ASTM D5204-22

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D5204 − 19 D5204 − 22
Standard Classification System and Basis for Specification for
Polyamide-Imide (PAI) Molding and Extrusion Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5204; 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*
1.1 This classification system covers polyamide-imide materials suitable for injection molding and extrusion.
1.2 The properties included in this classification system are those required to identify the compositions covered. It is possible that
other requirements are necessary to identify particular characteristics important to specialized applications. The use of suffixes as
shown in Section 5 is one way of specifying these requirements.
1.3 This standard allows for the use of recycled materials provided that specification requirements based upon this classification
system are met.
1.4 This classification system and subsequent line call-out (specification) is intended to be a means of calling out plastics materials
used in the fabrication of end items or parts. It is not intended for the selection of materials. Material selection needs to 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 other
than those covered by this classification, and the economics.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. (Reporting in inch-pound units is acceptable.)
1.6 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the test methods portion, Section 11, of this classification system: 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—There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.
1.7 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
2.1 ASTM Standards:
This classification system is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.15 on Thermoplastic
Materials.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2019Nov. 1, 2022. Published August 2019November 2022. Originally approved in 1991. Last previous edition approved in 20172019
as D5204 - 17.D5204 - 19. DOI: 10.1520/D5204-19.10.1520/D5204-22.
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 Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*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
D5204 − 22
D149 Test Method for Dielectric Breakdown Voltage and Dielectric Strength of Solid Electrical Insulating Materials at
Commercial Power Frequencies
D150 Test Methods for AC Loss Characteristics and Permittivity (Dielectric Constant) of Solid Electrical Insulation
D256 Test Methods for Determining the Izod Pendulum Impact Resistance of Plastics
D257 Test Methods for DC Resistance or Conductance of Insulating Materials
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
D790 Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials
D792 Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Relative Density) of Plastics by Displacement
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
D1525 Test Method for Vicat Softening Temperature of Plastics
D1600 Terminology for Abbreviated Terms Relating to Plastics
D1708 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics by Use of Microtensile Specimens
D2863 Test Method for Measuring the Minimum Oxygen Concentration to Support Candle-Like Combustion of Plastics
(Oxygen Index)
D3641 Practice for Injection Molding Test Specimens of Thermoplastic Molding and Extrusion Materials
D3892 Practice for Packaging/Packing of Plastics
D4000 Classification System for Specifying Plastic Materials
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
IEEE/ASTM SI-10 Standard for Use of the International System of Units (SI): The Modern Metric System
2.2 Military and Federal Specifications and Standards:
MIL-P-46179A Plastic Molding and Extrusion Materials, Polyamide-Imide (PAI)
NOTE 2—MIL-P-46179A property requirements are the basis of Classification System D5204. The Department of Defense adopted Classification System
D5204 on July 27, 1994, and canceled MIL-P-46179A.
2.3 SAE Specifications:
AMS 3670B3670C Polyamide-Imide Bar, Rod, and Shapes Molded or Extruded from Polyamide-Imide Plastics Materials
AMS 3670/1B3670/1C Unfilled Polyamide-Imide Bar, Rod, and Shapes Produced from Unfilled Polyamide-Imide
AMS 3670/2B3670/2C Polyamide-Imide Bar, Rod, and Shapes 20-Graphite-3-Polytetrafluoroethylene FilledProduced from
20 % Graphite-3 % Polytetrafluoroethylene Filled Polyamide-Imide Material
AMS 3670/3B3670/3C Polyamide-Imide Bar, Rod, and Shapes 12-Graphite-3-Polytetrafluoroethylene FilledProduced from
12 %-Graphite-3 %-Polytetrafluoroethylene Filled Polyamide-Imide Material
AMS 3670/4C3670/4D Polyamide-Imide Bar, Rod, and Shapes 30 Produced from 30 % Glass Fiber Filled Polyamide-Imide
Material
AMS 3670/5C3670/5D Polyamide-Imide Bar, Rod and Shapes 30 Carbon Graphite FiberProduced from 30 % Carbon Fiber
Filled Polyamide-Imide Material
3. Terminology
3.1 The terminology used in this classification system is in accordance with Terminology D883 and D1600.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 polyamide-imide (PAI), n—a polymer that is composed of linkages of all random, or all block, or all alternating, or any
combination thereof, amide and imide units in the structural backbone.
4. Classification
4.1 The polyamide-imide materials are designated PAI, as specified in Terminology D1600.
4.2 Polyamide-imide materials are classified into groups that are subdivided into classes and grades as shown in Table PAI.
4.2.1 An example of this classification system is as follows:
Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, DODSSP, Bldg. 4, Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5098, http://dodssp.daps.dla.mil.
Available from SAE International (SAE), 400 Commonwealth Dr., Warrendale, PA 15096-0001, http://www.sae.org.
