BURN TEST - ASH

ASTM D2584

Ash Content ASTM D2584, D5630, ISO 3451

Ash Content analysis of plastics ASTM D2584, ASTM D5630, ISO 3451

Scope:

An Ash test is used to determine if a material is filled. The test will identify the total filler content. It cannot identify individual percentages in multi-filled materials without additional test procedures being performed. An ash test cannot be used to determine the percent carbon fiber or percent carbon black since carbon burns off during the Ash test.

Procedure:

An Ash test involves taking a known amount of sample, placing the weighed sample into a dried / pre-weighed porcelain crucible, burning away the polymer in an air atmosphere at temperatures above 500°C, and weighing the crucible after it is has been cooled to room temperature in a desiccator. Ash residue remaining in the crucible is considered filler unless the residue is less than 1%. Residues of less than 1% are typically the result of additives that did not burn off.

Data:

The Ash test result is expressed as % ash. A magnified optical examination of the ash residue is performed to determine if the ash is glass, mineral, or a combination of both. The total ash content equals the weight of the ash divided by the weight of the original sample multiplied by 100%.

Specimen size:

Six grams of sample is typically used, which represents three crucibles each containing two grams of sample. Smaller sample weights can be tested but accuracy diminishes with smaller sample sizes.

Typically the average of 3 crucibles is reported.

Further Analysis:

Identification of Filler

If the supplied material has mineral filler an FTIR analysis of the ash residue can help to further identify the type of mineral.

Smaller sample sizes:

TGA (Thermogravimetric Analysis) is an alternative method to determine filler content with smaller samples sizes.

**Please note that this test description is intentionally generic in nature and aimed at providing a descriptive summary to enhance test understanding. Standards can be obtained from appropriate standard authorities.

• ASTM Testing for Plastics and Polymers

• Polymer Chemical Testing

• Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) ASTM E1131, ISO 11358

CIPET

TESTING OF BIODEGRADABILITY PROPERTIES:

Biodegradability test as per ASTM D 5338, ASTM D 6400, ISO 14855-1, ISO 17088, ISO 17556

BIODEGRADABLE FACILITY:
Biodegradable setup with CHNSO analyzer and Gas Chromatography to evaluate/analyze the gas evolved during biodegradation of Polymers.

CENTRAL POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD

The biodegradable polymers could be an alternative to the conventional plastic materials. These polymers being biodegradable can be disposed in safe and ecologically sound manner, through disposal processes (waste management) like composting, soil application, and biological wastewater treatment. Considering the necessity to assess the degradation pattern of these polymers, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) sponsored a study to Central Institute of Plastics and Engineering and Technology (CIPET), Chennai for identification and evaluation of performance of biodegradable polymers in India with reference to its biodegradability under laboratory scale composting conditions as per ASTM D-6400 and IS/ISO 17088:2008. In this document, effort has been made to compile the status of availability of biodegradable polymer materials as well as testing methods for establishing biodegradability of plastics films/products and its impact on environment.