ASTM D4000-23 - 15.3.2023
 
Significance and Use

4.1?The purpose of this classification system is to provide a method of adequately identifying plastic materials in order to give industry a system that can be used universally for plastic materials. It further provides a means for specifying these materials by the use of a simple line call-out designation.

4.2?This classification system was developed to permit the addition of property values for future plastics.

 
1. Scope

1.1?This standard provides a classification system for tabulating the properties of unfilled, filled, and reinforced plastic materials suitable for processing into parts.

Note 1:?The classification system serves many of the needs of industries using plastic materials. The standard is subject to revision as the need requires; therefore, the latest revision should always be used.

1.2?The classification system and subsequent line call-out (specification) is intended to be a means of identifying plastic materials used in the fabrication of end items or parts. It is not intended for the selection of materials. Material selection should be made by those having expertise in the plastics field after careful consideration of the design and the performance required of the part, the environment to which it will be exposed, the fabrication process to be employed, the inherent properties of the material not covered in this document, and the economic factors.

1.3?This classification system is based on the premise that plastic materials can be arranged into broad generic families using basic properties to arrange the materials into groups, classes, and grades. A system is thus established which, together with values describing additional requirements, permits as complete a description as desired of the selected material.

1.4?In all cases where the provisions of this classification system would conflict with the referenced ASTM specification for a particular material, the latter shall take precedence.

Note 2:?When using this classification system the two-letter, three-digit suffix system applies.

Note 3:?When a material is used to fabricate a part where the requirements are too specific for a broad material call-out, it is advisable for the user to consult the supplier to secure a call-out of the properties to suit the actual conditions to which the part is to be subjected.

1.5?This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.6?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.

 
2. Referenced Documents

D2951-00

Standard Test Method for Resistance of Types III and IV Polyethylene Plastics to Thermal Stress-Cracking (Withdrawn 2006)

D3895-19

Standard Test Method for Oxidative-Induction Time of Polyolefins by Differential Scanning Calorimetry

D3915-06

Standard Specification for Rigid Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) and Chlorinated Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (CPVC) Compounds for Plastic Pipe and Fittings Used in Pressure Applications (Withdrawn 2015)

D495-22

Standard Test Method for High-Voltage, Low-Current, Dry Arc Resistance of Solid Electrical Insulation

D569-90

Method for Measuring the Flow Properties of Thermoplastic Molding Materials (Withdrawn 1995)

D570-22

Standard Test Method for Water Absorption of Plastics

D573-04(2025)

Standard Test Method for Rubber—Deterioration in an Air Oven

D575-91(2024)

Standard Test Methods for Rubber Properties in Compression

D618-21

Standard Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing

D624-00(2020)

Standard Test Method for Tear Strength of Conventional Vulcanized Rubber and Thermoplastic Elastomers

D635-22

Standard Test Method for Rate of Burning and/or Extent and Time of Burning of Plastics in a Horizontal Position

D638-22

Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics

D648-18

Standard Test Method for Deflection Temperature of Plastics Under Flexural Load in the Edgewise Position

D695-26

Standard Test Method for Compressive Properties of Rigid Plastics

D1248-25

Standard Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Extrusion Materials for Wire and Cable

D1430-22

Standard Classification System for Polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) Plastics

D1434-23

Standard Test Method for Determining Gas Permeability Characteristics of Plastic Film and Sheeting

D1435-20

Standard Practice for Outdoor Weathering of Plastics

D1499-13(2021)

Standard Practice for Filtered Open-Flame Carbon-Arc Exposures of Plastics

D1505-25

Standard Test Method for Density of Plastics by the Density-Gradient Technique

D149-25

Standard Test Method for Dielectric Breakdown Voltage and Dielectric Strength of Solid Electrical Insulating Materials at Commercial Power Frequencies

D150-22

Standard Test Methods for AC Loss Characteristics and Permittivity (Dielectric Constant) of Solid Electrical Insulation

D256-24

Standard Test Methods for Determining the Izod Pendulum Impact Resistance of Plastics

D257-14(2021)e1

Standard Test Methods for DC Resistance or Conductance of Insulating Materials (Includes all amendments and changes 5/6/2021).

D395-18(2025)

Standard Test Methods for Rubber Property—Compression Set

D412-16(2021)

Standard Test Methods for Vulcanized Rubber and Thermoplastic Elastomers—Tension

D471-16a(2021)

Standard Test Method for Rubber Property—Effect of Liquids (Includes all amendments and changes 6/25/2021).

