Guide for Plastics Identification

Throughout this book references are made to different classifications of materials, products, and test specifications and standards. The References section at the end of this book lists the organizations that provide this type of information. 

A classifying materials standard for plastics that can serve many of the industry s needs has been issued for ASTM. This standard, designated D 4000, or ISO 1043, is entitled Standard Guide for Identification of Plastic Materials. It provides for an easy means of identifying plastic materials used in fabricating parts. 

Ever since classification systems were adopted years ago for materials such as 1030 steel and elastomers, there has been activity toward issuing this guide. The approach used follows the ASTM unified classification systems for steel and elastomers. 

This guide provides properties tabulated for unfilled, filled, and reinforced plastic materials that are suitable for all methods of processing into parts. This standard is required to reduce the growing number of material specifications and the paperwork and manhours needed to ensure that parts of known quality are being produced from commercially available materials. The D 4000 standard will eliminate the many certifications required for the same material that a processor might have to obtain from several vendors for one or more customer s. 

General purpose Rigid moldings. Trays, boats, tanks, boxes, luggage, seating. 

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