ASTM D4020-01a

Standard Specification for Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Molding and Extrusion Materials

SCOPE
1.1 This specification provides for the identification of virgin, unmodified ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) plastics molding and extrusion materials. This identification is made in such a manner that the seller and purchaser can agree on the acceptability of different commercial lots or shipments.
1.2 It is not intended to differentiate between various molecular weight grades of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene commercially available.
1.3 It is not the function of this specification to provide specific engineering data for design purposes.
1.4 Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylenes, as defined in this specification, are those linear polymers of ethylene which have a relative viscosity of 1.44 or greater, in accordance with the test procedures described herein.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.6 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the test method portion. Section 7, 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.
Note 1—There is no ISO equivalent specification. However, in ISO 11542-1, a range of viscosity numbers defines the viscosity of UHMW-PE grades. The viscosity numbers are determined in accordance with ISO 1628-3.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Nov-2001
• ICS: 83.140.99 - Other rubber and plastics products
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.15 - Thermoplastic Materials

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D4020-01 - Standard Specification for Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Molding and Extrusion Materials
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Replaced By: ASTM D4020-05 - Standard Specification for Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Molding and Extrusion Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2005
• Referred By: ASTM F2759-19 - Standard Guide for Assessment of the Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) Used in Orthopedic and Spinal Devices
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM D7611/D7611M-21 - Standard Practice for Coding Plastic Manufactured Articles for Resin Identification
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM D4000-23 - Standard Classification System for Specifying Plastic Materials
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM D1601-18 - Standard Test Method for Dilute Solution Viscosity of Ethylene Polymers
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM F648-21 - Standard Specification for Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Powder and Fabricated Form for Surgical Implants
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM F2193-20 - Standard Specifications and Test Methods for Components Used in the Surgical Fixation of the Spinal Skeletal System
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM F2695-12(2020) - Standard Specification for Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Powder Blended With Alpha-Tocopherol (Vitamin E) and Fabricated Forms for Surgical Implant Applications
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM D6712-17 - Standard Specification for Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene (UHMW-PE) Solid Plastic Shapes
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001

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 4020 – 01a
Standard Specification for
Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Molding and
1
Extrusion Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4020; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope * D1601 Test Method for Dilute Solution Viscosity of Eth-
2
ylene Polymers
1.1 This specification provides for the identification of
3
2.2 ISO Standards:
virgin, unmodified ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene
ISO 11542-1 Plastics—Ultra High Molecular-Weight Poly-
(UHMW-PE) plastics molding and extrusion materials. This
ethylene (PE-UHMW) Moulding and Extrusion
identification is made in such a manner that the seller and
Materials—Part 1: Designation System and Basis for
purchaser can agree on the acceptability of different commer-
Specification
cial lots or shipments.
ISO 1628-3 Plastics—Determination of Viscosity Number
1.2 It is not intended to differentiate between various
and Limiting Viscosity Number—Part 3: Polyethylenes
molecular weight grades of ultra-high-molecular-weight poly-
and Polypropylenes
ethylene commercially available.
1.3 It is not the function of this specification to provide
3. Terminology
specific engineering data for design purposes.
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of terms used in this specifica-
1.4 Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylenes, as defined
tion are in accordance with Terminology D883.
in this specification, are those linear polymers of ethylene
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
which have a relative viscosity of 1.44 or greater, in accor-
3.2.1 ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene molding
dance with the test procedures described herein.
andextrusionmaterials—asdefinedbythisspecification,those
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
substantiallylinearpolyethyleneswhichhavearelativeviscos-
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
ityof1.44orgreater,ataconcentrationof0.02%,at135°C,in
only.
decahydronaphthalene.
1.6 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the
3.2.1.1 Discussion—Ithasbeencommonpracticetoreferto
test method portion. Section 7, of this specification: This
the “molecular weight” of UHMW-PE resins. The following
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
calculations shall be used to approximate the specific viscosity
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
(h ), reduced viscosity (hred or R.S.V.), intrinsic viscosity (h
sp
of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health
or I.V.), and the approximate viscosity average molecular
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita-
weight of virgin resin. The solution viscosity test on thermally
tions prior to use.
processed material is invalid due to inadequate solubility and
NOTE 1—There is no ISO equivalent specification. However, in ISO
possible crosslinking.
11542-1,arangeofviscositynumbersdefinestheviscosityofUHMW-PE
k k
grades. The viscosity numbers are determined in accordance with ISO
Relativeviscosity5h 5 t 2 / t 2 (1)
S D S D
r s o
t t
1628-3. s o
Specificviscosity5h 5h 21
sp r
2. Referenced Documents
h
sp
Reducedviscosity5h 5
2.1 ASTM Standards:
red
C
2
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
1/2
Intrinsic viscosity = [h]=(2hsp−2ln hrel) 4 c
limiting viscosity number at 0% concentration
4 1.37
1 Nominal viscosity molecular weight = 5.37 3 10 [h]
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on
Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.15 on Thermoplastic
Materials.
Current edition approved November 10, 2001. Published January 2002. Origi-
3
nally published as D4020–81. Last previous edition D4020–01. Available from American National Standards Institute, 25 W. 43rd St., 4th
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01. 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.
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D 4020 – 01a
5.3 Unless controlled by requirements specified elsewhere
where:
in this specification, the color and translucence of molded or
k = kinetic energy correction constant for the particular
extrudedpieces,formedunderconditionsrecommendedbythe
viscometer used,
t = flow time of solution at 135°C, s, manufacturer of the material, will be comparable within
s
t = flow time of pure solvent at 135°C, s, and commercial match tolerances t
...