ASTM F3203-18
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Determination of Gel Content of Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Pipes and Tubing
Standard Test Method for Determination of Gel Content of Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Pipes and Tubing
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Many important properties of crosslinked ethylene plastics vary with the gel content. Hence, determination of the gel content provides a basis for controlling production processes and a means of establishing the quality of finished products.
5.2 Extraction tests permit verification of the proper gel content of any given crosslinked ethylene plastic and they also permit comparison between different crosslinked ethylene plastics, including those containing fillers, provided that, for the latter, the following conditions are met:
5.2.1 The filler is not soluble in the solvent used in this method at the extraction temperature.
5.2.2 The amount of filler present in the compound either is known or can be determined.
5.2.3 Sufficient crosslinking has been achieved to prevent migration of filler during the extraction. It has been found that, at gel content above 30 %, the solvent remains clear and free of filler.
5.3 Since some oxidative degradation of the material and solvent may occur at the reflux temperature of the solvents, a suitable antioxidant is added to the solvent to inhibit such degradation.
5.4 This test method is normally used for specimens consisting of an equal representation of the entire cross section of the product, but may also be used to examine specific portions of a product for differences in extent of cross-linking when compared to either a product standard or another sample.
5.5 This test method is intended for testing crosslinked polyethylene compounds that are not hygroscopic. If compounds that are hygroscopic are tested using this method, specimen conditioning before and after extraction is required.
5.6 This standard differs from test methods Test Methods D2765, and Test Method D7567 which also describe procedures for determining the gel content of crosslinked polyethylene. It allows for the use of naphthenic blend or isoparaffin solvent as an alternative to xylenes. Xylenes are the only solvent allowed to be used for...
SCOPE
1.1 The gel content of pipe and tubing produced from crosslinked polyethylene plastics as described in Specification F876 and other pipe or tubing standards is determined by extracting with solvents such as xylenes. A test method for quantitative determination of gel content is described herein. The method is applicable to PEX pipe and tubing of all densities, including those containing fillers, and provides correction for the inert fillers present in some of those compounds.
1.2 Continuous extraction (see definition in Section 3) is used in this method to test the gel content of crosslinked polyethylene specimens. Continuous extraction when used for testing gel content has the advantages of decreased the cost of testing, increased accuracy and consistency of results, and decreased test time. This is because extraction with a pure solvent is more efficient than extraction with a partially saturated solvent.
1.3 While extraction tests may be made on articles of any shape, this test method is applicable for determining the gel content of crosslinked polyethylene pipes and tubing.
1.4 This test method makes use of xylenes or alternative solvents which have lower toxicity than xylenes. The alternative solvents are also potentially beneficial from an economic and environmental viewpoint. Xylenes are used for referee tests.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The inch-pound units in brackets are for information only.
1.6 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.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for t...
General Information
Relations
Buy Standard
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: F3203 − 18
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Gel Content of Crosslinked Polyethylene
1
(PEX) Pipes and Tubing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3203; 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* 1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.1 The gel content of pipe and tubing produced from
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
crosslinked polyethylene plastics as described in Specification
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
F876 and other pipe or tubing standards is determined by
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
extracting with solvents such as xylenes. A test method for
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
quantitative determination of gel content is described herein.
The method is applicable to PEX pipe and tubing of all
2. Referenced Documents
densities, including those containing fillers, and provides
2
correction for the inert fillers present in some of those 2.1 ASTM Standards:
compounds. D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
D1603 Test Method for Carbon Black Content in Olefin
1.2 Continuous extraction (see definition in Section 3)is
Plastics
used in this method to test the gel content of crosslinked
D2765 Test Methods for Determination of Gel Content and
polyethylene specimens. Continuous extraction when used for
Swell Ratio of Crosslinked Ethylene Plastics
testing gel content has the advantages of decreased the cost of
D7567 Test Method for Determining Gel Content in Cross-
testing, increased accuracy and consistency of results, and
linked Ethylene Plastics Using Pressurized Liquid Extrac-
decreased test time. This is because extraction with a pure
3
tion (Withdrawn 2015)
solvent is more efficient than extraction with a partially
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
saturated solvent.
