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.

Designation: D1895 − 17

Standard Test Methods for

Apparent Density, Bulk Factor, and Pourability of Plastic
Materials1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1895; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.

1. Scope* 2.2 ISO Standards:3

1.1 These test methods cover the measurement of apparent R60 Determination of Apparent Density of Molding Mate-
density, bulk factor, and where applicable, the pourability of rials that Can be Poured from a Specified Funnel
plastic materials such as molding powders. Different proce- R61 Determination of Apparent Density of Molding Mate-
dures are given for application to the various forms of these rial that Cannot be Poured from a Specified Funnel
materials that are commonly encountered, from fine powders
and granules to large flakes and cut fibers. 3. Terminology
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the 3.1 Definitions:
standard. The values in parentheses are for information only. 3.1.1 apparent density—the weight per unit volume of a
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the material, including voids inherent in the material as tested.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 3.1.1.1 The term bulk density is commonly used for mate-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- rials such as molding powder.
priate safety, health and environmental practices and deter- 3.1.2 bulk factor—the ratio of the volume of any given
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. quantity of the loose plastic material to the volume of the same
NOTE 1—Test Method A is equivalent to ISO Method R 60 as described quantity of the material after molding or forming. The bulk
in the appendix. Test Method C is identical with ISO Method R 61. factor is also equal to the ratio of the density after molding or
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor- forming to the apparent density of the material as received.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.1.3 pourability—a measure of the time required for a
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
standard quantity of material to flow through a funnel of
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical specified dimensions.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
4. Significance and Use
2. Referenced Documents 4.1 These test methods provide useful indexes of perfor-
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 mance of plastic materials such as powders and granules with
D792 Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Rela- respect to their handling in packaging and fabrication.
tive Density) of Plastics by Displacement
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics 4.2 Apparent density is a measure of the fluffiness of a
D1505 Test Method for Density of Plastics by the Density- material.
Gradient Technique 4.3 Bulk factor is a measure of volume change that may be
expected in fabrication.
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on 4.4 Pourability characterizes the handling properties of a
Plastics and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.70 on Analytical finely divided plastic material. It is a measure of the readiness
Methods. with which such materials will flow through hoppers and feed
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2017. Published September 2017. Originally
approved in 1961. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as D1895 – 96(2010)ɛ1. tubes and deliver uniform weights of material.
DOI: 10.1520/D1895-17.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
the ASTM website. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

1
 D1895 − 17
APPARENT DENSITY NOTE 3—To convert grams per cubic centimetre to ounces per cubic
Test Method A inch, multiply by 0.578. To convert to grams per cubic inch multiply by
16.39. To convert grams per cubic centimetre to pounds per cubic foot,
multiply by 62.43.
5. Scope NOTE 4—Apparent density figures are not comparable except on
5.1 Test Method A (see Note 1) covers the measurement of materials having the same specific gravity after molding or forming.
the apparent density of the fine granules and powders that can 7.3 For very fine materials that will bridge and not flow
be poured readily through a small funnel. through the funnel pour lightly from a paper held approxi-
mately 38 mm (1.5 in.) above the opening of the measuring
6. Apparatus cup.
6.1 Measuring Cup—A cylindrical cup of 100 6 0.5-cm3
NOTE 5—Finely divided powders may collect electrostatic charges
capacity, having a diameter equal to half the height, as shown which, if present at the time of measurement, may result in variable
in Fig. 1. apparent density values. The use of an anti-static agent mixed with the
powders at a 0.2 weight percent may eliminate electrostatic charges.
NOTE 2—Example, 39.9-mm (1.572-in.) inside diameter by 79.8-mm
(3.144-in.) inside height. Test Method B
6.2 Funnel, having a 9.5-mm diameter opening at the
bottom, and mounted at a height 38 mm above the measuring 8. Scope
cup, as shown in Fig. 1. 8.1 Test Method B covers the measurement of the apparent
density of coarse, granular materials, including dice and
7. Procedure pellets, that either cannot be poured or that pour with difficulty
7.1 With the apparatus assembled as shown in Fig. 1, close through the funnel described in Test Method A.
the small end of the funnel with the hand or with a suitable flat
strip and pour a 115 6 5-cm3 sample into the funnel. Open the 9. Apparatus
bottom of the funnel quickly and allow the material to flow 9.1 Measuring Cup—A cylindrical cup of 400-cm3 capacity,
freely into the cup. If caking occurs in the funnel, use a small as shown in Fig. 2.
glass rod to loosen the material.
9.2 Funnel, having a 25.4-mm (1-in.) diameter opening at
7.2 After all the material has passed through the funnel, the bottom, and mounted at a height 38 mm (1.5 in.) above the
immediately scrape off the excess on the top of the cup with a measuring cup, as shown in Fig. 2.
straightedge without shaking the cup. Weigh the material in the
cup to the nearest 0.1 g. Calculate the weight in grams of 1 cm3 NOTE 6—Finely divided powders may collect electrostatic charges
which, if present at the time of measurement, may result in variable
of the material. apparent density values. The use of an anti-static agent at a 0.2 weight
percent may eliminate electrostatic charges.