D706-20

Standard Classification System and Basis for Specifications for Cellulose Acetate Molding and Extrusion Compounds (CA)

D747-10

Standard Test Method for Apparent Bending Modulus of Plastics by Means of a Cantilever Beam (Withdrawn 2019)

D785-23

Standard Test Method for Rockwell Hardness of Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials

D787-18

Standard Specification for Ethyl Cellulose Molding and Extrusion Compounds

D788-24

Standard Classification System for and Basis of Specification for Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) (PMMA) Molding and Extrusion Materials

D707-15(2023)

Standard Classification System and Basis for Specification for Cellulose Acetate Butyrate Molding and Extrusion Compounds (CAB)

D789-19

Standard Test Method for Determination of Relative Viscosity of Concentrated Polyamide (PA) Solutions

D790-25

Standard Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials

D792-20

Standard Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Relative Density) of Plastics by Displacement

D883-25b

Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics (Includes all amendments and changes 11/20/2025).

D955-21

Standard Test Method of Measuring Shrinkage from Mold Dimensions of Thermoplastics

D1003-21

Standard Test Method for Haze and Luminous Transmittance of Transparent Plastics

D1149-18(2025)

Standard Test Methods for Rubber Deterioration—Cracking in an Ozone Controlled Environment

D1203-23

Standard Test Methods for Volatile Loss from Plastics Using Activated Carbon Methods

D1238-23a

Standard Test Method for Melt Flow Rates of Thermoplastics by Extrusion Plastometer (Includes all amendments and changes 12/6/2023).

D1525-25

Standard Test Method for Vicat Softening Temperature of Plastics

D1562-22

Standard Classification System and Basis for Specification for Cellulose Acetate Propionate Molding and Extrusion Compounds (CAP)

D1600-18

Standard Terminology for Abbreviated Terms Relating to Plastics (Withdrawn 2024)

D1693-21

Standard Test Method for Environmental Stress-Cracking of Ethylene Plastics

D1784-25

Standard Classification System and Basis for Specification for Rigid Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Compounds and Chlorinated Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (CPVC) Compounds

D1822-21

Standard Test Method for Determining the Tensile-Impact Resistance of Plastics

D1929-23

Standard Test Method for Determining Ignition Temperature of Plastics

D4329-26

Standard Practice for Fluorescent Ultraviolet (UV) Lamp Apparatus Exposure of Plastics

D3965-21

Standard Classification System and Basis for Specifications for Rigid Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) Materials for Pipe and Fittings

Department of Transportation

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 302

F372-99

Standard Test Method for Water Vapor Transmission Rate of Flexible Barrier Materials Using an Infrared Detection Technique

D5857-17(2024)

Standard Specification for Polypropylene Injection and Extrusion Materials Using ISO Protocol and Methodology

D5927-24

Standard Classification System for andBasis for Specifications for Thermoplastic Polyester (TPES) Molding and Extrusion Materials Based on ISO Test Methods

D5990-20a

Standard Classification System and Basis for Polyketone Injection Molding and Extrusion Materials (PK) (Includes all amendments and changes 9/10/2020).

D6314-98

Standard Specification for Fluorocarbon Perfluoromethoxy (MFA) Resin Molding and Extrusion Materials (Withdrawn 2002)

D6338-25

Standard Classification System for Highly Crosslinked Thermoplastic Vulcanizates (HCTPV) Based on ASTM Standard Test Methods

D4895-18(2023)

Standard Specification for Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) Resin Produced From Dispersion

D4976-12a(2020)

Standard Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Molding and Extrusion Materials (Includes all amendments and changes 11/17/2022).

D4745-19(2024)

Standard Classification System and Basis for Specification for Filled Polytetrafluoroethlyene (PTFE) Molding and Extrusion Materials Using ASTM Methods

D4986-22

Standard Test Method for Horizontal Burning Characteristics of Cellular Polymeric Materials

D5021-00

Standard Specification for Thermoplastic Elastomer-Chlorinated Ethylene Alloy (TECEA) (Withdrawn 2007)

D5046-98

Standard Specification for Fully Crosslinked Elastomeric Alloys (FCEAs) (Withdrawn 2000)

D5048-20a

Standard Test Method for Measuring the Comparative Burning Characteristics and Resistance to Burn-Through of Solid Plastics Using a 125-mm Flame (Includes all amendments and changes 9/11/2020).

