ASTM D5138-99a

Standard Specification for Liquid Crystal Polymers

SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers liquid crystal polymeric materials suitable for injection molding and extrusion.
1.2 The properties included in this specification are those required to identify the compositions covered. There may be other requirements necessary to identify particular characteristics important to specialized applications. These shall be agreed upon between the user and the supplier, by using the suffixes as given in Section 5.
1.3 This specification is intended to be a means of calling out plastic materials used in the fabrication of end items or parts. It is not intended for the selection of materials. Material selection should be made by those having expertise in the plastic field after careful consideration of the design and the performance required of the part, the environment to which it will be exposed, the fabrication process to be employed, the inherent properties of the material other than those covered by this specification, and the economics.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.5 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the test method portion, Section 11, 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Nov-1999
• ICS: 31.120 - Electronic display devices
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.15 - Thermoplastic Materials

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D5138-06 - Standard Classification System for Liquid Crystal Polymers (LCP)
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2006
• Referred By: ASTM D4000-23 - Standard Classification System for Specifying Plastic Materials
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-1999

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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 5138 – 99a
Standard Specification for
Liquid Crystal Polymers
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5138; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This specification covers liquid crystal polymeric mate- 2.1 ASTM Standards:
rials suitable for injection molding and extrusion. This speci- D256 Test Method for Determining the Pendulum Impact
fication allows the use of recycled, reconstituted, recycled- Resistance of Notched Specimens of Plastics
regrind, recovered, or reprocessed liquid crystal polymer, or D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics and Electrical
combination thereof, provided that the requirements as stated Insulating Materials for Testing
in this specification are met. It is the responsibility of the D638 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastic
supplier and the buyer of recycled, reconstituted, recycled- D648 Test Method for Deflection Temperature of Plastics
regrind, recovered, or reprocessed liquid crystal polymer, or Under Flexural Load
combination thereof, to ensure compliance. D790 TestMethodsforFlexuralPropertiesofUnreinforced
1.2 The properties included in this specification are those and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materi-
required to identify the compositions covered. There may be als
other requirements necessary to identify particular character- D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
istics important to specialized applications. These shall be D1238 Test Method for Flow Rates of Thermoplastics by
agreed upon between the user and the supplier, by using Extrusion Plastometer
suffixes as given in Section 5. D1600 Terminology for Abbreviated Terms Relating to
1.3 This specification is intended to be a means of calling Plastics
outplasticmaterialsusedinthefabricationofend-useitemsor D1898 Practice for Sampling of Plastics
parts. It is not intended for the selection of materials. Material D3418 Test Method for Transition Temperatures of Poly-
selection should be made by those having expertise in the mers by Thermal Analysis
plastics field after careful consideration of the design and the D3641 Practice for Injection Molding Test Specimens of
performance required of the part, the environment to which it Thermoplastic Molding and Extrusion Materials
will be exposed, the fabrication process to be employed, the D3835 Test Method for Determination of Properties of
costsinvolved,andtheinherentpropertiesofthematerialother Polymeric Materials by Means of a Capillary Rheometer
than those covered by this specification. D3892 Practice for Packaging/Packing of Plastics
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the D4000 Classification System for Specifying Plastic Mate-
standard. rials
1.5 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the D5033 GuidefortheDevelopmentofStandardsRelatingto
test method portion, Section 11, of this specification: This the Proper Use of Recycled Plastics
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, D5630 Test Method for Ash Content in Thermoplastics
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health Determine Conformance with Specifications
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita- 2.2 IEC and ISO Standards:
tions prior to use. IEC112 Recommended Method for Determining the Com-
parative Tracking Index of Solid Insulation Materials
NOTE 1—There are no ISO standards covering the primary subject
matter of this specification.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01.
1 3
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-20 on Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.02.
Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.15 on Thermoplastic Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.03.
Materials. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
Current edition approved Nov. 10, 1999. Published February 2000. Originally AvailablefromtheAmericanNationalStandardsInstitute,11W.42ndSt.,13th
published as D5138–90. Last previous edition D5138–99. 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.
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.
D 5138 – 99a
TABLE LCP Liquid Crystal Polymers—Classification
A
Group Description Class Description Grade Description
01 unsubstituted or methyl substituted, wholly aromatic 1 high temperature 0
B
copolyester, polyether, or polyester amide DTUL >260°C
2 medium temperature 0
DTUL = 220–260°C
3 general purpose 0
DTUL <220°C
02 mixed aromatic/aliphatic copolyesters, polyethers, or 1 high temperature 0
polyester amides DTUL >260°C
2 medium temperature 0
DTUL = 220–260°C
3 general purpose 0
DTUL <220°C
03 aromatic copolyesters, polyethers, or polyesteramides 1 high temperature 0
DTUL >260°C
with aliphatic sidechain
2 medium temperature 0
DTUL = 220–260°C
3 general purpose 0
DTUL <220°C
04 blends 1 high temperature 0
DTUL >260°C
2 medium temperature 0
DTUL = 220–260°C
3 general purpose 0
DTUL <220°C
00 other 0 other 0
A
Description unspecified.
