods are useful to ensure compatibility
Jackets for Wire and Cable
and to verify that new formulations of filling or flooding
D4730 Specification for Flooding Compounds for Telecom-
compounds will have no deleterious effect upon the other
munications Wire and Cable
polyolefin materials being used or, conversely, use these
D4731 Specification for Hot-Application Filling Com-
methods to ensure that other polyolefin wire and cable mate-
pounds for Telecommunications Wire and Cable
rials are evaluated for possible use not degraded by contact
D4732 Specification for Cool-Application Filling Com-
with fillers or floodants already in use.
pounds for Telecommunications Wire and Cable
1.3 Whenever two sets of values are presented, in different
D5423 Specification for Forced-Convection Laboratory Ov-
units, the values in the first set are to be regarded as standard. ens for Evaluation of Electrical Insulation
The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions
3. Terminology
that are provided for information only and are not considered
3.1 Definitions:
standard.
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in these test methods,
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
refer to Terminology D1711
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2.1 aging (act of), n—exposure of materials to filling or
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
flooding compound at a specified temperature for a specified
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
time.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.2.2 filling compound, n—any of several materials (see
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
Specifications D4731 and D4732) used to fill the air spaces in
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
the cores of multi-conductor insulated wires and cables for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
purpose of excluding air or moisture or both; especially with
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
regard to telecommunications wire and cable intended for
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
direct burial.
3.2.3 flooding compound, n—any of several materials (see
Specification D4730) used to flood wire or cable sheath
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D09 on
Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials and are the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D09.07 on Electrical Insulating Materials. Members of ASTM For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Committee D02 on Petroleum Products and Lubricants andASTM Committee B07 contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
on Light Metals and Alloys have contributed to these test methods. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2020. Published September 2020. Originally
the ASTM website.
approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D4568 – 13. DOI:
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
10.1520/D4568-13R20. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D4568−13 (2020)
interfaces (for example, the region between core wrap and a COMPATIBILITY EVALUATION BETWEEN
shield, between a shield and a jacket, etc.) to eliminate or to COATED METALS AND FILLING OR FLOODING
minimize normal voids or air spaces in these areas; especially COMPOUNDS
with regard to telecommunications wire and cable intended for
7. Scope
direct burial.
7.1 This test method is specifically for polyolefin coatings
4. Significance and Use
on aluminum and steel shielding and armoring material used in
telecommunications wire and cables.
4.1 Cable filling and flooding compounds are normally
semi-solid at room temperature and fluid in varying degrees at
8. Specimen Preparation
elevated temperatures. They are normally applied in a liquid
8.1 Cut a specimen of coated metal tape (shielding tape,
state and at an elevated temperature during wire and cable
armor tape, screen tape) 6 in. (150 mm) long for evaluation. If
manufacturing. The completed finished wire or cable is ex-
a choice of tape widths is possible, select a width narrow
posedtovariousambientconditionsduringitsusefullife.Ifnot
enough to fit easily into a container (beaker, graduated
carefully selected, components of filling or flooding com-
cylinder, etc.).
poundshavethepotentialtodegradethematerialstheycontact,
short term or long term.The following methods are intended to
8.2 Heat a quantity of the filling or flooding compound to a
minimize the chances of such problems occurring.
temperature such that all components of the compound are in
solution and the compound is a homogenous pourable liquid
4.2 Some of the effects that might occur include, but are not
(98 °C minimum). Maintain at a temperature higher than
limited to:
102 °C only if necessary for pouring. A standardized pouring
4.2.1 Delamination of coated metal shields or screens in
temperature of 100 6 2 °C is preferred in order to produce
completedwireandcable.Delaminationisprimarilyafunction
uniform testing. Record melting and pouring temperatures
of the test temperature and the type of laminant used, so test
used, together with other relevant laboratory data.
results are unlikely to vary significantly between filling or
flooding compounds of a common family (for example, petro- 8.3 Pour the melted compound into the container holding
leum based filling or flooding compounds).
