ASTM D4000-00

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: D 4000 – 00 An American National Standard
Standard Classification System for
Specifying Plastic Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4000; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.1 This standard provides a classification system for tabu-
2. Referenced Documents
lating the properties of unfilled, filled, and reinforced plastic
2.1 ASTM Standards:
materials suitable for processing into parts.
D 149 Test Methods for Dielectric Breakdown Voltage and
NOTE 1—The classification system may serve many of the needs of
Dielectric Strength of Solid Electrical Insulating Materials
industries using plastic materials. The standard is subject to revision as the
at Commercial Power Frequencies
need requires; therefore, the latest revision should always be used.
D 150 Test Methods for A-C Loss Characteristics and
1.2 The classification system and subsequent line callout
Permittivity (Dielectric Constant) of Solid Electrical Insu-
(specification) is intended to be a means of identifying plastic
lating Materials
materials used in the fabrication of end items or parts. It is not
D 256 Test Method for Determining the Pendulum Impact
intended for the selection of materials. Material selection
Resistance of Notched Specimens of Plastics
should be made by those having expertise in the plastics field
D 257 Test Methods for D-C Resistance or Conductance of
after careful consideration of the design and the performance
Insulating Materials
required of the part, the environment to which it will be
D 395 Test Methods for Rubber Property—Compression
exposed, the fabrication process to be employed, the inherent
Set
properties of the material not covered in this document, and the
D 471 Test Method for Rubber Property—Effect of Liq-
economic factors.
uids
1.3 This classification system is based on the premise that
D 412 Test Methods for Vulcanized Rubber and Thermo-
plastic materials can be arranged into broad generic families
plastic Rubbers and Thermoplastic Elastomers—Tension
using basic properties to arrange the materials into groups,
D 495 Test Method for High-Voltage, Low-Current, Dry
classes, and grades. A system is thus established which,
Arc Resistance of Solid Electrical Insulation
together with values describing additional requirements, per-
D 569 Method for Measuring the Flow Properties of Ther-
mits as complete a description as desired of the selected
moplastic Molding Materials
material.
D 570 Test Method for Water Absorption of Plastics
1.4 In all cases where the provisions of this classification
D 573 Test Method for Rubber—Deterioration in an Air
system would conflict with the referenced ASTM specification
Oven
for a particular material, the latter shall take precedence.
D 575 Test Methods for Rubber Properties in Compression
D 618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics and Electrical
NOTE 2—When using this classification system the two-letter, three-
Insulating Materials for Testing
digit suffix system applies.
NOTE 3—When a material is used to fabricate a part where the
D 621 Test Methods for Deformation of Plastics Under
requirements are too specific for a broad material callout, it is advisable
Load
for the user to consult the supplier to secure callout of the properties to suit
D 624 Test Method for Tear Strength of Conventional
the actual conditions to which the part is to be subjected.
Vulcanized Rubber and Thermoplastic Elastomers
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
D 635 Test Method for Rate of Burning and/or Extent and
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Time of Burning of Self-Supporting Plastics in a Horizon-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
tal Position
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
D 638 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics
D 648 Test Method for Deflection Temperature of Plastics
This classification system is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on
Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.94 on Government/ Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 10.01.
Industry Standardization (Section D20.94.01). Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01.
Current edition approved April 10, 2000. Published July 2000. Originally Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 09.01.
