ASTM D4568-99(2004)e1

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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An American National Standard
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Designation: D4568 – 99 (Reapproved 2004)
Standard Test Methods for
Evaluating Compatibility Between Cable Filling and
Flooding Compounds And Polyolefin Wire and Cable
Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4568; 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.
´ NOTE—Non-mandatory language was replaced throughout editorially in November 2004.
1. Scope D1928 Practice for Preparation of Compression-Molded
Polyethylene Test Sheets and Test Specimens
1.1 These test methods evaluate the compatibility between
D2633 Test Methods for Thermoplastic Insulations and
cable filling or cable flooding compounds, or both, and
Jackets for Wire and Cable
polyolefin materials used in the manufacture of wire and cable
D4730 Specification for Flooding Compounds forTelecom-
thatareusuallyinintimatecontactwiththefillerorfloodant,or
munications Wire and Cable
both.
D4731 Specification for Hot-Application Filling Com-
1.2 These test methods are useful to ensure compatibility
pounds for Telecommunications Wire and Cable
and to verify that new formulations of filling or flooding
D4732 Specification for Cool-Application Filling Com-
compounds will have no deleterious effect upon the other
pounds for Telecommunications Wire and Cable
polyolefin materials being used or, conversely, use these
D5423 Specification for Forced-Convection Laboratory
methods to ensure that other polyolefin wire and cable mate-
Ovens for Evaluation of Electrical Insulation
rials are evaluated for possible use not degraded by contact
with fillers or floodants already in use.
3. Terminology
1.3 Whenever two sets of values are presented, in different
3.1 Definitions:
units, the values in the first set are the standard, while those in
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in these test methods,
parentheses are for information only.
refer to Terminology D1711
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2.1 aging (act of), n—exposure of materials to filling or
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
flooding compound at a specified temperature for a specified
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
time.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.2.2 filling compound—any of several materials (see
2. Referenced Documents Specifications D4731 and D4732) used to fill the air spaces in
2 the cores of multi-conductor insulated wires and cables for the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
purpose of excluding air or moisture or both; especially with
D1711 Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
regard to telecommunications wire and cable intended for
direct burial.
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D09 on
3.2.3 flooding compound—any of several materials (see
Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials and are the direct responsibility of
Specification D4730) used to flood wire or cable sheath
Subcommittee D09.18 on Solid Insulations, Non-Metallic Shieldings, and Cover-
interfaces (for example, the region between core wrap and a
ings for Electrical Wires and Cables. Members of ASTM Committee D02 on
Petroleum Products and Lubricants andASTM Committee B07 on Light Metals and
shield, between a shield and a jacket, etc.) to eliminate or to
Alloys have contributed to these test methods.
minimize normal voids or air spaces in these areas; especially
Current edition approved April 10, 1999. Published June 1999. Originally
with regard to telecommunications wire and cable intended for
approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 1993 as D4568 – 93. DOI:
direct burial.
10.1520/D4568-99R04E01.
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. Withdrawn. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced
Withdrawn. on www.astm.org.
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D4568 – 99 (2004)
4. Significance and Use 8. Specimen Preparation
4.1 Cable filling and flooding compounds are normally
8.1 Cut a specimen of coated metal tape (shielding tape,
semi-solid at room temperature and fluid in varying degrees at
armor tape, screen tape) 6 in. (150 mm) long for evaluation. If
elevated temperatures. They are normally applied in a liquid
a choice of tape widths is possible, select a width narrow
state and at an elevated temperature during wire and cable
enough to fit easily into a container (beaker, graduated cylin-
manufacturing. The completed finished wire or cable is ex-
der, etc.)
posedtovariousambientconditionsduringitsusefullife.Ifnot
8.2 Heat a quantity of the filling or flooding compound to a
carefully selected, components of filling or flooding com-
temperature such that all components of the compound are in
poundshavethepotentialtodegradethematerialstheycontact,
solution and the compound is a homogenous pourable liquid
short term or long term.The following methods are intended to
(98 °C minimum). Maintain at a temperature higher than 102
minimize the chances of such problems occurring.
