ASTM D3159-22

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: D3159 − 20 D3159 − 22
Standard Specification for
Modified ETFE Fluoropolymer Molding and Extrusion
Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3159; 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 specification covers molding and extrusion materials of modified ETFE fluoropolymer. The ETFE resin is a copolymer
of ethylene and tetrafluoroethylene. Modified ETFE resin contains no more than 5 mole % of other fluoromonomers.
1.2 The values stated in SI units as detailed in IEEE/ASTM SI-10 are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses
are for information only.
NOTE 1—Although this specification and ISO 20568-1 and ISO 20568-2 differ in approach or detail, data obtained using either are technically equivalent.
1.3 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the test method portion, Section 11, 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.
1.4 Recycled material is not appropriate for this specification because performance requirements cannot be met with recycled
material. Therefore, this specification is for virgin material only.
1.5 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:
D150 Test Methods for AC Loss Characteristics and Permittivity (Dielectric Constant) of Solid Electrical Insulation
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
D638 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics
D792 Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Relative Density) of Plastics by Displacement
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
D1238 Test Method for Melt Flow Rates of Thermoplastics by Extrusion Plastometer
D1600 Terminology for Abbreviated Terms Relating to Plastics
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.15 on Thermoplastic Materials
(Section D20.15.12).
Current edition approved July 1, 2020March 15, 2022. Published July 2020March 2022. Originally approved in 1973. Last previous edition approved in 20152020 as
D3159 - 15.D3159 - 20. DOI: 10.1520/D3159-20.10.1520/D3159-22.
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
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D3159 − 22
TABLE 1 Specific Gravity, Melting Point, and Flow Rate Requirements
I II III IV V
Type Grade
1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 1 1
Specific
gravity,
min: 1.69 1.69 1.69 1.75 1.75 1.75 1.83 1.83 1.74 1.74
max: 1.76 1.76 1.76 1.84 1.84 1.84 1.88 1.88 1.78 1.80
max: 1.76 1.76 1.76 1.84 1.84 1.84 1.89 1.89 1.78 1.80
Melting point,
°C,
min: 255 255 250 220 220 220 218 218 220 250
max: 280 280 280 259 259 259 230 230 240 260
Flow rate,
g/10 min,
min: 2.0 8.0 25 2.0 10.1 25 9.0 25.0 10 15
A
max: 16.0 28.0 45 10.0 19.0 40 18.0 35.0 40 30
A
Measured with 1.588-mm (0.0625-in.) orifice; other values measured with 2.095-mm (0.0825-in.) orifice.
D3418 Test Method for Transition Temperatures and Enthalpies of Fusion and Crystallization of Polymers by Differential
Scanning Calorimetry
D3892 Practice for Packaging/Packing of Plastics
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
IEEE/ASTM SI-10 Use of the International System of Units (SI): The Modern Metric System
2.2 ISO Standards:
ISO 20568-1 Plastics—Fluoropolymer Dispersions and Moulding and Extrusion Materials—Part 1
ISO 20568-2 Plastics—Fluoropolymer Dispersions and Moulding and Extrusion Materials—Part 2
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 General—The terminology given in Terminology D883 is applicable to this specification.
3.1.2 lot, n—one production run or a uniform blend of two or more production runs.
3.1.3 Abbreviated Terms:
3.1.4 General—The abbreviated terms given in Terminology D1600 are applicable to this specification.
4. Classification
4.1 This specification covers five types of modified ETFE fluoropolymer supplied in pellet form classified according to their
specific gravity. The resins of each type are divided into one to three grades according to their melt flow rate.
4.2 A one-line system shall be used to specify materials covered by this specification. The system uses predefined cells to refer
to specific aspects of this specification, as illustrated as follows:
Specification
Standard Number : Type : Grade : Special
Block : : : Notes
: : : , :
Example: Specification D3159 – 95, I 2
For this example, the line callout shall be, Specification D3159 – 95,I2 and shall specify a modified ETFE fluoropolymer that
has all of the properties listed for that type and grade in Tables 1 and 2. A comma is used as the separator between the standard
number and the type. Separators are not needed between the type and grade.
