ASTM Volume 08.02, June 2016: Plastics (II): D3222-D5083

ASTM Volume 08.02, June 2016: Plastics (II): D3222-D5083 - Essential Standard for Plastic Material Characterization

For engineers and designers working with advanced polymeric materials, understanding material properties and performance is paramount. ASTM Volume 08.02, June 2016, covering standards D3222 through D5083, provides an essential collection of industry-leading practices and specifications for a wide range of plastic materials. This comprehensive volume is a critical resource for ensuring material quality, predictability, and fitness for purpose across diverse engineering applications.

What is ASTM Volume 08.02?

ASTM Volume 08.02, June 2016, consolidates authoritative standards related to the characterization, classification, and specification of various plastic materials. Originating from ASTM International, a globally recognized standards development organization, this volume aims to establish a common technical language and set of proven methodologies for evaluating plastic performance. Its primary purpose is to facilitate consistent material selection, product development, and quality assurance within the plastics industry and its downstream sectors.

Scope & Purpose

This volume governs a broad spectrum of plastic materials, including but not limited to fluoroplastics, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and thermosetting compounds. It details methodologies for determining key physical, mechanical, thermal, and rheological properties, as well as providing classification systems and material specifications. The scope encompasses test methods for material behavior under various conditions, such as impact resistance, thermal transitions, and long-term performance. While it covers a wide array of plastic materials and their evaluation, it does not typically address finished product design or manufacturing process optimization beyond material preparation for testing.

Who Must Comply?

• • Primary audience: Materials Engineers, Polymer Scientists, Quality Control Technicians, R&D Engineers, Product Designers, and Manufacturing Engineers.
• • Industries affected: Plastics manufacturing, Automotive, Aerospace, Construction, Electronics, Medical Devices, Packaging, and Consumer Goods.
• • Compliance nature: Primarily voluntary, recommended for ensuring product quality, performance, and interoperability, but often mandated by contractual agreements or regulatory bodies in specific applications.
• • Enforcement: Typically enforced through contractual requirements between suppliers and purchasers, internal quality management systems, and by third-party certification bodies when applicable.

Key Requirements Overview

The standards within this volume require professionals to:

• • Accurately characterize plastic materials using standardized testing procedures to ensure reproducibility.
• • Classify materials based on their composition, properties, and intended applications, facilitating clear communication.
• • Specify material requirements using defined property ranges and test methods to control quality.
• • Ensure that test specimens are prepared according to specified practices to obtain reliable results.
• • Report test data in a clear and consistent format, enabling comparative analysis and decision-making.

Related Standards & References

This volume frequently complements other ASTM standards. For instance, ASTM D4000, "Standard Classification System for Specifying Plastic Materials," provides a foundational framework for material classification that many standards within Volume 08.02 adhere to or reference. Additionally, standards related to specific processing techniques, such as ASTM D3641, "Standard Practice for Injection Molding Test Specimens of Thermoplastic Molding and Extrusion