ASTM D4731-13

Standard Specification for Hot-Application Filling Compounds for Telecommunications Wire and Cable

ABSTRACT
This specification covers a variety of petroleum-based and other compounds used for filling the air spaces in telecommunications wires and cables (both electrical and fiber optic) for the purpose of preventing water and other undesirable fluids from entering or migrating through the cable structure. The two basic types of filling compounds are specified: Type I which are general-purpose filling compounds that include all materials to be used for filling cables that are not required to function under electrical stress and Type II which are electrical-type filling compounds that include materials having prescribed electrical properties and used for filling wires and cables that are required to function fully or partially under electrical stress. Filling compound furnished shall inhibit the corrosion of any metallic wire and cable elements with which it comes in contact, while serving as a radial and longitudinal barrier to moisture transmission. Contact of the filling compound with any cable component shall not cause degradation of performance of the cable component. The filling compound shall display adhesive properties to provide adhesion between metallic sheath elements and the outer jacket materials of wire and cable. The following properties of filling compounds manufactured shall be determined: homogeneity, color and opacity, color stability, foreign materials, and other properties that includes volatility, thermal oxidative stability, and corrosion prevention.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers a variety of petroleum-based and other compounds used for filling the air spaces in telecommunications wires and cables (both electrical and fiber optic) for the purpose of preventing water and other undesirable fluids from entering or migrating through the cable structure. (For related standards see Specifications D4730 and D4732).  
1.2 A hot-application compound is a material that requires melting in order to be applied as a liquid and its melting point affects its performance in the finished cable product.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2013
• ICS: 33.120.10 - Coaxial cables. Waveguides
• Technical Committee: D09 - Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials
• Drafting Committee: D09.07 - Electrical Insulating Materials

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:D4731 −13
Standard Specification for
Hot-Application Filling Compounds for Telecommunications
1
Wire and Cable
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4731; 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* D938 Test Method for Congealing Point of Petroleum
Waxes, Including Petrolatum
1.1 This specification covers a variety of petroleum-based
D1500 Test Method forASTM Color of Petroleum Products
and other compounds used for filling the air spaces in telecom-
(ASTM Color Scale)
munications wires and cables (both electrical and fiber optic)
D2161 Practice for Conversion of Kinematic Viscosity to
forthepurposeofpreventingwaterandotherundesirablefluids
Saybolt Universal Viscosity or to Saybolt Furol Viscosity
from entering or migrating through the cable structure. (For
D3895 Test Method for Oxidative-Induction Time of Poly-
related standards see Specifications D4730 and D4732).
olefins by Differential Scanning Calorimetry
1.2 A hot-application compound is a material that requires
D3954 Test Method for Dropping Point of Waxes
melting in order to be applied as a liquid and its melting point
D4565 Test Methods for Physical and Environmental Per-
affects its performance in the finished cable product.
formance Properties of Insulations and Jackets for Tele-
communications Wire and Cable
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical D4568 Test Methods for Evaluating Compatibility Between
Cable Filling and Flooding Compounds And Polyolefin
conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for informa-
tion only and are not considered standard. Wire and Cable Materials
D4730 Specification for Flooding Compounds for Telecom-
2. Referenced Documents
munications Wire and Cable
2
D4732 Specification for Cool-Application Filling Com-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
pounds for Telecommunications Wire and Cable
D6 Test Method for Loss on Heating of Oil and Asphaltic
D4872 Test Method for DielectricTesting ofWire and Cable
Compounds
Filling Compounds
D92 Test Method for Flash and Fire Points by Cleveland
Open Cup Tester
3. Terminology
D97 Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
D127 Test Method for Drop Melting Point of Petroleum
Wax, Including Petrolatum 3.1.1 filling material—any of several materials used to fill
the air spaces in the cores of multi-conductor insulated wires
D150 Test Methods forAC Loss Characteristics and Permit-
tivity (Dielectric Constant) of Solid Electrical Insulation and cables, or between buffer tubes covering optical fibers, or
within such buffer tubes, or any combination of these configu-
D257 Test Methods for DC Resistance or Conductance of
Insulating Materials rations and any other cable components, for the purpose of
excluding water and other undesirable fluids; especially with
D445 Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent
and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscos- regard to telecommunications wire and cable, including optical
cable, intended for outside aerial, buried, or underground
ity)
installations.
3.1.2 producer—the primary manufacturer of the material.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D09 on
3.1.3 suppliers—jobbers and distributors as distinct from
Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D09.07 on Electrical Insulating Materials. Subcommittee D02.10
producers.
contributed in the development of this standard.
CurrenteditionapprovedMay1,2013.PublishedJuly2013.Originallyapproved
4. Classification
ε1
in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D4731 – 02 (2008) . DOI:
10.1520/D4731-13.
4.1 Two basic types of filling compounds are covered, as
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
follows:
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
4.1.1 Type I—General-purpose filling compounds include
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. all materials to be used for filling cables that are not required
*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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D4731−13
to function under electrical stress (for example, all dielectric 8.1.1.1 Warning—Ifanybubblesareformedinmeltingthe
fiber-optic cable), including filling compounds for fiber-optic compound to pr
...