FIG. 1 Apparatus for Apparent Density Test, Method A FIG. 2 Apparatus for Apparent Density Test, Method B

2
 D1895 − 17
10. Procedure 12.2 Weight Plunger—A cylinder closed at one end and
10.1 With the apparatus assembled as shown in Fig. 2, close having an outside diameter slightly smaller than the inside
the small end of the funnel with the hand or with a suitable flat diameter of the measuring cylinder, as shown in Fig. 3. The
strip and pour a 500 6 20-cm3 sample into the funnel. Open the plunger shall have a scale cut on the outside surface, graduated
bottom of the funnel quickly and allow the material to flow in intervals of 1 mm.
freely into the cup. 13. Procedure
NOTE 7—The funnel described in Test Method B is also used for more 13.1 Place the measuring cylinder on a piece of paper.
finely divided powders such as vinyl resins. While these powders usually
will pour through this funnel, they may bridge in the 400-cm3 cup shown Loosely drop 60 6 0.2 g of the material to be tested into the
in Fig. 2. To avoid this, the 100-cm3 cup shown in Fig. 1 may be measuring cylinder from a height approximately that of the
substituted, and the sample reduced to 115 6 5 cm3. cylinder, taking care to lose none of the material and to drop it
10.2 After all the material has passed through the funnel, as uniformly as practicable. Before applying the weight, level
immediately scrape off the excess on the top of the cup with a the material in the measuring cylinder. Measure the height of
straightedge without shaking the cup. Weigh the material in the the loose material in centimetres and identify this measurement
cup to the nearest 0.1 g; then calculate the weight in grams of as H1.
1 cm3 of the material. Make three determinations of the 13.2 Fill the weight plunger with lead shot to obtain a total
apparent density on each sample and average the results (Note weight of 2300 6 20 g (5.07 6 0.04 lb), including the plunger.
3). Lower this weight gradually into the measuring cylinder until
it is entirely supported by the material. Allow the weight to
Test Method C settle for 1 min and take the reading from the scale to the
11.1 Test Method C (see Note 1) covers the measurement of nearest 0.1 cm. This reading will give directly in centimetres
the apparent density of materials supplied in the form of coarse the height, H2, of the material.
flakes, chips, cut fibers, or strands. Such materials cannot be
poured through the funnels described in Test Methods A and B. 14. Precision and Bias4
Also, since they ordinarily are very bulky when loosely poured 14.1 Table 1 is based on a round-robin test conducted in
and since they usually are compressible to a lesser bulk, even 1987–88, involving eight materials, tested by six laboratories.
by hand, a measure of their density under a small load is Each of the materials were commercial materials and were
appropriate and useful. distributed to the testing laboratories on an “as received” bias.
Each test result was based on three individual determinations,
12. Apparatus
12.1 Measuring Cylinder—A cylinder of 1000-cm 3 4
Supporting data have been filed at ASTM International Headquarters and may
capacity, as shown in Fig. 3. be obtained by requesting Research Report RR:D20-1156.

