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D3159-22 – Standard Test Method Technical Guide
📜 Scope and Application
This specification covers molding and extrusion materials of modified ETFE fluoropolymer. The ETFE resin is a copolymer of ethylene and tetrafluoroethylene, with modified grades containing no more than 5 mole % of other fluoromonomers. It is important to note that this specification is for virgin material only (Section 1.4), as recycled material cannot meet the required performance standards. All values are in SI units as defined by IEEE/ASTM SI-10, with parentheses used for information only.
📋 Referenced Standards and Terminology
The standard incorporates numerous ASTM and ISO standards for testing and terminology. Key definitions such as “lot” are derived from Terminology D883, where a lot is defined as “one production run or a uniform blend of two or more production runs.” The following table lists some of the critical referenced standards for test methods:
| 🟦 Standard | 📏 Title |
|---|---|
| D638 | Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics |
| D1238 | Test Method for Melt Flow Rates of Thermoplastics by Extrusion Plastometer |
| D3418 | Test Method for Transition Temperatures and Enthalpies of Fusion and Crystallization of Polymers by Differential Scanning Calorimetry |
| ISO 20568-1 | Plastics—Fluoropolymer Dispersions and Moulding and Extrusion Materials—Part 1 |
The terminology and test methods referenced are essential for consistent evaluation and compliance with this specification.
🔬 Material Specifications and Properties
The key specifications for modified ETFE materials are outlined to ensure proper material performance. The table below summarizes critical requirements directly from the standard:
| ⚡ Property | 📐 Specification | 🎯 Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Other Fluoromonomer Content | ≤5 mole % | Section 1.1 |
| Material Composition | Virgin Material Only | Section 1.4 |
| Standard Units | SI (IEEE/ASTM SI-10) | Section 1.2 |
⚠️ Important Note: This standard does not cover recycled materials. Performance requirements are not achievable with recycled ETFE, so only virgin materials are considered suitable. Additionally, safety hazards pertaining to test methods (Section 11) must be reviewed prior to use.
💡 Tip: For accurate test results, condition test specimens in accordance with Practice D618 before conducting mechanical or thermal tests. Note that data obtained from ISO 20568-1 and ISO 20568-2 are technically equivalent to this standard.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
🔍 What is modified ETFE? Modified ETFE is a fluoropolymer resin consisting primarily of ethylene and tetrafluoroethylene, with the addition of no more than 5 mole % of other fluoromonomers to alter properties for molding and extrusion.
💡 Can recycled ETFE be used with this standard? No. Section 1.4 explicitly states that recycled material is not appropriate for this specification because performance requirements cannot be met with recycled material.
⚡ What are the main test methods used for compliance? Key test methods referenced include D638 for tensile properties, D1238 for melt flow rate, and D3418 for thermal transitions, among others listed in Section 2.
📌 What units are required by this standard? The standard specifies SI units as detailed in IEEE/ASTM SI-10, with any values in parentheses provided for information only.