Plastic

Plastics particle testing standards are published by ASTM and ISO. ASTM publishes standard test methods for determining particle size and composition using wet analysis, sieve analysis, molecular weight average, aerobic and anaerobic biodegradation, gel content determination, HCTPV classification system, and gravimetric analysis. ISO standards cover standard tests for fire reactions, determination of impurities, vinyl chloride homopolymer and copolymer resin sieve tests, preparation of thermoplastic test materials, determination of compressive and flexural properties in fiber-reinforced plastic, determination of sieve residue in polymer dispersions, and determination on insoluble particles in cellulose acetate. These documents cover a variety of different plastic chemistries and the appropriate tests for each. If you or your organization works with one of them, consider protecting the material and personnel investment with an instantly delivered PDF file.

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ASTM D7486-22

Standard Test Method for Measurement of Fines and Dust Particles on Plastic Pellets by Wet Analysis

1.1 This test method measures the amount of fine particles adhered on plastic pellets or granules in which they are commonly produced and supplied. The lower limit of this test method is restricted only by the porosity of the filter disc used to capture the particle size being quantified. 1.2 The wet analysis technique allows for separation and collection of statically charged particles by liquid wash and filtration methods. This must be performed under standard laboratory conditions. 1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. 1.4 This test method describes an essential practice to check the quality of plastics once the production cycle is terminated and to evaluate the performance of pellet cleaning systems or of the special pneumatic conveying systems for the distinct size fractions below 500 micron only. 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. Note 1: 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.

ASTM D1921-18

Standard Test Methods for Particle Size (Sieve Analysis) of Plastic Materials

1.1 These test methods cover the measurement of the particle size of plastic materials in the powdered, granular, or pelleted forms in which they are commonly supplied. As these test methods utilize dry sieving, the lower limit of measurement is considered to be about 38 m (No. 400 sieve). For smaller particle sizes, sedimentation test methods are recommended. 1.2 Two test methods are described: 1.2.1 Test Method A This test method uses multiple sieves selected to span the particle size of the material. This method is used to determine the mean particle diameter and particle size distribution. 1.2.2 Test Method B This test method is an abbreviated version of Test Method A conducted with a few specific sieves. This test method determines percent passing or percent retained on a given sieve. Test Method B is applicable to materials which do not have a normal particle size distribution such as pellets and cubes. 1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard for dimensions of the wire cloth openings and the diameter of the wires used in the wire cloth. 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: There is no known ISO equivalent for this test method. 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.

ASTM D5296-19

Standard Test Method for Molecular Weight Averages and Molecular Weight Distribution of Polystyrene by High Performance Size-Exclusion Chromatography

1.1 This test method covers the determination of molecular weight (MW) averages and the distribution of molecular weights for linear, soluble polystyrene by high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC). This test method is not absolute and requires the use of commercially available narrow molecular weight distribution (MWD) polystyrene standards for calibration. This test method is applicable for samples containing molecular weight components that have elution volumes falling within the elution volume range defined by polystyrene standards (that is, molecular weights generally from 2000 to 2 000 000 g mol 1 ). 1.2 The HPSEC is differentiated from traditional size-exclusion chromatography SEC (also referred to as gel permeation chromatography (GPC)) in that the number of theoretical plates per metre with an HPSEC system is at least ten times greater than that for traditional SEC (see Terminology D883 and Practice D3016 ). 2 The HPSEC systems employ low-volume liquid chromatography components and columns packed with relatively small (generally 3 to 20 m) microporous particles. High-performance liquid chromatography instrumentation and automated data handling systems for data acquisition and processing are required. 1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. 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. Specific precautionary statements are given in Section 9 . Note 1: There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard. 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.

ASTM D7475-20

Standard Test Method for Determining the Aerobic Degradation and Anaerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials under Accelerated Bioreactor Landfill Conditions

