ASTM D957-21
(Practice)Standard Practice for Determining Surface Temperature of Molds for Plastics
Standard Practice for Determining Surface Temperature of Molds for Plastics
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 The properties of molded parts and the ease of producing satisfactory specimens are influenced by the temperature of the mold. It is desirable to know the actual mold temperature, which can differ from the mold temperature control medium.
3.2 The user needs to be aware of temperature differences across the mold/thermocouple interface and at leads, and take appropriate precautions to minimize such differences.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice is intended for determining the temperature at a specified point or points on the surface of the cavity and base of a mold for plastics. By determining the temperature at as many points as deemed necessary, the overall temperature condition of the surface can be determined.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.3 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.
1.4 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.
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 31-Dec-2020
- Technical Committee
- D20 - Plastics
- Drafting Committee
- D20.09 - Specimen Preparation
Overview
ASTM D957-21: Standard Practice for Determining Surface Temperature of Molds for Plastics is a key ASTM International standard that establishes uniform procedures for measuring the surface temperature at specific points on molds used in the processing of plastics. The accurate determination of mold surface temperature is vital for ensuring consistent properties in molded plastic parts and for achieving reliable specimen production. This standard guides users in using calibrated surface pyrometers or radiation (infrared) thermometers, with specific attention paid to contact, calibration, and the location of measurements.
Developed by ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics, ASTM D957-21 is internationally recognized and directly supports best practices for temperature assessment during plastics molding operations.
Key Topics
- Significance of Mold Surface Temperature: The physical properties of molded plastic parts are directly influenced by the temperature of the mold’s surface. Temperature variations can affect appearance, dimensional accuracy, mechanical strength, and process efficiency.
- Measurement Techniques: The standard specifies using either a calibrated surface pyrometer or a non-contact infrared thermometer, both traceable to SI units via an accredited national metrology institute.
- Strategic Measurement Points: Readings should be taken at multiple points, including the mold center, edges, and intermediate locations, to capture an accurate profile of the surface temperature distribution.
- Emissivity Corrections: For infrared devices, correct emissivity values for accurate measurement according to the device and mold material.
- Precautions and Accuracy: Users should be conscious of temperature differences at the thermocouple/mold interface and at leads. Proper contact and calibration practices must be followed as per manufacturer recommendation.
Applications
- Injection Molding: Ensuring consistent mold temperatures leads to uniform product quality in injection-molded plastic parts.
- Quality Assurance: Accurate surface temperature measurements support compliance, minimize defect rates, and facilitate systematic troubleshooting.
- Research and Development: Used in laboratory environments to characterize mold performance or develop new materials and products.
- Production Optimization: Monitoring and controlling mold temperatures can improve production efficiency, reduce scrap, and extend mold lifespan.
Professionals in plastics manufacturing, mold design, process engineering, and quality management benefit from adopting ASTM D957-21 practices to ensure reliable and repeatable molding results.
Related Standards
- ASTM D698 – Standard Test Methods for Moisture-Density Relations of Soils and Soil-Aggregate Mixtures (plastic component relevance)
- ASTM D4099 – Standard Test Method for Determining Spatial Temperature Distribution of Composite Molds Using Infrared Thermography
- ASTM D648 – Standard Test Method for Deflection Temperature of Plastics Under Flexural Load
- ISO Standards – Note that, as of now, there is no known direct ISO equivalent to ASTM D957-21.
By following ASTM D957-21, stakeholders in the plastics industry can ensure better process control, improved product quality, and compliance with internationally recognized best practices for measuring mold surface temperature. This ultimately supports more efficient operations and higher-quality plastic components.
Buy Documents
ASTM D957-21 - Standard Practice for Determining Surface Temperature of Molds for Plastics
REDLINE ASTM D957-21 - Standard Practice for Determining Surface Temperature of Molds for Plastics
Get Certified
Connect with accredited certification bodies for this standard
Smithers Quality Assessments
US management systems and product certification.
DIN CERTCO
DIN Group product certification.
Sponsored listings
Frequently Asked Questions
ASTM D957-21 is a standard published by ASTM International. Its full title is "Standard Practice for Determining Surface Temperature of Molds for Plastics". This standard covers: SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 3.1 The properties of molded parts and the ease of producing satisfactory specimens are influenced by the temperature of the mold. It is desirable to know the actual mold temperature, which can differ from the mold temperature control medium. 3.2 The user needs to be aware of temperature differences across the mold/thermocouple interface and at leads, and take appropriate precautions to minimize such differences. SCOPE 1.1 This practice is intended for determining the temperature at a specified point or points on the surface of the cavity and base of a mold for plastics. By determining the temperature at as many points as deemed necessary, the overall temperature condition of the surface can be determined. 1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard. 1.3 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. 1.4 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.
