ASTM_D_1601_-_12.pdf

Designation:D160112Standard Test Method forDilute Solution Viscosity of Ethylene Polymers1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1601;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.1.Scope*1.1 This test method covers the determination of the dilutesolution viscosity of ethylene polymers at 135C.It is appli-cable to a reasonably wide spectrum of ethylene polymershaving densities from 0.910 to 0.970 g/cm2.Directions aregiven for the determination of relative viscosity(viscosityratio),inherent viscosity(logarithmic viscosity number),andintrinsic viscosity(limiting viscosity number)(see AppendixX4).1.2 The values as stated in SI units are to be regarded as thestandard.1.3 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.NOTE1This test method is technically equivalent to ISO 1628-3.NOTE2Appendix X1 Appendix X3 contain material from theprevious version of Test Method D1601 and are included for informationonly.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D86 Test Method for Distillation of Petroleum Products atAtmospheric PressureD445 Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparentand Opaque Liquids(and Calculation of Dynamic Viscos-ity)D883 Terminology Relating to PlasticsD1600 Terminology forAbbreviated Terms Relating to Plas-ticsD4020 Specification for Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Poly-ethylene Molding and Extrusion MaterialsE1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass ThermometersIEEE/ASTM SI-10 Standard for Use of the InternationalSystem of Units(SI):The Modern Metric System2.2 ISO Standards:3ISO 1628-3 PlasticsDetermination of Viscosity Numberand Limiting Viscosity NumberPart 3:Polyethylenesand Polypropylenes3.Terminology3.1 Units,symbols,and abbreviations used in this testmethod are those recommended in IEEE/ASTM SI-10 andTerminologies D883 and D1600(see also Appendix X4).4.Significance and Use4.1 The knowledge of dilute solution viscosity serves as anadditional tool in characterizing ethylene polymers.Viscositydata alone may be of limited value in predicting the processingbehavior of the polymer.However,when used in conjunctionwith other flow and physical property values,the solutionviscosity of ethylene polymers may contribute to their charac-terizations.4.2 Satisfactory correlation between solution viscosity andcertain other properties is possible from polymers of a singlemanufacturing process.The solution viscosity test is notsensitive to some molecular configurational patterns that mayoccur among polymers from different manufacturing pro-cesses.Hence,its correlation with other properties of polymersproduced by different processes,by even one manufacturer,may be limited.4.3 The viscosity of polymer solutions may be drasticallyaffected by the presence of known or unknown additives in thesample.The use of solution viscosity may be of questionablevalue where ethylene polymers are known or suspected tocontain colorants,carbon black,low molecular weighthydrocarbons,fillers,or other additives.4.4 The measurement of dilute solution viscosity of ethyl-ene polymers presents problems not ordinarily encountered inviscosimetry.Ethylene polymers are not soluble at roomtemperature in any known solvent.Some of the higher densitymaterials are insoluble below 100C.Extreme care must beexercised in transferring the solution to the viscometer for the1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plasticsand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.70 on Analytical Methods(Section D20.70.05).Current edition approved Aug.1,2012.Published September 2012.Originallyapproved in 1958.Last previous edition approved in 2004 as D1601-99(2004).DOI:10.1520/D1601-12.2For 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.3Available from American National Standards Institute(ANSI),25 W.43rd St.,4th Floor,New York,NY 10036.*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standardCopyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 test if the correct solution concentration is to be maintained.This test has no significance unless the sample is completelysoluble.4.5 The solution viscosity is a function of the root-mean-square size of the polymer molecules in solution.It is knownthat the solvent selected and the temperature of the determina-tion have an effect on the root-mean-square size of thepa