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Test Methods, Specifications, and Standards for Plastics G O R D O N M. KLINE

Downloaded by UNIV OF CALIFORNIA SANTA BARBARA on March 1, 2018 | https://pubs.acs.org Publication Date: June 17, 1954 | doi: 10.1021/ba-1954-0010.ch018

National Bureau of Standards, Washington, D. C.

Sources of information for testing methods, specifications, and other standards pertaining to plastics are discussed and listed in a comprehensive bibliography. In the domestic field, there are two compilations of testing methods, one by the ASTM, the other, a federal specification. Indexes for domestic government, military, technical, and trade specifications are listed or discussed as are sources of information on other standards, such as nomenclature and recommended practices for constructing test equipment. Similar information is given for foreign specifications and testing methods. Developments in international and foreign standards are progressing.

T h e development and standardization of testing methods and specifications for plastics in the United States have been a cooperative undertaking involving several technical and trade organizations and technical personnel i n industry, Government, and universities. The early work was done i n the electrical insulation field which was the predominant market for plastics for many years. Thus, the American Society for Testing Materials' Committee D - 9 on Electrical Insulating Materials, which was organized i n 1910, was the center of such work until A S T M Committee D-20 on Plastics was organized i n 1937. The organization of the Organic Plastics Section at the National Bureau of Standards i n 1935 and the formation of Federal Specifications Technical Committee on Plastics i n 1941 were further milestones i n this transition period to broader markets for plastics. Another significant event i n the history of plastics standards was the first meeting of Technical Committee 61 on Plastics of the International Organization for Standardiza tion i n New Y o r k on September 8 and 9, 1951. Representatives from Australia, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States met to consider the establishment of testing methods and nomenclature for international use. The second meeting of I S O / T C 61 on Plastics was held i n Turin, Italy, on October 2 to 4, 1952, and i t is anticipated that this committee i n the near future will be ready to recom mend the first international testing methods on plastics to the member standards bodies of the various countries. This paper surveys the domestic and foreign sources of information on developments in testing methods, specifications, and other standards pertaining to plastics.

Testing Methods A S T M Committee D-20 on Plastics has subcommittees working on testing methods for strength, hardness, thermal, optical, and permanence properties, and analytical and molding procedures. Testing methods for electrical properties are under the jurisdiction of Committee D-9 on Electrical Properties. Some methods of immediate interest to those 145

LITERATURE RESOURCES Advances in Chemistry; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1954.


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concerned with applications of synthetic resins are developed b y Committee D - l on Paint, Varnish, Lacquer, and Related Products, Committee D - l 4 on Adhesives, and Committee C-19 on Structural Sandwich Constructions. These methods are published b y the society i n the book of standards (5) or its supplements (6, 7) and i n special compila tions (2-4). The preprint of the annual report of Committee D-20 (1) is also a useful source of current information on the latest methods and revisions, pending the publication of the annual standards book. Federal Specification L-P-406 (31) is another important compilation of officially recognized methods of test i n the United States. Revisions of this specification are i n dicated by letters appended to the number, the current issue being L-P-406b. The methods are numbered i n series according to the type of test as follows : Mechanical, 1000 ; Thermal, 2000; Optical, 3000; Electrical, 4000; Miscellaneous Physical, 5000; Perma nence, 6000; and Chemical, 7000. It is the intention to coordinate and publish i n this specification all of the common methods of test employed i n federal and military specifi cations for plastic materials and products. M a n y of these test methods are, of course, identical i n principle and procedure with the corresponding A S T M methods. There are also compilations of testing methods i n various other countries, such as those of Great Britain (11), France (25), Germany (15), and Switzerland (37). The sources of development of new and improved testing methods reside i n the i n dustry, government, and university laboratories of this country. I n addition to the American Society for Testing Materials, there are several other important forums for their presentation and discussion. Notable among these are the meetings and publica tions of the Rubber and Plastics Division of the American Society of Mechanical E n gineers, the Division of Paint, Varnish, and Plastics Chemistry and the Division of P o l y mer Chemistry of the AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY, the H i g h Polymer Division of the American Physical Society, the Society of Rheology, the Society of Plastics Engineers, the Society of the Plastics Industry, and the Packaging Institute. There are also many scientific and trade magazines i n which contributions i n this field are published, notably the following: Transactions of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASTM Bulletin, ASTM Proceedings, Analytical Chemistry, Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, Journal of Applied Physics, Kunststoffe, Modern Packaging, Modern Plastics, Journal of Research of the National Bureau of Standards, and the SPE Journal.

