ASTM D2663-14(2019)

Standard Test Methods for Carbon Black—Dispersion in Rubber

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Visual dispersion ratings correlate with certain important physical properties of the compound. A rating of 5 indicates a state of dispersion developing near maximum properties, while a rating of 1 would indicate a state of dispersion developing considerably depressed properties. Normally, the visual dispersion ratings indicate the following levels of compound quality:    
Visual Dispersion Rating  
Classification  
4 to 5  
High  
3 to 4  
Intermediate  
2 to 3  
Low  
1 to 2  
Very low
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the degree of dispersion of carbon black in rubber. Four test methods are described as follows:    
Sections  
Test Method A—Visual Inspection  
3 – 11  
Test Method B—Agglomerate Count  
12 – 22  
Test Method C—Microroughness Measurement  
with Profilometer  
23 – 33  
Test Method D—Microroughness Measurement with IFM  
34 – 42  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.3 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.  
1.4 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: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2019
• ICS: 83.040.20 - Rubber compounding ingredients
• Technical Committee: D24 - Carbon Black
• Drafting Committee: D24.71 - Carbon Black Testing in Rubber

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: D2663 − 14 (Reapproved 2019)
Standard Test Methods for
1
Carbon Black—Dispersion in Rubber
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2663; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2.2 ASTM Adjuncts:
3
Carbon Black Dispersion Standards
1.1 These test methods cover the degree of dispersion of
4
Carbon Black Dispersion Chart
carbon black in rubber. Four test methods are described as
follows:
TEST METHOD A—VISUAL INSPECTION
Sections
Test Method A—Visual Inspection 3–11 3. Scope
Test Method B—Agglomerate Count 12–22
3.1 Test Method A is a qualitative visual test method.
Test Method C—Microroughness Measurement
with Profilometer 23–33
Ratings are made against a set of standard photographs (Fig.
Test Method D—Microroughness Measurement with IFM 34–42 3
1), andtheresultsareexpressedonanumericalscale.Thistest
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as methodcannotbeusedforcompoundsthatcontainfillersother
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this than carbon black.
standard.
4. Summary of Test Method
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.1 The compound rubber is torn or cut to expose a fresh
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
surface for examination by the eye, aided preferably by a hand
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
lens or a low-power binocular microscope. The dispersion
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
level of the carbon black is compared against a series of five
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
photographic standards and then rated numerically from 1
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
(very low) to 5 (high) (see Fig. 1).
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
5. Significance and Use
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
5.1 Visual dispersion ratings correlate with certain impor-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
tant physical properties of the compound. A rating of 5
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
indicates a state of dispersion developing near maximum
properties, while a rating of 1 would indicate a state of
2. Referenced Documents
dispersion developing considerably depressed properties.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards: Normally, the visual dispersion ratings indicate the following
D3182PracticeforRubber—Materials,Equipment,andPro-
levels of compound quality:
cedures for Mixing Standard Compounds and Preparing
Visual Dispersion Rating Classification
Standard Vulcanized Sheets
4to5 High
D4483Practice for Evaluating Precision for Test Method
3 to 4 Intermediate
StandardsintheRubberandCarbonBlackManufacturing
2to3 Low
Industries 1 to 2 Very low
6. Apparatus
6.1 Sharp Knife or Razor Blade.
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D24 on
Carbon Black and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D24.71 on Carbon
6.2 Hand Lens (10×) or binocular microscope (10 to 20×).
Black Testing in Rubber.
6.3 Illuminator, microscopical-type.
Current edition approved May 1, 2019. Published June 2019. Originally
approved in 1967. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as D2663–14. DOI:
10.1520/D2663-14R19.
2 3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Available from ASTM International Headquarters. Order Adjunct No.
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM ADJD266302. Original adjunct produced in 1967.
4
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from ASTM International Headquarters. Order Adjunct No.
the ASTM website. ADJD266301. Original adjunct produced in 1967.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D2663 − 14 (2019)
FIG. 1 Carbon Black Dispersion Standards—Visual Analysis of Torn Vulcanizates
6.4 Knife Heater. 7. Test Specimen
7.1 Vulcanized Compounds—Use a slab of rubber about
6.5 Series of Photographic Standards, rating 1 to 5. These
2mm in thickness. Tear it so that a fresh surface is exposed.
standards give the following percent dispersion ratings by the
The tear may be initiated by a small cut. The most nearly flat
Agglomerate Count Method:
part of the tear is used for rating.
Visual Rating Black Dispersed, %
170
7.2 Unvulcanized Compounds—Unvulcanized rubber may
280
be examined as follows:
391
496 7.2.1
...

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: D2663 − 14 D2663 − 14 (Reapproved 2019)
Standard Test Methods for
1
Carbon Black—Dispersion in Rubber
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2663; 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 These test methods cover the degree of dispersion of carbon black in rubber. Four test methods are described as follows:
Sections
Test Method A—Visual Inspection 3 – 11
Test Method B—Agglomerate Count 12 – 22
Test Method C—Microroughness Measurement
with Profilometer 23 – 33
Test Method D—Microroughness Measurement with IFM 34 – 42
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.3 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.
1.4 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:
D3182 Practice for Rubber—Materials, Equipment, and Procedures for Mixing Standard Compounds and Preparing Standard
Vulcanized Sheets
D4483 Practice for Evaluating Precision for Test Method Standards in the Rubber and Carbon Black Manufacturing Industries
2.2 ASTM Adjuncts:
3
Carbon Black Dispersion Standards
4
Carbon Black Dispersion Chart
TEST METHOD A—VISUAL INSPECTION
3. Scope
3
3.1 Test Method A is a qualitative visual test method. Ratings are made against a set of standard photographs (Fig. 1), and the
results are expressed on a numerical scale. This test method cannot be used for compounds that contain fillers other than carbon
black.
3. Scope
3
3.1 Test Method A is a qualitative visual test method. Ratings are made against a set of standard photographs (Fig. 1), and the
results are expressed on a numerical scale. This test method cannot be used for compounds that contain fillers other than carbon
black.
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D24 on Carbon Black and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D24.71 on Carbon Black
Testing in Rubber.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2014May 1, 2019. Published February 2014June 2019. Originally approved in 1967. Last previous edition approved in 20082014 as
D2663 – 08.D2663 – 14. DOI: 10.1520/D2663-14.10.1520/D2663-14R19.
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.
3
Available from ASTM International Headquarters. Order Adjunct No. ADJD266302. Original adjunct produced in 1967.
4
Available from ASTM International Headquarters. Order Adjunct No. ADJD266301. Original adjunct produced in 1967.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D2663 − 14 (2019)
FIG. 1 Carbon Black Dispersion Standards—Visual Analysis of Torn Vulcanizates
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 The compound rubber is torn or cut to expose a fresh surface for examination by the eye, aided preferably by a hand lens
or a low-power binocular microscope. The dispersion level of the carbon black is compared against a series of five photographic
standards and then rated numerically from 1 (very low) to 5 (high) (see Fig. 1).
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Visual dispersion ratings correlate with certain important physical properties of the compound. A rating of 5 indicates a state
of dispersion developing near maximum properties, while a rating of 1 would indicate a state of dispersion developing considerably
depressed properties. Normally, the visual dispersion ratings indicate the following levels of compound quality:
2

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D2663 − 14 (2019)
Visual Dispersi
...