B
DTUL is deflection temperature under load measured at 1.8 MPa and is determined in accordance with Table A or Table B.
IEC243 Recommended Methods of Test for Electrical 2.5 National Technical Information Service (NTIS):
Strength of Solid Insulating Materials at Power Frequen- AD297457 Procedure andAnalytical Method for Determin-
cies ing Toxic Gases Produced by Synthetic Compounds
ISO62 Plastics—Determination of Water Absorption
3. Terminology
ISO75-1 Determination of Temperature of Deflection Un-
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of technical terms pertain-
der Load—General Test Method
ing to plastics used in this specification, see Terminologies
ISO75-2 Determination of Temperature of Deflection Un-
D883 and D1600.
der Load—Plastics and Ebonite
3.2 Definition of Term Specific to This Standard:
ISO178 Plastics—Determination of Flexural Properties of
3.2.1 liquid crystal polymer (LCP)—A family of thermo-
Rigid Materials
plastic polymers which upon heating to the processing tem-
ISO 180/1A Plastics—Determination of Izod Impact
perature, exhibit ordered structure and under shear, highly
Strength of Rigid Materials
alignedchainsthatareretainedinthesolidstate.Liquidcrystal
ISO294-1 General Principles for Injection Molding
ISO527-1 Plastics—Determination of Tensile Properties— polymersarepolymersthatinthemoltenstateexhibitbirefrin-
gence in polarized light.
Test Conditions for Moulding and Extrusion of Plastics
ISO527-2 Plastics—Determination of Tensile Properties—
4. Classification
Test Conditions for Moulding and Extrusion of Plastics
4.1 The LCP materials are classified into groups according
ISO604 Plastics—Determination of Compressive Proper-
to their chemical composition. These groups are subdivided,
ties
whether reinforced or not, into classes based on thermal
ISO3146 Plastics—Determination of Melting Behaviour
performance as shown in Table LCP.
(Melting Temperature or Melting Range) of Semi-
Crystalline Polymers
NOTE 2—An example of this classification is as follows: The designa-
ISO3167 Plastics—Multipurpose Test Specimens
tion LCP0120 would indicate liquid crystal polymer as found in Termi-
2.3 Military Standard:
nology D1600:
01 (group)—Unsubstituted, or methyl substituted, wholly aromatic
M24519 Molding Plastics—Electrical Thermoplastics
copolyester, polyether, or polyester amide.
2.4 Underwriters Laboratories (UL):
2 (Class)—Medium temperature, DTUL=220–260°C.
UL94 Test for Flammability of Plastic Materials for Parts
0 (Grade—Other)
in Devices and Appliances
4.1.1 To facilitate the incorporation of future or special
materials, the “other” category for Group (00), Class (0), and
7 Grade (0) is shown in Table LCP.
AvailablefromStandardizationDocumentsOrderDesk,Bldg.4SectionD,700
Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS.
Available from Underwriters Laboratories, 333 Pfingsten Rd., Northbrook, IL
60062–2096. Available from NTIS, 5285 Port Royal Rd., Springfield, VA 22161.
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.
D 5138 – 99a
A —Table A property requirements
4.2 The LCP materials are also classified according to
2 —Tensile strength, min, 100 MPa
mechanical properties as shown in Table A, after specifying
any addition of fillers, reinforcements, or lubricants at the 2 —Flexural modulus, min, 8 GPa
nominal level indicated (see 4.2.1). 4 —Notched izod impact, min, 15 kJ/m
5 —Deflection temperature under load, min, 260°C at 1.8 MPa,
NOTE 3—Test specimens shall be prepared in accordance to ISO3167,
0 —Unspecified
with Specimen A.
NOTE 4—A similar callout can be developed using Table B. If no properties are specified, the designation would be
LCP0120G30A00000.
