ASTM D5592-94

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn. Contact ASTM
International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation:D5592–94
Standard Guide for
Material Properties Needed in Engineering Design Using
Plastics
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5592; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
Plastics are increasingly being used in durable applications as structural components on a basis
comparable with traditional materials such as steels and aluminum, as well as high performance
composite systems. Unlike many consumer-goods applications, where plastics typically serve as
enclosures, these durables applications primarily involve load-bearing components exposed to rather
broad varying operating environments over the life cycle of the product. This necessitates access to
material property profiles over a wide range of conditions, rather than typical values reported at room
temperature.Inordertodesigneffectivelywithplastics,thedesignermusttakeintoaccounttheeffects
of time, temperature, rate, and environment on the performance of plastics, and the consequences of
failure.
NOTE 1—There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.
1. Scope
1.1 This guide covers the essential material properties
2. Referenced Documents
needed for designing with plastics. Its purpose is to raise the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
awareness of the plastics community regarding the specific
D 543 Standard Test Method for Resistance of Plastics to
considerations involved in using the appropriate material
Chemical Reagents
properties in design calculations.
D 638M Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics
1.2 This guide is intended only as a convenient resource for
[Metric]
engineering design. It should be noted that the specific oper-
D 671 Test Method for Flexural Fatigue of Plastics by
ating conditions (temperature, applied stress or strain, environ-
Constant Amplitude-of-Force
ment,etc.andcorrespondingdurationofsuchexposures)could
D 695M Test Method for Compressive Properties of Rigid
vary significantly from one application to another. It is,
Plastics [Metric]
therefore, the responsibility of the user to perform any perti-
D 883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
nent tests under actual conditions of use to determine the
D 1435 Practice for Outdoor Weathering of Plastics
suitability of the material in the intended application.
D 1894 Test Method for Static and Kinetic Coefficients of
1.3 The applicable ISO andASTM standard methods for the
Friction of Plastic Film and Sheeting
relevant material properties are listed in this guide for the
D 1999 Guide for the Selection of Specimens and Test
benefit of design engineers.
Parameters for International Commerce
1.4 It should be noted that for some of the desired proper-
D 2565 Practice for Operating Xenon-Arc Type Light Ex-
ties, noASTM or ISO standards exist. These include pvT data,
posureApparatus With and Without Water for Exposure of
no-flow temperature, ejection temperature, and fatigue in
Plastics
tension. In these instances, relying on available test methods is
D 2990 Test Methods for Tensile, Compressive, and Flex-
suggested.
ural Creep and Creep-Rupture of Plastics
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
D 2991 Practice for Testing Stress-Relaxation of Plastics
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
D 3045 Practice for Heat Aging of Plastics Without Load
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
D 3123 Test Method for Spiral Flow of Low-Pressure
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
Thermosetting Molding Compounds
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1 2
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D-20 on Plastics and Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01.
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.10 on Mechanical Properties. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.02.
Current edition approved Sept. 15, 1994. Published November 1994. Discontinued; see 1992 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.02.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn. Contact ASTM
International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D5592
D 3417 TestMethodforHeatsofFusionandCrystallization Comparable Single-Point Data
of Polymers by Thermal Analysis
DIS 11403-1 Plastics—Acquisition and Presentation of
D 3418 Test Method for Transition Temperatures of Poly-
Multipoint Data—Part 1: Mechanical Properties
mers By Thermal Analysis
DIS 11403-2 Plastics—Acquisition and Presentation of
D 3641 Practice for Injection Molding Test Specimens of
Multipoint Data—Part 2: Thermal and Processing Prop-
Thermoplastic Molding and Extrusion Materials
erties
D 3835 Test Method for Measuring Rheological Properties
DIS 11443 Plastics—Determination of the Fluidity of Plas-
of Thermoplastics with a Capillary Rheometer
tics Using Capillary and Slit-Die Rheometers
D 4473 Practice for Measuring the Cure Behavior of Ther-
5 N 605 Mould Shrinkage of Thermoplastics—Filling Pres-
mosetting Resins Using Dynamic Mechanical Procedures
sure
D 5045 Test Method for Plane-Strain Fracture Toughness
and Strain Energy Release Rate of Plastics Materials
3. Terminology
D 5279 Test Method for Measuring the Dynamic Mechani-
cal Properties of Plastics Using Torsion 3.1 Definitions:
E 6 Terminology Relating to Methods of Mechanical Test-
3.1.1 aging—the effect on materials of exposure to an
ing
environment for an interval of time (see Terminology D 883).