Specifications A S T M Committees D - 9 and D-20 have prepared specifications for many types of commercial plastics, including allyl, cellulose nitrate, acetate and acetate butyrate, ethylcellulose, melamine, methacrylate, phenolic, polystyrene, urea, v i n y l chloride and chlorideacetate, vinylidene chloride, vulcanized fiber, and thermosetting laminates. These have been published i n the A S T M books of standards (4~7). The Federal Specifications Technical Committee on Organic Plastics has prepared materials specifications (32) which are largely the counterparts of the A S T M specifications in so far as property requirements are concerned. This committee has also developed specifications for various plastic products (32). I n addition to these, there is a large number of other federal specifications involving end items made i n whole or i n part of plastic materials. These are indexed annually (33). Likewise, there is a host of government specifications promulgated b y the military agencies for plastic materials and products. These can be located by consulting the semiannual indexes issued by the Departments of the A r m y (27), N a v y (30), and A i r Force (26), and the Munitions Board (35). There are also a number of technical and trade organizations i n this country which have prepared and issued specifications dealing with specialized aspects of the plastics field. The Laminated Products Section of the National Electrical Manufacturers Asso ciation has official specifications for laminated sheets, rods, and tubes (20) and for decora tive laminated materials (19). The Aeronautical Material Specifications Group of the Society of Automotive Engineers has written specifications for plastic materials to be used i n aircraft construction (22). The Society of the Plastics Industry through its EngineerLITERATURE RESOURCES Advances in Chemistry; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1954.

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ing and Technical Committee, Reinforced Plastics Division, and Plastics F i l m , Sheeting, and Coated Fabrics Division has programs under way to develop specifications for plastic products (28). The British and German standards bodies have been particularly active i n the prepa ration of spécifications for plastics. The German specifications (15, 36) have been concerned primarily with electrical insulation, whereas the British (12) have also covered applications i n adhesives, tableware, toilet seats, and the building industry.


Other Standards In addition to testing methods and product specifications, A S T M Committee D-20 on Plastics has also prepared definitions of terms and recommended practices for molding test specimens and constructing testing equipment, conditioning and weathering proce dures, and related standards. These are published i n the A S T M books of standards (4~7). There is also a federal standard for laboratory atmospheric conditions for test ing (34). The U . S. Department of Commerce has published a number of "Commercial Stand ards' ' (28) and "Simplified Practice Recommendations" (29) relating to plastics, prepared in cooperation with the Society of the Plastics Industry, American Hospital Association, Plastic Coatings and F i l m Association, and Manufacturing Chemists Association. " S i m plified Practice Recommendations" and "Commercial Standards" are developed by manufacturers, distributors, and users i n cooperation with the Commodity Standards Division of the Office of Industry and Commerce, Bureau of Foreign and Domestic C o m merce, and the National Bureau of Standards. The purpose of "Simplified Practice Rec ommendations" is to eliminate avoidable waste through the establishment of standards of practice for stock sizes and varieties of specific commodities that currently are i n general production and demand. The purpose of "Commercial Standards" is to establish stand ard methods of test, rating, certification, and labeling of commodities, and to provide uniform bases for fair competition. A "simplified practice recommendation" or a "com mercial standard" originates with the proponent industry. The sponsors may be manu facturers, distributors, or users of the specific product. One of these three elements of i n dustry submits to the Commodity Standards Division the necessary data to be used as the basis for developing a standard of practice. The division, by means of assembled con ferences or letter référendums, or both, assists the sponsor group i n arriving at a tentative standard of practice and thereafter refers it to the other elements of the same industry for approval or for constructive criticism that will be helpful i n making any necessary a d justments. The adoption and use of a "simplified practice recommendation" or a "com mercial standard" is voluntary. However, when reference to a "commercial standard" is made i n contracts, labels, invoices, or advertising literature, the provisions of the standard are enforceable through usual legal channels as a part of the sales contract. A standard of considerable significance because of its recognition b y most states as the basis for approval of glazing material i n licensed automotive vehicles is the American Standard Safety Code prepared by Sectional Committee Z26 on Safety Glazing Materials of the American Standards Association, under the sponsorship of the Association of Casualty and Surety Companies and the National Bureau of Standards (8). The original code issued i n 1938 included requirements for some properties of laminated glass, which is commonly made with polyvinyl butyral plastic interlayer. The revision issued i n 1950 also specifies certain locations i n which rigid and flexible transparent plastics may be i n stalled and sets forth the minimum property requirements for plastics for such use.

