Use of a Melt Index Strand for Determining Density of Polyethylene1 This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2839; 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.
1. Scope* 4. Significance and Use
1.1 This practice covers the preparation of a sample for 4.1 This practice has been found to be very useful for polyethylene density determination in accordance with Test preparing polyethylene samples suitable for determination of Method D1505. The sample consists of a strand produced by density by Test Method D1505, for quality control purposes, extrusion of the polyethylene in accordance with Test Method especially in a resin manufacturing facility where fast, D1238, Condition 190/2.16 (Melt Index). reproducible, comparative results are needed. It is not neces- 1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the sarily recommended for resin specifications that are part of a standard. The values given in parentheses are for information sales contract between the buyer and the seller. only. 4.2 The density of a polyethylene sample is highly depen- 1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the dent on the preparation and thermal history of the specimens. safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the The level of density results obtained by this practice of sample responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- preparation differs from that obtained by other methods as priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- described in Practice D4703, Annex A1. bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 4.3 Before proceeding with this practice, reference shall be NOTE 1—There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard. made to the specification of the material being tested. Any test NOTE 2—The precision data on densities measured using this sample specimen preparation, conditioning, dimensions, or testing preparation practice is listed in Test Method D1505. parameters, or some combination thereof, covered in the materials specification shall take precedence over those men- 2. Referenced Documents tioned in this practice. If there are no material specifications, 2.1 ASTM Standards:2 the default conditions apply. D1238 Test Method for Melt Flow Rates of Thermoplastics by Extrusion Plastometer 5. Apparatus D1505 Test Method for Density of Plastics by the Density- 5.1 Extrusion Plastometer, as described in Test Method Gradient Technique D1238. D4703 Practice for Compression Molding Thermoplastic 5.2 Hot Plate, to boil water. Materials into Test Specimens, Plaques, or Sheets 5.3 Beakers, 250-mL low form, graduated, with watch-glass 3. Terminology covers. 3.1 Definitions: 3.1.1 melt index strand—the extrudate produced when poly- 6. Sample ethylene is extruded in accordance with Test Method D1238, 6.1 Polyethylene, in any form suitable for test in accordance Condition 190/2.16. with Test Method D1238.
7. Procedure 1 This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.15 on Thermoplastic Materials 7.1 Prepare a Melt Index Strand by extruding the sample in (D20.15.01). accordance with Test Method D1238, Condition 190/2.16, Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2016. Published October 2016. Originally dropping the strand on a cool metal plate after cutting off. approved in 1969. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as D2839 - 10. DOI: 10.1520/D2839-16. When Procedure B of Test Method D1238 is used, cut off the 2 For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or extrudate at about the time the timer is actuated and discard. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Save the portion extruded during the timed interval. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website. NOTE 3—It has been shown that the measured density of an extruded
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
1 D2839 − 16 strand is significantly affected by changes in the localized air velocity due 7.4 Remove the strand from the water and cut off a 5-mm to external drafts, location in relation to HVAC outlets, and so forth. It is (1⁄4-in.) length from the thicker end of the strand. Discard this advisable to minimize any external airflow and to recognize this when relocating instruments or when comparing results from instruments in portion, and, from the next 10 mm (1⁄2 in.) of strand, cut at least different locations. three short pieces of convenient size for density determination. Cut the strand with a very sharp blade; and cut the strand very 7.2 Drop the strand into a 250-mL beaker containing at least slowly to avoid whitening on the sample. Cutting under water 200 mL of briskly boiling water, and cover with a watch-glass. will avoid whitening. This whitening appears to affect sample Keep a large beaker full of water boiling along with this so that density and shall be avoided. Discard any specimens with the amount of water can be maintained at 200 mL for the whole bubbles. Discard samples that display visible roughness. period without interrupting the boiling. Let the strand condition in the boiling water for 30 min. 7.5 Determine the density of the specimen in accordance with Test Method D1505 within 24 h of the conditioning NOTE 4—A time interval of five days at room temperature between extrusion of the strand and dropping into boiling water has not been found described in 7.2 and 7.3. critical. 8. Report 7.3 At the end of the boiling time, remove the beaker from the hot plate, making sure the water level is at approximately 8.1 Report the following information: 200 mL, and allow to stand on the bench at standard laboratory 8.1.1 Any deviations from the procedure, including omis- temperature for 1 h. sion of the conditioning (subsections 7.2 and 7.3). 8.1.2 The density according to the Report Section of Test NOTE 5—It is acceptable to quench cool the melt strand by omitting Method D1505. procedures 7.2 and 7.3. In such case, after a 10-min cooling period, cut off the density specimen as described in 7.4 and determine the density in 9. Keywords accordance with Test Method D1505. This quick approach gives a different result than following 7.2 and 7.3 and shall be reported. 9.1 density; melt index strand; PE; polyethylene
SUMMARY OF CHANGES
Committee D20 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue (D2839 - 10) that may impact the use of this standard. (October 1, 2016)
(1) Removed permissive language in Note 3 and Note 5. (2) Revised 7.4.
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