published as D 4000 – 82. Last previous edition D 4000 – 95a. Discontinued—See 1994 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D 4000
Under Flexural Load Constant) and Dissipation Factor by Fluid Displacement
D 695 Test Method for Compressive Properties of Rigid Procedure
D 1562 Specification for Cellulose Propionate Molding and
Plastics
D 706 Specification for Cellulose Acetate Molding and Extrusion Compounds
D 1600 Terminology for Abbreviated Terms Relating to
Extrusion Compounds
D 707 Specification for Cellulose Acetate Butyrate Molding Plastics
D 1693 Test Method for Environmental Stress-Cracking of
and Extrusion Compounds
Ethylene Plastics
D 746 Test Method for Brittleness Temperature of Plastics
D 1709 Test Methods for Impact Resistance of Plastic Film
and Elastomers by Impact
by the Free-Falling Dart Method
D 747 Test Method for Apparent Bending Modulus of
D 1822 Test Method for Tensile-Impact Energy to Break
Plastics by Means of a Cantilever Beam
Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials
D 756 Practice for Determination of Weight and Shape
D 1870 Practice for Elevated Temperature Aging Using a
Changes of Plastics Under Accelerated Service Condi-
Tubular Oven
tions
D 1898 Practice for Sampling of Plastics
D 759 Practice for Conducting Physical Property Tests of
D 1929 Test Method for Ignition Properties of Plastics
Plastics at Subnormal and Supernormal Temperatures
D 2116 Specification for FEP-Fluorocarbon Molding and
D 785 Test Method for Rockwell Hardness of Plastics and
Extrusion Materials
Electrical Insulating Materials
D 2137 Test Methods for Rubber Property—Brittleness
D 789 Test Methods for Determination of Relative Viscos-
Point of Flexible Polymers and Coated Fabrics
ity, Melting Point, and Moisture Content of Polyamide
D 2240 Test Method for Rubber Property—Durometer
(PA)
Hardness
D 790 Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced
D 2288 Test Method for Weight Loss of Plasticizers on
and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materi-
Heating
als
D 2445 Test Method for Thermal Oxidative Stability of
D 792 Test Method for Density and Specific Gravity (Rela-
Propylene Plastics
tive Density) of Plastics by Displacement
D 2565 Practice for Operating Xenon Arc-Type Light-
D 794 Practice for Determining Permanent Effect of Heat
Exposure Apparatus With and Without Water for Exposure
on Plastics
of Plastics
D 817 Test Methods of Testing Cellulose Acetate Propi-
D 2583 Test Method for Indentation Hardness of Rigid
onate and Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
Plastics by Means of a Barcol Impressor
D 883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
D 2584 Test Method for Ignition Loss of Cured Reinforced
D 955 Test Method for Measuring Shrinkage from Mold
Resins
Dimensions of Molded Plastics
D 2632 Test Method for Rubber Property—Resilience by
D 1003 Test Method for Haze and Luminous Transmittance
Vertical Rebound
of Transparent Plastics
D 2794 Test Method for Resistance of Organic Coatings to
D 1149 Test Method for Rubber Deterioration—Surface
the Effects of Rapid Deformation (Impact)
Ozone Cracking in a Chamber
D 2843 Test Method for Density of Smoke from the Burn-
D 1203 Test Methods for Volatile Loss from Plastics Using
ing or Decomposition of Plastics
Activated Carbon Methods
D 2857 Test Method for Dilute Solution Viscosity of Poly-
D 1238 Test Method for Flow Rates of Thermoplastics by
mers
Extrusion Plastometer
D 2863 Test Method for Measuring the Minimum Oxygen
D 1434 Test Method for Determining Gas Permeability
Concentration to Support Candle-Like Combustion of
Characteristics of Plastic Film and Sheeting
3 Plastics (Oxygen Index)
D 1435 Practice for Outdoor Weathering of Plastics
D 2951 Test Method for Resistance of Types III and IV
D 1457 Specification for Polytetrafluoroethylene PTFE
10 Polyethylene Plastics to Thermal Stress-Cracking
Molding and Extrusion Materials
D 3012 Test Method for Thermal Oxidative Stability of
D 1505 Test Method for Density of Plastics by the Density-
Propylene Plastics, Using a Biaxial Rotator
Gradient Technique
D 3029 Test Methods for Impact Resistance of Flat, Rigid
D 1525 Test Method for Vicat Softening Temperature of
Plastic Specimens by Means of a Tup (Falling Weight)
Plastics
D 3418 Test Method for Transition Temperatures of Poly-
D 1531 Test Methods for Relative Permittivity (Dielectric
mers by Thermal Analysis
6 11
Discontinued—See 1997 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01. Discontinued—See 1986 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.02.
Discontinued—See 1982 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Part 35. Replaced by Test Method D 3012.
8 12
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 06.03. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.02.
9 13
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.09. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 06.01.
10 14
Discontinued—See 1995 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01. Discontinued—See 1994 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.02.
Replaced by Specification D 4894. Replaced by Test Methods D 5420 and D 5628.
