ASTM D707-15(2023)

Standard Classification System and Basis for Specification for Cellulose Acetate Butyrate Molding and Extrusion Compounds (CAB)

ABSTRACT
This specification covers requirements for plasticized cellulose acetate butyrate thermoplastic compounds suitable for injection molding and extrusion. These compounds have a butyryl content less than 38 % and an acetyl content less than 15 % and may or may not contain dyes and pigments. This specification does not include special materials compounded for special applications. Cellulosic plastic materials, being thermoplastic, are reprocessable and recyclable. This specification allows for the use of those cellulosic materials, provided that all specific requirements of this specification are met. Test specimens of the thermoplastic compounds shall conform to the prescribed specific gravity, tensile stress at yield, flexural modulus, Izod impact strength, water absorption and weight loss on heating. The materials shall also be subject to color-visual, color-quantitative, and plasticizer content analysis.
SCOPE
1.1 This classification system covers requirements for plasticized cellulose acetate butyrate thermoplastic compounds suitable for injection molding and extrusion. These compounds have a butyryl content less than 38 % and an acetyl content less than 15 % and can contain dyes and pigments. This classification system does not include special materials compounded for special applications. Cellulosic plastic materials, being thermoplastic, are reprocessable and recyclable. This classification system allows for the use of those cellulosic materials, provided that all specific requirements of this classification system are met.  
1.2 The properties included in this classification system are those required to identify the compositions covered. Other requirements necessary to identify particular characteristics important to specialized applications are specified by using the suffixes as given in Section 5.  
1.3 This classification system and subsequent line call out (specification) are intended to provide 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 can be made by those having expertise in the plastic field only after careful consideration of the design and performance required of the part, environment to which it will be exposed, fabrication process to be employed, costs involved, and inherent properties of the material other than those covered by this classification system.  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard.  
1.5 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the test method portion, Section 12, of this classification system. 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: There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.  
1.6 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: 14-Mar-2023
• ICS: 83.080.20 - Thermoplastic materials
• ICS: 83.140.99 - Other rubber and plastics products
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.15 - Thermoplastic Materials

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D883-24 - Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2024
• Refers: ASTM D883-23 - Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM D149-20 - Standard Test Method for Dielectric Breakdown Voltage and Dielectric Strength of Solid Electrical Insulating Materials at Commercial Power Frequencies
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2020
• Refers: ASTM D883-20 - Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2020
• Refers: ASTM D883-19c - Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2019
• Refers: ASTM D883-19a - Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics
• Effective Date: 15-Apr-2019
• Refers: ASTM D883-19 - Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2019
• Refers: ASTM D883-18a - Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2018
• Refers: ASTM D883-18 - Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2018
• Refers: ASTM D1600-18 - Standard Terminology for Abbreviated Terms Relating to Plastics (Withdrawn 2024)
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2018
• Refers: ASTM D883-17 - Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics
• Effective Date: 15-Aug-2017
• Refers: ASTM D790-17 - Standard Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2017
• Refers: ASTM E308-17 - Standard Practice for Computing the Colors of Objects by Using the CIE System
• Effective Date: 01-May-2017
• Refers: ASTM D5740-16 - Standard Guide for Writing Material Standards in the Classification <astmref design="D4000"/> Format
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2016
• Refers: ASTM D790-15e1 - Standard Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2015

Overview

ASTM D707-15(2023) is the international standard developed by ASTM International for the classification and specification of cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) molding and extrusion compounds. This standard covers the essential requirements for plasticized CAB thermoplastic materials used in injection molding and extrusion processes. These compounds are characterized by a butyryl content below 38% and an acetyl content below 15%. The standard facilitates the identification, call-out, and quality assurance of CAB compounds used in manufacturing, ensuring consistency in performance across applications.

CAB materials are valued for their recyclability and thermoplastic nature, making them suitable for various industrial applications. The standard defines property requirements such as specific gravity, tensile strength, flexural modulus, impact strength, water absorption, and thermal stability, which CAB materials must meet to be classified under ASTM D707.

Key Topics

• Classification System: Defines groups based on impact or tensile strength, classes by plasticizer content, and grades for application (injection molding or extrusion).
• Specification Requirements: Outlines key physical and chemical properties including:
  • Specific gravity
  • Tensile stress at yield
  • Flexural modulus
  • Izod impact strength
  • Water absorption
  • Weight loss on heating
  • Color/opacity and plasticizer content
• Test Methods: References relevant ASTM test methods for verifying compliance:
  • D638 (Tensile properties)
  • D790 (Flexural properties)
  • D256 (Izod impact resistance)
  • D792 (Density/specific gravity)
  • D570 (Water absorption)
  • D149 and D257 (Electrical properties, if required)
• Reprocessability and Recycling: Emphasis on use of recycled CAB materials provided they comply with all specification requirements.
• Sampling and Certification: Guidance on lot acceptance, inspection, and reporting procedures to ensure product traceability and quality.

