ASTM D3377-04(2018)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Weight Loss of Solventless Varnishes
Standard Test Method for Weight Loss of Solventless Varnishes
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The amount and composition of by-products produced by exposure of insulating varnishes to elevated temperatures can possibly:
4.1.1 Deteriorate other insulations in the system,
4.1.2 Cause cracking of insulation due to pressure, buildup in thick cross sections, or
4.1.3 Corrode other parts in the assembly.
4.2 Amount and rate of weight loss will possibly affect the thermal rating of a varnish.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the percent weight loss of cured solventless electrical varnishes when exposed to elevated temperatures for prescribed periods of time.
1.2 Results of this test method are based on 6-mm (1/4-in.) thick specimens and will not be applicable to specimens appreciably thinner or thicker than 6 mm.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Note 1: This standard resembles IEC 60216–2 “Guide for the determination of thermal endurance properties of electrical insulating materials. Part 2: Choice of test criteria” in a number of ways, but is not consistently similar throughout. The data obtained using either standard will possibly be technically equivalent.
1.5 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.
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 31-Oct-2018
- Technical Committee
- D09 - Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materials
- Drafting Committee
- D09.01 - Electrical Insulating Products
Relations
- Effective Date
- 01-Nov-2018
- Effective Date
- 01-Mar-2024
- Effective Date
- 01-Nov-2015
- Effective Date
- 01-Nov-2014
- Effective Date
- 01-May-2014
- Effective Date
- 01-Nov-2013
- Effective Date
- 01-Aug-2011
- Effective Date
- 01-May-2008
- Effective Date
- 01-Sep-2005
- Effective Date
- 10-Mar-2002
- Effective Date
- 10-Oct-1999
- Effective Date
- 10-Mar-1999
Overview
ASTM D3377-04(2018): Standard Test Method for Weight Loss of Solventless Varnishes establishes a reliable procedure to determine the percent weight loss of cured solventless electrical varnishes when exposed to elevated temperatures for specified periods. The results from this test method help evaluate the thermal stability and durability of varnish products used in electrical insulation systems.
This standard is widely recognized in the electrical insulation sector for assessing the potential impact of by-products resulting from thermal exposure, such as insulation deterioration, cracking, and corrosion of system parts. The data obtained through this method may be critical in defining a varnish’s thermal rating and suitability for specific insulation applications.
Key Topics
- Weight Loss Measurement: Provides a systematic process for measuring the percentage of weight lost by solventless varnish samples after exposure to heat.
- Thermal Exposure: Specifies how varnish specimens are exposed to various elevated temperatures across set durations, simulating real-world service conditions in electrical environments.
- Insulation System Integrity: Highlights how thermal degradation products can potentially cause damage to other insulation materials and system components.
- Sample Specifications: Defines required sample thickness (6 mm) for reproducible and comparable results.
- Equipment and Safety: Recommends standardized laboratory equipment and emphasizes the user’s responsibility for safety, health, and environmental considerations.
- Reporting Requirements: Outlines test data documentation, including identity of tested compounds, cure cycles used, and detailed weight loss data after each exposure period and temperature.
Applications
ASTM D3377-04(2018) is invaluable for manufacturers, quality control laboratories, and product developers working with electrical insulating materials, particularly solventless varnishes. Key application areas include:
- Product Performance Evaluation: Assessing the thermal stability of insulating varnishes before market release to ensure compliance with industry requirements.
- Quality Assurance: Routine batch testing to identify manufacturing variability or defects in varnish products.
- Material Comparison: Determining the relative thermal resilience of different varnish formulations for use in motors, transformers, and other electrical assemblies.
- Research and Development: Facilitating the development of new formulations with improved thermal endurance and reduced by-product formation.
- Component Protection: Preventing insulation system failures due to cracking, pressure buildup, or corrosion indicated by excessive weight loss under thermal stress.
By following this standard, industry stakeholders can mitigate risks associated with thermal degradation, extending the operational life and safety of electrical equipment.
Related Standards
Several international and ASTM standards are referenced or related to ASTM D3377-04(2018):
- ASTM D1711: Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation, providing standard terms and definitions to support consistent communication in the industry.
- ASTM D5423: Specification for Forced-Convection Laboratory Ovens for Evaluation of Electrical Insulation, detailing requirements for equipment used in thermal testing.
- IEC 60216-2: Guide for the determination of thermal endurance properties of electrical insulating materials, Part 2: Choice of test criteria. This IEC standard is similar in approach and technical application, making test results broadly comparable.
Adhering to ASTM D3377-04(2018) helps organizations maintain compliance with both national and international best practices for electrical insulating varnish evaluation.
Keywords: ASTM D3377, weight loss test, solventless varnish, electrical insulation, thermal exposure, insulating materials, test method, varnish evaluation, IEC 60216-2, product performance, electrical safety.
