ASTM PROFICIENCY TESTING PROGRAM

LAB INSTRUCTIONS

MULTIPLASTICS MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

NOVEMBER 2019
(MPAS1911)
The ASTM Proficiency Testing Center will provide an interactive data collection form to you by way of a secure ASTM-PTP website
server. You will have the capability of entering your own test data on a customized electronic data form. You will be able to
electronically save your data, review it, edit it, and then submit all your results to ASTM-PTP by the closing date of the test cycle.

Test instructions are subject to change. Please read the test instructions and test methods thoroughly every test cycle. Should you have
any questions about the test instructions or during the test trial, please contact the Proficiency Testing Center at ptp@astm.org.

1. Selected tests, to be determined by the participating laboratory from the designated list of test procedures, must be performed
within the participant's laboratory facilities using the specified ASTM standards. Participants are not to have tests performed by
a subcontracting laboratory or to deviate from the standard procedure.
2. Participants are to utilize the most current available edition of the ASTM standards (see the attached Index Listing of ASTM
Standards).
3. The initial single determination by each laboratory for each test conducted is required. Unless the ASTM test method otherwise
indicates, the ASTM-PTP does not allow the reporting of averages of replicate determinations or the reporting of results from
subsequent attempts following the initial result.
4. Laboratories are encouraged to provide any and all information on any problems they identified during testing or with their
results or where the test is not clear, etc., in the general comment section of the electronic data entry form. This will help the
standardization committee responsible for the test methods in this ASTM-PTP address any issues or improvements as needed.
5. Test results are to be entered in the interactive on-line report form within the PTP Portal. For sign-on details, please see the email
that was sent to your attention at the time samples were distributed. Should your email change, please contact the Proficiency
Testing Center at ptp@astm.org immediately.
6. Test results are to be recorded according to the specified units of measurement indicated on the interactive report form. The units
of measurements requested are consistent with the relevant ASTM test methods or that required in relevant specifications.
Participants will be responsible for any conversions necessary to comply with the report form.
7. IMPORTANT NOTE—The program requires that participants report a single value for each element in accordance with the
specific method used. Report the actual numerical value for the proficiency testing data obtained by your lab. Values
reported as less than (<) or greater than (>) cannot be numerically treated. If a result cannot be reported (for example a yield
value when there is no yield) leave the field blank. This is to be expected with some tests on some materials, yet the absence
of a particular result still provides valuable information about the material’s behavior. Do not use a 0 to indicate a result is
not applicable as this will cause problems with the statistics software.
8. Please do not use commas for decimal points otherwise your data will be invalidated.
9. Your data must be received at ASTM no later than the posted deadline. Test data received after this date will not be included in
the published statistical summary report.
10. Please be sure to click on “submit all test results” when you are ready to submit your final results for all tests. Otherwise,
your data will not be received at ASTM.

ASTM TEST PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Test Samples Distributed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . week ending November 29, 2019

DEADLINE DATE FOR RECEIPT OF TEST RESULTS AT ASTM . . . . . January 24, 2020

Statistical Summary Reports will be electronically distributed from ASTM approximately

20–25 business days after the Deadline Date for Receipt of Test Results.
 ASTM PROFICIENCY TESTING PROGRAM
INDEX LISTING OF ASTM STANDARDS

UTILIZED IN THE NOVEMBER 2019

MULTIPLASTICS MECHANICAL PROPERTIES (MPAS1911)

Participants are to use the most current available edition of all program tests they conduct.
To order any test used in this program, please contact:

ASTM Customer Service Department

Phone: (610) 832-9585; Fax: (610) 832-9555
service@astm.org

D256-10(2018)Test Methods for Determining the Izod Pendulum Impact Resistance of Plastics
D638-14 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics
D648-18 Test Method for Deflection Temperature of Plastics Under Flexural Load in the Edgewise
Position
D790-17 Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical
Insulating Materials
 ASTM PROFICIENCY TESTING PROGRAM
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

MULTIPLASTICS MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

NOVEMBER 2019
(MPAS1911)

IZOD IMPACT PROPERTIES

ASTM D256

TESTS TO BE PERFORMED
IZOD Impact (polycarbonate, ABS, Reinforced Acetal)

TEST MATERIALS
The specimens for each material to be tested are packaged to preserve material integrity prior to testing and properly labeled for
identification. The ASTM bars 127 mm by 13 mm by 3 mm (5 in. by ½ in. by 1/8 in.) specimens have been injection molded
according to the relevant material specification.

QUANTITY OF MATERIAL
Each laboratory will receive 12 test bars for each sample material to be tested for the test cycle. As specified in the test method 10
specimens are required. The extra specimens can be used for setup of the test machine.

