ASTM D5511-18 Biodegradation of Plastic Under High-Solids Anaerobic Conditions
The ASTM D5511-18 technique is used to determine the degree and rate of anaerobic biodegradation of plastics in high-solids anaerobic environments. The final values of this test method are expressed in SI units.
Introduction
The ASTM D5511-18 biodegradation test is a method for determining the biodegradation rate of various plastics under anaerobic conditions. In other words, it determines the percentage of carbon in a sample converted to carbon in the gaseous form under high-solids anaerobic digesters used to treat municipal solid waste.
Is ASTM D5511 – 18 and ASTM D5511 the same?
ASTM D5511-18 is the designation of the specific version of the standard that was updated and published in 2018, with “18” corresponding to the revision year. ASTM D5511, without a year, generally refers to the current or unspecified version of the standard.
While ASTM D5511-18 is a specific version of the standard, without the year, it could refer to any standard version, including the preceding or later versions. When referencing the standard without a year, you might specify the most recent version unless specified otherwise.
Significance of ASTM D5511 – 18
It helps determine the degree to which plastics pollute the environment, mainly when marketed as biodegradable. The results can be used to predict whether a plastic material will degrade effectively in an anaerobic landfill environment. Plastic biodegradation might enable its safe disposal in both aerobic and anaerobic solid-waste treatment plants.
Applications of ASTM D5511 – 18
The standard is precious to manufacturers of plastic products, as well as to researchers and environmental organizations who wish to determine the biodegradation characteristics of plastics under conditions comparable to those of a landfill. Therefore, it serves as a standard approach for assessing and rating the effectiveness of assorted types of plastics in terms of biodegradability.
ASTM D5511 – 18 Conditions & Test Procedure
| Particulars | Details |
| Plastic requirements | This test procedure is intended to apply to any plastic substance that isn’t toxic to the microorganisms found in anaerobic digesters that process household trash. |
| Required ambiance | Anaerobic decomposition occurs in high-solids (greater than 30% total solids) and static non-mixed environments. |
| Bacteria used | Test materials are inoculated with methanogenic bacteria from anaerobic digesters. |
| Required equipment | A pH meter, a precision balance (60.1 g), an analytical balance (60.1 mg), a thermometer, and a barometer |
| Specimen size | The specimen is taken as per the requirements. |
| Test Duration | Depends on the sample and the requirements. It can take between weeks to months. |
Result Analysis
| Particulars | Details |
| Calculations | %Biodegradation: mean C8 (test) ̶̶ mean C8 (blank) / Ci × 100 Where, C8 – gaseous carbon produced, g Ci – carbon added in test compound, g |
| Measurement Criteria | Indicates the production of biogas over time |
| Final Test Value | The value is expressed in SI units |
Limitations
- Test duration
- Environmental requirements
- Focus only on biogas production, not on materials breakdown properties
Conclusion
ASTM D5511-18 test method measures how fast different plastics decompose in a non-oxygen environment. It helps establish to what extent plastics spread pollution, and even more so with plastics labeled biodegradable. Furthermore, it is used as a general method for determining and ranking the biodegradability efficiency of various plastics.
FAQs
ASTM D5511-18 is a method on how fast different types of plastics decompose under a non-oxygen environment.
Because this test determines the ability of plastics to biodegrade under anaerobic conditions characteristic of municipal solid waste landfills.
It is measured based on the production of biogas (methane and carbon dioxide) when the plastic material degrades. The extend of degradation of plastic will be calculated from the amount of biogas production.
No, it just focuses only on the degradation process of plastics under required conditions.
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