ASTM D6111-13a

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: D6111 − 13 D6111 − 13a
Standard Test Method for
Bulk Density And Specific Gravity of Plastic Lumber and
1
Shapes by Displacement
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6111; 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 test method covers the determination of the bulk density and specific gravity of plastic lumber and shapes in their “as
manufactured” form. As such, this is a test method for evaluating the properties of plastic lumber or shapes as a product and not
a material property test method.
1.2 This test method is suitable for determining the bulk specific gravity or bulk density by immersion of the entire item or a
representative cross section in water. This test method involves the weighing of a one piece specimen in water, using a sinker with
plastics that are lighter than water. This test method is suitable for products that are wet by, but otherwise not affected by water
for the duration of the test.
1.3 Plastic lumber and plastic shapes are currently made predominately from recycled plastics. However, this test method would
also be applicable to similar manufactured plastic products made from virgin resins where the product is non-homogeneous in the
cross-section.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard.
1.5 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
NOTE 1—There is no known ISO equivalent to this test method.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
D1622 Test Method for Apparent Density of Rigid Cellular Plastics
3
D1898 Practice for Sampling of Plastics (Withdrawn 1998)
3
D5033 Guide for Development of ASTM Standards Relating to Recycling and Use of Recycled Plastics (Withdrawn 2007)
D6108 Test Method for Compressive Properties of Plastic Lumber and Shapes
E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
3
E12 Terminology Relating to Density and Specific Gravity of Solids, Liquids, and Gases (Withdrawn 1996)
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 density, bulk—the weight per unit volume of a material including voids inherent in material as tested. (Terminology D883)
3
3.1.1.1 Discussion—Specific gravity at 23/23°C can be converted to density 23°C, g/cm , as follows:
23C 3
D , g/cm 5 sp gr 23/23°C30.9976 (1)
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.20 on Plastic Lumber (Section
D20.20.01).
Current edition approved June 1, 2013Sept. 1, 2013. Published June 2013September 2013. Originally approved in 1997. Last previous edition approved in 20092013 as
D6111 - 09.D6111 - 13. DOI: 10.1520/D6111-13.10.1520/D6111-13A.
2
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.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
*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
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D6111 − 13a
3.1.2 plastic lumber, n—a manufactured product made primarily from plastic materials (filled or unfilled), typically used as a
building material for purposes similar to those of traditional lumber, which is usually rectangular in cross-section. (Terminology
D883)
3.1.2.1 Discussion—
Plastic lumber is typically supplied in sizes similar to those of traditional lumber board, timber and dimension lumber; however
the tolerances for plastic lumber and for traditional lumber are not necessarily the same. (Terminology D883)
3.1.3 plastic shape, n—a manufactured product composed of more than 50 weight percent resin, and in which the product
generally is n
...