thecoatedmetaltape.Poursufficientmaterialtoensurethatthe
4.2.2 Degradation of physical properties of insulation, tape is completely covered.
jackets, core coverings, etc. Likely manifestations of degrada-
9. Specimen Aging
tionofplasticmaterialincludeembrittlementofsomematerials
and excessive softening of other materials. 9.1 Place the immersed metal tape into an oven preheated to
the temperature mutually agreed upon between the wire and
4.3 Since the magnitude of any given effect will vary, some
cable manufacturer and the purchaser. Unless otherwise
test procedures will be more critical than others. It is not,
specified, maintain this temperature for a period of 168 h
therefore, intended that every listed procedure be performed
(7 days) minimum. (See Note 1.)
with every compatibility study. Perform procedures to the
extent required by product specifications or as agreed upon
NOTE 1—It is desirable to age specimens at more than one temperature
(60 6 1 °C and 80 6 1 °C are commonly used) or to age all specimens
between the producer and the purchaser.
to a failure time, or both. If specimens are being aged to failure, it is
suggested that sets of specimens be removed from the oven at the end of
5. Apparatus
interim periods (that is, after 7 days, after 14 days, etc.).
5.1 Oven—Forced-convection oven, conforming to Specifi-
10. Specimen Examination
cation D5423, Type II.
10.1 Aftertheagingperiodisconcludedandbeforecooling,
5.2 Containers—Glass or other containers of suitable size,
extract the metal tape from the container of filling or flooding
shape, and make-up as required to hold the designated speci-
material. Allow as much as possible of the compound to drain
mens.
from the specimen. Avoid wiping the specimen and do not
5.3 Clamps, or other devices as suitable for holding speci-
expose it to solvents to remove the filling or flooding material.
mens in the oven.
(See Note 2.)
5.4 Tensile Strength Testing Apparatus, as specified by the
NOTE 2—High melt-temperature filling and flooding materials may
test requirement.
have to be removed from the tape by mechanical or other means. If no
other choice is possible, it may be necessary to reheat the container of
5.5 Mill, Press, and Molding Equipment, as needed for
immersed tape to permit extracting it, but recognize that such reheating
preparation of compression molded specimens as required.
may adversely bias test results by causing the coated metal(s) to behave in
a manner not encountered during a normal cable life. Recorded laboratory
5.6 Miscellaneous Lab Equipment—Towels, knives, etc., as
data should include descriptions of any special techniques used to extract
required for cleaning and cutting specimens.
tape specimens.
6. Sampling 10.2 Allow the specimen to cool to room ambient condi-
tions.
6.1 Ensure that samples of filling and flooding compounds
and the other affected wire and cable materials to be evaluated 10.3 Visually examine (normal vision or corrected-tonormal
are representative of the materials to be used or to be found in vision, without magnification) the specimen of coated metal
the finished products. tape for evidence of delamination.
D4568−13 (2020)
11. Interpretation of Results temperature of 100 6 2 °C is preferred in order to produce
uniformtesting.Recordmeltingandpouringtemperaturesused
11.1 Unless otherwise specified, consider any visual evi-
together with other relevant laboratory data.
dence of delamination of coated metal to be a failure.
13.6 Coat some (normally one half) of the specimens (both
11.2 Report—ThereportshallbeinaccordancewithSection
straight and pigtail) with the filling or flooding material. Dip
23.
thespecimensorpainttheheatedandliquifiedmaterialonwith
a brush, etc., so the outer surface is completely covered 0.001
COMPATIBILITY EVALUATIONS FOR
POLYOLEFIN INSULATIONS AND FILLING to 0.002 in. (0.025 to 0.050 mm). Do not soak the specimens in
the compound in a dipping or similar process (expose to excess
OR FLOODING COMPOUNDS
quantities of compound for a matter of seconds rather than
12. Scope
hours; see Note 3).
12.1 This test method is specifically for polyolefin insulat-
NOTE 3—The intent of this procedure is to provide heat aging of
ing materials used in telecommunications wires and cables.
insulating and jacketing material in an oven and not in hot grease; hence,
the prohibition against soaking as described in 13.6 and 18.5 of this test
13. Specimen Preparation and Initial Testing
method.
13.1 Obtain samples of typical insulated conductors for
14. Specimen Aging
evaluation.
14.1 Place the insulated conductor specimens, coated and
13.1.1 Where various insulated conductor sizes are avail-
uncoated
...