ASTM D4731-13(2020)

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.
Designation: D4731 −13 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Specification for
Hot-Application Filling Compounds for Telecommunications
Wire and Cable
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4731; 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 D257 Test Methods for DC Resistance or Conductance of
Insulating Materials
1.1 This specification covers a variety of petroleum-based
D445 Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent
and other compounds used for filling the air spaces in telecom-
and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscos-
munications wires and cables (both electrical and fiber optic)
ity)
forthepurposeofpreventingwaterandotherundesirablefluids
D938 Test Method for Congealing Point of Petroleum
from entering or migrating through the cable structure. (For
Waxes, Including Petrolatum
related standards see Specifications D4730 and D4732).
D1500 Test Method forASTM Color of Petroleum Products
1.2 A hot-application compound is a material that requires
(ASTM Color Scale)
melting in order to be applied as a liquid and its melting point
D2161 Practice for Conversion of Kinematic Viscosity to
affects its performance in the finished cable product.
Saybolt Universal Viscosity or to Saybolt Furol Viscosity
D3895 Test Method for Oxidative-Induction Time of Poly-
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are olefins by Differential Scanning Calorimetry
D3954 Test Method for Dropping Point of Waxes
provided for information only and are not considered standard.
D4565 Test Methods for Physical and Environmental Per-
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
formance Properties of Insulations and Jackets for Tele-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
communications Wire and Cable
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
D4568 Test Methods for Evaluating Compatibility Between
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
Cable Filling and Flooding Compounds and Polyolefin
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Wire and Cable Materials
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
D4730 Specification for Flooding Compounds for Telecom-
munications Wire and Cable
2. Referenced Documents
D4732 Specification for Cool-Application Filling Com-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
pounds for Telecommunications Wire and Cable
D6 Test Method for Loss on Heating of Oil and Asphaltic
D4872 Test Method for DielectricTesting ofWire and Cable
Compounds
Filling Compounds
D92 Test Method for Flash and Fire Points by Cleveland
Open Cup Tester
3. Terminology
D97 Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products
D127 Test Method for Drop Melting Point of Petroleum 3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 filling material, n—anyofseveralmaterialsusedtofill
Wax, Including Petrolatum
D150 Test Methods forAC Loss Characteristics and Permit- the air spaces in the cores of multi-conductor insulated wires
and cables, or between buffer tubes covering optical fibers, or
tivity (Dielectric Constant) of Solid Electrical Insulation
within such buffer tubes, or any combination of these configu-
rations and any other cable components, for the purpose of
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D09 on
excluding water and other undesirable fluids; especially with
Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials and is the direct responsibility of
regard to telecommunications wire and cable, including optical
Subcommittee D09.07 on Electrical Insulating Materials. Subcommittee D02.10
contributed in the development of this standard. cable, intended for outside aerial, buried, or underground
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2020. Published September 2020. Originally
installations.
approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D4731 – 13. DOI:
3.1.2 producer, n—the primary manufacturer of the mate-
10.1520/D4731-13R20.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
rial.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
3.1.3 suppliers, n—jobbers and distributors as distinct from
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. producers.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D4731 − 13 (2020)
4. Classification 8.1.1 When tested, in accordance with Test Methods D150
or D4872, at a temperature of 23 6 3 °C, the dissipation factor
4.1 Two basic types of filling compounds are covered, as
shall not exceed 0.0010 at a frequency of 1 MHz and the
follows:
permittivity shall not exceed 2.30.
4.1.1 Type I—General-purpose filling compounds include
8.1.1.1 Warning—If any bubbles are formed in melting the
all materials to be used for filling cables that are not required
compound to prepare the specimen for test, the sample shall be
to function under electrical stress (for example, all dielectric
discarded and a new sample selected.
fiber-optic cable), including filling compounds for fiber-optic
8.1.2 When tested, in accordance with Test Methods D257,
loose buffer tubes.
at a temperature of 23 6 3 °C, the volume resistivity shall be
4.1.2 Type II—Electrical-type filling compounds include
not less than 10 Ω·cm.
materials having prescribed electrical properties and used for
filling wires and cables that are required to function fully or
9. Physical Properties
partially under electrical stress (including hybrid fiber-optic
cable).
9.1 Filling compound furnished under this specification
shall inhibit the corrosion of any metallic wire and cable
5. Ordering Information
elements with which it comes in contact, while serving as a
5.1 Orders for material under this specification shall include
radial and longitudinal barrier to moisture transmission. Con-
the following information:
tact of the filling compound with any cable component shall
5.1.1 Quantity (mass or volume) of each item,
not cause degradation of performance of the cable component.
5.1.2 Generic name of the material, such as hot-application
The filling compound shall display adhesive properties to
cable filling material,
provide adhesion between metallic sheath elements and the
5.1.3 Type of material: Type I, General Purpose or Type II,
outer jacket materials of wire and cable.
Electrical,
9.2 Other Physical Properties:
5.1.4 How furnished: drums or barrels, tank cars or tank
9.2.1 Other property requirements such as Flash Point (for
trucks, and the like,
example, Test Method D92), high-temperature drip/oil separa-
5.1.5 Certification, if required (Section 14).
tion (syneresis) in the raw material state, and the like, shall be
5.1.6 This specification designation, and
as agreed upon between the producer and the purchaser.
5.1.7 Any special requirements, as listed in 7.2, 9.2, 10.2,
(Additional information on oil separation is given in the
and Sections 11 and 12 that apply.
appendix of this specification.)
6. Materials and Manufacture
10. General Requirements
6.1 The material and manufacturing methods used shall be
such that the resulting products will conform to the properties 10.1 All filling compounds manufactured in accordance
and characteristics prescribed in this specification. with this specification shall meet the following requirements:
10.1.1 Homogeneity—The compound shall be homoge-
7. Chemical Composition
neous and free of agglomerates.
7.1 The chemical composition of these materials is not 10.1.2 Color and Opacity—The compound shall be as
specified. The material shall be of a chemical composition nearlycolorlessasiscommerciallyfeasible,consistentwiththe
suitable for the intended purpose and that meets the require- requirements of the end products for which the filling com-
ments of this specification as hereinafter stated. pound is intended. In general, identification of cable members
coated with filling compound shall not be significantly inhib-
7.2 When agreed upon between the producer and the
ited because of filling-compound color or opacity.
purchaser, antioxidant stabilizing additives shall be included in
10.1.3 Color Stability—After aging a specimen of filling
thecompoundformulationtoassurespecifiedresultsinthermal
compound in a suitable container for a period of 120 61h
oxidative stability testing.
(5days)atatemperatureof266°F(130°C)inastaticairoven,
7.3 Once established, the producer shall not change the
measure the compound color in accordance with Test Method
composition of the compound in successive lots of material
D1500. Unless otherwise specified, the color of the aged
without prior approval of the purchaser.
compound shall not exceed 2.5.
10.1.4 Foreign Material—The compounds shall b
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