ASTM D883 Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics

Get Standardized Clarity with ASTM D883 Terminology 

ASTM D883 provides the terminology standards professionals use for plastic testing and characterization. Certified testing services use this terminology to create consensus in interpreting test methods, specifications, and material properties. When reporting tensile properties, impact resistance, thermal properties, etc., testing laboratories refer to D883 definitions. This standardization effort clarifies plastic terminology by giving manufacturers, suppliers, and buyers a common understanding, minimizing misunderstandings in technical documentation and commercialization. 

The scope of ASTM D883 includes:

• Material types: Technical vocabulary relating to plastics and related materials.
• Purpose: To create a common set of terms and definitions to ensure uniformity of interpretation and communication within the plastics community.
• Properties evaluated: These properties include definitions of processing terms, material classifications, physical properties, and test method terminology.
• Testing Method: Terms are only added after the Subcommittee judges that they are generally usable.
• Test limitations: Terms that are commonly understood or well-defined in other readily available sources are not included.
• Result: A common language that enables effective technical communication and specification interpretation.
• Use conditions: If there is some conflict between the definitions provided in D883 and other terminology standards, users follow the definitions provided in D883.
• Applications: Plastics manufacturing, testing, research, quality control, and commercial transactions.

What are the Uses of ASTM D883 Testing?

ASTM D883 testing helps professionals understand the plastic industry’s terminology in a consistent manner. Manufacturers, engineers, and quality control personnel use the results for interpretation of specifications, selection of test methods, and technical documentation. This standard-

• Defines plastic processing and testing terminology in a standard manner.
• Maintains uniformity of test methods and specifications.
• Improves clear communication among manufacturers, suppliers, and purchasers.
• Provides accurate material property and test reporting.
• Supports regulatory requirements and technical documentation.
• Helps internationalize plastics terminology.
• Assists with inconsistencies in the terminology across standards.

What Materials Can Be Tested Under ASTM D883? 

The scope of ASTM D883 is for all plastic materials and products relating to the terminology. It includes technical terms used throughout the plastics industry, such as processing terminology, material classifications, and property definitions. Specific terminology standards are referenced for terms related to thermal insulation, electrical insulating materials, fire, precision and bias, or plastic piping systems, but D883 prevails in case of conflict. 

Why is ASTM D883 Important? 

ASTM D883 offers a standardized vocabulary for more consistent communication within the plastics industry. Uniform terminology is a requirement to understand test methods, specifications, and material properties. Where a term appears in an ASTM document under the jurisdiction of Committee D20, Subcommittee D20 considers that it is generally usable before including it in the document. The definitions are the same as in other standards, and they are indicated with the abbreviation of the organization, like “IUPAC”. When conflicts exist between D883 and other terminology standards, users shall follow the definitions given in D883. This standardization facilitates quality control, regulation, and accurate technical communication. 

ASTM D883 Apparatus and Reference Compilation Guide 

ASTM D883 does not specify testing equipment or specimen preparation procedures. The standard is a terminology document that provides definitions for technical terms used in the plastics industry. This standard does not test physical specimens, and it requires no instrumentation. 

ASTM  D883 Testing Process and Data Collection

There is no testing process or data collection for ASTM D883. The standard is a reference document and offers definitions for technical terms in the plastics industry. D883 is consulted by professionals to ensure uniformity in the use of the terminology used in specifications, test reports, and technical documentation. Professionals periodically update the standard to include new definitions and/or revised definitions; dates of change in updated definitions are added. 

Common Challenges and Troubleshooting

If professionals use different terms in different documents, there can be a misinterpretation of specifications and test results. ASTM D883 does this by defining terms using the accepted definitions as found in other ASTM standards, which are used with other terms in conflict. The terms are not repeated if professionals clearly understand them or other sources well define them. Professionals add new definitions and/or wording changes, and they follow these changes with the date of change to indicate revisions. Use D883 to interpret plastic terminology in ASTM documents to ensure accurate interpretation. 

• The standard establishes common definitions of plastic terms throughout the ASTM documents. These definitions ensure consistent communication between manufacturers, suppliers, and purchasers.
• Definitions are phrases or sentences that describe something and contain extra information in the notes. If professionals add or modify a definition, they will add the date to the definition.
• If there are conflicting terms in D883 and other terminology standards, the definitions in D883 take precedence. Other terminology specifications that are related to the standard are C168, thermal insulation; D1711, electrical insulation; E176, fire; E456, precision and bias; and F412, plastic piping systems.
• Common and well-defined terms are not included. If a term is present in an ASTM document under the jurisdiction of Committee D20, Subcommittee D20.92 has included it because it considers it to be a term warranted for use in the document.
• The standard is used for accurate interpretation of test methods, specifications, and material properties. Professionals use D883 to help them maintain uniformity in technical documentation and commerce in plastic terminology.

FAQs

How does ASTM D883 handle terms that have different meanings in general usage versus the plastics context? 

The specific terms used in the plastics industry, or ones which have meanings different from general use, are included in D883. Common words or words that have well-defined meanings are not included for precision. 

What is the process for adding a new term to ASTM D883? 

If professionals use the term in an ASTM document under the jurisdiction of Committee D20, Subcommittee D20.92 reviews and approves it. The subcommittee determines if the term is “generally usable” before adding it.

How is ASTM D883 used in regulatory and compliance contexts? 

ASTM D883 is used to define terminology that regulatory agencies, depending on ASTM test methods for plastics, can use to interpret that terminology in a consistent manner. Consistent terminology reduces ambiguity around compliance and defensible regulatory submissions. 

Link to ASTM D883