ASTM_D_3530_-_97_2015.pdf

Designation:D353097(Reapproved 2015)Standard Test Method forVolatiles Content of Composite Material Prepreg1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3530;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript 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.1.Scope1.1 This test method covers the determination of the vola-tiles content,in weight percent of composite material prepregs.This standard focuses on composites with thermosetting resinsthat tend to lose a few percent of the matrix mass when heateddue to loss of both retained water and low molecular weightmatrix constituents that volatilize during heating.1.2 Use of this test method is limited to maximum tempera-ture of circulating air ovens(approximately 300C).1.3 Use of this test method is limited to temperatures belowwhich the matrix flows from the reinforcement.1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard.1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.Specific precau-tionary statements are given in Section 8.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D3878 Terminology for Composite MaterialsE177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias inASTM Test MethodsE1309 GuideforIdentificationofFiber-ReinforcedPolymer-Matrix Composite Materials in Databases(With-drawn 2015)32.2 NFPA Standard:NFPA 86 Standard for Ovens and Furnaces43.Terminology3.1 DefinitionsTerminology D3878 defines terms relatingto composite materials.Terminology D883 defines termsrelating to plastics.Practice E177 defines terms relating tostatistics.In the event of a conflict between terms,TerminologyD3878 shall have precedence over other documents.3.1.1 prepreg,nthe admixture of fibrous reinforcementand polymeric matrix used to fabricate composite materials.Itsform may be sheet,tape,or tow.See Terminology D3878.3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.2.1 Volatiles Content,nthe amount of volatiles presentin a prepreg expressed as a weight percent.3.3 Symbols:3.3.1 Mithe initial mass of the sample.3.3.2 Mfthe mass of the sample after oven exposure.3.3.3 Vcthe weight percent volatiles content.4.Summary of Test Method4.1 Specimens of prepreg are weighed and then exposed toelevated temperature,equal to the nominal cure or consolida-tion temperature of the material,in an air circulating oven toremove the volatiles.The exposed samples are reweighed andthe percent change in weight expressed as volatiles content.5.Significance and Use5.1 This test method is used to obtain the volatiles contentof composite material prepreg.Knowledge of the volatilescontent is useful in developing optimum manufacturing pro-cesses.5.2 The volatiles content is determined after exposure to thenominal cure or consolidation temperature.6.Interferences6.1 AirflowThe amount of measured volatiles may beincreased or decreased by changing the velocity of airflow.1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D30 onComposite Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D30.03 onConstituent/Precursor Properties.Current edition approved Nov.1,2015.Published December 2015.Originallyapproved in 1976.Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D3530/D3530M 97(2008)2.DOI:10.1520/D3530_D3530M-97R15.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced onwww.astm.org.4Available from National Fire Protection Association(NFPA),1 BatterymarchPark,Quincy,MA 02269-9101.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 Since airflow in most ovens is not linear in each part,avelometer should be used to measure airflow where samplesare placed.Samples should be placed only in positions ofknown airflow so that results may be repeatable.Use of baffleshas been found to even airflow between samples.6.2 Sample ExposureThe geometric shape and positioningof the sample have an effect on the measured volatiles content.Samples placed horizontally in a rack will not be exposed tothe same amount of airflow as samples hung vertically.Aribbon wound in a 150 mm diameter hoop may give slightlydifferent results than the same ribbon wound in a 50 mmdiameter hoop.A thinner sample will be exposed to moreairflow at its surface than a thicker sample.6.3 Time of ExposureFor any given te