ASTM D5814-95

Standard Practice for Determination of Contamination in Recycled Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) (PET) Flakes and Chips Using a Plaque Test

SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers an indication of the quality of recycled transparent poly(ethylene terephthalate) by examination of a wafer or plaque formed by melting a representative sample and quenching it to prevent crystallization.
1.2 Specific contaminants and impurities such as aluminum particles, dirt particles, paper, and fibers are identified in the transparent wafer.
1.3 The overall color of the plaque is indicative of oxidizable contaminants such as ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) glue residue and the number of bubbles present in the plaque gives an indication of the moisture content of the sample.
1.4 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. Specific precautionary statements are given in Section 8.
Note 1—There is no equivalent ISO standard.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Mar-2002
• ICS: 55.040 - Packaging materials and accessories
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.70 - Analytical Methods

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D5814-02 - Standard Practice for Determination of Contamination in Recycled Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) (PET) Flakes and Chips Using a Plaque Test
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D6288-23 - Standard Practice for Separation and Washing of Recycled Plastics Prior to Testing
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2002

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.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 5814 – 95
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Practice for
Determination of Contamination in Recycled Poly(Ethylene
Terephthalate) (PET) Flakes and Chips Using a Plaque Test
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5814; 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 4. Summary of Test Method
1.1 This practice covers an indication of the quality of 4.1 Transparent poly(ethylene terephthalate) flakes are
recycled transparent poly(ethylene terephthalate) by examina- melted in an aluminum pan, then the molten sample is rapidly
tion of a wafer or plaque formed by melting a representative quenched in ice water to prevent crystallization. The resulting
sample and quenching it to prevent crystallization. clear plaque is examined for color indicative of oxidizable
1.2 Specific contaminants and impurities such as aluminum contaminants, bubbles indicative of moisture, and solid con-
particles, dirt particles, paper, and fibers are identified in the taminant particles.
transparent wafer.
5. Significance and Use
1.3 The overall color of the plaque is indicative of oxidiz-
able contaminants such as ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) glue 5.1 Presence of paper, metal, or incompatible polymer
contamination in poly(ethylene terephthalate) renders the re-
residue and the number of bubbles present in the plaque gives
an indication of the moisture content of the sample. cycled polymer unfit for use in secondary product manufactur-
ing operations. This procedure is useful for identifying differ-
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the ent types of contamination in recycled PET flakes.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
6. Apparatus
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
6.1 Oven, forced convection type capable of heating
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precau-
samples to 300°C.
tionary statements are given in Section 8.
6.2 Tongs, long arm.
NOTE 1—There is no equivalent ISO standard.
6.3 Stopwatch, 0.1-s accuracy.
6.4 Bucket, 1 L, stainless steel.
2. Referenced Documents
6.5 Aluminum Weighing Dishes.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
6.6 Thermally Insulated Gloves.
D 1600 Terminology for Abbreviated Terms Relating to
Plastics
7. Materials
D 5033 Guide for the Development of Standards Relating to
7.1 Virgin Poly(ethylene terephthalate).
the Proper Use of Recycled Plastics
7.2 Ice.
E 380 Practice for Use of the International System of Units
7.3 Paper Towels.
(SI)
8. Hazards
3. Terminology
8.1 Always wear thermally insulated gloves when introduc-
3.1 Definitions: The terminology used in this practice is in
ing or removing the polymer sample from the oven.
accordance with Terminology D 1600 and Guide D 5033. Units
and symbols are in accordance with Practice E 380.
9. Procedure
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
9.1 Preheat the oven to 275 6 5°C and equilibrate for 30
3.2.1 plaque—a transparent wafer resulting from melting
min.
a
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