4.2.1 Reinforcements and additive materials shall use a
symbol (single-letter) that shows the major reinforcement or
5. Suffixes
combination, or both, along with two digits that indicate the
5.1 Whenrequirementsareneededthatsupersedeorsupple-
percentageofadditionbymasswiththetolerancesastabulated
menttherequirementsinTableLCPandA(orB),theyshallbe
as follows:
specified through the use of suffixes. In general, the first suffix
Tolerance
letter indicates the special requirements needed and the second
Symbol Material (Based on Total Mass)
letter indicates the conditions or test method, or both, with a
C carbon and graphite fiber 62%
three-digit number indicating the specific requirement. The
G glass 62%
suffixes that may be used are listed inTable 3 of Classification
L lubricants (for example PTFE, depends upon material and
graphite, silicone, and process to be specified
System D 4000.
molybdenum disulfide)
5.1.1 Additional suffixes will be added to this specification
M mineral 62%
as test methods and requirements are developed or requested,
R combinations of reinforce- 63 % for the total
ments or fillers, or both
or both.
NOTE 5—This part of the system uses percent reinforcements or
additives, or both, in the control of the modified basic material.The types 6. General Requirements
and percentages of reinforcements and additives should be shown on the
6.1 The composition of the specified material shall be
suppliers’ technical data sheet unless they are proprietary in nature. If
uniform and shall conform to the requirements specified
necessary, additional control of these reinforcements and additives can be
herein.
established by the use of the suffix part of the system, Section 5.
6.2 ThebasicmaterialrequirementsfromTablesLCPandA
4.2.2 Specific requirements shall be shown by a six-
(or B), as they apply, are always in effect unless these
character designation.The designation will consist of the letter
requirements are superseded by specific suffix requirements
A and the five digits comprising the cell numbers for the
which always take precedence.
property requirements in the order as they appear in Table A.
4.2.2.1 Although the values listed in Table A include the
7. Detail Requirements
rangeofpropertiesavailableinexistingmaterials,usersshould
7.1 The material shall conform to the requirements pre-
notinferthateverypossiblecombinationofpropertiesexistsor
scribedinTablesLCPandA(orB),andthesuffixrequirements
can be obtained.
as they apply.
4.2.3 When the grade or class of the basic material is not
7.2 For the purposes of determining conformance with this
known or is not important, the “0” classification will be used.
specification, all specified limits in this specification are
NOTE 6—An example of this classification for a reinforced LCP is as
absolute limits, as defined in PracticeE29.
follows: The designation LCP0120G30A22450 would indicate:
7.3 With the absolute method, an observed value or a
LCP 0120—Unsubstituted or methyl substituted, wholly aromatic
calculated value is not rounded, but is to be compared directly
copolyester, polyether, or polyester amide, medium temperature from
with the specified limiting value. Conformance or nonconfor-
Table LCP
G30—Glass reinforced at 30% nominal level mance with this specification is based on this comparison.
TABLE A Property Requirements for Liquid Crystal Polymer Based on ISO Test Methods
0 12345678 9
1 Tensile ISO 527 unspecified 70 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 specify
strength, value
min, MPa
2 Flexural ISO 178 unspecified 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 specify
modulus, value
min, GPa
3 Notched ISO unspecified 5 9 12 15 18 25 37 50 specify
izod 180/1A value
impact,
min, kJ/m
A
4 DTUL at ISO 75/A unspecified 140 180 220 240 260 300 340 380 specify
1.8 MPa, value
min,° C
5Tobe unspecified specify
determined value
A
DTUL = Deflection temperature under load tested flatwise on 80 by 10 by 4-mm specimen.
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.
D 5138 – 99a
TABLE B (Formerly Table A in D 5138 – 90) Property Requirements for LCP Based on ASTM Test Methods
0 12345678 9
A
Tensile strength, MPa, min, unspecified 70 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 specify value
(D 638)
B
Flex modulus, GPa, min, unspecified 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 specify value
(D 790)
Notched Izod unspecified 40 75 100 125 150 200 300 400 specify value
impact, min,
C
J/m, (D 256)
Deflection temperature, min, unspecified 140 180 220 240 260 300 340 380 specify value
°C at 1.8 MPa, (D 648)
To be determined unspecified specify value
A
Type 1 tensile bar, 3.2 mm thick tested at 5 mm/min 6 25 % (minimum length 200 mm).
B
127 by 12.7 by 3.2-mm bar tested at 1.3 mm/min.
C
Bar thickness 3.2 mm.
8. Sampling 11.2 Theglasscontentofglass-reinforcedmaterialsshallbe
in accordance with Test Method D5630.
8.1 Sampling shall be statistically adequate to satisfy the
11.3 Conditions for running melt viscosity testing in accor-
requirements of 12.4.
dancewithTestMethodD3835inacapillaryrheometerareas
8.2 Abatch or lot shall be constituted as a unit of manufac-
follows:
ture as prepared for shipment, and may consist of a blend of
two or more production runs. 11.3.1 Drying—Minimum 1 ⁄2 h (maximum 72 h
...