ASTM International

Standard Test Method for Ash Content in Plastics
 N D5630

Annotation

This test method was developed to determine the inorganic content of plastics by destructive ashing procedures. Ash levels of 0.01 % or above are covered by this test method.

These ashing procedures are used only to quantify the residual solids in the polymer and can not be used to identify the individual chemical components of the ash, qualitatively.

This test method is limited to those materials (including glass) that are stable to 900°C. Test Method D2584 is recommended for unknown samples, and in instances where fusion of the inorganic portions may be of concern.

Fluorinated polymers and polymers containing halogenated components have not been included in these procedures.

Two procedures for determining the inorganic residue in plastics are listed as follows:

Procedure A, Muffle-Furnace Technique— For 5 – 50 gram samples. Samples are flamed over a burner prior to being ashed in a muffle furnace.

Procedure B, Rapid-Ash Muffle-Furnace Technique— For 2–10 gram samples. Samples are ignited and ashed in a muffle furnace.

NOTE 1—For more efficient ashing, the plastic sample should be in the form of powder or pellet.

NOTE 2—This test method provides consistent results of filler content for a specific filler in a specific resin. However, this method may not provide the absolute filler content in all cases. This includes polymers filled with CaCO3, nano clays, and Carbon Black.

NOTE 3—Procedure B is equivalent to ISO 3451/1-(E), Method A.