ASTM D6111-03

Standard Test Method for Bulk Density and Specific Gravity of Plastic Lumber and Shapes by Displacement

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The specific gravity or density of a solid is a property that can be measured conveniently to follow physical changes in a sample, to indicate degree of uniformity among different sampling units or specimens, or to indicate the average density of a large item.
Variations in density of a particular plastic lumber or shapes specimen may be due to changes in crystallinity, loss of plasticizer/solvent content, differences in degree of foaming, or to other causes. Portions of a sample may differ in density because of difference in crystallinity, thermal history, porosity, and composition (types or proportions of resin, plasticizer, pigment, or filler).
Note 2—Reference is made to Test Method D 1622.
Density is useful for calculating strength to weight and cost to weight ratios.
If the cross-sectional area of the specimen is required for future testing on a particular sample, it may be determined from a specific gravity measurement, see Note 10 (Eq 5).
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the bulk density and specific gravity of plastic lumber and shapes in their "as manufactured" form. As such, this is a test method for evaluating the properties of plastic lumber or shapes as a product and not a material property test method.
1.2 This test method is suitable for determining the bulk specific gravity or bulk density by immersion of the entire item or a representative cross section in water. This test method involves the weighing of a one piece specimen in water, using a sinker with plastics that are lighter than water. This test method is suitable for products that are wet by, but otherwise not affected by water for the duration of the test.
1.3 Plastic lumber and plastic shapes are currently made predominately from recycled plastics. However, this test method would also be applicable to similar manufactured plastic products made from virgin resins where the product is non-homogeneous in the cross-section.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.5 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 similar or equivalent ISO standard.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Mar-2003
• ICS: 83.140.01 - Rubber and plastics products in general
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.20 - Plastic Lumber

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D6111-97 - Standard Test Method for Bulk Density and Specific Gravity of Plastic Lumber and Shapes by Displacement
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2003
• Replaced By: ASTM D6111-09 - Standard Test Method for Bulk Density and Specific Gravity of Plastic Lumber and Shapes by Displacement
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2009
• Referred By: ASTM D6108-19 - Standard Test Method for Compressive Properties of Plastic Lumber and Shapes
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D6117-23 - Standard Test Methods for Mechanical Fasteners in Plastic Lumber and Shapes
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2003

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: D 6111 – 03
Standard Test Method for
Bulk Density And Specific Gravity of Plastic Lumber and
1
Shapes by Displacement
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 6111; 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.
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1. Scope* the Proper Use of Recycled Plastics
D 6108 Test Method for Compressive Properties of Plastic
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the bulk
3
Lumber and Shapes
density and specific gravity of plastic lumber and shapes in
4
E 1 Specification for ASTM Thermometers
their “as manufactured” form.As such, this is a test method for
E 12 Terminology Relating to Density and Specific Gravity
evaluating the properties of plastic lumber or shapes as a
5
of Solids, Liquids, and Gases
product and not a material property test method.
E 691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
1.2 This test method is suitable for determining the bulk
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Determine the Precision of a Test Method
specific gravity or bulk density by immersion of the entire item
or a representative cross section in water. This test method
3. Terminology
involves the weighing of a one piece specimen in water, using
3.1 Definitions:
a sinker with plastics that are lighter than water. This test
3.1.1 density, bulk—the weight per unit volume of a mate-
method is suitable for products that are wet by, but otherwise
rial including voids inherent in material as tested. (See Termi-
not affected by water for the duration of the test.
nology D 883.)
1.3 Plastic lumber and plastic shapes are currently made
3.1.1.1 Discussion—Specific gravity at 23/23°C can be
predominately from recycled plastics. However, this test
3
converted to density 23°C, g/cm , as follows:
method would also be applicable to similar manufactured
23C 3
plastic products made from virgin resins where the product is
D , g/cm 5 sp gr 23/23°C 3 0.9976 (1)
non-homogeneous in the cross-section.
3.1.2 plastic lumber, n—a manufactured product composed
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
of more than 50 weight percent resin, and in which the product
standard.
generally is rectangular in cross-section and typically supplied
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
in board and dimensional lumber sizes, may be filled or
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
unfilled, and may be composed of single or multiple resin
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
blends.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.1.3 plastic shape, n—a manufactured product composed
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
of more than 50 weight percent resin, and in which the product
NOTE 1—There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard. generally is not rectangular in cross-section, may be filled or
unfilled, and may be composed of single or multiple resin
2. Referenced Documents
blends.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.1.4 resin, n—a solid or pseudosolid organic material often
2
D 618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
of high molecular weight, which exhibits a tendency to flow
2
D 883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
when subjected to stress, usually has a softening or melting
D 1622 Test Method forApparent Density of Rigid Cellular
range, and usually fractures conchoidally. (See Terminology
2
Plastics
D 883.)
2
D 1898 Practice for Sampling of Plastics
3.1.4.1 Discussion—In a broad sense, the term is used to
D 5033 GuidefortheDevelopmentofStandardsRelatingto
designate any polymer that is a basic material for plastics.
3.1.5 specific gravity, bulk (of solids)—the ratio of the
weight in air of a unit volume of a permeable material
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D20 on Plastics
andisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD20.20onPlasticProducts(Section
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D20.20.01). Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.03.
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Current edition approved March 10, 2003. Published April 2003. Originally Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.03.
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approved in 1997. Last previous edition approved in 1997 as D 6111 - 97 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.05.
2 6
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
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D6111–03
(including both permeable and impermeable voids normal to 6.2.2 Cage—Adevicelargeenoughtosupportthebottomof
the material) at a stated temperature to the weight in a
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