ASTM D4883-03

Standard Test Method for Density of Polyethylene by the Ultrasound Technique

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The density of polyethylene is a conveniently measurable property which is frequently useful as a means of following physical changes in a sample, as an indication of uniformity among samples, and as a means of identification.
This test method is designed to yield results with a precision of ±0.08 % or better.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the density of polyethylene through the utilization of ultrasound equipment.
1.2 This test method is based on the distinct behaviors of the amorphous and crystalline phases of polyethylene in response to ultrasound. Polyethylene can be viewed as a composite structure where high-density crystalline regions are connected by lower-density amorphous material. The ratio of crystalline to amorphous material determines the final density of the material. The amorphous and crystalline phases exhibit very distinct behaviors with regard to the propagation of sound waves. The propagation characteristics in the composite will depend on the relative amount of the two phases (the degree of crystallinity).
1.3 Inorganic materials increase density as measured by Test Methods D 792 and D 1505, but they have little or no effect on ultrasonic density. The ultrasonic measurement is basically a base resin density.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.5 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 similar or equivalent ISO standard.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Jul-2003
• ICS: 83.080.20 - Thermoplastic materials
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.70 - Analytical Methods

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D4883-99 - Standard Test Method for Density of Polyethylene by the Ultrasound Technique
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2003
• Replaced By: ASTM D4883-08 - Standard Test Method for Density of Polyethylene by the Ultrasound Technique (Withdrawn 2017)
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D7006-22 - Standard Practice for Ultrasonic Testing of Geomembranes
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F2818-10(2023) - Standard Specification for Specification for Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Material Gas Pressure Pipe and Tubing
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D7774-22 - Standard Test Method for Flexural Fatigue Properties of Plastics
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F2306/F2306M-21 - Standard Specification for 300 mm to 1500 mm [12 in. to 60 in.] Annular Corrugated Profile-Wall Polyethylene (PE) Pipe and Fittings for Non-Pressure Gravity-Flow Storm Sewer and Subsurface Drainage Applications
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D3485-22 - Standard Specification for Coilable High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Cable in Conduit (CIC)
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F2947/F2947M-21a - Standard Specification for 150 to 1500 mm [6 to 60 in.] Annular Corrugated Profile-Wall Polyethylene (PE) Pipe and Fittings for Sanitary Sewer Applications
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D7791-22 - Standard Test Method for Uniaxial Fatigue Properties of Plastics
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D4321-15 - Standard Test Method for Package Yield of Plastic Film
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D4976-12a(2020) - Standard Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Molding and Extrusion Materials
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D7082-21 - Standard Specification for Polyethylene Stay In Place Form System for End Walls for Drainage Pipe
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D3981-09a(2016) - Standard Specification for Polyethylene Films Made from Medium-Density Polyethylene for General Use and Packaging Applications
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D3350-21 - Standard Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Pipe and Fittings Materials
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2003

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:D4883–03
Standard Test Method for
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Density of Polyethylene by the Ultrasound Technique
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4883; 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.
1. Scope* D 1248 Specification for Polyethylene Plastics: Extrusion
Materials for Wire and Cable
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the density
D 1505 Test Method for Density of Plastics by the Density-
of polyethylene through the utilization of ultrasound equip-
Gradient Technique
ment.
D 3350 Specification for Polyethylene Plastics: Pipe and
1.2 Thistestmethodisbasedonthedistinctbehaviorsofthe
Fittings Materials
amorphous and crystalline phases of polyethylene in response
D 4703 Practice for Compression Molding Thermoplastic
to ultrasound. Polyethylene can be viewed as a composite
Materials into Test Specimens, Plaques, or Sheets
structure where high-density crystalline regions are connected
D 4976 Specification for Polyethylene Plastics: Molding
by lower-density amorphous material. The ratio of crystalline
and Extrusion Materials
to amorphous material determines the final density of the
E 494 Practice for Measuring Ultrasonic Velocity in Mate-
material. The amorphous and crystalline phases exhibit very
rials
distinct behaviors with regard to the propagation of sound
E 691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
waves. The propagation characteristics in the composite will
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
depend on the relative amount of the two phases (the degree of
crystallinity).
3. Terminology
1.3 InorganicmaterialsincreasedensityasmeasuredbyTest
3.1 Definitions: The definitions given in Terminology
Methods D 792 and D 1505, but they have little or no effect on
D 883, as well as in Test Methods D 792 and D 1505, are
ultrasonic density. The ultrasonic measurement is basically a
applicable to this test method.
base resin density.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
4. Significance and Use
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
4.1 The density of polyethylene is a conveniently measur-
only.
able property which is frequently useful as a means of
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
following physical changes in a sample, as an indication of
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
uniformity among samples, and as a means of identification.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.2 This test method is designed to yield results with a
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
precision of 60.08 % or better.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5. Apparatus
NOTE 1—There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.
5.1 Use an instrument which utilizes a sonic technique to
2. Referenced Documents
3
evaluate the density of polyethylene. The DS 500 instrument
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
utilizes a sonic sensing head (transducer) which measures the
D 618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
velocity of sound in a molded specimen. Because sonic
D 792 TestMethodsforDensityandSpecificGravity(Rela-
velocity is positively correlated to density in polyethylene, a
tive Density) of Plastics by Displacement
measurement of this velocity is used to determine specimen
D 883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
density. The information from this transducer then must be
electronically evaluated; in the DS 500 instance this is done
with a computer, and the result is reported either through a
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D20 on Plastics
display or printout.
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.70 on Analytical Methods,
5.2 Equipment specified in Test Method D 1505.
Section 01, Physical Methods.
5.3 Equipment specified in Test Methods D 792.
Current edition approved July 10, 2003. Published September 2003. Originally
approved in 1989. Last previous edition approved in 1999 as D 4883 – 99.
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
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The DS 500 instrument can be obtained from R/D Tech (www.rd-tech.com) or
the ASTM website. Ultra Optec (www.ultraoptec.com).
*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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D4883–03
5.4 Equipment specified in
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