ASTM D4703-16 rus PDF

Full title and description

ASTM D4703-16 — Standard Practice for Compression Molding Thermoplastic Materials into Test Specimens, Plaques, or Sheets. This practice describes recommended procedures, apparatus, and conditions for compression molding thermoplastic granules, pellets, and milled stock to produce test specimens, plaques, or sheets for subsequent mechanical or physical testing. (User note: the string "rus" in the provided title likely indicates interest in a Russian-language copy or translation; Russian translations or localized distributions may be available from standards resellers.)

Abstract

This practice (D4703-16) provides laboratory procedures for preparing representative compression-molded specimens from thermoplastic materials. It covers preheating, pressing, molding temperature and pressure, cooling, and preparation of plaques or sheets from which specimens are cut, and includes an informative Annex (A1) with alternative procedures for specific materials. The goal is to produce homogeneous, isotropic specimens suitable for comparative testing and for use with material-specific test methods.

General information

• Status: Historical / revised — originally published in 2016 and later revised by ASTM D4703-24 (published December 1, 2024); consult the 2024 revision for the current active text.
• Publication date: April 1, 2016 (designation D4703-16).
• Publisher: ASTM International (ASTM).
• ICS / categories: 83.080.20 (Thermoplastic materials).
• Edition / version: D4703-16 (2016 edition); superseded by D4703-24 (2024 revision).
• Number of pages: 13 pages (original 2016 edition).

Scope

This practice covers the compression molding of thermoplastic granules, pellets and milled stock for preparation of test specimens, plaques, or sheets intended for use in laboratory testing. It provides general molding conditions and apparatus guidance while noting that specific materials may require alternative conditions specified in material-specific standards or by agreement between purchaser and supplier. SI units are the standard units used in the practice.

Key topics and requirements

• Procedures for converting pellets, granules or milled preforms into uniform plaques or test specimens by compression molding.
• Apparatus recommendations: mold design, press platens, temperature measurement points and instrumentation.
• Preheating, molding temperature, hold times, and applied pressure guidelines to achieve homogeneous molding.
• Cooling methods and cooling-rate control; Annex A1 provides procedures (A, B, C) with guidance for different plastics (notably polyethylene).
• Specimen preparation from molded plaques: cutting, punching, machining and surface finish considerations to minimize variability.
• Notes on when milling or two-roll mill working is appropriate to disperse additives and obtain representative material before molding.
• Equivalence and comparison notes with ISO 293 (historical equivalence to ISO 293:1986; later ISO updates differ and are not strictly equivalent).
• Emphasis on consulting material specification standards for specific molding conditions and on establishing appropriate safety and environmental controls.

Typical use and users

Used by plastics test laboratories, quality control and R&D groups in polymer manufacturing, compounders, recyclers preparing comparative test specimens, and standards bodies. Typical applications include preparing specimens for tensile, flexural, impact or other mechanical tests where molded specimen history must be controlled and repeatable.

Related standards

Relevant companion and related standards include the later revision ASTM D4703-24 (which revises D4703-16), ISO 293 (originally 1986 and later updated), and common plastics test standards that use molded specimens (for example ASTM D638 for tensile properties, ASTM D790 for flexural properties, ASTM D256 for impact, ASTM D618 for conditioning). Material specification documents for specific polymers should be consulted for specialized molding parameters.

Keywords

compression molding; thermoplastics; specimen preparation; plaques; sheets; molding temperature; cooling methods; polyethylene (PE); PVC; ABS; CPVC; specimen cutting; ASTM D4703; molding procedures; Annex A1.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM D4703-16 is a practice that describes recommended methods for compression molding thermoplastic granules, pellets, and milled stock into test specimens, plaques, or sheets for laboratory testing.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers apparatus, preheating, molding temperatures and pressures, hold times, cooling methods, and procedures for producing and preparing molded plaques or sheets and cutting specimens. Annex A1 contains additional molding procedures for certain materials.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Plastics test laboratories, polymer manufacturers, compounders, recyclers, and quality control or R&D personnel who need consistent, repeatable molded specimens for mechanical and physical testing.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: D4703-16 was published April 1, 2016. It has been revised by ASTM D4703-24 (published December 1, 2024). For the current, authoritative procedure consult ASTM D4703-24; D4703-16 should be treated as the 2016 historical edition.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: D4703 is a standalone practice for specimen preparation but is commonly used alongside many material-specific ASTM test methods (tensile, flexural, impact, conditioning standards) and is linked historically to ISO 293 specimen-preparation guidance.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Compression molding, thermoplastics, specimen preparation, plaques, sheets, molding temperature, cooling method, polyethylene, PVC, ABS, Annex A1.