See the ASTM Form and Style Manual, available from ASTM Headquarters.
D3159 − 22
TABLE 2 Detail Requirements for Molded Test Specimens for All Resins in This Specification
I II III IV V
Type Grade
1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 1 1
Tensile 5500 4400 5500 4500 4500 4000 4000 4000 5000 4000
strength,
min, psi:
Elongation, 275 200 300 300 300 350 350 350 350 350
min, %:
Elongation, 275 200 300 300 300 300 350 350 350 350
min, %:
Dielectric
constant,
10 Hz, max: 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6
10 Hz, max: 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9
10 Hz, max: 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7
10 Hz, max: 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9
Dissipation
factor,
10 Hz, max: 0.0008 0.0008 0.0008 0.0008 0.0008 0.0008 0.0008 0.0008 0.0008 0.0008
10 Hz, max: 0.0012 0.0012 0.0012 0.0012 0.0012 0.0012 0.0012 0.0012 0.0012 0.0012
10 Hz, max: 0.009 0.009 0.009 0.009 0.009 0.009 0.009 0.009 0.009 0.009
10 Hz, max: 0.015 0.015 0.015 0.015 0.015 0.015 0.015 0.015 0.015 0.015
5. General Requirements
5.1 The material shall be of uniform composition and so prepared as to conform to the requirements of this specification.
5.2 The material described in this specification shall be free of foreign matter to such a contamination level as shall be agreed upon
between the purchaser and the seller.
6. Performance Requirements
6.1 The average test result of the lot shall conform to the requirements prescribed in Tables 1 and 2 when tested by the procedures
specified herein. Table 2 lists those tests requiring a specimen molded as described in Section 8.
7. Sampling
7.1 The materials shall be sampled in accordance with an adequate statistical sampling program.
8. Specimen Preparation
8.1 Prepare a molded sheet 1.5 6 0.3 mm (0.06 6 0.01 in.) thick. Use a picture-frame-type chase having a suitable blanked-out
section and thickness to produce the desired sheet. Use clean aluminum foil, 0.13 to 0.18 mm (0.005 to 0.007 in.) thick, in contact
with the resin. A high-temperature mold release agent sprayed on the aluminum foil helps prevent the foil from sticking to the
sheet. Use steel molding plates at least 1.0 mm (0.040 in.) thick and of an area adequate to cover the chase.
8.2 Lay a sheet of aluminum foil down to smoothly cover one plate. Place the mold chase on top of this assembly. Place within
the mold chase sufficient molding material to produce the required sheet in such manner that the polymer charge is a mound in
the middle of the chase. Place a second sheet of aluminum foil on top of the granules and add the top mold plate. Place the assembly
in a compression molding press having platens that have been heated to 300 6 5°C (572 6 10°F).
8.3 Bring the press platens to incipient contact with the mold assembly. Hold for 2 to 4 min without pressure. Apply approximately
1 MPa (145 psi) and hold for 1 to 1.5 min. Then apply 2 to 4 MPa (290 to 580 psi) and hold for 1 to 1.5 min. Maintain the press
at 300 6 5°C (572 6 10°F) during these steps. Remove the assembly from the press and place between two 20 6 7-mm
(0.75 6 0.25-in.) steel plates whose temperature is less than 40°C (104°F).
8.4 When the sheet is cool enough to touch (about 50 to 60°C (122 to 140°F)), remove aluminum foil from the sheet. (If the sheet
is allowed to cool to room temperature, the aluminum foil cannot be pulled free.)
D3159 − 22
9. Conditioning
9.1 For tests of specific gravity, tensile properties, and electrical properties, condition the molded test specimen in accordance with
Practice D618, Condition 4/23/50. The other tests require no conditioning.
9.2 Conduct tests at the standard laboratory temperature of 23 6 2°C (73.4 6 3.6°F) for determination of specific gravity, tensile
properties, and electrical properties only. Since the resin does not absorb water, the maintenance of constant humidity during testing
is not necessary. Conduct tests for flow rate and melting endotherm under ordinary la
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