ASTM D3641-21

Standard Practice for Injection Molding Test Specimens of Thermoplastic Molding and Extrusion Materials

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 It is well known that plastic test specimens molded under different conditions can have significantly different properties. This practice is designed to minimize those differences by establishing operating protocols without being unnecessarily restrictive.  
5.2 Always refer to the ASTM material specification or ISO designation for the material for recommended molding conditions. If not available, consult the material supplier.  
5.3 This practice requires the use of adequate quantities of plastic material to find desirable operating conditions and to make the desired test specimens.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the general principles to be followed when injection molding test specimens of thermoplastic molding and extrusion materials. This practice is used to obtain uniformity in methods of describing the various steps of the injection molding process and to set up uniform methods of reporting these conditions. The exact conditions required to prepare suitable specimens will vary for each plastic material. Any requirements or recommendations in the material specification that differ from this standard take precedence over those in this standard. Always consult the referenced material document for specimen preparation. If no referenced document exists, then consult the material supplier for specimen preparation guidance and note such in the test report.  
1.2 The methodology presented assumes the use of reciprocating screw injection molding machines.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Note 1: This practice is equivalent to the following parts of ISO 294: Plastics—Injection Moulding of Test Specimens of Thermoplastic Materials; 294-1: Part 1—General Principles and Multipurpose Test Specimens (ISO Type A Mould) and Bars (ISO Type B Mould); ISO 294-2: Part 2—Small Tensile Bars (ISO Type C Mould); ISO 294-3: Part 3—Plates (ISO Type D Moulds).  
1.5 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-Mar-2021
• ICS: 83.080.20 - Thermoplastic materials
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.09 - Specimen Preparation

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: D3641 − 21
Standard Practice for
Injection Molding Test Specimens of Thermoplastic Molding
1
and Extrusion Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3641; 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
1.1 This practice covers the general principles to be fol- 2.1 ASTM Standards:
lowed when injection molding test specimens of thermoplastic D256 Test Methods for Determining the Izod Pendulum
moldingandextrusionmaterials.Thispracticeisusedtoobtain Impact Resistance of Plastics
uniformity in methods of describing the various steps of the D570 Test Method for Water Absorption of Plastics
injection molding process and to set up uniform methods of D638 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics
reporting these conditions. The exact conditions required to D648 Test Method for Deflection Temperature of Plastics
prepare suitable specimens will vary for each plastic material. Under Flexural Load in the Edgewise Position
Any requirements or recommendations in the material specifi- D790 Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced
cation that differ from this standard take precedence over those and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materi-
in this standard. Always consult the referenced material docu- als
ment for specimen preparation. If no referenced document D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
exists, then consult the material supplier for specimen prepa- D955 Test Method of Measuring Shrinkage from Mold
ration guidance and note such in the test report. Dimensions of Thermoplastics
D957 Practice for Determining Surface Temperature of
1.2 The methodology presented assumes the use of recipro-
Molds for Plastics
cating screw injection molding machines.
D1525 Test Method for Vicat Softening Temperature of
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
Plastics
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
D6110 Test Method for Determining the Charpy Impact
only.
Resistance of Notched Specimens of Plastics
3
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
2.2 ISO Standards:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
ISO 294-1: Plastics—Injection Moulding of Test Specimens
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
of Thermoplastic Materials—Part 1: General Principles
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
and Multipurpose Test Specimens (ISO Type A Mould)
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
and Bars (ISO Type B Mould)
ISO 294-2: Plastics—Injection Moulding of Test Specimens
NOTE 1—This practice is equivalent to the following parts of ISO 294:
of Thermoplastic Materials—Part 2: Small Tensile Bars
Plastics—Injection Moulding of Test Specimens of Thermoplastic Mate-
rials; 294-1: Part 1—General Principles and MultipurposeTest Specimens (ISO Type C Mould)
(ISO Type A Mould) and Bars (ISO Type B Mould); ISO 294-2: Part
ISO 294-3: Plastics—Injection Moulding of Test Specimens
2—Small Tensile Bars (ISO Type C Mould); ISO 294-3: Part 3—Plates
of Thermoplastic Materials—Part 3: Plates (ISO Type D
(ISO Type D Moulds).
Moulds)
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
ISO 20753 Plastics—Test Specimens
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3. Terminology
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of terms applying to this prac-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
tice appear in Terminology D883.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
1
ThispracticeisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD20onPlasticsand contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.09 on Specimen Preparation. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved April 1, 2021. Published April 2021. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved 1991. Last previous edition approved 2015 as D3641 – 15. DOI: 10.1520/ Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
D3641-21. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International
...

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: D3641 − 15 D3641 − 21
Standard Practice for
Injection Molding Test Specimens of Thermoplastic Molding
1
and Extrusion Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3641; 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 the general principles to be followed when injection molding test specimens of thermoplastic molding and
extrusion materials. This practice is to be used to obtain uniformity in methods of describing the various steps of the injection
molding process and to set up uniform methods of reporting these conditions. The exact conditions required to prepare suitable
specimens will vary for each plastic material. Any requirements or recommendations in the material specification that differ from
this standard take precedence over those in this standard. Always consult the referenced material document for specimen
preparation. If no referenced document exists, then consult the material supplier for specimen preparation guidance and note such
in the test report.
1.2 The methodology presented assumes the use of reciprocating screw injection molding machines.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
NOTE 1—This practice is equivalent to the following parts of ISO 294: Plastics—Injection Moulding of Test Specimens of Thermoplastic Materials; 294-1:
Part 1—General Principles and Multipurpose Test Specimens (ISO Type A Mould) and Bars (ISO Type B Mould); ISO 294-2: Part 2—Small Tensile Bars
(ISO Type C Mould); ISO 294-3: Part 3—Plates (ISO Type D Moulds).
1.5 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:
D256 Test Methods for Determining the Izod Pendulum Impact Resistance of Plastics
D570 Test Method for Water Absorption of Plastics
D638 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics
D648 Test Method for Deflection Temperature of Plastics Under Flexural Load in the Edgewise Position
D790 Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.09 on Specimen Preparation.
Current edition approved May 1, 2015April 1, 2021. Published June 2015April 2021. Originally approved 1991. Last previous edition approved 20142015 as
D3641 – 14.D3641 – 15. DOI: 10.1520/D3641-15.10.1520/D3641-21.
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

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D3641 − 21
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
D955 Test Method of Measuring Shrinkage from Mold Dimensions of Thermoplastics
D957 Practice for Determining Surface Temperature of Molds for Plastics
D1525 Test Method for Vicat Softening Temperature of Plastics
D6110 Test Method for Determining the Charpy Impact Resistance of Notched Specimens of Plastics
3
2.2 ISO Standards:
ISO 294-1: Plastics—Injection Moulding of Test Specimens of Thermoplastic Materials—Part 1: General Principles and
Multipurpose Test Specimens (ISO Type A Mould) and Bars (ISO Type B Mould)
ISO 294-2: Plastics—Injection Moulding of Test Specimens of Thermoplastic Materials—Part 2: Small Tensile Bars (ISO Type
C Mould)
ISO 294-3: Plastics—Injection M
...