ASTM Test Methods
1.3 While extraction tests may be made on articles of any
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
shape, this test method is applicable for determining the gel
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
content of crosslinked polyethylene pipes and tubing.
F876 SpecificationforCrosslinkedPolyethylene(PEX)Tub-
1.4 This test method makes use of xylenes or alternative ing
4
solvents which have lower toxicity than xylenes. The alterna-
2.2 ISO Standard:
tive solvents are also potentially beneficial from an economic
ISO 10147 Pipes and Fittings Made of Crosslinked Polyeth-
and environmental viewpoint. Xylenes are used for referee
ylene (Pe-X) – Estimation of the Degree of Crosslinking
tests.
by Determination of the Gel Content
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3. Terminology
standard. The inch-pound units in brackets are for information
only.
3.1 Terms as shown in Terminology D883 are applicable to
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the this test method.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2
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
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F17 on Plastic the ASTM website.
3
Piping Systems and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F17.40 on Test The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
Methods. www.astm.org.
4
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2018. Published September 2018. Originally Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO
approved in 2016. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as F3202–16. DOI: Central Secretariat, BIBC II, Chemin de Blandonnet 8, CP 401, 1214 Vernier,
10.1520/F3203–18 Geneva, Switzerland, http://www.iso.org.
*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 ----------------------
F3203 − 18
3.2.1 continuous extractor, n—test apparatus for performing 5.2.3 Sufficient crosslinking has been achieved to prevent
a continuous extraction. migration of filler during the extraction. It has been found
...
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: F3203 − 16 F3203 − 18
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Gel Content of Crosslinked Polyethylene
1
(PEX) Pipes and Tubing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3203; 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 Scope*
1.1 The gel content of pipe and tubing produced from crosslinked polyethylene plastics as described in Specification F876 and
other pipe or tubing standards is determined by extracting with solvents such as xylenes. A test method for quantitative
determination of gel content is described herein. The method is applicable to PEX pipe and tubing of all densities, including those
containing fillers, and provides correction for the inert fillers present in some of those compounds.
1.2 Continuous extraction (see definition in Section 3) is used in this method to test the gel content of crosslinked polyethylene
specimens. Continuous extraction when used for testing gel content has the advantages of decreased the cost of testing, increased
accuracy and consistency of results, and decreased test time. This is because extraction with a pure solvent is more efficient than
extraction with a partially saturated solvent.
1.3 While extraction tests may be made on articles of any shape, this test method is applicable for determining the gel content
of crosslinked polyethylene pipes and tubing.
1.4 This test method makes use of xylenes or alternative solvents which have lower toxicity than xylenes. The alternative
solvents are also potentially beneficial from an economic and environmental viewpoint. Xylenes are used for referee tests.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The inch-pound units in brackets are for information onlyonly.
1.6 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.7 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
D1603 Test Method for Carbon Black Content in Olefin Plastics
D2765 Test Methods for Determination of Gel Content and Swell Ratio of Crosslinked Ethylene Plastics
D7567 Test Method for Determining Gel Content in Crosslinked Ethylene Plastics Using Pressurized Liquid Extraction
3
(Withdrawn 2015)
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
F876 Specification for Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Tubing
4
2.2 ISO Standard:
ISO 10147 Pipes and Fittings Made of Crosslinked Polyethylene (Pe-X) – Estimation of the Degree of Crosslinking by
Determination of the Gel Content
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F17 on Plastic Piping Systems and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F17.40 on Test Methods.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2016Aug. 1, 2018. Published September 2016September 2018. Originally approved in 2016. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as
F3202–16. DOI: 10.1520/F3203–1610.1520/F3203–18
2
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 Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
4
Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO Central Secretariat, BIBC II, Chemin de Blandonnet 8, CP 401, 1214 Vernier, Geneva,
Switzerland, http://www.iso.org.
*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 ----------------------
F3203 − 18
3.
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.