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Frequently Asked Questions
ASTM D3377-04(2018) is a standard published by ASTM International. Its full title is "Standard Test Method for Weight Loss of Solventless Varnishes". This standard covers: SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 4.1 The amount and composition of by-products produced by exposure of insulating varnishes to elevated temperatures can possibly: 4.1.1 Deteriorate other insulations in the system, 4.1.2 Cause cracking of insulation due to pressure, buildup in thick cross sections, or 4.1.3 Corrode other parts in the assembly. 4.2 Amount and rate of weight loss will possibly affect the thermal rating of a varnish. SCOPE 1.1 This test method covers the determination of the percent weight loss of cured solventless electrical varnishes when exposed to elevated temperatures for prescribed periods of time. 1.2 Results of this test method are based on 6-mm (1/4-in.) thick specimens and will not be applicable to specimens appreciably thinner or thicker than 6 mm. 1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. 1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Note 1: This standard resembles IEC 60216–2 “Guide for the determination of thermal endurance properties of electrical insulating materials. Part 2: Choice of test criteria” in a number of ways, but is not consistently similar throughout. The data obtained using either standard will possibly be technically equivalent. 1.5 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.
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 4.1 The amount and composition of by-products produced by exposure of insulating varnishes to elevated temperatures can possibly: 4.1.1 Deteriorate other insulations in the system, 4.1.2 Cause cracking of insulation due to pressure, buildup in thick cross sections, or 4.1.3 Corrode other parts in the assembly. 4.2 Amount and rate of weight loss will possibly affect the thermal rating of a varnish. SCOPE 1.1 This test method covers the determination of the percent weight loss of cured solventless electrical varnishes when exposed to elevated temperatures for prescribed periods of time. 1.2 Results of this test method are based on 6-mm (1/4-in.) thick specimens and will not be applicable to specimens appreciably thinner or thicker than 6 mm. 1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. 1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Note 1: This standard resembles IEC 60216–2 “Guide for the determination of thermal endurance properties of electrical insulating materials. Part 2: Choice of test criteria” in a number of ways, but is not consistently similar throughout. The data obtained using either standard will possibly be technically equivalent. 1.5 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.
ASTM D3377-04(2018) is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 29.035.60 - Varnished fabrics. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
ASTM D3377-04(2018) has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ASTM D3377-04(2013), ASTM D1711-24, ASTM D1711-15, ASTM D1711-14a, ASTM D1711-14, ASTM D1711-13, ASTM D1711-11a, ASTM D1711-08, ASTM D5423-93(2005), ASTM D1711-02, ASTM D1711-99, ASTM D5423-93(1999). Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
ASTM D3377-04(2018) is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
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: D3377 − 04 (Reapproved 2018)
Standard Test Method for
Weight Loss of Solventless Varnishes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3377; 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 2.2 IEC Standard:
IEC 60216–2 Guide for the determination of thermal endur-
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the percent
ance properties of electrical insulating materials. Part 2:
weight loss of cured solventless electrical varnishes when
Choice of test criteria
exposed to elevated temperatures for prescribed periods of
time.
3. Terminology
1.2 Results of this test method are based on 6-mm ( ⁄4-in.)
3.1 Definitions:
thick specimens and will not be applicable to specimens
3.1.1 varnish, n—electrical insulating, a liquid resin system
appreciably thinner or thicker than 6 mm.
that is applied to and cured on electrical components providing
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
electrical, mechanical, and environmental protection.
standard.
3.1.1.1 Discussion—There are two types of electrical insu-
lating varnish: solvent-containing and solventless.The solvent-
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
containing varnish is a solution, dispersion, or emulsion of a
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
polymer or mixture of polymers in a volatile, nonreactable
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
liquid. The solventless type is a liquid resin system free of
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
volatile, nonreactable solvents.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1.2 For definitions of other terms relating to electrical
NOTE 1—This standard resembles IEC 60216–2 “Guide for the deter-
insulation, see Terminology D1711.
mination of thermal endurance properties of electrical insulating materi-
als. Part 2: Choice of test criteria” in a number of ways, but is not
consistently similar throughout. The data obtained using either standard
4. Significance and Use
will possibly be technically equivalent.
4.1 The amount and composition of by-products produced
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
by exposure of insulating varnishes to elevated temperatures
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
can possibly:
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4.1.1 Deteriorate other insulations in the system,
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
4.1.2 Cause cracking of insulation due to pressure, buildup
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
in thick cross sections, or
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
4.1.3 Corrode other parts in the assembly.
4.2 Amount and rate of weight loss will possibly affect the
2. Referenced Documents
thermal rating of a varnish.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1711 Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulation
5. Apparatus
D5423 Specification for Forced-Convection Laboratory Ov-
ens for Evaluation of Electrical Insulation 5.1 Metal Mold, consisting of two flat sheets 300 by 300 by
1 1
6 mm (12 by 12 by ⁄4 in.) separated by 6.4 6 0.5-mm ( ⁄4 6
0.02-in.) thick spacers along three sides. The spacers also seal
the edges of the mold and the assembly is held together with
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D09 on
“C” clamps or bolts. Aluminum or polished steel plates are
Electrical and Electronic Insulating Materialsand is direct responsibility of Subcom-
mittee D09.01 on Electrical Insulating Products. permissible.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2018. Published November 2018. Originally
5.2 Laboratory Balance, with accuracy of 6 1 mg.
approved in 1975. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D3377 – 04 (2013).
DOI: 10.1520/D3377-04R18.
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 Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., 13th
the ASTM website. Floor, New York, NY 10036.
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