SPECIMEN NOTCHING
For each of the ten 5 in. long rectangular bars, cut off 31.75 mm. (1.25 in.)from each end of the bar to produce a test specimen 63.5
mm. (2.5 in.) long, obtained from the center of the bar. Notch each of the ten 63.5 mm. (2.5 in.) long specimens as specified in ASTM
D256.

NOTE—Be aware of specimen conditioning when notching hygroscopic materials. See Section 9 of ASTM D256 that has been revised
May 2010.

NOTE—Polycarbonate specimens are sensitive to notching. Care in notching this material is essential to ensure a smooth radius at the
apex.

TEST METHOD
Conduct the test according to the instructions given in ASTM D256. Any variations in the test procedure must be noted on the data
sheet in the Observation Section. Specific test instructions may be provided on the data sheet which are derived from the relevant
material specification.

PENDULUM HAMMER CAPACITY

NOTE—Use the LIGHTEST standard pendulum that is expected to break each specimen in the group with a
loss of not more than 85% of its energy absorbed at impact. The lightest standard pendulum is 2.7 J

OBSERVATIONS
Report all pertinent observations of the test on the data sheet. Report all anomalies pertaining to the test specimens (flaws etc.) or the
procedure which does not comply with the published test method (unusual specimen breaks, etc.).
DATA REPORTING
Report data to specified units of measure requested on the report forms. Report data to 3 significant figures.

HOW TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT FIGURES–Please obtain a copy of ASTM E29 Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test
Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications, read completely and follow this practice without exception when reporting the
required number of significant figures for all tests included in the scope of this PTP.
 ASTM PROFICIENCY TESTING PROGRAM
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

MULTIPLASTICS MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

NOVEMBER 2019
(MPAS1911)
ASTM TENSILE PROPERTIES
ASTM D638

TESTS TO BE PERFORMED
(polycarbonate, ABS, Reinforced Acetal)
Modulus of Elasticity
Tensile Stress at Yield
Tensile Strength (max tensile stress)
Tensile Stress at Break
Tensile Elongation at Yield
Tensile Elongation at Break
Elongation at Maximum Stress

TEST MATERIALS
The ASTM Type I dog-bone specimens have been injection molded according to the relevant material specification. The specimens
for each material to be tested are packaged to preserve material integrity prior to testing and properly labeled for identification.

NOTE—Changes to conditioning and test conditions for specimen testing have changed. See revised D638.

QUANTITY OF MATERIAL
Each laboratory will receive 14 specimens for each sample material (7 for modulus and 7 for all other results) to be tested for the test
cycle. As specified in the test method 5 determinations are to be entered on the data sheet (5 for modulus and 5 for all other results).
The extra specimens can be used for setup of the test machine. If there’s no change in test speed between “modulus” and “all other
results” the same specimen can be used for both. After modulus is determined just keep running the machine to get the other values.
Note that it may be necessary to remove the extensometer if it is not designed for higher elongations and/or for specimen rupture.

TEST METHOD
Conduct the test according to the instructions given in ASTM D638 and the ASTM material specifications below. Any variations in
the test procedure must be noted on the data sheet in the Observation Section.

TEST
MODULUS All Other Results
SPEEDS
Polycarbonate 5 mm/min (0.2 in/min.) 50 mm/min (2.0 in/min.)
ABS 5 mm/min (0.2 in/min.) 5 mm/min (0.2 in/min.)
Reinforced Acetal 5 mm/min (0.2 in/min.) 5 mm/min (0.2 in/min.)
OBSERVATIONS
Report any pertinent observations of the test on the data sheet. Report all anomalies pertaining to the test specimens (flaws etc.) or the
procedure which does not comply with the published test method (specimen breaks outside the gage area etc.).

CALCULATIONS
NOTE—Toe compensation correction required. See Annex A.1 of D638 for mandatory information.

DATA REPORTING
Report data to specified units of measure requested on the report forms. Extensometer use is mandatory for testing modulus. For
other elongation values indicate whether crosshead travel or an extensometer was used.
Report data to 3 significant figures for modulus and stress values. Report data to 2 significant figures for elongation values. . In
cases where there is no yield, do not report “0”. If results are N/A or not applicable, please leave that field blank and note this in the
general comments section.