1.1 This test method is used to determine the degree and rate of aerobic degradation (as indicated by loss of tensile strength, molecular weight, possibly resulting in disintegration and fragmentation) and anaerobic biodegradation of plastic materials in an accelerated aerobic-anaerobic bioreactor landfill test environment. It can simulate the change from aerobic to anaerobic environments over time as landfill depth increases. In Tier 1, the test plastic material is mixed with household waste, then pretreated and stabilized aerobically in the presence of air, in a sealed vessel in a temperature range that is consistent with the average temperature range of those recorded for landfills. The tier is an accelerated simulation of degradation with concomitant oxygen consumption and depletion with time as if oxidative degradation proceeds. In Tier 2 samples of the plastic materials pretreated aerobically as described in Tier 1, are exposed to a methanogenic inoculum derived from anaerobic digesters operating only on pretreated household waste. The anaerobic decomposition and biodegradation occur under dry (more than 30 % total solids) and static non-mixed conditions. 1.2 This test method generates comparative data for several materials and must not be used to make claims regarding benefits of placing degradable or biodegradable plastics in landfills. Claims must be limited to and dependent on the results obtained from each tier. 1.2.1 If only Tier 1 is run, then the claims must state: Will modify the performance/physical properties (for example, mechanical properties will degrade), up to a measured percent, X%, in a given time period, Y days using Test Methods D3593 (Molecular weight change) and Test Method D3826 (tensile strength change) in a biologically active bioreactor landfill. Report measured percent property changes and standards used to measure the test results which are, for example, changes in tensile strength, mass and molecular weight, as well as residual particle size ranges in Section 14 to support the extent of such claims. 1.2.2 If both Tier 1 and Tier 2 are run, then claims shall state: Will biodegrade in a biologically active bioreactor landfill to a degree, X%, in Y days established by the test results based on the extent to which the plastic sample is converted to gaseous carbon in the form of carbon dioxide and methane and this shall be made available according to Section 14 to support the extent of such claims. It should be noted that biodegradation testing is very dependent on conditions chosen in this laboratory test and may well vary widely when the test is run with different inoculum, The results reported pertain only to the test conditions run and do not rule out potential biodegradation under other conditions and real world environments. 1.3 Tier 1 of this test method is designed to estimate the aerobic degradation of plastics, that is disintegration and fragmentation, only, by measuring the loss of physical and chemical properties of said plastics. The test environment is then changed to that of Tier 2, an anaerobic condition, and biodegradation is measured by a combination of evolved carbon dioxide and methane gases as a percentage of the conversion of carbon in the plastic sample to carbon in the gaseous form under conditions that resemble landfill conditions. This test method does not simulate all conditions found in landfills, especially those found in biologically inactive landfills. This test method more closely resembles those types of bioreactor landfills in which the gas generated is recovered or even actively promoted, or both, for example, by inoculation (co-deposition of anaerobic sewage sludge and anaerobic leachate recirculation), moisture control in the landfill (leachate recirculation), and temperature control (short-term injection of oxygen and heating of re-circulated leachate) ( 1- 7 ) . 2 1.4 This test method produces partially degraded mixtures of municipal solid waste and plastics that, where required, are used to assess the ecotoxicological risks associated with the degradation of plastics after various stages of aerobic degradation and anaerobic biodegradation in a landfill. 1.5 The intended use of this method is for a comparison and ranking of aerobic degradation and anaerobic biodegradation of plastics after disposal in a bioreactor landfill. It is not designed or intended to be used to support claims recommending the value of plastic degradation in full-scale landfills. This simulation of an active landfill allows measurement of the percentage of aerobic degradation and anaerobic biodegradation (biogas evolution) in specified time periods, only. 1.6 Though the test method is in two tiers, they are meant to simulate a real world cycle of degradation in a landfill and are most preferably run consecutively and not independently or separately. 1.7 It is cautioned that the results of any laboratory landfill simulation cannot be directly extrapolated to actual disposal environments: confirmation to real world exposure is ultimately required as with all ASTM Standards. This confirmation is essential for landfill as the types of landfills vary widely, some are even heavily lined, tombs, and these will limit degradation severely. 1.8 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard. 1.9 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: There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard. 1.10 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.

ASTM D2765-16(2024)

Standard Test Methods for Determination of Gel Content and Swell Ratio of Crosslinked Ethylene Plastics

1.1 The gel content (insoluble fraction) produced in ethylene plastics by crosslinking is determined by extracting with solvents such as decahydronaphthalene or xylenes. The methods described herein are applicable to crosslinked ethylene plastics of all densities, including those containing fillers, and all provide corrections for the inert fillers present in some of those compounds. 1.2 Test Method A, which permits most complete extraction in least time, is to be used for referee tests, but two alternative nonreferee Test Methods B and C are also described. Test Method B differs from the referee test method only in sample preparation; that is, it requires use of shavings taken at selected points in cable insulation, for example, rather than the ground sample required by the referee test method. Because the shaved particles are larger, less total surface per sample is exposed to the extractant, so this test method ordinarily yields extraction values about 1 to 2 % lower than the referee method. Test Method C requires that a specimen in one piece be extracted in xylenes at a constant temperature of 110°C. At this temperature and with a one-piece specimen, even less extraction occurs (from 3 to 9 % less than the referee test method), this method permits swell ratio (a measure of the degree of crosslinking in the gel phase) be determined. 1.3 Extraction tests are made on articles of any shape. They have been particularly useful for electrical insulations since specimens can be selected from those portions of the insulation most susceptible to insufficient crosslinking. 1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be used independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not be combined. Note 1: This test method is equivalent to ISO 10147, Method B. It is not equivalent to ISO 10147 in any other measurement or section. 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. Specific precautionary statements are given in Sections 6 , 9 , and 24 . 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.