International and Foreign Standards The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) was founded i n 1946 and holds consultative status as a nongovernmental organization with the Economic and So cial Council of the United Nations. I t has as members the national standardizing bodies of 33 countries. Its work is carried on i n technical committees, of which there are now 76. One of these^ the Technical ^Qffigfflffif ÇhélftfêSf SÔCI^J ^ J a s a S

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standardization of nomenclature and test methods applicable to plastics to serve as a basis for a common international understanding among producers, distributors, and users of plastics. Fourteen countries—Australia, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and United States—are participating members on T C 61, and fifteen others are kept informed regarding the work. The American Standards Association is the secretariat for T C 61. The committee has organized working groups on strength properties, thermal properties, physical-chemical methods, equivalent terms, and standard laboratory atmospheres and conditioning procedures. Any testing methods, nomenclature, or related items ultimately agreed upon by this committee will be published as ISO Recommendations if they are accepted by the majority of the ISO member bodies and the council, and as ISO standards if they are accepted by all the ISO member bodies (17). The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) was founded in 1904 and is now affiliated with the International Organization for Standardization as a Technical Division. The I E C has a Technical Committee 15 on Electrical Insulating Materials, which is concerned with the standardization of testing methods and specifications in this special field. It met in Scheveningen, Netherlands, September 10 to 12, 1952. Approved test methods and specifications are issued as recommendations and standards (16). The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) was founded in 1894. It is now associated with the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU), which in turn is affiliated with the United Nations' Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The 16th Conference of IUPAC was held in New York in September 1951; the 17th Conference is to be held in Stockholm and Uppsala, Sweden, July 29 to August 7, 1953. IUPAC has two groups engaged in standardization activities in fields related to plastics. One is the Plastics and High Polymers Division of the Applied Chemistry Section, which has under consideration the standardization of technical terms, analytical methods, and identification tests for plastics. The other is the Commission of Macromolecular Chemistry of the Physical Chemistry Section, which has prepared a report on nomenclature for polymers (18) adopted by IUPAC at the September 1951 meeting, and is investigating methods for determining the size and shape of macromolecules. The standardization organizations in many foreign countries have adopted plastics standards other than those previously mentioned. These may be located by consulting the indexes published by the sponsoring bodies (9, 10, 13-15, 21, 2Ii). Our testing technicians will become better acquainted with these foreign standards in the next few years through the work of the Technical Committee on Plastics of the International Organization for Standardization on Plastics. It is certain that techniques and understanding of the properties of plastics will be improved through this pooling of ideas to achieve a common international language on the technical aspects of plastics. Literature Cited (1) American Society for Testing Materials, Philadelphia, "Annual Report of Committee D-20 on Plastics," (Preprint) 1952. (2) American Society for Testing Materials, Philadelphia, "A.S.T.M. Standards on Adhesives," January 1950. (3) American Society for Testing Materials, Philadelphia, "A.S.T.M. Standards on Paint, Varnish, Lacquer, and Related Products," December 1949. (4) American Society for Testing Materials, Philadelphia, "A.S.T.M. Standards on Plastics," June 1950. (1952 edition in print.) (5) American Society for Testing Materials, Philadelphia, "Book of A.S.T.M. Standards. Part 6. Electrical Insulating Materials, Plastics, Rubber," 1949. (1952 edition in print.) (6) American Society for Testing Materials, Philadelphia, "Supplement to Part 6 of Book of A.S.T.M. Standards," 1950. (7) American Society for Testing Materials, Philadelphia, "Supplement to Part 6 of Book of A.S.T.M. Standards," 1951. (8) American Standards Association, New York, "American Standard Safety Code Z26.1-1950, Safety Glazing Materials for Glazing Motor Vehicles Operating on Land Highways," May 16, 1950. (9) American Standards Association, New York. List of American Standards," May 1952. LITERATURE RESOURCES Advances in Chemistry; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1954.


