ASTM D4020-01

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 D4020-00a - Standard Specification for Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Molding and Extrusion Materials
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Replaced By: ASTM D4020-01a - Standard Specification for Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Molding and Extrusion Materials
• 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 D6712-17 - Standard Specification for Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene (UHMW-PE) Solid Plastic Shapes
• 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 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

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: D 4020 – 01
Standard Specification for
Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Molding and
1
Extrusion Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4020; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope * D 1601 Test Method for Dilute Solution Viscosity of Eth-
2
ylene Polymers
1.1 This specification provides for the identification of
3
D 1898 Practice for Sampling of Plastics
virgin, unmodified ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene
4
2.2 ISO Standards:
(UHMW-PE) plastics molding and extrusion materials. This
ISO 11542-1 Plastics—Ultra High Molecular-Weight Poly-
identification is made in such a manner that the seller and
ethylene (PE-UHMW) Moulding and Extrusion
purchaser can agree on the acceptability of different commer-
Materials—Part 1: Designation System and Basis for
cial lots or shipments.
Specification
1.2 It is not intended to differentiate between various
ISO 1628-3 Plastics—Determination of Viscosity Number
molecular weight grades of ultra-high-molecular-weight poly-
and Limiting Viscosity Number—Part 3: Polyethylenes
ethylene commercially available.
and Polypropylenes
1.3 It is not the function of this specification to provide
specific engineering data for design purposes.
3. Terminology
1.4 Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylenes, as defined
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of terms used in this specifica-
in this specification, are those linear polymers of ethylene
tion are in accordance with Terminology D 883.
which have a relative viscosity of 1.44 or greater, in accor-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
dance with the test procedures described herein.
3.2.1 ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene molding
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
and extrusion materials—as defined by this specification, those
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
substantially linear polyethylenes which have a relative viscos-
only.
ity of 1.44 or greater, at a concentration of 0.02 %, at 135°C, in
1.6 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the
decahydronaphthalene.
test method portion. Section 7, of this specification: This
3.2.1.1 Discussion—It has been common practice to refer to
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
the “molecular weight” of UHMW-PE resins. The following
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
calculations shall be used to approximate the specific viscosity
of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health
(h ), reduced viscosity (hred or R.S.V.), intrinsic viscosity (h
sp
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita-
or I.V.), and the approximate viscosity average molecular
tions prior to use.
weight of virgin resin. The solution viscosity test on thermally
NOTE 1—There is no ISO equivalent specification. However, in ISO
processed material is invalid due to inadequate solubility and
11542-1, a range of viscosity numbers defines the viscosity of UHMW-PE
possible crosslinking.
grades. The viscosity numbers are determined in accordance with ISO
k
1628-3.
t 2
s
t
s
Relative viscosity5h 5 (1)
r
2. Referenced Documents
k
t 2
o
t
2.1 ASTM Standards: o
2
D 883 Terminology Relating to Plastics Specific viscosity5h 5h 2 1
sp r
h
sp
Reduced viscosity5h 5
red
C
1
1/2
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on
Intrinsic viscosity = [h]=(2hsp−2ln hrel) 4 c
Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.15 on Thermoplastic
Materials.
3
Current edition approved May 10, 2001. Published July 2001. Originally Discontinued; see 1997 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01.
4
published as D 4020 – 81. Last previous edition D 4020 – 00a. 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, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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D 4020
limiting viscosity number at 0 % concentration
in this specification, the color and translucence of molded or
4 1.37
Nominal viscosity molecular weight = 5.37 3 10 [h]
extruded pieces, formed under conditions recommended by the
manufacturer of the material, will be comparable within
where:
commercial match tolerances to the color and translucence of
k = kinetic energy correction constant for the particula
...