ASTM D5814-23

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

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. This method is only limited to contamination observable through visual methods. If there are low levels (0–200 ppm) of certain types of contamination, which are transparent and partially/wholly miscible with PET, they will not be apparent through this method. 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 Units— The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard. 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. Specific precautionary statements are given in Section 8 . Note 1: 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.

ASTM D6338-17

Standard Classification System for Highly Crosslinked Thermoplastic Vulcanizates (HCTPV) Based on ASTM Standard Test Methods

This classification system covers highly crosslinked thermoplastic vulcanizates (HCTPV) for extrusion, molding and other fabrication methods. Highly crosslinked thermoplastic vulcanizates (HCTPV) are thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) consisting of two or more polymer systems at least one of which is rubbery and highly (>95 %) crosslinked and at least one of which is thermoplastic, with each system having its own phase. The thermoplastic phase will tend to be continuous and the rubbery phase discontinuous. The high level of crosslinking and ultrafine particle size (ca 1 m diameter) of the rubbery phase give rise to properties more closely approaching those of conventional thermoset rubber, when compared to the same thermoplastic/rubbery polymer composition with a lower level ( 95 %) of crosslinking. The HCTPV polymer compositions may contain fillers, reinforcing agents, plasticizers, resins, antidegradants, colorants and other beneficial constituents. Recycled HCTPV are not covered in this classification system.

ASTM D4797-17(2022)

Standard Test Methods for Gravimetric Analysis of White and Yellow Thermoplastic Pavement Marking

1.1 These test methods cover procedures for the gravimetric analysis of the binder and hydrochloric Acid (HCL) insoluble particles in white and yellow thermoplastic pavement markings. The HCL insoluble particles can be retroreflective optics, such as glass beads or some other type of retroreflective optic, or non-retroreflective particles such as silica sand, or a combination of any two or more of these materials. 1.2 This standard does not address the physical separation and the individual quantification of each component when a mixture of two or more HCL insoluble materials is present. Rather it requires the user to visually evaluate the HCL insoluble material (obtained from following this test method) and report the types of materials present. 1.3 This standard does not purport to address the titanium dioxide or lead chromate pigment measurement (after ashing) which is detailed in Test Methods D1394 and D126 . 1.4 This standard will attempt to address the interference of organic pigments with the binder results. 1.5 The analytical procedures appear in the following order: 1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only. 1.7 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. 1.8 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.

ISO/ASTM 52936-1:2023

Additive manufacturing of polymers - Qualification principles - Part 1: General principles and preparation of test specimens for PBF-LB

This document specifies the general principles to be followed when test specimens of thermoplastic materials are prepared by laser-based powder bed fusion (PBF-LB/P), which is commonly known as laser sintering. The (PBF-LB/P) process is used to prepare test specimens layer upon layer in which thermal energy selectively fuses regions of a powder bed. This document provides a basis for establishing reproducible and reportable sintering conditions. Its purpose is to promote uniformity in describing the main process parameters, build orientation of the sintering process and also to establish uniform practice in reporting sintering conditions. This document does not specify the test procedure itself.

ISO 21367:2007

Plastics - Reaction to fire - Test method for flame spread and combustion product release from vertically oriented specimens

ISO 21367:2007 specifies a test method for plastics for the determination of the heat release rate, ignitability, surface spread of a flame, falling droplets/particles and smoke production using a medium scale specimen that simulates the early development stage of the fire. This test method can be used as a screening test for intermediate scale and large scale tests in addition to its use in factory production control, research and product development. ISO 21367:2007 provides data that is suitable for comparing reaction-to-fire performance of many materials, products, composites or assemblies under end use application conditions. The results of this test method are limited to specimens with heat release rates of less than 10 kW.

ISO 1265:2007

Plastics - Poly(vinyl chloride) resins - Determination of number of impurities and foreign particles

ISO 1265:2007 specifies a method for determining the number of impurities and foreign particles in a flattened surface of poly(vinyl chloride) resin. It is not applicable to paste resins because of their finely divided state.