D5132-25

Standard Test Method for Horizontal Burning Rate of Polymeric Materials Used in Occupant Compartments of Motor Vehicles

D5138-23

Standard Classification System and Basis for Specification for Liquid Crystal Polymers Molding and Extrusion Materials (LCP)

D5203-07

Standard Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Molding and Extrusion Materials from Recycled Post-Consumer (HDPE) Sources (Withdrawn 2016)

D5204-22

Standard Classification System and Basis for Specification for Polyamide-Imide (PAI) Molding and Extrusion Materials

D5205-24

Standard Classification System and Basis for Specification for Polyetherimide (PEI) Molding and Extrusion Materials

D5279-21

Standard Test Method for Plastics: Dynamic Mechanical Properties: In Torsion

D5336-22

Standard Classification System and Basis for Specification for Polyphthalamide (PPA) Injection Molding Materials

D4396-22

Standard Specification for Rigid Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) and Chlorinated Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (CPVC) Compounds for Plastic Pipe and Fittings Used in Nonpressure Applications

D4474-00

Standard Classification System for Styrenic Thermoplastic Elastomer Injection Molding and Extrusion Materials (TES) (Withdrawn 2008)

D4549-15(2021)

Standard Classification System and Basis for Specification for Polystyrene and Rubber-Modified Polystyrene Molding and Extrusion Materials (PS)

D4617-03

Standard Classification System for Phenolic Compounds (PF) (Withdrawn 2012)

D4634-16(2022)

Standard Classification System and Basis for Specification for Styrene-Maleic Anhydride Molding and Extrusion Materials (S/MA)

D4673-23

Standard Classification System for and Basis for Specification for Acrylonitrile–Butadiene–Styrene (ABS) Plastics and Alloys Molding and Extrusion Materials

D4364-13(2022)e1

Standard Practice for Performing Outdoor Accelerated Weathering Tests of Plastics Using Concentrated Sunlight (Includes all amendments and changes 2/25/2022).

D5476-99

Standard Classification System for Thermoplastic Polyurethane Materials (TPU) (Withdrawn 2005)

D5575-18(2023)

Standard Classification System for Copolymers of Vinylidene Fluoride (VDF) with Other Fluorinated Monomers

D5593-99e1

Standard Classification for Thermoplastic Elastomers-Olefinic (TEO) (Withdrawn 2005)

D5628-24

Standard Test Method for Impact Resistance of Flat, Rigid Plastic Specimens by Means of a Falling Dart (Tup or Falling Mass)

D5630-22

Standard Test Method for Ash Content in Plastics

D5676-99

Standard Specification for Recycled Polystyrene Molding and Extrusion Materials (Withdrawn 2004)

D4349-22

Classification System and Basis for Specification for Polyphenylene Ether (PPE) Materials

D4804-25

Standard Test Method for Determining the Flammability Characteristics of Nonrigid Solid Plastics

D4812-25

Standard Test Method for Unnotched Cantilever Beam Impact Resistance of Plastics

D4894-19(2024)

Standard Specification for Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) Granular Molding and Ram Extrusion Materials

D2116-16(2021)

Standard Specification for FEP Resin Molding and Extrusion Materials

D2137-11(2025)

Standard Test Methods for Rubber Property—Brittleness Point of Flexible Polymers and Coated Fabrics

D2240-15(2021)

Standard Test Method for Rubber Property—Durometer Hardness

D2287-26

Standard Classification System and Basis for Specification for Nonrigid Vinyl Chloride Polymer and Copolymer Molding and Extrusion Compounds

D2288-97(2001)

Standard Test Method for Weight Loss of Plasticizers on Heating (Withdrawn 2010)

D2565-23

Standard Practice for Xenon-Arc Exposure of Plastics Intended for Outdoor Applications

D2583-25

Standard Test Method for Indentation Hardness of Rigid Plastics by Means of a Barcol Impressor

D2584-25

Standard Test Method for Ignition Loss of Cured Reinforced Resins

D2632-15(2024)

Standard Test Method for Rubber Property—Resilience by Vertical Rebound

D2843-22

Standard Test Method for Density of Smoke from the Burning or Decomposition of Plastics

D2863-23e1

Standard Test Method for Measuring the Minimum Oxygen Concentration to Support Candle-Like Combustion of Plastics (Oxygen Index) (Includes all amendments and changes 8/18/2025).