E 228 Test Method for Linear Thermal Expansion of Solid
3.1.2 coeffıcient of friction—a measure of the resistance to
Materials with a Vitreous Silica Delatometer
sliding of one surface in contact with another surface.
E 1150 Definitions of Terms Relating to Fatigue
3.1.3 coeffıcient of linear thermal expansion—the change in
2.2 ISO Standards:
linear dimension per unit of original length of a material for a
ISO 175 Plastics—Determination of the Effects of Liquid
unit change in temperature.
Chemicals, Including Water
3.1.4 compressive strength—the compressive stress that a
ISO 604 Plastics—Determination of Compressive Proper-
material is capable of sustaining. In the case of a material that
ties
does not fail in compression by a shattering fracture, the value
ISO 2578 Plastics—Determination of Time-Temperature
for compressive strength is an arbitrary value depending upon
Limits After Exposure to Prolonged Action of Heat
the degree of distortion that is regarded as indicating complete
ISO4607 Plastics—MethodsofExposuretoNaturalWeath-
failure of the material (modified from Terminology E 6).
ering
3.1.5 creep—the time-dependent increase in strain in re-
ISO 8295 Plastics—Film and Sheeting—Determination of
sponse to applied stress (modified from Terminology E 6).
the Coefficients of Friction
3.1.6 creep modulus—the ratio of initial applied stress to
2.3 Draft International Standards (DIS):
creep strain (see Test Method D 2990).
DIS 294-2 Plastics—Injection Moulding of Test Specimens
3.1.7 creep rupture stress—stress to produce material fail-
of Thermoplastic Materials
ure corresponding to a fixed time to rupture (modified from
DIS 527-1 Plastics—Determination of Tensile Properties—
Test Method D 2990).
Part 1: General Principles
3.1.8 critical stress intensity factor—toughness parameter
DIS 527-2 Plastics—Determination of Tensile Properties—
indicative of the resistance of a material to fracture at fracture
Part 2: Test Conditions for Moulding and Extrusion
initiation (see Test Method D 5045).
Plastics
3.1.9 engineering stress—stress based on initial cross sec-
CD 527-4 Plastics—Determination of Tensile Properties—
tional area of the specimen.
Part 4:Test Conditions for Isotropic and Orthotropic Fibre
3.1.10 fatigue—the process of progressive localized perma-
Reinforced Plastic Composites
nent deleterious change or loss of properties occurring in a
DIS 899-1 Plastics—Determination of Tensile Creep
material subjected to cyclic loading conditions (modified from
DIS 899-2 Plastics—Determination of Flexural Creep by
Definitions E 1150).
Three-Point Bending
3.1.11 Poisson’s ratio—the absolute value of the ratio of
DIS 3167 Plastics—Preparation and Use of Multipurpose
transverse strain to the corresponding axial strain resulting
Test Specimens
from uniformly distributed axial stress below the proportional
DIS 4892-1 Plastics—Methods of Exposure to Laboratory
limit of the material (see Terminology D 883).
Light Sources—Part 1: General Guidance
3.1.12 proportional limit—the greatest stress that a material
DIS 4892-2 Plastics—Methods of Exposure to Laboratory
is capable of sustaining without any deviation from propor-
Light Sources—Part 2: Xenon Arc Sources
tionality of stress to strain (Hooke’s law) (see Test Method
DIS 6721-2 Plastics—Determination of Dynamic Mechani-
D 638M).
cal Properties—Part 2: Torsion Pendulum
3.1.13 PV limit—the limiting combination of pressure and
DIS 10350.2 Plastics—Acquisition and Presentation of
velocity that will cause failure of any polymer rubbing against
another surface without lubrication at a specific ambient
temperature and tested in a specific geometry.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.03.