ISO 22498:2005

Plastics - Vinyl chloride homopolymer and copolymer resins - Particle size determination by mechanical sieving

ISO 22498:2005 specifies a method for the determination of the size distribution of particles of vinyl chloride homopolymer and copolymer resins by measuring the amounts retained on a selection of sieves having meshes of various aperture sizes. The results can be expressed either in terms of the amount retained on the individual sieves or as the mean particle size for the whole test sample.

ISO 4610:2001

Plastics - Vinyl chloride homopolymer and copolymer resins - Sieve analysis using air-jet sieve apparatus

ISO 4610:2001 specifies a method for the determination of the sieve retention and particle size distribution of preferably free-flowing vinyl chloride homopolymer and copolymer resins prepared by the 'suspension', 'bulk' and 'emulsion' polymerization processes. Control of these characteristics can help to ensure consistency of supply and predictable processing behaviour.

ISO 14126:2023

Fibre-reinforced plastic composites - Determination of compressive properties in the in-plane direction

This document specifies methods for determining the compressive properties, in directions parallel to the plane of lamination, of fibre-reinforced plastic composites, based on thermosetting or thermoplastic matrices. The compressive properties are of interest for specifications and quality-control purposes. The test specimens are machined from a flat test plate, or from suitable finished or semi-finished products. Two loading methods and two types of specimen are described. The loading methods are: — Method 1: provides shear loading of the specimen (gauge length unsupported) — Method 2: provides combined loading of the specimen (gauge length unsupported) NOTE For tabbed specimens loaded using method 2, load is transferred through a combination of end-loading and shear-loading through the tabs. The specimen designs are: — Type A specimen: rectangular cross-section, fixed thickness, end-tabbed (mainly for aerospace style preimpregnates (~ 0,125 mm ply thickness) — Type B specimen: rectangular cross-section, range of thicknesses, untabbed or end-tabbed, two specimen sizes are available (B1 and B2). The Type A specimen is used for unidirectionally or biaxially reinforced materials tested in the fibre direction, where the fibres are normally either aligned continuous or aligned long ( 7,5 mm) discontinuous. The Type B1 and B2 specimens are used for multi-directional aligned; mat, fabric and other multi-directionally reinforced materials where the fibre structure is more complex and/or coarser. This document gives criteria for checking that the combination of test method and specimen design result in valid failures. It is noted that alternative test method/specimen combinations will not necessarily give the same result. The methods specify required dimensions for the specimen. Tests carried out on specimens of other dimensions, or on specimens that are prepared under different conditions, can produce results that are not comparable. Other factors, such as the speed of testing, the support fixture used and the conditioning of the specimens, can influence the results.

ISO 14125:1998

Fibre-reinforced plastic composites - Determination of flexural properties

This International Standard specifies a method for determining the flexural properties of fibre-reinforced plastic composites under three-point (Method A) and four-point (Method B) loading. Standard test specimens are defined but parameters included for alternative specimen sizes for use where appropriate. A range of test speeds is included. The method is not suitable for the determination of design parameters, but may be used for screening materials, or as a quality-control test. The method is suitable for fibre-reinforced thermoplastic and thermosetting plastic composites. Unreinforced and particle-filled plastics and plastics reinforced with short (i.e. less than 1 mm length) fibres are covered by ISO 178. The method is performed using specimens which may be moulded to the chosen dimensions, machined from the central portion of the standard multi-purpose test specimen (see ISO 3167) or machined from semi-finished or finished products such as mouldings or laminates. The method specifies preferred dimensions for the specimen. Tests which are carried out on specimens of other dimensions, or on specimens which are prepared under different conditions, may produce results which are not comparable. Other factors, such as the speed of testing and the conditioning of the specimens can influence the results. For materials which are not homogeneous through the section, or above the linear-elastic response region, the result applies only to the thickness and structure tested. Consequently, when comparative data are required, these factors must be carefully controlled and recorded.

ISO 4576:1996

Plastics - Polymer dispersions - Determination of sieve residue (gross particle and coagulum content)

Describes a method of determining the sieve residue of polymer dispersions. Refers only to coagulum-type content, i.e. of particles much greater in diameter than the mean diameter of the other particles.

ISO 1598:1990

Plastics - Cellulose acetate - Determination of insoluble particles

Specifies a test method for determinig the number of insoluble and visible particles including all impurties and foreign particles in cellulose acetate. A test portion is dissolved in a mixture of dichloromethane, methanol and dimethylphthalate. Counting of all visible particles with a diameter greater than 0,15 mm in a square area with a side length of 25 mm.

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