Applications

CAB molding and extrusion compounds are widely used across industries for their balanced performance, optical clarity, and versatility. Typical applications include:

• Automotive Parts: Interior trim and instrument panels utilizing CAB’s impact and weathering resistance.
• Consumer Goods: Tool handles, spectacle frames, and housings for electronic devices, benefiting from CAB’s moldability and surface finish.
• Packaging and Films: Use in specialty packaging where clarity and chemical resistance are required.
• Building and Construction: Wall coverings, trims, and profiles, thanks to durability and customization options with pigments and dyes.
• Electrical Insulation: Certain grades offer suitable dielectric properties for non-conductive applications.

By adhering to ASTM D707-15(2023), manufacturers and end-users benefit from standardized material classification, reliable processing guidance, and enhanced reproducibility in finished products.

Related Standards

Manufacturers and users of CAB compounds may also reference the following related ASTM standards:

• ASTM D4000: Classification System for Specifying Plastic Materials
• ASTM D638: Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics
• ASTM D790: Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastics
• ASTM D256: Test Methods for Determining the Izod Pendulum Impact Resistance of Plastics
• ASTM D792: Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity
• ASTM D570: Test Method for Water Absorption of Plastics
• ASTM D149: Test Method for Dielectric Breakdown Voltage and Dielectric Strength of Solid Electrical Insulating Materials
• ASTM D3892: Practice for Packaging/Packing of Plastics

Note: ASTM D707-15(2023) is specific to CAB molding and extrusion compounds and does not have an ISO equivalent.

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Keywords: cellulose acetate butyrate, CAB, ASTM D707, molding compounds, extrusion compounds, thermoplastic, classification standard, recycled plastics, injection molding materials, plastic specification, physical property requirements, CAB applications