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(10) Association Française de Normalisation (AFNOR), 23, rue Notre-Dame des Victoires, Paris 2e, "Catalogue Général des Normes Homologuées," 1951. (11) British Standards Institution, 28, Victoria St., London, "British Standard 1330. Interim Report on Suggested Methods of Testing Finished Mouldings (Plastics)," 1946. (12) British Standards Institution, 28, Victoria St., London, "British Standards." 474, "Synthetic Resins (Phenol-Aldehyde Type) for the Manufacture of Boards, Tubes, and Cylinders," 1932. 488, "Moulded Insulating Materials for General Electrical Purposes," 1948. 668, "Laminated Synthetic Resin Bonded Sheet (Fabric Base) for Use as Gear Material," 1936. 771, "Synthetic Resin (Phenolic) Moulding Materials," 1948. 972, "Synthetic-Resin Bonded Fabric Sheet for Electrical and Mechanical Purposes," 1941. Amendment PD 410, October, 1945. 1137, "Synthetic-Resin Bonded-Paper Sheets for Use at Power Frequencies," 1949. 1203, "Synthetic Resin Adhesives for Plywood (Phenolic and Aminoplastic)," 1945. 1204, "Cold-Setting Synthetic Resin Adhesives for Constructional Work in Wood (Phenolic and Aminoplastic)," 1945. Amendment PD 1090, September 1950. (Bound with 1203.) 1253, "Technical Mouldings (Plastics). Definition and Conditions for Certification," 1949. 1254, "W. C. Seats (Plastics)," 1945. 1314, "Synthetic-Resin Bonded-Paper Tubes for Use as Electrical Insulation for Power Circuits," 1946. Amendment PD 712, October 1947. 1321, "Plastic Picnic-Type Tableware," 1946. 1322, "Synthetic Resin (Aminoplastic) Moulding Materials and Mouldings," 1946. Amendment PD 959, October 1949. 1323, "Synthetic-Resin Bonded-Paper Sheet (Thermosetting) for Use in the Building Industry," 1946. 1493, "Polystyrene Moulding Materials," 1948. 1524, "Cellulose Acetate Moulding Materials," 1949. Amendments PD 944, August 1949; PD 1082, September, 1950. 1539, "Moulded Electrical Insulating Materials for Use at High Temperatures," 1949. 1540, "Moulded Electrical Insulating Materials for Use at Radio Frequencies," 1949. (13) British Standards Institution, 28, Victoria St., London, "British Standards Institution Year book," 1951. (14) Canadian Standards Association, National Research Building, Ottawa, "List of Publications," January 1952. (15) Deutsche Normenausschuss, Uhlandstrasse 175, Berlin W 15, "DIN Normblatt-Verzeichnis," 1952. (16) International Electrotechnical Commission, Buckingham House, Palace St., London S.W.1, "IEC Recomendations and Standards." (17) International Organization for Standardization, General Secretariat, 39, route de Malagnou, Geneva, Switzerland, "ISO Recommendations and Standards." (18) International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, J. Polymer Sci., 8, 257-77 (1952). Report on Nomenclature in the Field of Macromolecules. (19) National Electrical Manufacturers Association, New York, "Laminated Thermosetting Decorative Sheets," Publication No. LP2-1951, June 1951. (20) National Electrical Manufacturers Association, New York, "Laminated Thermosetting Products," Publication No. LP1-1951, 1951. (21) New Zealand Standards Institute, P. O. Box 3049, Wellington, "List of New Zealand Standards," March 31, 1950. (22) Society of Automotive Engineers, Aeronautical Material Specifications Division, New York, "Aeronautical Material Specifications." (23) Society of the Plastics Industry, New York, "SPI Handbook," 1947. (24) Standards Association of Australia, Science House, Gloucester St., Sydney, "Handbook of Publications," Issued annually in July. (25) Union Techniques de L'Electricité, 54, Ave. Marceau, Paris 8e, "U.S.E. 46. Méthodes d'Essais des Matières Plastiques Utilisées dans la Construction Eléctrique," 1946. (26) U. S. Department of the Air Force, "Index of Specifications and Related Publications Used by the Air Force," Washington 25, Government Printing Office, October 1952. Cumulative supplement issued monthly. (27) U. S. Department of the Army, "Index of Specifications and Standards Used by the Department of the Army," Washington 25, Government Printing Office, October 1952. Cumulative supplement issued monthly. (28) U. S. Department of Commerce, "Commercial Standards," Washington 25, Government Printing Office. CS147-47, "Colors for Molded Urea Plastics," 1947. CS156-49, "Colors for Polystyrene Plastics," 1949. CS168-50, "Polystyrene Plastic Wall Tiles, and Adhesives for Their Application," 1950. CS173-50, "Heavy-Duty Alpha-Cellulose-Filled Melamine Tableware," 1950. CS181-52, "Water-Resistant Organic Adhesives for Installation of Clay Tile," 1952. LITERATURE RESOURCES Advances in Chemistry; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1954.