°C only if necessary for pouring. A standardized pouring
4.2 Some of the effects that might occur include, but are not
temperature of 100 6 2 °C is preferred in order to produce
limited to:
uniform testing. Record melting and pouring temperatures
4.2.1 Delamination of coated metal shields or screens in
used, together with other relevant laboratory data.
completedwireandcable.Delaminationisprimarilyafunction
8.3 Pour the melted compound into the container holding
of the test temperature and the type of laminant used, so test
thecoatedmetaltape.Poursufficientmaterialtoensurethatthe
results are unlikely to vary significantly between filling or
tape is completely covered.
flooding compounds of a common family (for example, petro-
leum based filling or flooding compounds).
9. Specimen Aging
4.2.2 Degradation of physical properties of insulation, jack-
ets, core coverings, etc. Likely manifestations of degradation
9.1 Place the immersed metal tape into an oven preheated to
ofplasticmaterialincludeembrittlementofsomematerialsand
the temperature mutually agreed upon between the wire and
excessive softening of other materials.
cable manufacturer and the purchaser. Unless otherwise speci-
4.3 Since the magnitude of any given effect will vary, some
fied, maintain this temperature for a period of 168 h (7 days)
test procedures will be more critical than others. It is not,
minimum. See Note 1.
therefore, intended that every listed procedure be performed
NOTE 1—It may be desirable to age specimens at more than one
with every compatibility study. Perform procedures to the
temperature (60 6 1 °C and 80 6 1 °C are commonly used) or to age all
extent required by product specifications or as agreed upon
specimenstoafailuretime,orboth.Ifspecimensarebeingagedtofailure,
between the producer and the purchaser.
it is suggested that sets of specimens be removed from the oven at the end
of interim periods (that is, after 7 days, after 14 days, etc).
5. Apparatus
5.1 Oven—Forced-convection oven, conforming to Specifi-
10. Specimen Examination
cation D5423, Type II.
10.1 Aftertheagingperiodisconcludedandbeforecooling,
5.2 Containers—Glass or other containers of suitable size,
extract the metal tape from the container of filling or flooding
shape, and make-up as required to hold the designated speci-
material. Allow as much as possible of the compound to drain
mens.
from the specimen. Avoid wiping the specimen and do not
5.3 Clamps, or other devices as suitable for holding speci-
expose it to solvents to remove the filling or flooding material.
mens in the oven.
(See Note 2.)
5.4 Tensile Strength Testing Apparatus, as specified by the
test requirement.
NOTE 2—High melt-temperature filling and flooding materials may
5.5 Mill, Press, and Molding Equipment, as needed for
have to be removed from the tape by mechanical or other means. If no
preparation of compression molded specimens as required. other choice is possible, it may be necessary to reheat the container of
immersed tape to permit extracting it, but recognize that such reheating
5.6 Miscellaneous Lab Equipment—Towels, knives, etc. as
may adversely bias test results by causing the coated metal(s) to behave in
required for cleaning and cutting specimens.
a manner not encountered during a normal cable life. Recorded laboratory
data should include descriptions of any special techniques used to extract
6. Sampling
tape specimens.
6.1 Ensure that samples of filling and flooding compounds
10.2 Allow the specimen to cool to room ambient condi-
and the other affected wire and cable materials to be evaluated
tions.
are representative of the materials to be used or to be found in
the finished products. 10.3 Visually examine (normal vision or corrected-tonormal
vision, without magnification) the specimen of coated metal
COMPATIBILITY EVALUATION BETWEEN
tape for evidence of delamination.
COATED METALS AND FILLING OR FLOODING
COMPOUNDS
11. Interpretation of Results
7. Scope
11.1 Unless otherwise specified, consider any visual evi-
dence of delamination of coated metal to be a failure.
7.1 This test method is specifically for polyolefin coatings
on aluminum and steel shielding and armoring material used in 11.2 Report—The report shall be in accordance with Sec-
telecommunications wire and cables. tion 23.
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D4568 – 99 (2004)
NOTE 3—The intent of this procedure is to provide heat aging of
COMPATIBILITY EVALUATIONS FOR
insulating and jacketing material in an oven and not in hot grease; hence,
POLYOLEFIN INSULATIONS AND FILLING
the prohibition against soaking as described in 13.6 and 18.5 of this test
OR FLOODING COMPOUNDS
method.
