ASTM International

Standard Classification System for Specifying Plastic Materials
 N D4000

Annotation

This standard provides a classification system for tabulating the properties of unfilled, filled, and reinforced plastic materials suitable for processing into parts.

NOTE 1—The classification system serves many of the needs of industries using plastic materials. The standard is subject to revision as the need requires; therefore, the latest revision should always be used.

The classification system and subsequent line call-out (specification) is intended to be a means of identifying plastic materials used in the fabrication of end items or parts. It is not intended for the selection of materials. Material selection should be made by those having expertise in the plastics field after careful consideration of the design and the performance required of the part, the environment to which it will be exposed, the fabrication process to be employed, the inherent properties of the material not covered in this document, and the economic factors.

This classification system is based on the premise that plastic materials can be arranged into broad generic families using basic properties to arrange the materials into groups, classes, and grades. A system is thus established which, together with values describing additional requirements, permits as complete a description as desired of the selected material.

In all cases where the provisions of this classification system would conflict with the referenced ASTM specification for a particular material, the latter shall take precedence.

NOTE 2—When using this classification system the two-letter, threedigit suffix system applies.

NOTE 3—When a material is used to fabricate a part where the requirements are too specific for a broad material call-out, it is advisable for the user to consult the supplier to secure a call-out of the properties to suit the actual conditions to which the part is to be subjected.