ASTM D4020-18 - 1.8.2018
 
1. Scope

1.1 This specification provides for the identification of virgin, natural color, unmodified homopolymer ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) plastics molding and extrusion materials. This identification is made in such a manner that the seller and purchaser can agree on the acceptability of different commercial lots or shipments.

1.2 This specification also provides guidance for the characterization of UHMWPE materials based on various mechanical, thermal, electrical, and other analyses.

1.3 It is not intended to differentiate between various molecular weight grades of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene commercially available.

1.4 It is not the function of this specification to provide specific engineering data for design purposes.

1.5 Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylenes, as defined in this specification, are those linear polymers of ethylene which have a relative viscosity of 1.44 or greater, in accordance with the test procedures described herein.

1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

1.7 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the test method portions in Section 7 and the Annex and Appendixes, of this specification: 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.

Note 1: This standard and ISO 11542-1 address the same subject matter, but differ in technical content. ISO 11542-1 provides a classification system based on various characteristics and a range of viscosity numbers determined in accordance with ISO 1628-3.

1.8 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

D883-24

Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics

D618-21

Standard Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing

D4703-16

Standard Practice for Compression Molding Thermoplastic Materials into Test Specimens, Plaques, or Sheets

E691-23

Standard Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method

C1444-00

Standard Test Method for Measuring the Angle of Repose of Free-Flowing Mold Powders (Withdrawn 2005)

D4703-16

Standard Practice for Compression Molding Thermoplastic Materials into Test Specimens, Plaques, or Sheets

D256-23e1

Standard Test Methods for Determining the Izod Pendulum Impact Resistance of Plastics (Includes all amendments and changes 4/7/2023).

D1601-18

Standard Test Method for Dilute Solution Viscosity of Ethylene Polymers

D883-24

Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics

ISO 11542–2

Plastics--Ultra High Molecular-Weight Polyethylene (PE-UHMW) Moulding and Extrusion Materials--Part 2: Preparation of Test Specimens and determination of Properties

IEC 60695-11-10

Fire Hazard Testing, Part 11-10 Test Flames 50 W Horizontal and Vertical Flames

D256-23e1

Standard Test Methods for Determining the Izod Pendulum Impact Resistance of Plastics (Includes all amendments and changes 4/7/2023).

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

D790-17

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

D1894-14

Standard Test Method for Static and Kinetic Coefficients of Friction of Plastic Film and Sheeting (Withdrawn 2023)

D1895-17

Standard Test Methods for Apparent Density, Bulk Factor, and Pourability of Plastic Materials

D2240-15(2021)

Standard Test Method for Rubber Property—Durometer Hardness

D2951-00

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

E313-20

Standard Practice for Calculating Yellowness and Whiteness Indices from Instrumentally Measured Color Coordinates

ISO 1628-3

Plastics--Determination of Viscosity Number and Limiting Viscosity Number--Part 3: Polyethylenes and Polypropylenes

ISO 11542-2

Plastics--Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (PE-UHMW) Moulding and Extrusion Materials--Part 2: Preparation of Test Specimens and Determination of Properties

ISO 11542–2

Plastics - Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (PE-UHMW) Moulding and Extrusion - Part 2: Preparation of test specimens and determination of properties

D1921-18

Standard Test Methods for Particle Size (Sieve Analysis) of Plastic Materials