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(29) U. S. Department of Commerce, "Simplified Practice Recommendations," Washington 25, Government Printing Office. SPR242-51, "Vinyl-Coated and Pyroxylin-Coated Cotton Fabrics," 1951. SPR249-52, "Plastic Tableware," 1952. (30) U. S. Department of the Navy, "Index of Specifications and Standards Used by the Department of the Navy," Washington 25, Government Printing Office, October 1952. Cumulative supplement issued monthly. (31) U. S. Federal Supply Service, "Federal Specification L-P-406b for Plastics, Organic: General Specifications, Test Methods," Washington 25, Government Printing Office, Sept. 27, 1951; Amendment-1, Sept. 1952. (32) U. S. Federal Supply Service, "Federal Specifications," Washington 25, Government Printing Office. L-P-344, "Cellulose Acetate Molded Plastics," May 9, 1949. L-P-349, "Cellulose Acetate Butyrate Molded Plastics," May 9, 1949. L-P-365, "Cellulose Nitrate (Pyroxylin) Sheets, Rods, and Tubes," May 9, 1949. L-P-416, "Polystyrene Molded Plastics," May 9, 1949. L-P-501, "Polyvinylidene Chloride (Saran) Molded Plastics," May 9, 1949. L-C-169, "Cellulose Acetate Plastic Sheets," January 10, 1952. L-M-191, "Methacrylate Plastic Sheets, Rods, and Tubes," January 10, 1952. L-U-671, "Urea Molded Plastics," January 10, 1952. L-V-351, "Vinyl Chloride Polymer and Copolymer Rigid Sheets," January 10, 1952. L-P-310, "Phenolic Molded Plastics," January 15, 1952. L-A-499, "Allyl Plastic Sheets, Rods, and Tubes," August 27, 1952. L-M-181, "Melamine Molded Plastics," August 27, 1952. L-V-345, "Vinyl Chloride Polymer and Copolymer Rigid Molded Plastics," October 2, 1952 L-L-31, "Laminated Thermosetting Sheets, Rods, and Tubes," November 4, 1952. L-T-48, "Tableware; Plastic," August 11, 1942. Revision pending. L-P-384, "Plastic; Light-Diffusing (for) Lighting Fixtures," May 2, 1944. L-C-566a, "Combs, Hair (Plastic)," April 15, 1952. L-S-139, "Screening, Plastic, Insect," August 22, 1950. Amendment-1, August 29, 1952. L-T-0041 (GSA-FSS), "Table Top Assemblies (Plastic Thermosetting Resin Laminate)," August 25, 1952. (Interim). (33) U. S. Federal Supply Service, "Index of Federal Specifications and Standards," Washington 25, Government Printing Office, January 1952. Cumulative supplement. (34) U. S. Federal Supply Service, "Standard for Laboratory Atmospheric Conditions for Testing," Federal Standard No. 1, Washington 25, Government Printing Office, December 15, 1948. (35) U. S. Munitions Board, "Index of Military Specifications and Standards Used by the Munitions Board," Washington 25, Government Printing Office, April 1952. (36) Verband Deutscher Electrotechniker E.V., Wuppertal-Elberfeld, "VDE-Vorschriftenbuch," 1937. (37) Verein Schweizerischer Maschinenindustrieller, General Willestrasse 4, Zurich 2, Switzerland, "Matières Plastiques Artificielles," VSM 77011, 77012, 77021, 77101-113, 1944-5. RECEIVED October 14, 1952. Presented before the Division of Chemical Literature, Symposium on Literature of Synthetic Resins and Plastics, at the 122nd Meeting of the AMEBICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY, Atlantic City, N. J.

LITERATURE RESOURCES Advances in Chemistry; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1954.

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