HOW TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT FIGURES–Please obtain a copy of ASTM E29 Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test
Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications, read completely and follow this practice without exception when reporting the
required number of significant figures for all tests included in the scope of this PTP.
 ASTM PROFICIENCY TESTING PROGRAM
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

MULTIPLASTICS MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

NOVEMBER 2019
(MPAS1911)

DEFLECTION TEMPERATURE OF PLASTICS UNDER FLEXURAL LOAD (DTUL)

IN THE EDGEWISE POSITION
ASTM D648

TESTS TO BE PERFORMED
DTUL (polycarbonate, ABS, Reinforced Acetal)

TEST MATERIALS
The ASTM bars 127 mm by 13 mm by 3 mm (5 in. by ½ in. by 1/8 in.) specimens have been injection molded according to the
relevant material specification. The specimens for each material to be tested are packaged to preserve material integrity prior to testing
and properly labeled for identification. Specimens are to be tested edgewise.

QUANTITY OF MATERIAL
Each laboratory will receive 4 specimens for each sample material to be tested for the test cycle. The test sample shall consist of at
least 2 specimens. The extra specimens can be used for setup of the test machine.

TEST METHOD
Conduct the test according to the instructions given in ASTM D648 method A. Any variations in the test procedure must be noted on
the data sheet in the Observation Section. Specific test instructions may be provided on the data sheets
which are derived from the relevant material specification.

MAXIMUM FIBER STRESS

MAXIMUM FIBER STRESS: TEST AT:

Polycarbonate 1.82 MPa
ABS 1.82 MPa
Reinforced Acetal 1.82 MPa

TEST SPAN
The span requirement is 4 in. (101.6 mm) for D648 method A (hdt).

OBSERVATIONS
Report all pertinent observations of the test on the data sheet. Report all anomalies pertaining to the test specimens (flaws etc.) or the
procedure which does not comply with the published test method.

DATA REPORTING
Report data to specified units of measure requested on the report forms. Report data to 3 significant figures and to the nearest whole
1°C. For the measurements below 100°C, report results to one decimal point but not more than a total of 3 significant figures.

HOW TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT FIGURES–Please obtain a copy of ASTM E29 Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test
Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications, read completely and follow this practice without exception when reporting the
required number of significant figures for all tests included in the scope of this PTP.
 ASTM PROFICIENCY TESTING PROGRAM
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

MULTIPLASTICS MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

NOVEMBER 2019
(MPAS1911)

FLEXURAL PROPERTIES
ASTM D790

TESTS TO BE PERFORMED
(polycarbonate, ABS, Reinforced Acetal)
Tangent Modulus of Elasticity
Strain @ Maximum Stress (<= 5 % strain)
Flexural Stress at Break (if break occurs at <= 5 %)
Flexural Strain at Break (if break occurs at <= 5 %)
Flexural Stress at Yield (if yielding occurs at <= 5 % strain)
Flexural Strain at Yield (if yielding occurs at <= 5 % strain)
Flexural Strength (max flex stress) (<= 5 % strain)

TEST MATERIALS
The ASTM flexural bar 127 mm by 13 mm by 3 mm (5 in. by ½ in. by 1/8 in.) specimens have been injection molded according to the
relevant material specification. The specimens for each material are packaged to preserve material integrity prior to testing and
properly labeled for identification.

NOTE—Major changes to conditioning and test conditions of test specimens in D790.

QUANTITY OF MATERIAL
Each laboratory will receive 7 specimens for each sample material. As specified in the ASTM test method only 5 specimens are to be
tested and the determinations entered on the data sheet. The extra specimens can be used for setup of the test machine or other tests
being conducted during the PTP test cycle.

TEST METHOD
Conduct the test according to the instructions given in D790 (Procedure A) and the specific parameters called-out in the ASTM
material specifications below. Any variations in the test procedure must be noted on the data sheet in the Observation Section.

MATERIAL TYPE: TEST SPEED:

Polycarbonate 1.3 mm/min (0.05 in/min.)
ABS 1.3 mm/min (0.05 in/min.)
Reinforced Acetal 1.3 mm/min (0.05 in/min.)

TEST SPAN
For a 3 mm (1/8 in.) depth test bar the support span shall be 50.8 mm (2 in.).

OBSERVATIONS
Report all pertinent observations of the test on the data sheet. Report all anomalies pertaining to the test specimens (flaws etc.) or the
procedure which does not comply with the published test method.

CALCULATIONS
NOTE— Toe compensation correction is required. See Section 12.1 and Annex A.1 of D790 for mandatory information.

DATA REPORTING
Report data to specified units of measure requested on the report forms. Report data to 3 significant figures. In cases where a result
is not applicable (e.g. when there is no yield), do not report “0”. Leave that field blank instead. If results are N/A or not
applicable, please note this in the general comments section.

HOW TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT FIGURES–Please obtain a copy of ASTM E29 Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test
Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications, read completely and follow this practice without exception when reporting the
required number of significant figures for all tests included in the scope of this PTP.