ASTM D5229/D5229M-14

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Designation: D5229/D5229M − 12 D5229/D5229M − 14
Standard Test Method for
Moisture Absorption Properties and Equilibrium
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Conditioning of Polymer Matrix Composite Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5229/D5229M; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
INTRODUCTION
Consistent evaluation and comparison of the response of polymer matrix composites to moisture
absorption can only be performed when the material has been brought to a uniform through-the-
thickness moisture profile. The procedures described in Test Method D570 and Practices D618 do not
guarantee moisture equilibrium of the material. A similar, but more rigorous, procedure for
conditioning to equilibrium is described by this test method, which can also be used with fluid
moisture other than water, and which, additionally, can provide the moisture absorption properties
necessary for the analysis of single-phase Fickian moisture diffusion within such materials.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for the determination of moisture absorption or desorption properties in the
through-the-thickness direction for single-phase Fickian solid materials in flat or curved panel form. Also covered are procedures
for conditioning test coupons prior to use in other test methods; either to an essentially moisture-free state, to equilibrium in a
standard laboratory atmosphere environment, or to equilibrium in a non-laboratory environment. Also included are procedures for
determining the moisture loss during elevated temperature testing, as well as moisture loss resulting from thermal exposure after
removal from the conditioning environment, such as during strain gage bonding. While intended primarily for laminated polymer
matrix composite materials, these procedures are also applicable to other materials that satisfy the assumptions of 1.2.
1.2 The calculation of the through-the-thickness moisture diffusivity constant in Procedure A assumes a single-phase Fickian
material with constant moisture absorption properties through the thickness of the specimen. The validity of the equations used
in Procedure A for evaluating the moisture diffusivity constant in a material of previously unknown moisture absorption behavior
is uncertain prior to the test, as the test results themselves determine if the material follows the single-phase Fickian diffusion
model. A reinforced polymer matrix composite material tested below its glass-transition temperature typically meets this
requirement, although two-phase matrices such as toughened epoxies may require a multi-phase moisture absorption model. While
the test procedures themselves may be used for multi-phase materials, the calculations used to determine the moisture diffusivity
constant in Procedure A are applicable only to single-phase materials. Other examples of materials and test conditions that may
not meet the requirements are discussed in Section 6.
1.3 The evaluation by Procedure A of the moisture equilibrium content material property does not assume, and is therefore not
limited to, single-phase Fickian diffusion behavior.
1.4 The procedures used by this test method may be performed, and the resulting data reduced, by suitable automatic equipment.
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1.5 This test method is consistent with the recommendations of CMH-17 Rev G (1), which describes the desirable attributes
of a conditioning and moisture property determination procedure.
1.6 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each
system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system must be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two
systems may result in nonconformance with the standard.
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This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D30 on Composite Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D30.04 on Lamina and
Laminate Test Methods.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2012May 15, 2014. Published June 2012May 2014. Originally approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 20102012 as
D5229/D5229M – 92 (2010).D5229/D5229M – 12. DOI: 10.1520/D5229_D5229M-12.10.1520/D5229_D5229M-14.
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The boldface numbers in parentheses re
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