ASTM D5991-23

Standard Practice for Separation and Identification of Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Contamination in Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) (PET) Flake

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Presence of even low concentrations of PVC in recycled PET flakes results in equipment corrosion problems during processing. The PVC contamination level shall dictate the market for use of the recycled polymer in secondary products. Procedures presented in this practice are used to identify the PVC contamination in recycled PET flakes.
Note 4: These procedures may also be used to estimate the concentration of PVC contamination.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers four procedures for separation and qualitative identification of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) contamination in poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) flakes.
Note 1: Although not presented as a quantitative method, procedures presented in this practice may be used to provide quantitative results at the discretion of the user. The user assumes the responsibility to verify the reproducibility of quantitative results. Data from an independent source suggest a PVC detection level of 200 ppm (w/w) based on an original sample weight of 454 g.  
1.2 Procedure A is based on different fluorescence of PVC and PET when these polymers are exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light.  
1.3 Procedure B is an oven test based upon the charring of PVC when it is heated in air at 235°C.  
1.4 Procedures C and D are dye tests based on differential staining of PVC and PET.  
Note 2: Other polymers (for example, PETG) also absorb the stain or brightener. Such interferences will result in false positive identification of PVC as the contaminant.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazards see Section 8.  
Note 3: 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: 31-Jan-2023
• ICS: 83.080.10 - Thermosetting materials
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.95 - Recycled Plastics

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: D5991 − 23
Standard Practice for
Separation and Identification of Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC)
1
Contamination in Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) (PET) Flake
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5991; 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.
1. Scope* 2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This practice covers four procedures for separation and
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
qualitative identification of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) con-
D1600 Terminology for Abbreviated Terms Relating to Plas-
tamination in poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) flakes.
tics
NOTE 1—Although not presented as a quantitative method, procedures
presented in this practice may be used to provide quantitative results at the
3. Terminology
discretion of the user. The user assumes the responsibility to verify the
reproducibility of quantitative results. Data from an independent source 3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms that appear in this
suggest a PVC detection level of 200 ppm (w/w) based on an original
specification relating to plastics, refer to Terminology D883.
sample weight of 454 g.
For abbreviations that appear in the specification, refer to
Terminology D1600.
1.2 Procedure A is based on different fluorescence of PVC
and PET when these polymers are exposed to ultraviolet (UV)
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
light.
3.2.1 light material, n—paper, polymers such as polyethyl-
ene and polypropylene, and other materials with densities less
1.3 Procedure B is an oven test based upon the charring of
3
than 1.00 g/cm .
PVC when it is heated in air at 235°C.
1.4 Procedures C and D are dye tests based on differential
4. Summary of Practice
staining of PVC and PET.
4.1 For the Beilstein Test, chlorine-containing materials
heated in a flame in contact with a copper wire produce a
NOTE 2—Other polymers (for example, PETG) also absorb the stain or
brightener. Such interferences will result in false positive identification of characteristic green flame.
PVC as the contaminant.
4.2 With Procedure A, a known amount of PET flakes is
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
exposed to ultraviolet radiation. PET normally fluoresces with
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
a blue or violet color. Flakes fluorescing with different colors
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
are removed, weighed, and identified as PVC if they burn with
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
a bright green flame when heated on a copper wire.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.3 With Procedure B, PET flakes are heated in an oven
For specific hazards see Section 8.
maintained at 235 6 5°C. After a minimum of 45 min, the
flakes are visually examined with removal and subsequent
NOTE 3—There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.
weighing of black, charred pieces. Pieces are confirmed as
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
PVC using the same flame test mentioned in 4.1.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the 4.4 With Procedure C, PET flakes are soaked in a blue
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- acetone dye solution that preferentially stains any PVC flakes.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical These flakes are visually identified and subsequently removed,
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. and weighed. The identification of PVC flakes is confirmed
with the flame test.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and
2
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.95 on Recycled Plastics. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2023. Published February 2023. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as D5991 - 17. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D5991-23. 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
1

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D5991 − 23
4.5 With Procedure D, PET
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D5991 − 17 D5991 − 23
Standard Practice for
Separation and Identification of Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC)
1
Contamination in Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) (PET) Flake
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5991; 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.
1. Scope*
1.1 This practice covers four procedures for separation and qualitative identification of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) contamination
in poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) flakes.
NOTE 1—Although not presented as a quantitative method, procedures presented in this practice may be used to provide quantitative results at the
discretion of the user. The user assumes the responsibility to verify the reproducibility of quantitative results. Data from an independent source suggest
a PVC detection level of 200 ppm (w/w) based on an original sample weight of 454 g.
1.2 Procedure A is based on different fluorescence of PVC and PET when these polymers are exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light.
1.3 Procedure B is an oven test based upon the charring of PVC when it is heated in air at 235°C.
1.4 Procedures C and D are dye tests based on differential staining of PVC and PET.
NOTE 2—Other polymers (for example, PETG) also absorb the stain or brightener. Such interferences will result in false positive identification of PVC
as the contaminant.
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazards see Section 8.
NOTE 3—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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
D1600 Terminology for Abbreviated Terms Relating to Plastics
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.95 on Recycled Plastics.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2017Feb. 1, 2023. Published January 2018February 2023. Originally approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 20152017 as
D5991 - 15.D5991 - 17. DOI: 10.1520/D5991-17.10.1520/D5991-23.
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 Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on 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
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D5991 − 23
IEEE/ASTM SI-10 American National Standard for Use of the International System of Units (SI): The Modern Metric System
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—The terminology used in this practice is in accordance with For definitions of terms that appear in this
specification relating to plastics, refer to Terminology D1600D883. Units and symbols are in accordance with For abbreviations
that appear in the specification, refer to Terminology IEEE/ASTM SI-10D1600.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 light material, n—paper, polymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene, and other materials with densities less than 1.00
3
g/cm .
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 For the Beilstein Test, chlorine-containing materials heated in a flame in contact with a copper wire produce a characteristic
green flame.
4.2 With Procedure A, a known amount of PET flakes is exposed to ultraviolet radiation. PET normally fluoresces with a blue or
violet color. Flakes fluorescing with different colors are removed, weighed, and identified as PVC if they burn with a bright green
flame when heated on a copper wire.
4.3 With Procedure B, PET flakes are heated in an oven maintained at 235 6 5°C. After a minimum of 45 min, the flakes are
visually examine
...