FIG. 3 Apparatus for Apparent Density Test, Method C

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 D1895 − 17
TABLE 1 Precision and Bias DataA 16. Report
Material Average Sr SR Ir IR Vr VR
16.1 Report each value of the apparent density and of the
A 0.5372 0.0023 0.0256 0.0065 0.0724 0.43 4.77
B 0.7342 0.0026 0.0377 0.0074 0.1067 0.35 5.14 average density, both before and after loading.
C 0.6191 0.0026 0.0230 0.0074 0.0651 0.42 3.71
D 0.7314 0.0029 0.0342 0.0082 0.0968 0.39 4.67 BULK FACTOR
E 0.8766 0.0054 0.0302 0.0153 0.0855 0.62 3.44
F 0.7819 0.0009 0.0165 0.0025 0.0467 0.11 2.11
G 0.6092 0.0018 0.0112 0.0051 0.0317 0.30 1.83 17. Procedure
H 0.7975 0.0062 0.0350 0.0175 0.0991 0.77 4.39
17.1 Apparent Density—Measure the apparent density of the
A
Supporting data are available from ASTM Headquarters. Request RR:D20-1161. material in accordance with the applicable test method as
defined in Sections 5 – 15.
17.2 Density After Molding or Forming—Measure the den-
sity of the molded or formed plastic material in accordance
and was obtained either by Test Method A or B, dependent with either Test Method D1505, or Method A of Test Methods
upon equipment availability in the individual laboratory. Test D792, on two or more samples formed of the material under
Method C was not evaluated. Insufficient data were collected examination. When the latter method is used, the average
for the evaluation of bulk factor and pourability because of the specific gravity, in general, shall be assumed to be numerically
inherent properties of the tested materials, and limitations in equal to the average density in grams per cubic centimetre. If
the equipment available to the laboratories involved in the the shape of the formed specimen is such that its volume may
interlaboratory test. be readily and accurately calculated from its dimensions, the
density may be determined by dividing the weight of the
NOTE 8—Specific materials are:
specimen by its volume.
A—poly(propylene)
B—cellulose acetate
C—poly(ethylene) 18. Calculation
D—nylon polyamide
E—polyacetal 18.1 Calculate the bulk factor of the plastic material as
F—poly(vinylidene chloride) follows:
G—poly(vinyl chloride) Bulk factor 5 D 2 /D 1 (2)
H—polyester (PETE)
14.2 In Table 1, for the materials indicated and for mean where:
values that were derived from triplicate determinations: D2 = average density of the molded or formed specimen, and
14.2.1 Sr is the within-laboratory standard deviation of the D1 = average apparent density of the plastic material prior to
mean and Ir = 2.83 Sr. forming.
14.2.2 SR is the between-laboratory standard deviation of
the mean and IR = 2.83 SR. 19. Report
14.2.3 Vr and VR are the relative standard deviations for the 19.1 Report the following information:
within-laboratory and between-laboratory components in per- 19.1.1 Average apparent density of the plastic material and
centage of the relevant mean. the method employed,
14.3 Bias—Since no absolute test method exists for 19.1.2 Average density of the molded or formed specimen,
comparison, no bias statement can be presented for this test and
method. 19.1.3 Bulk factors (Note 9 and Note 10) calculated from
them.
15. Calculation NOTE 9—Because bulk factor is a dimensionless ratio, it permits
15.1 Calculate the apparent density of the material before ranking of plastic materials, with respect to volume change upon
and after application of the load as follows, making separate fabrication, regardless of their molded or formed density (or specific
gravity).
calculations for both H1, and H2: NOTE 10—For measurements made in accordance with Test Method C,
V 5 H 3A (1) bulk factor before and after loading shall be reported. These shall be
clearly identified.
Apparent density 5 W/V
POURABILITY
where:
V = volume occupied by the material in the measuring 20. Apparatus
cylinder, cm3, 20.1 The apparatus shall consist of the funnel described in
H = height of the material in the measuring cylinder, cm, Test Method A (6.2 and Fig. 1), mounted as shown, and either
A = cross-sectional area of the measuring cylinder, (61.89 a stopwatch or an electric timer of comparable accuracy.
cm2), and
W = weight of the material in the cylinder (60 g). NOTE 11—Pourability may be measured with the funnel described in
Test Method B (9.2); however, the flow of material through this funnel is
15.2 Make three determinations of the apparent density on frequently too rapid to yield meaningful results. Test Method C does not
each sample and average these results separately. permit measurement of pourability.

4
 D1895 − 17
21. Procedure funnel as freely as it will, and stop the watch or timer at the
21.1 Take a sample of the plastic material weighing, in instant the last of it leaves the funnel.
grams, 100 times its specific gravity (or density) after molding
22. Report
or forming. Work this sample on a paper until there is no
tendency for the material to pack or cake. With the apparatus 22.1 Report the time in seconds required for the funnel to
assembled as shown in Fig. 1, close the small end of the funnel discharge, to the nearest 0.2 s; or, if so found, that the material
with the hand or with a suitable flat strip and pour the sample will not run through the funnel.
lightly into the funnel, avoiding any tendency to pack it. Then
quickly open the bottom of the funnel and start the stopwatch 23. Keywords
or timer at the same instant. Allow the material to run from the 23.1 apparent density; bulk factor; pourability

APPENDIX

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. RELATION WITH ISO MATERIAL R60, DETERMINATION OF APPARENT DENSITY OF MOLDING
MATERIAL THAT CAN BE POURED FROM A SPECIFIED FUNNEL

X1.1 ISO Method R 60 differs from Test Method A in the

following respects:
X1.1.1 Funnel as shown in Fig. X1.1.
X1.1.2 Measuring Cylinder, which differs only in that the
internal diameter is 45 6 5 mm (1.77 6 0.20 in.).
X1.1.3 Mounting of the funnel is such that its lower orifice
is 20 to 30 mm (0.79 to 1.18 in.) above the measuring cylinder.
X1.2 Test Method A and ISO Method R 60 have been found
to give values that differ by −0.01 to +0.03 apparent density
units (g/cm3) based on the average of five tests for each of three
materials.

FIG. X1.1 Funnel for ISO Method R 60

5
 D1895 − 17

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee D20 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue
(D1895–96(2010)ɛ1) that may impact the use of this standard. (September 1, 2017)

(1) Reworded 6.1. (5) Renumbered Note 4-9 to 6-11.

(2) Added new Note 2. (6) Reworded 7.1.
(3) Renumbered Note 2 to 3, 3 to 4. (7) Reworded 7.3.
(4) Added new Note 5. (8) Reworded old Note 4 (now Note 6).

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