3.1.14 secant modulus—the ratio of stress (nominal) to
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.01.
corresponding strain at any specified point on the stress-strain
Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., 13th
Floor, New York, NY 10036. curve (see Test Method D 638M).
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn. Contact ASTM
International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D5592
3.1.15 shear modulus—the quotient of the shearing stress plastics components to predict the performance. The material
and the resulting angular deformation of the test specimen data inputs required for carrying out these analyses essentially
measured in the range of small recoverable deformations (see constitute the minimum data needed in engineering design.
ISO DIS 6721-2).
5.2 The material properties essential in engineering design
3.1.16 shear strength—the maximum shear stress that a
can be grouped into three main categories; (1) properties
material is capable of sustaining. Shear strength is calculated
essential for structural analysis, (2) properties essential for
from the maximum load during a shear or torsion test and is
assessing manufacturability, and (3) properties essential for
based on the original dimensions of the cross section of the
evaluating assembly. The properties essential for structural
specimen (see Terminology E 6).
analysis are employed in assessing the structural integrity of
3.1.17 tensile modulus—the ratio of engineering stress to
the designed part over its useful life or in determining the
corresponding strain below the proportional limit of a material
required geometry of the part to ensure structural integrity.The
in tension (modified from Test Method D 638M).
properties essential for assessing manufacturability are em-
3.1.18 tensile stress at break—thetensilestresssustainedby
ployed in simulating the part filling/post filling steps to
the material at break (modified from Test Method D 638M).
optimize processing conditions and for predictions of dimen-
3.1.19 tensile stress at yield—the tensile stress sustained by
sional stability of the manufactured part. The properties essen-
the material at the yield point (modified from Test Method
tial for assembly considerations are employed in evaluating the
D 638M).
ability to join/assemble the component parts.
3.1.20 warpage—distortion caused by non-uniform change
5.3 As functional requirements are often specific to each
of internal stresses (D 883).
application, the material properties essential for structural
3.1.21 yield point—the first point on the stress-strain curve
analysis can be classified into two categories—those that are
at which an increase in strain occurs without an increase in
somewhat application specific and those that are not.
stress (see Test Method D 638M).
5.4 Whether the individual property is application-specific
4. Significance and Use
or not, certain properties are directly employed in design
calculations while others are employed more or less for
4.1 This guide is intended to serve as a reference to the
verification of the design limits. For example, although parts
plastics community for material properties needed in engineer-
may fail in service under multi-axial impact loading condi-
ing design.
tions, the impact energy data can be used only in design
4.2 Product datasheets or product literature typically report
verification, at best.Additional examples of properties that are
single-point values at ambient conditions and hence, by their
usefulonlyfordesignverificationincludefatigue(S-N)curves,
very nature, are inadequate for engineering design and struc-
wear factor, PV limit, retention of properties following expo-
tural analysis of a component or system. A detailed property
sure to chemicals and solvents, and accelerated aging or UV
profile for the particular grade chosen for a given part not only
exposure/outdoor weathering.
enhances the confidence of the design engineer by allowing a
more realistic assessment of the material under close-to-actual
5.5 Almost all structural design calculations fall under one
service environments but also may avoid premature failure of ofthefollowingtypesofanalysisorsomecombinationthereof:
the designed component and potential liability litigation later.
beam or plate; pipe; snap fits, pressfits, threads, bearing, bolts;
Additionally, it would also eliminate use of larger “design or buckling. The properties needed for each of these design
safety factors” that result in “overengineering” or “overde-
calculations are summarized in Table 1.
sign.” Not only is such overdesign unwarranted, but it adds to
5.6 In plate and beam analyses, flexural modulus is often
the total part cost, resulting in a good example of ineffective
used in determining the beam deflection or stiffness. However,
design with plastics and a prime target for substitution by other
development of apparent stress gradient across the beam or
materials.
plate thickness in flexure fails to satisfy the basic assumptions
4.3 One of the problems faced by design engineers is access
of uniformity of stress in most material models used in
to comparable data among similar products from different
engin
...