D5204 − 22
The designation PAI012L23 would indicate from Table PAI:
PAI = Polyamide-imide as found in Terminology D1600,
01 (Group) = Injection molding material,
2 (Class) = Wear resistance PAI, and
L23 (Grade) = Nominal 20 % graphite and 3 % PTFE with the require-
ments given in Table PAI.
4.2.2 To facilitate the incorporation of special materials not covered in Table PAI, the “other” category (0) for group, class, and
grade is shown on the table with the basic properties to be obtained from Table A.
4.3 Use Table A to specify physical property requirements for other PAI materials. These properties are shown by a six-character
designation. The designation consists of the letter A and the five digits comprising the cell numbers for the property requirements
in the order as they appear in Table A.
4.3.1 Although the values listed are necessary to include the range of properties available in existing materials, not every possible
combination of the properties exists or can be obtained.
4.3.2 A single letter is used to identify the grade and indicate the major reinforcement or combinations, or both, along with two
digits that indicate the percentage of additive(s) by total mass. The reinforcement and additive letter designations and associated
tolerance levels are shown in Table 1.
TABLE 1 Reinforcement-Filler Symbols and Tolerances
Category Material Tolerance
C Carbon or graphite fiber reinforced ±3 percentage points
G Glass fiber reinforced ±3 percentage points
L Lubricants ±3 percentage points
M Minerals ±3 percentage points
R Combinations of reinforcements or ±5 percentage points
fillers, or both
4.3.3 This part of the classification system uses the type and percentage of additive to designate the modification of the basic
material. To facilitate this designation, the type and percentage of additive is frequently shown on the supplier’s technical data
sheet. If necessary, additional requirements are indicated by use of the suffix part of the system, as given in Section 5.
4.3.4 Reinforced, filled, and lubricated versions of PAI materials that are not in Table PAI are classified in accordance with Tables
PAI and A. Table PAI is used to specify the Group or group and class of PAI and Table A is used to specify the property
requirements. An example of this classification system for a polyamide-imide material containing 40 % glass is as follows:
The designation PAI0130G40A61550
PAI0130 = polyamide-imide from Table PAI,
G40 = glass reinforced at 40 % nominal level,
A = Table A physical-property requirements,
6 = tensile strength, 172 MPa, min,
1 = elongation, 4 %, min,
5 = flexural strength, 269 MPa, min,
5 = flexural modulus, 11700 MPa, min, and
0 = unspecified property.
If no properties are specified, the designation would be PAI0130G40A00000.
5. Suffixes
5.1 When additional requirements are needed, based on application, that are not covered by the basic requirements (Table PAI)
or cell-table requirements (Table A), they are indicated through the use of suffixes.
5.2 Use the suffixes found in Classification System D4000 (Table 3) for additional requirements as appropriate. Additional suffixes
will be added to Classification System D4000 as test methods and requirements are developed and requested.
5.2.1 An example of this classification system using a suffix is as follows:
D5204 − 22
The designation PAI013G30CBXXX
PAI013G30 = polyamide-imide material as described in Table PAI,
C = melting point / softening point from Classification System
D4000
B = Test Method D1525, Rate A (Vicat), and
XXX = three digit number indicating minimum value, °C.
5.3 Suffixes for electrical properties, if required, are found in Table SE in the Supplementary Requirements section of this
standard.
6. General Requirements
6.1 Basic requirements from Table A, as they apply, are always in effect unless these requirements are superseded by specific suffix
requirements, which always take precedence.
6.1.1 The material composition shall be uniform and shall conform to the requirements specified herein.
7. Detail Requirements
7.1 Test specimens for the various materials shall conform to the requirements prescribed in Table A and the suffix requirements
as they apply.
7.2 For the purpose of determining conformance, all specified limits in this specification (line callout) based on this classification
system, are absolute limits, as defined in Practice E29.
7.2.1 With the absolute method, an observed value or a calculated value is not rounded, but is to be compared directly with the
limiting value. Conformance or nonconformance with a specification based on this classification system is based on this
comparison.
8. Sampling
8.1 Sampling shall be statistically adequate to satisfy requirements of 12.2. A batch or lot of material is defined as material
produced in a single compound blend.
9. Test Specimen
9.1 Dry pellets before molding test specimens. Pellets dried on trays at 149°C (300°F) in a desiccant air drier for a minimum of
24 h have been found to be satisfactory for injection molding.
9.2 Unless otherwise specified, prepare injection and extrusion resins test specimens by injection molding in accordance with
Practice D3641.
NOTE 3—Typical conditions for molding are melt temperature of 315 to 370°C (600 to 700°F) and mold temperature of 195 to 215°C (380 to 420°F),
depending on the product. Because of the equipment requirements and difficulty associated with molding PAI, the manufacturer normally does all molding
of parts.
10. Conditioning
10.1 Postcure all test specimens in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
10.2 Condition all test specimens for a minimum of 40 h at 23°C and 50 % relative humidity in accordance with 3.1.2 of Practice
D618 after postcuring and before testing.
11. Test Methods
11.1 Determine the properties enumerated in this classification system in accordance with the relevant methods as they apply.
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