D 4000
D 3638 Test Method for Comparative Tracking Index of cal Properties of Plastics in Torsion
Electrical Insulating Materials D 5420 Test Method for Impact Resistance of Flat, Rigid
D 3713 Test Method for Measuring Response of Solid Plastic Specimen by Means of a Striker Impacted by a
12 16
Plastics to Ignition by a Small Flame Falling Weight (Gardner Impact)
D 3801 Test Method for Measuring the Comparative Extin- D 5628 Test Method for Impact Resistance of Flat, Rigid
guishing Characteristics of Solid Plastics in a Vertical Plastic Specimens by Means of a Falling Dart (Tup or
12 16
Position Falling Weight)
D 3892 Practice for Packaging/Packing of Plastics E 29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
D 3895 Test Method for Oxidative-Induction Time of Poly- Determine Conformance with Specifications
olefins by Differential Scanning Calorimetry E 84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
D 3935 Specification for Polycarbonate (PC) Unfilled and Building Materials
Reinforced Material E 96 Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Mate-
D 3985 Test Method for Oxygen Gas Transmission Rate rials
Through Plastic Film and Sheeting Using a Coulometric E 104 Practice for Maintaining Constant Relative Humidity
9 21
Sensor by Means of Aqueous Solutions
D 4066 Specification for Nylon Injection and Extrusion E 162 Test Method for Surface Flammability of Materials
12 19
Materials Using a Radiant Heat Energy Source
D 4067 Specification for Reinforced and Filled Polyphe- ES 27 Emergency Standard Practice for Rubber—
nylene Sulfide Injection Molding and Extrusion Materi- Establishing Replacement Immersion Reference Oils for
als ASTM No. 2 and No. 3 Immersion Oils as Used in Test
D 4101 Specification for Propylene Plastic Injection and Method D 471
Extrusion Materials F 372 Test Method for Water Vapor Transmission of Flex-
D 4181 Specification for Acetal (POM) Molding and Extru- ible Barrier Materials Using an Infrared Detection Tech-
12 9
sion Materials nique
D 4203 Specification for Styrene-Acrylonitrile (SAN) In- F 814 Test Method for Specific Optical Density of Smoke
12 23
jection and Extrusion Materials Generated by Solid Materials for Aerospace Applications
D 4349 Specificaton for Polyphenylene Ether (PPE) Mate- G 23 Practice for Operating Light-Exposure Apparatus
rials (Carbon-Arc Type) With and Without Water for Exposure
D 4364 Practice for Performing Accelerated Outdoor of Nonmetallic Materials
Weathering of Plastics Using Concentrated Natural Sun- G 53 Practice for Operating Light- and Water-Exposure
light Apparatus (Fluorescent UV-Condensation Type) for Expo-
D 4474 Specification for Styrenic Thermoplastic Elastomer sure of Nonmetallic Materials
16 25
Injection Molding and Extrusion Materials (TES) 2.2 Federal Standard:
D 4507 Specification for Thermoplastic Polyester (TPES)
Department of Transportation Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Materials Standard No. 302
D 4549 Specification for Polystyrene Molding and Extru- 2.3 Underwriters Laboratories:
sion Materials (PS) UL94 Standards for Tests for Flammability for Parts in
D 4550 Specification for Thermoplastic Elastomer-Ether-
Devices and Appliances
Ester (TEEE) 2.4 IEC and ISO Standards:
D 4617 Specification for Phenolic Compounds (PF)
IEC 93 Recommended Methods of Tests for Volume and
D 4634 Specification for Styrene-Maleic Anhydride Mate-
Surface Resistivities of Electrical Insulation Materials
rials (S/MA)
IEC 112 Recommended Method for Determining the Com-
D 4673 Specification for Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene
parative Tracking Index of Solid Insulation Materials
(ABS) Molding and Extrusion Materials
Under Moist Conditions
D 4812 Test Method for Unnotched Cantilever Beam Im-
IEC 243 Recommended Methods of Test for Electrical
pact Strength of Plastics
D 4976 Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Molding and
Extrusion Materials
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
D 5021 Specification for Thermoplastic Elastomer–Chlori-
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.07.
nated Ethylene Alloy (TECEA)
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.06.
D 5046 Specification for Fully Crosslinked Elastomeric Al- Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.03.
Discontinued—See 1995 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 09.01.
loys (FCEAs)
Replaced by Practice D 5964.
D 5138 Specification for Liquid Crystal Polymers (LCP)
Discontinued—See 1994 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.07.
D 5279 Test Method for Measuring the Dynamic Mechani-
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.04.
Available from Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, DC 20402.
15 26
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol. 10.02. Available from Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., Publication Stock, 333
Annual Book of
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