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: D707 − 15 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Classification System and Basis for Specification for
Cellulose Acetate Butyrate Molding and Extrusion
Compounds (CAB)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D707; 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* of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety,
health, and environmental practices and determine the appli-
1.1 This classification system covers requirements for plas-
cability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
ticized cellulose acetate butyrate thermoplastic compounds
suitable for injection molding and extrusion. These compounds
NOTE 1—There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.
have a butyryl content less than 38 % and an acetyl content less
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
than 15 % and can contain dyes and pigments. This classifica-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
tion system does not include special materials compounded for
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
special applications. Cellulosic plastic materials, being
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
thermoplastic, are reprocessable and recyclable. This classifi-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
cation system allows for the use of those cellulosic materials,
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
provided that all specific requirements of this classification
system are met.
2. Referenced Documents
1.2 The properties included in this classification system are
2.1 ASTM Standards:
those required to identify the compositions covered. Other
D149 Test Method for Dielectric Breakdown Voltage and
requirements necessary to identify particular characteristics
Dielectric Strength of Solid Electrical Insulating Materials
important to specialized applications are specified by using the
at Commercial Power Frequencies
suffixes as given in Section 5.
D256 Test Methods for Determining the Izod Pendulum
Impact Resistance of Plastics
1.3 This classification system and subsequent line call out
(specification) are intended to provide a means of calling out D257 Test Methods for DC Resistance or Conductance of
Insulating Materials
plastic materials used in the fabrication of end items or parts.
It is not intended for the selection of materials. Material D570 Test Method for Water Absorption of Plastics
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
selection can be made by those having expertise in the plastic
field only after careful consideration of the design and perfor- D635 Test Method for Rate of Burning and/or Extent and
Time of Burning of Plastics in a Horizontal Position
mance required of the part, environment to which it will be
exposed, fabrication process to be employed, costs involved, D638 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics
D790 Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced
and inherent properties of the material other than those covered
and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materi-
by this classification system.
als
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
D792 Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Rela-
standard.
tive Density) of Plastics by Displacement
1.5 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
test method portion, Section 12, of this classification system.
D1003 Test Method for Haze and Luminous Transmittance
This standard does not purport to address all of the safety
of Transparent Plastics
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
D1600 Terminology for Abbreviated Terms Relating to Plas-
tics
This classification system is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on
Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.15 on Thermoplastic
Materials. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved March 15, 2023. Published March 2023. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1943. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D707 - 15. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D0707-15R23. 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
D707 − 15 (2023)
D1729 Practice for Visual Appraisal of Colors and Color CAB0122FA053
Differences of Diffusely-Illuminated Opaque Materials
CAB = Table CAB property requirements.
D3641 Practice for Injection Molding Test Specimens of
01 = Group 01—high impact strength.
Thermoplastic Molding and Extrusion Materials
2 = Class 2—Plasticizer range from 12 to 23 % (see
D3892 Practice for Packaging/Packing of Plastics
Table CAB, Footnote 1).
D4000 Classification System for Specifying Plastic Materi-
2 = Grade 2—Extrusion application.
als
F053 = Flammability requirement from Classification Sys-
D5740 Guide for Writing Material Standards in the Classi-
tem D4000—Burn rate maximum of 50 mm/min
fication Format
with 3 mm minimum thickness, when tested in
D7209 Guide for Waste Reduction, Resource Recovery, and
accordance with Test Method D635.
Use of Recycled Polymeric Materials and Products (With-
NOTE 2—“CAB0122” corresponds to the following physical property
drawn 2015)
requirements in Table CAB:
E308 Practice for Computing the Colors of Objects by Using
Specific gravity: 1.15–1.19.
the CIE System Tensile stress at yield: 19 MPa min.
Flexural modulus: 760 MPa min.
Izod impact strength: 285 J/m min.
3. Terminology
Water absorption: 1.6 % max.
3.1 Definitions—The terminology used in this classification
Weight loss on heating: 2.7 % max.
system is in accordance with Terminologies D883 and D1600.
6. Materials and Manufacture
4. Classification
6.1 Materials supplied in these forms shall be as uniform in
4.1 This classification system covers the following groups,
composition and size, and as free of contamination as can be
classes, and grades (see Table CAB):
achieved by good manufacturing practice.
4.1.1 Group 01—High impact strength.
6.2 If these materials contain colorants in the nominal
4.1.2 Group 02—High tensile strength.
amounts ordinarily employed, such additives shall not alter the
4.1.3 Class—According to plasticizer content and properties
ability of the materials to meet the specified properties.
specified in Table CAB.
6.3 The color of material supplied shall be comparable,
4.1.4 Grade 1—For injection molding (general purpose).
within commercial match tolerances, to the color of standard
4.1.5 Grade 2—For extrusion.
samples prepared by the manufacturer.
5. Suffixes
7. Physical Requirements
5.1 When requirements are needed that are not covered in
Table CAB they shall be indicated through the use of suffixes.
7.1 Test specimens of the material shall conform to the
requirements prescribed in Table CAB.
5.2 A list of suffixes can be found in Classification System
D4000 (Table 3) and can be used for additional requirements as
7.2 Molded specimens, for those tests requiring them, shall
appropriate. Additional suffixes will be added to that classifi-
be prepared in accordance with Section 10.
cation system as test methods and requirements are developed
7.3 Conformance to the requirements of this classification
and requested.
system shall be determined in accordance with Section 11.
5.3 Color and opacity shall be within the limits defined in
8. Sampling
6.3.
8.1 Sampling shall be statistically adequate to satisfy the
5.4 Some of the more commonly used suffixes for cellulose
requirements of 12.4.
acetate butyrate are shown as follows:
E = electrical requirements as designated by the following digits:
8.2 A batch or lot shall be constituted as a unit of manufac-
First Digit
ture as prepared for shipment and can consist of a blend of two
1 = volume resistivity—Test Methods D257.
or more “production runs.”
dielectric strength—Test Method D149 (short-time/step-by-step).
Second Digit
1 = volume resistivity and dielectric strength meet property require-
9. Number of Tests
ments as shown in Table 1.
9.1 Routine testing of each batch or lot shall be limited to
T = transmittance requirements as designated by the following digits:
properties designated in Table CAB of this classification
First Digit
system.
1 = total luminous transmittance determined in accordance with Proce-
dure A of Test Method D1003.
9.2 One set of samples for those tests that are designated
Second Digit
(Section 12) shall be considered sufficient for testing the batch
1 = total luminous transmittance, 80 % min.
or lot. The average results from those samples shall comply
5.5 An example of this classification system for a high-
with the requirements prescribed in this classification system.
impact cellulose acetate butyrate formulation would be as
follows:
10. Specimen Preparation
10.1 Physical property requirements in Table CAB are
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
www.
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