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 3.1 The properties of molded parts and the ease of producing satisfactory specimens are influenced by the temperature of the mold. It is desirable to know the actual mold temperature, which can differ from the mold temperature control medium. 3.2 The user needs to be aware of temperature differences across the mold/thermocouple interface and at leads, and take appropriate precautions to minimize such differences. SCOPE 1.1 This practice is intended for determining the temperature at a specified point or points on the surface of the cavity and base of a mold for plastics. By determining the temperature at as many points as deemed necessary, the overall temperature condition of the surface can be determined. 1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard. 1.3 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. 1.4 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.
ASTM D957-21 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 83.200 - Equipment for the rubber and plastics industries. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
ASTM D957-21 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
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.
Designation: D957 − 21
Standard Practice for
Determining Surface Temperature of Molds for Plastics
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D957; 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.
1. Scope* 4. Apparatus
1.1 This practice is intended for determining the tempera- 4.1 Surface Pyrometer—A calibrated temperature device
ture at a specified point or points on the surface of the cavity designed to measure surface temperatures that is traceable to
andbaseofamoldforplastics.Bydeterminingthetemperature the international system of units (SI) through a national
at as many points as deemed necessary, the overall temperature metrology institute (NMI) accurate to within 61.5°C shall be
condition of the surface can be determined. used.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as 4.2 Non-Contact Pyrometer—A Radiation (infrared) Ther-
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this mometer that is traceable to the international system of units
standard. (SI) through a national metrology institute (NMI) accurate to
within 61.5°C shall be used. Radiation Thermometers with
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
selectable emissivity shall be set to the estimated emissivity of
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
the surface to be measured. An emissivity correction shall be
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
made when using Radiation Thermometers with a preset
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
emissivity.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.3 CalibrationandEmissivityCorrectionsofPyrometers—
NOTE 1—There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.
Follow manufacturer’s recommendations for calibration of and
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
making emissivity corrections to pyrometers.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
5. Procedure
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
5.1 The size, shape, and contours of a mold determine the
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
location and number of points at which temperature readings
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
are observed. Take temperature readings at as many points as
deemed necessary to determine the temperature condition of
2. Summary of Practice
the mold surface. At a minimum, it is suggested that tempera-
2.1 With the use of a calibrated surface or radiation (infra-
tures be measured at the mold center, near the edge, and at least
red) non-contact pyrometer, the overall temperature condition
two different but intermediate points between the center and
of a mold for plastics can be determined by taking readings at
edge.
a specified point or many points on the mold surface.
5.2 Place the thermocouple of the pyrometer at any speci-
3. Significance and Use
fied point on the
...
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: D957 − 12 D957 − 21
Standard Practice for
Determining Surface Temperature of Molds for Plastics
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D957; 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.
1. Scope*
1.1 This practice is intended for determining the temperature at a specified point or points on the surface of the cavity and base
of a mold for plastics. By determining the temperature at as many points as deemed necessary, the overall temperature condition
of the surface can be determined.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.3 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
NOTE 1—There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.
NOTE 1—There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.
1.4 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. Summary of Practice
2.1 With the use of a calibrated surface or radiation (infrared) non-contact pyrometer, the overall temperature condition of a mold
for plastics can be determined by taking readings at a specified point or many points on the mold surface.
3. Significance and Use
3.1 The properties of molded parts and the ease of producing satisfactory specimens are influenced by the temperature of the mold.
It is desirable to know the actual mold temperature, which can differ from the mold temperature control medium.
3.2 The user needs to be aware of temperature differences across the mold/thermocouple interface and at leads, and take
appropriate precautions to minimize such differences.
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.09 on Specimen Preparation.
Current edition approved Nov. 15, 2012Jan. 1, 2021. Published December 2012January 2021. Originally approved in 1948. Last previous edition approved in 20062012
as D957 - 06.D957 - 12. DOI: 10.1520/D0957-12.10.1520/D0957-21.
*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
D957 − 21
4. Apparatus
4.1 Surface Pyrometer—A calibrated temperature device designed to measure surface temperatures that is traceable to the
international system of units (SI) through a national metrology institute (NMI) accurate to within 61.5°C shall be used.
4.2 Non-Contact Pyrometer—A Radiation (infrared) Thermometer that is traceable to the international system of unit
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.
Loading comments...