ASTM D3965-21

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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: D3965 − 16 D3965 − 21
Standard Classification System and Basis for Specifications for
Rigid Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) Materials for
Pipe and Fittings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3965; 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 classification system covers materials made from only virgin ABS polymers and blends of ABS polymers suitable for use
in the extrusion of pipe and molding of fittings.
1.2 The requirements of this classification system are applicable only to the ABS polymers and blends of ABS polymers as
classified and do not address the requirements of the finished pipe or fittings. The applicable ASTM standard specification for pipe
or fittings shall be consulted for their requirements.
1.3 This classification system excludes ABS polymers and blends of ABS polymers made from reprocessed, regrind, reclaimed,
or recycled materials. ABS rework, generated in-house by the original plastic manufacturer, is allowed to be used by that original
manufacturer, provided the ABS product shipped meets the physical and mechanical properties required by its callout in Table 1.
1.4 This classification system and subsequent line callout (specification) provides a means for describing ABS materials used in
the manufacture of pipe and fittings. It is not intended for the selection of materials. Material selection shall be made by those
having expertise in the plastics field after careful consideration of the design and the performance required of the part, the
environment to which it will be exposed, the fabrication process to be employed, the inherent properties of the material other than
those covered by this classification system, and the economics.
1.5 This classification system and subsequent line callout (specification) provides for the classification of ABS polymers and
blends of ABS polymers into groups based on five properties: Izod impact strength at room temperature, Izod impact strength at
low temperature, deflection temperature under load, tensile stress at yield point, and modulus of elasticity in tension. The properties
included are those required to identify the ABS material by the cell classifications.
NOTE 1—Other requirements necessary to identify particular characteristics of ABS polymers and blends of ABS polymers will be added as test methods
become available or the need is identified.
NOTE 2—Due to pipe and fitting standards requirements a separate standard is planned for recycled materials.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.7 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the test methods portion, Section 13, of this classification system:
This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the
This classification system is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.15 on Thermoplastic
Materials.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2016Sept. 1, 2021. Published September 2016September 2021. Originally approved in 1980. Last previous edition approved in 20112016
as D3965 - 11.D3965 - 16. DOI: 10.1520/D3965-16.10.1520/D3965-21.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
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D3965 − 21
TABLE 1 Physical Property Requirements for ABS Pipe and Fitting Materials
NOTE 1—The minimum property value for any material will determine the cell number although the maximum expected value may fall within the next
higher cell.
ASTM Cell Limits
Test Method
0 1 2 3 4 5
Izod impact, min: D256, Test Method A, Cantile-
ver Beam (Izod-Type) Test
A
at 23°C (73°F), J/m 110 160 210 320 430
A
(ft-lbf/in. of notch) (2) (3) (4) (6) (8)
A
at − 30°C (−22°F), J/m 50 110 160 210 270
A
(ft-lbf/in. of notch) (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
Deflection temperature under load, D648
min, 1.82 MPa, (264 psi)
annealed, 3.18 mm (0.125 in.)
thickness:
A
°C 76 82 88 93 99
A
(°F) (170) (180) (190) (200) (210)
Tensile stress at yield point, min: D638
A
MPa 24 31 38 45 52
A
(psi) (3500) (4500) (5500) (6500) (7500)
Modulus of elasticity in tension, D638
min:
A
MPa 1380 1650 1930 2210 2480
A
(psi) (200 000) (240 000) (280 000) (320 000) (360 000)
A
Unspecified.
user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
NOTE 3—This standard and ISO 7245-1984 address the same subject matter, but differ in technical content.
1.8 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. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D256 Test Methods for Determining the Izod Pendulum Impact Resistance of Plastics
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
D638 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics
D648 Test Method for Deflection Temperature of Plastics Under Flexural Load in the Edgewise Position
D792 Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Relative Density) of Plastics by Displacement
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
D1600 Terminology for Abbreviated Terms Relating to Plastics
D3641 Practice for Injection Molding Test Specimens of Thermoplastic Molding and Extrusion Materials
D3892 Practice for Packaging/Packing of Plastics
D4000 Classification System for Specifying Plastic Materials
D5947 Test Methods for Physical Dimensions of Solid Plastics Specimens
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
F412 Terminology Relating to Plastic Piping Systems
2.2 ISO Standard:
ISO 7245-1984 Pipes and Fittings of Acrylonitrile- Butadiene-Styrene (ABS)—General Specification for Moulding and
Extrusion Materials
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Definitions are in accordance with Terminologies D883 and F412 and abbreviations are in accordance with
Terminology D1600, unless otherwise indicated. The abbreviation for acrylonitrile-butadienestyrene plastic is ABS.
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.
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
D3965 − 21
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 blend—a homogenous mixture of polymers prepared by melt compounding or physical combination.
3.2.2 lot—a unit of manufacture; can consist of a blend of two or more production runs or batches of material.
3.2.3 natural material—a polymer as it exists when initially made by the original producer without addition of colorants.
3.2.4 reprocessed plastic—a thermoplastic prepared from usually melt-processed scrap or reject parts by a plastics processor or
from purchased nonstandard or nonuniform virgin material.
3.2.5 original plastic manufacturer—a company that produces ABS resin by polymerization of monomers or compounding of
virgin styrene-acrylonitrile plastic (SAN) and virgin polybutadiene rubber, which meets the requirements of this classification
system.
4. Classification
4.1 ABS polymers and blends of ABS polymers shall be classified in accordance with Table 1. Each ABS polymer and blend of
ABS polymers is given a five-digit cell classification representing the physical properties in the order in which they are listed in
Table 1.
NOTE 4—The manner in which selected materials are identified by this classification system is illustrated by an ABS Class 44222 material having the
following requirements:
4.2 Although the values listed are necessary to include the range of properties available in existing materials, users shall not infer
that every possible combination of the properties exists or can be obtained.
4.3 Mechanical properties of pigmented or colored materials can differ from the mechanical properties of natural material,
depending on the choice of colorants and the concentration. The main property affected is ductility, as illustrated by a reduction
in Izod impact strength and tensile elongation values. ABS polymers and b
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