D3012-19

Standard Test Method for Thermal-Oxidative Stability of Polypropylene Using a Specimen Rotator Within an Oven

D3159-22

Standard Specification for Modified ETFE Fluoropolymer Molding and Extrusion Materials

D3222-21

Standard Specification for Unmodified Poly(Vinylidene Fluoride) (PVDF) Molding Extrusion and Coating Materials

D3275-18(2023)

Standard Classification System for E-CTFE-Fluoroplastic Molding, Extrusion, and Coating Materials

D3307-21

Standard Specification for Perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) Resin Molding and Extrusion Materials

D3350-25

Standard Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Pipe and Fittings Materials

D3418-21

Standard Test Method for Transition Temperatures and Enthalpies of Fusion and Crystallization of Polymers by Differential Scanning Calorimetry

D3638-21e1

Standard Test Method for Comparative Tracking Index of Electrical Insulating Materials (Includes all amendments and changes 2/2/2022).

D3713-95

Standard Test Method for Measuring Response of Solid Plastics to Ignition by a Small Flame (Withdrawn 2000)

D3763-23

Standard Test Method for High Speed Puncture Properties of Plastics Using Load and Displacement Sensors

D3801-20a

Standard Test Method for Measuring the Comparative Burning Characteristics of Solid Plastics in a Vertical Position (Includes all amendments and changes 9/11/2020).

D3892-15(2020)

Standard Practice for Packaging/Packing of Plastics

D5420-21

Standard Test Method for Impact Resistance of Flat, Rigid Plastic Specimen by Means of a Striker Impacted by a Falling Weight (Gardner Impact)

D4507-93a

Specification for Thermoplastic Polyester (TPES) Materials (Withdrawn 1999)

D6339-11(2019)

Standard Classification System for and Basis for Specifications for Syndiotactic Polystyrene Molding and Extrusion (SPS)

D6358-19e1

Standard Classification System and Basis for Specification for Poly (Phenylene Sulfide) (PPS) Injection Molding, Extrusion and Blow Molding Materials Using ISO Methods (Includes all amendments and changes 7/24/2019).

D6360-15(2021)

Standard Practice for Enclosed Carbon-Arc Exposures of Plastics

D6394-21a

Standard Classification System for and Basis for Specification for Sulfone Plastics (SP) (Includes all amendments and changes 5/13/2021).

D6778-20

Standard Classification System and Basis for Specification for Polyoxymethylene Molding and Extrusion Materials (POM)

D6779-23

Standard Classification System for and Basis of Specification for Polyamide Molding and Extrusion Materials (PA)

D6835-23

Standard Classification System for Thermoplastic Elastomer-Ether-Ester Molding and Extrusion Materials (TEEE)

D6869-25

Standard Test Method for Coulometric and Volumetric Determination of Moisture in Plastics Using the Karl Fischer Reaction (the Reaction of Iodine with Water)

D7209-06

Standard Guide for Waste Reduction, Resource Recovery, and Use of Recycled Polymeric Materials and Products (Withdrawn 2015)

E29-22

Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications

E84-26a

Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials (Includes all amendments and changes 4/15/2026).

E96/E96M-24a

Standard Test Methods for Gravimetric Determination of Water Vapor Transmission Rate of Materials (Includes all amendments and changes 11/20/2024).

E104-20a

Standard Practice for Maintaining Constant Relative Humidity by Means of Aqueous Solutions (Includes all amendments and changes 12/21/2020).

E119-26

Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials

E162-25a

Standard Test Method for Surface Flammability of Materials Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source (Includes all amendments and changes 7/1/2025).

E662-21ae1

Standard Test Method for Specific Optical Density of Smoke Generated by Solid Materials (Includes all amendments and changes 9/16/2021).

E1354-25

Standard Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates for Materials and Products Using an Oxygen Consumption Calorimeter

D3985-24

Standard Test Method for Oxygen Gas Transmission Rate Through Plastic Film and Sheeting Using a Coulometric Sensor

D4020-18

Standard Specification for Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Molding and Extrusion Materials

D3935-21

Standard Classification System and Basis for Specification for Polycarbonate (PC) Unfilled and Reinforced Material

D4066-13(2025)

Standard Classification System for Nylon Injection and Extrusion Materials (PA)

D4067-23

Standard Classification System and Basis for Specification for Reinforced and Filled Poly(Phenylene Sulfide) (PPS) Injection Molding and Extrusion Materials Using ASTM Methods

D4101-24

Standard Classification System and Basis for Specification for Polypropylene Injection and Extrusion Materials

D4181-00

Standard Classification for Acetal (POM) Molding and Extrusion Materials (Withdrawn 2005)

D4203-25

Standard Classification System for and Basis for Specifications for Styrene-Acrylonitrile (SAN) Molding and Extrusion Materials

D4216-22

Standard Specification for Rigid Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) and Related PVC and Chlorinated Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (CPVC) Building Products Compounds