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.
´1
Designation: D4731 − 02 (Reapproved 2008) D4731 − 13 An American National Standard
Standard Specification for
Hot-Application Filling Compounds for Telecommunications
1
Wire and Cable
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4731; 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
ε NOTE—The units statement in subsection 1.3 was corrected editorially in July 2008.
1. Scope Scope*
1.1 This specification covers a variety of petroleum-based and other compounds used for filling the air spaces in
telecommunications wires and cables (both electrical and fiber optic) for the purpose of preventing water and other undesirable
fluids from entering or migrating through the cable structure. (For related standards see Specifications D4730 and D4732).
1.2 A hot-application compound is a material that requires melting in order to be applied as a liquid and its melting point may
affect affects its performance in the finished cable product.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions
to inch-pound units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D6 Test Method for Loss on Heating of Oil and Asphaltic Compounds
D92 Test Method for Flash and Fire Points by Cleveland Open Cup Tester
D97 Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products
D127 Test Method for Drop Melting Point of Petroleum Wax, Including Petrolatum
D150 Test Methods for AC Loss Characteristics and Permittivity (Dielectric Constant) of Solid Electrical Insulation
D257 Test Methods for DC Resistance or Conductance of Insulating Materials
D445 Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)
D938 Test Method for Congealing Point of Petroleum Waxes, Including Petrolatum
D1500 Test Method for ASTM Color of Petroleum Products (ASTM Color Scale)
D2161 Practice for Conversion of Kinematic Viscosity to Saybolt Universal Viscosity or to Saybolt Furol Viscosity
D3895 Test Method for Oxidative-Induction Time of Polyolefins by Differential Scanning Calorimetry
D3954 Test Method for Dropping Point of Waxes
D4565 Test Methods for Physical and Environmental Performance Properties of Insulations and Jackets for Telecommunications
Wire and Cable
D4568 Test Methods for Evaluating Compatibility Between Cable Filling and Flooding Compounds And Polyolefin Wire and
Cable Materials
D4730 Specification for Flooding Compounds for Telecommunications Wire and Cable
D4732 Specification for Cool-Application Filling Compounds for Telecommunications Wire and Cable
D4872 Test Method for Dielectric Testing of Wire and Cable Filling Compounds
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D09 on Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D09.18 on Solid Insulations, Non-Metallic Shieldings and Coverings for Electrical and Telecommunication Wires and Cables. Subcommittee D02.10 contributed in the
development of this standard.
Current edition approved May 1, 2008May 1, 2013. Published July 2008July 2013. Originally approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 20022008 as D4731–02.
ε1
–02 (2008) . DOI: 10.1520/D4731-02R08E01.10.1520/D4731-13.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*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

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4731 − 13
3.1.1 filling material—any of several materials used to fill the air spaces in the cores of multi-conductor insulated wires and
cables, or between buffer tubes covering optical fibers, or within such buffer tubes, or any combination of these configurations and
any other cable components, for the purpose of excluding water and other undesirable fluids; especially with regard to
telecommunications wire and cable, including optical cable, int
...