Testing ASTM methods

Several countries have developed their own standard test methods for cellular plastics, and the International Organization for Standards (ISO) Technical Committee on Plastics TC-61 has been developing international standards. Information concerning the test methods for any particular country or the ISO procedures can be obtained in the United States from the American National Standards Institute. The most complete set of test procedures for cellular plastics, and the most used of any in the world, is that developed by the ASTM these procedures are pubUshed in new editions each year (128). There have been several reviews of ASTM methods and others pertinent to cellular plastics (32,59,129—131). 

Test Methodfor Sound Absorption and Sound Absorption Coefficients by the Reverberation Room Method, ASTM C423-90a, ASTM, Philadelphia, Pa., 1990. Standard Practices for Mounting Test Specimens During Sound Absorption Tests, ASTM E795-92, ASTM, Philadelphia, Pa., 1992. 

The test methods used by industry to determine if a sample of maleic anhydride is within specifications (165) ate ASTM methods D2930, D1493, and D3366. These methods describe procedures for the determination of maleic acid content, the crystallization point, and the color properties of the maleic anhydride sample, respectively. By quantitative deterrnination of these properties, a calculation of the overall purity of the maleic anhydride sample can be made. 

The most effective specification is that which accomplishes the desired result with the fewest requirements. Properties and performance should be emphasized rather than how the objectives ate to be achieved. Excessive demonstration of emdition on the part of the writer or failure to recognize the usually considerable processing expertise held by the vendor results in a lengthy and overly detailed document that generally is counterproductive. Redundancy may lead to technical inconsistency. A requirement that cannot be assessed by a prescribed test method or quantitative inspection technique never should be included in the specifications. Wherever possible, tests should be easy to perform and highly correctable with service performance. Tests that indicate service life are especially useful. Standard test references, eg, ASTM methods, ate the most desirable, and those that ate needed should be selected carefully and the numbers of such references should be minimized. To eliminate unnecessary review activity by the would-be complier, the description of a standard test should not be paraphrased or condensed unless the original test is referenced. 

Av wt of dart sufficient to break film in 50% of tests (ASTM D4272-90, Method A). 

Tables 4—6 Ust ASTM methods used for the characterization of PB and PMP. A number of specialized methods were developed for testing particular articles manufactured from polyolefins several of these determine the performance of PB and PMP film, including the measurement of the film s dart impact strength and tear strength. Dart impact strength is measured by dropping a heavy dart with a round tip on a stretched film. Tear resistance, which reflects the film s resistance to tear propagation, is measured with the Ehnendorf tear tester. Two values for the tear strength are usually reported, one in the machine dkection of the film and the other in the transverse dkection. Pipes manufactured from PB are tested by pressurizing them internally with water the time-to-burst failure is determined at various temperatures (46). The standard test method for haze and luminous transmittance (ASTM D1003) is used for the measurement of PMP optical characteristics.

Refractoriness. Refractoriaess is determined by several methods. The pyrometric cone equivalent (PCE) test (ASTM C24) measures the softening temperature of refractory materials. Inclined trigonal pyramids (cones) are formed from finely ground materials, set on a base, and heated at a specific rate. The time and temperature (heat treatment) requited to cause the cone to bend over and touch the base is compared to that for standard cones. 

Standard Test Method for Adhesion Between Steel Tire Cords and Rubber. Steel cords are vulcanised into a block of mbber and the force necessary to pull the cords linearly out of the mbber is measured as adhesive force. ASTM method D2229-93a can be used for evaluating mbber compound performance with respect to adhesion to steel cord. The property measured by this test method indicates whether the adhesion of the steel cord to the mbber is greater than the cohesion of the mbber, ie, complete mbber coverage of the steel cord or less than the cohesion of mbber (lack of mbber coverage). 

See 2-3.1. Typical laboratory conductivity meters have insufficient sensitivity to measure semiconductive and nonconductive liquids, in Appendix B, some tabulated conductivities appear as < suggesting that the instmment used was inappropriate. Some liquids listed as conductive might fall instead into the semiconductive category (e.g., cymene). Eor conductivities less than 100 pS/m especially, highly sensitive picoammeters are required to measure the small currents involved and great care is needed to avoid contamination of both the sample and the test cell. Several ASTM methods are available according to the conductivity range involved [143-146]. 

The fractional distillation test conducted in the laboratory involves measuring the temperature of the distilled vapor at the initial boiling point (IBP), as volume percent fractions 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 95 are collected, and at the end point (EP). Three ASTM methods are currently used to measure boiling points D-86, D-1160, and D-2887. 

Standard Methods of Test for Resistance of Glass Containers to Chemical A Hack, ASTM Method C 225-68... 

A convenient size for a circular coupon is 3 8 cm dia., a thickness of 0 - 32 cm and a central hole of 1 1 cm. Although inherent in the philosophy of corrosion testing, the use of coupons with surfaces that simulate those in service has been found to be unsatisfactory owing to irreproducibility, and the standard procedure normally adopted is to abrade down to 120-grit. ASTM Method G4 1984 gives details of preparation of specimens, evaluation of replicate exposures and the application of statistical methods. 

Tests were carried out as designated in ASTM Method D-925-83 related to staining of surfaces by contact, migration, or by diffusion. Hunter color values were measured on the L-scale. On this scale 100 is white and 0 is black. 

Fisk JF. 1986. Semi-volatile organic analytical methods - general description and quality control considerations. In Perket CL, ed. Quality control in remedial site investigation Hazardous and industrial solid waste testing, ASTM Spec Tech Publ 925. Vol. 5, American Society for Testing and Materials, 143-156. 

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