Fluoropolymer Standard Specifications – ASTM D 3159

Scope:

This ASTM D 3159 standard specification specifies that the material used must have a homogeneous composition and correspond to the set norms. The acceptable degree of contamination must also be agreed upon by the buyer and the seller, and it must be free of all foreign chemicals. This guarantees that the substance satisfies requirements for quality and purity while giving flexibility in establishing acceptable contamination levels following the requirements of both parties involved in the transaction.

Test Procedure:

In this ASTM D 3159 standard specification the temperature of 297 ± 1°C, measured 13 mm (0.5 in.) above the orifice, is to be achieved by controlling the thermometer well at approximately 305°C. A standardized thermocouple should be inserted through the orifice, and 5 g of resin granules are to be added to the plastometer. After a 10 ± 0.5 min wait, the temperature controller is to be adjusted to reach 297 ± 1°C. This calibration procedure should be repeated, recording the temperature at 1-minute intervals for 10 min. The polymer is expected to reach 297°C within 5 min. The melt temperature is to be measured at 6.4-mm (0.25-in.) intervals from 6.4 mm to 51 mm (2 in.) above the orifice. The entire temperature profile should fall within a 2°C range, which can be achieved through proper plastometer insulation.

Precision and bias determination should be achieved through round-robin testing. The specific gravity of a specimen (approximately 25 x 38 mm or 1  x 1.5 in.) cut from the molded plaque following Test Methods D792 procedures should be determined. To reduce surface tension and ensure complete wetting of the specimen, 2 drops of a wetting agent are to be added to the water.

The endotherm melting peak temperature is to be determined using a differential thermal analyzer (DTA) or a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) operated in DTA mode at a rate of 10°C/min (18°F/min). For DTA equipment, Test Method D3418 should be referred to, but it should be run at 10°C/min to 325°C (617°F). Tangent lines should be extended to both sides of the endotherm melting temperature, and the temperature at which they intersect should be determined as the endotherm melting peak temperature.

The single instrument precision for differential thermal analysis applied to this test method is 61.2°C (2S) as defined in Practice E177. Five specimens should be cut using the microtensile die with a curvature of 5 ± 0.5 mm (0.2 ± 0.02-in.) type. Tensile properties should be determined as described in Test Method D638, with the specified initial jaw separation of 22.0 ± 0.13 mm (0.875 ± 0.005 in.) and a testing speed of 50 ± 5 mm/min (2 ± 0.2 in./min). Specimens should be clamped with essentially equal jaw lengths, and elongation should be calculated as a percentage of the initial jaw separation.

Within-laboratory precision is ±5% of the average for tensile strength and ±10% for elongation. Between-laboratory precision is 67% of the average for tensile strength and 12% for elongation. No bias statement is provided for this test method due to the absence of an absolute comparison method. Dielectric constant and dissipation factor should be determined following Test Methods D150 at 103 Hz and 106 Hz.

Test Specimen:

ETFE Fluoropolymer is used as the test specimen according to ASTM D3159 standard test specifications.

Data:

ASTM D 3159 standard test requirements Condition the moulded test specimen following Practice D618, Condition 4/23/50 before performing tests for specific gravity, tensile characteristics, and electrical properties.

Conclusion:

As a result, ASTM D 3159 Standard Specification for Modified ETFE Fluoropolymer Molding and Extrusion Materials is a crucial industry standard that offers crucial instructions for the manufacturing and quality assurance of modified ETFE fluoropolymer materials.