ASTM D6111-97

NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: D 6111 – 97
Standard Test Method for
Bulk Density And Specific Gravity of Plastic Lumber and
Shapes by Displacement
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 6111; 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.
1. Scope D 6108 Test Method for Compressive Properties of Plastic
Lumber and Shapes
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the bulk
E 1 Specification for ASTM Thermometers
density and specific gravity of plastic lumber and shapes in
E 12 Terminology Relating to Density and Specific Gravity
their “as manufactured” form. As such, this is a test method for
of Solids, Liquids, and Gases
evaluating the properties of plastic lumber or shapes as a
product and not a material property test method.
3. Terminology
1.2 This test method is suitable for determining the bulk
3.1 Definitions:
specific gravity or bulk density by immersion of the entire item
3.1.1 density, bulk—the weight per unit volume of a mate-
or a representative cross section in water. This test method
rial including voids inherent in material as tested. (See Termi-
involves the weighing of a one piece specimen in water, using
nology D 883.)
a sinker with plastics that are lighter than water. This test
3.1.1.1 Discussion—Specific gravity at 23/23°C can be
method is suitable for products that are wet by, but otherwise
converted to density 23°C, g/cm , as follows:
not affected by water for the duration of the test.
23C 3
1.3 Plastic lumber and plastic shapes are currently made
D , g/cm 5 sp gr 23/23°C 3 0.9976 (1)
predominately from recycled plastics. However, this test
3.1.2 plastic lumber, n—a manufactured product composed
method would also be applicable to similar manufactured
of more than 50 weight percent resin, and in which the product
plastic products made from virgin resins where the product is
generally is rectangular in cross-section and typically supplied
non-homogeneous in the cross-section.
in board and dimensional lumber sizes, may be filled or
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
unfilled, and may be composed of single or multiple resin
standard.
blends.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.3 plastic shape, n—a manufactured product composed
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
of more than 50 weight percent resin, and in which the product
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
generally is not rectangular in cross-section, may be filled or
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
unfilled, and may be composed of single or multiple resin
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
blends.
3.1.4 resin, n—a solid or pseudosolid organic material often
NOTE 1—There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.
of high molecular weight, which exhibits a tendency to flow
2. Referenced Documents
when subjected to stress, usually has a softening or melting
2.1 ASTM Standards:
range, and usually fractures conchoidally. (See Terminology
D 618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
D 883.)
D 883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
3.1.4.1 Discussion—In a broad sense, the term is used to
D 1622 Test Method for Apparent Density of Rigid Cellular
designate any polymer that is a basic material for plastics.
Plastics
3.1.5 specific gravity, bulk (of solids)—the ratio of the
D 1898 Practice for Sampling of Plastics
weight in air of a unit volume of a permeable material
D 5033 Guide for the Development of Standards Relating to
(including both permeable and impermeable voids normal to
the Proper Use of Recycled Plastics
the material) at a stated temperature to the weight in air of
equal density of an equal volume of gas-free distilled water at
a stated temperature. The form of expression shall be the
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-20 on Plastics following:
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.20 on Plastic Products (Section
D20.20.01).
Current edition approved July 10, 1997. Published February 1998.
2 4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.03.
3 5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.03. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.05.
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 6111
bulk specific gravity x/y°C (2)
where:
x = temperature of the material, and
y = temperature of the water.
3.1.5.1 Discussion—The accuracy of bulk density determi-
nations is so low that corrections for air buoyancy and
variations in the value for the acceleration of gravity are not
warranted. Hence, this definition is based on weights in air.
(See Terminology E 12.)
3.2 Additional definition of terms applying to this test
method appear in Terminology D 883 and Guide D 5033.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 Determine the weight of a specimen of the plastic
lumber or shape in air. The specimen is then immersed in
water, its weight upon immersion is determined, and its bulk
specific gravity calculated.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 The specific gravity or density of a solid is a property FIG. 1 Typical Configuration of Test Apparatus
that can be measured conveniently to follow physical changes
in a sample, to indicate degree of uniformity among different
corrosion-resistant; have a specific gravity of not less than 7.0;
sampling units or specimens, or to indicate the average density
have smooth surfaces and a regular shape; and be slightly
of a large item.
heavier than necessary to sink the specimen, and should be
5.2 Variations in density of a particular plastic lumber or
easily attached to the cage.
shapes specimen may be due to changes in crystallinity, loss of
6.3 Immersion Vessel—A beaker, bucket, or other wide-
plasticizer/solvent content, differences in degree of foaming, or
mouthed vessel for holding the water and immersed cage.
to other causes. Portions of a sample may differ in density
6.4 Thermometer—A thermometer having not fewer than
because of difference in crystallinity, thermal history, porosity,
four divisions per °C over a temperature range of not less than
and composition (types or proportions of resin, plasticizer,
5°C above and below the standard temperature, and having an
pigment, or filler).
ice point for calibration. A thermometer short enough to be
handled inside the balance case will be found convenient.
NOTE 2—Reference is made to Test Method D 1622.
ASTM Thermometer 23C (see Specification E 1) and
5.3 Density is useful for calculating strength to weight and
Anschütz-type thermometers have been found satisfactory for
cost to weight ratios.
this purpose.
5.4 If the cross-sectional area of the specimen is required for
future testing on a particular sample, it may be determined
7. Materials
from a specific gravity measurement, see Note 10 (Eq 5).
7.1 Water—The water shall be distilled, deionized, or dem-
ineralized.
6. Apparatus
6.1 Balance—A balance large enough to accommodate the
8. Sampling
specimen conveniently, with a precision within 1.0 mg, accu-
8.1 The sampling units used for the determination of spe-
racy within 0.05 % relative (that is 0.05 % of the weight of the
cific gravity shall be representative of the quantity of product
specimen in air), and equipped with a means of support for the
for which the data are required, in accordance with Practice
immersion cage.
D 1898.
8.2 Plastic lumber and shapes are typically foamed, layered
NOTE 3—Assurance that the balance meets the performance require-
ments should be provided by frequent checks on adjustments of zero point
or hollow, varying in material properties over the cross section.
and sensitivity and by periodic calibration for absolute accuracy, using
To establish the overall specific gravity for a section, complete
standard masses.
unmachined elements or representative cross sections of these
6.2 Immersion Cage: elements shall be used.
6.2.1 Wire—A corrosion-resistant wire for suspending the
9. Test Specimens
cage.
6.2.2 Cage—A device large enough to support the bottom of 9.1 Test specimens for determining the bulk specific gravity
the specimen and when weighted will transfer the sinker force or bulk density of plastic lumber and shapes shall be cut from
to the specimen to keep it from floating. Refer to the sample the“ as manufactured” profile. Plastic lumber is gene
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