12. Scope
14. Specimen Aging
12.1 This test method is specifically for polyolefin insulat-
14.1 Place the insulated conductor specimens, coated and
ing materials used in telecommunications wires and cables.
uncoated, into an oven preheated to the temperature mutually
agreeduponbetweenthecablemanufacturerandthepurchaser.
13. Specimen Preparation and Initial Testing
Unless otherwise specified, maintain this temperature for a
13.1 Obtain samples of typical insulated conductors for
period of 672 h (28 days) minimum. See Note 1 and Note 4.
evaluation.
13.1.1 Where various insulated conductor sizes are avail- NOTE 4—Testing of insulations and jackets may be continued beyond
the 28 day minimum period to obtain more data. For long term testing (up
able for evaluation, test the smallest conductor size.
to a year of aging), interim examinations at monthly intervals are
13.1.2 Unless otherwise permitted by the product specifica-
recommended. Interim intervals beyond 1 year of aging may be length-
tion, evaluate white insulation. (White insulation is normally
ened appropriately.
heavily loaded and is common to most telecommunications
wire and cable products.) Evaluate the other basic telecommu-
15. Specimen Retest and Examination
nications wire and cable colors when required by the product
15.1 At the conclusion of the test period, remove the sets of
specification or when otherwise deemed necessary.
specimens (both straight and pigtail) from the ovens. Using a
13.1.3 Use a sample length long enough to permit testing
paper towel or a clean dry cloth (no solvents), gently wipe the
before and after exposure to the filling or flooding materials in
specimenstoremoveasmuchofthefillingorfloodingmaterial
question.
as possible without unduly stressing the specimens. Do not
13.2 Unless otherwise specified, cut the samples to obtain a
straighten the pigtail specimens during this cleaning process.
minimum of 10 specimens for each color and material being
Allow them to cool to room ambient conditions.
evaluated and for each environmental condition described (see
15.2 Visually examine (normal or corrected-to-normal vi-
Note1).Unlessotherwisespecified,asetofspecimensconsists
sion, without magnification) the pigtail specimen(s) of insu-
of a minimum of one specimen of each color and material in
lated conductor for evidence of cracking.
each test configuration (such as straight and pigtail) being
15.3 Test the heat aged specimens of straight insulated
evaluated.
conductors (coated and uncoated) as in 13.3. Record the results
13.3 Select at least one specimen of each color and material
for each specimen after aging, and calculate the percentage
under study and measure tensile strength (nominal) and per-
difference between “before” and “after” test results.
centage elongation at the break of the insulation with the
conductor removed (see Test Specimen section of Test Meth-
16. Interpretation of Results
ods D2633 for methods of removing the conductor). Use test
16.1 Unless otherwise specified, consider visual evidence of
methods, gage marks, and initial jaw separation in accordance
cracking in pigtail specimens to be a failure.
with Test Methods D2633. Record results for each specimen
16.2 Except as noted in 16.1, Pass or Fail interpretations of
“before aging.”
insulation compatibility evaluations are as agreed upon be-
13.4 In addition to straightened specimens of insulated
tween the parties involved, and based upon the determination
conductor, prepare pigtail samples of insulated conductor by
of percentage retention of properties at the end of heat aging at
wrapping individual specimens for 10 complete turns around a
the agreed-upon temperature.
mandrel equal to the outside diameter of the insulated conduc-
16.3 Report—The report shall be in accordance with Sec-
tor. As a minimum, prepare enough pigtail samples to permit
tion 23.
examination as specified in 15.2.
13.5 Heat a quantity of the filling or flooding compound to
COMPATIBILITY EVALUATIONS FOR
a temperature such that all components of the compound are in POLYOLEFIN JACKETING COMPOUNDS
solution and the compound is a homogenous pourable liquid
AND FILLING AND FLOODING
(98 °C minimum). Maintain at a temperature higher than 102
COMPOUNDS
°C only if necessary for pouring. A standardized pouring
17. Scope
temperature of 100 6 2 °C is preferred in order to produce
uniformtesting.Recordmeltingandpouringtemperaturesused 17.1 This test method is specifically for polyolefin jacketing
together with other relevant laboratory data.
materials used in
...