Standard Test Method for Spiral Flow of Low-Pressure Thermosetting Molding Compounds

SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for measuring the spiral flow of thermosetting molding compounds (soft or very soft) designed for molding pressures under 6.9 MPa (1000 psi). It is especially suited for those compounds that may be used for encapsulation or other low pressure molding techniques. Textile-reinforced compounds should not be tested using this test method. It involves the use of a standard spiral flow mold in a transfer molding press under specified conditions of applied temperature and pressure with a controlled charge mass.  
1.2 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 equivalent ISO standard.

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Historical
Publication Date
09-Nov-1999
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Drafting Committee
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ASTM D3123-98(1999)e1 - Standard Test Method for Spiral Flow of Low-Pressure Thermosetting Molding Compounds
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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e1
Designation:D3123–98 (Reapproved 1999)
Standard Test Method for
Spiral Flow of Low-Pressure Thermosetting Molding
Compounds
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3123; 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.
e NOTE—Editorially replaced reference to Practice D 1898 with Practice E 105 in April 2000.
1. Scope 4. Significance and Use
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for measuring the 4.1 The spiral flow of a thermosetting molding compound is
spiral flow of thermosetting molding compounds (soft or very a measure of the combined characteristics of fusion under
soft)designedformoldingpressuresunder6.9MPa(1000psi). pressure, melt viscosity, and gelation rate under specific
Itisespeciallysuitedforthosecompoundsthatmaybeusedfor conditions.
encapsulation or other low pressure molding techniques. 4.2 This test method is useful as a quality control test and as
Textile-reinforced compounds should not be tested using this an acceptance criterion.
test method. It involves the use of a standard spiral flow mold 4.3 This test method, by itself, is not a valid means for
in a transfer molding press under specified conditions of comparing the moldability of similar or different molding
applied temperature and pressure with a controlled charge compounds because it cannot duplicate actual conditions
mass. prevalent in different types of production molds.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the 4.4 This test method is presently intended for use at a
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the transferpressureof6.9MPa(1000psi)andamoldtemperature
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- of 423 6 3 K ((150 6 3°C) (302 6 5°F)).
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
5. Apparatus
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5.1 Transfer Molding Press with a minimum 150 by
NOTE 1—There is no equivalent ISO standard.
150-mm (6 by 6-in.) platen area, transfer piston pressure
potentially greater than 6.9 MPa (1000 psi), sufficient clamp
2. Referenced Documents
pressure to prevent flashing, and a minimum plunger speed of
2.1 ASTM Standards:
25.4 mm (1 in.)/s without load. The plunger should be
D 883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
equipped with at least one peripheral sealing groove. It is
D 958 Practice for Determining Temperatures of Standard
recommendedthatapotdiameterbetween31.75and44.45mm
ASTM Molds for Test Specimens of Plastics
(1.25 and 1.75 in.) be used whenever a choice is possible.
E 105 Practice for Probability Sampling of Materials
NOTE 2—Preliminary evidence indicates that, in many cases, reason-
3. Terminology
able correlations may be achieved between laboratories using presses with
differentpotdiameters.Typicalexamplesarepresseswithpotdiametersof
3.1 Definitions —Definitions in this test method are consis-
31.750, 38.100, and 44.450 mm (1.250, 1.500, and 1.750 in.). However, a
tent with Terminology D 883.
few well-documented cases are recorded where differences in pot diam-
eters, even within this listed range, have caused large differences in
flow-length readings. Therefore, for best interlaboratory correlation it is
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM CommitteeD20 on Plastics
and is the direct responsibility of SubcommitteesD20.30 on Thermal Properties recommended that identical pot diameters be used.
(Section D20.30.08).
5.2 Standard Spiral-Flow Mold shown in Fig. 1 shall be
Current edition approved March 10, 1998. Published January 1999. Originally
utilized.
published as D 3123 – 72. Last previous edition D 3123 – 94.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
6. Materials
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
6.1 Molding Compound:
the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
e1
D3123–98 (1999)
FIG. 1 Standard Spiral-Flow Mold
6.1.1 Any thermosetting molding compound with a spiral They shall be stored for a minimum of 24 h at the standard
flow between 762 and 1270 mm (30 and 50 in.) as determined laboratory temperature, before breaking the seal on the con-
at the standard temperature and pressure of this test can be tainer. Care should be taken to preserve the “as-received”
evaluated.
moisture content and tests shall be made as soon as possible
once the container has been opened. Alternative methods of
NOTE 3—Since the only commercially available molds are calibrated in
conditioning samples may be used, provided they are mutually
inches, spiral-flow length will be reported in these units. Conversion to SI
units can readily be made by multiplying the flow length, in inches, by the agreed between manufacturer and purchaser.
appropriate conversion factor, 25.4 mm/in.
NOTE 4—There is considerable evidence that the test is usable over a
9. Test Conditions
wider range of flow lengths, but this has not yet been confirmed by
interlaboratory testing. 9.1 Spiral-Flow Mold—The mold shall be clean and free
from any mold-release agents or lubricants. Several prelimi-
6.1.2 Form—The form of the molding compound shall be
nary moldings shall be made with the material to be tested to
loose powder or granules at 296 6 2 K ((23 6 2°C) (73.4 6
purge the helical runner before beginning the test. This
3.6°F)).
procedure is essential when changing from one compound to
NOTE 5—Preforms or pellets may be used if found necessary; however,
another and is recommended as a routine practice.
flow length may be affe
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