ASTM D6980-17 PDF

Full title and description

Standard Test Method for Determination of Moisture in Plastics by Loss in Weight (ASTM D6980-17). This procedure specifies a loss-in-weight (thermogravimetric) technique for the quantitative determination of moisture in most plastics, with a practical sensitivity down to about 50 mg/kg (50 ppm). The method is intended for control, acceptance, and assessment testing of plastic materials where moisture affects processing or physical properties.

Abstract

ASTM D6980-17 defines a laboratory procedure using loss-in-weight technology to dry plastic samples at controlled temperature and time intervals and calculate moisture content from the weight change to a constant mass. The method reports results in SI units and warns that specimens will be hot after testing. It is commonly used for production control and material assessment where moisture level influences processing quality or final properties.

General information

• Status: Active.
• Publication date: 22 August 2017 (designated D6980‑17).
• Publisher: ASTM International (formerly American Society for Testing and Materials).
• ICS / categories: 83.080.01 — Plastics in general.
• Edition / version: D6980‑17 (current edition referenced).
• Number of pages: 6 pages (concise test method).

Scope

This test method covers quantitative determination of moisture in plastics by loss-in-weight technology to approximately 50 mg/kg (50 ppm). The standard specifies test specimen handling, drying conditions, periodic weighing until constant mass, calculation of moisture content, and safety considerations for handling hot specimens. The values are stated in SI units. Note: this standard has no known ISO equivalent.

Key topics and requirements

• Technique: Loss-in-weight (thermogravimetric) determination of moisture in plastic samples.
• Detection limit: Practical sensitivity down to about 50 mg/kg (50 ppm).
• Units: SI units are to be regarded as the standard for reporting.
• Procedure essentials: Controlled heating to a temperature below melting/decomposition, repeated weighing to constant mass, calculation of moisture % = (Wo − Wd)/Wo × 100.
• Safety and handling: Specimens are hot after testing — use appropriate protective equipment and follow laboratory safety practices.
• Applicability: Intended for use as control, acceptance, and assessment tests where moisture affects processing or properties.

Typical use and users

Primary users include plastics manufacturers, quality control and analytical laboratories, materials R&D teams, compounders and converters, and instrument manufacturers/suppliers of moisture analyzers. Typical applications are incoming resin inspection, process control for extrusion and molding, failure analysis when moisture-related defects (splay, hydrolysis, voids) are suspected, and product specification verification.

Related standards

Related documents include previous versions of the same test method (D6980‑12, D6980‑09), interlaboratory precision reports associated with D6980, and other ASTM and ISO test methods addressing moisture, volatiles, and material characterization in plastics. Users often apply complementary methods (e.g., Karl Fischer titration for specific chemistries or other loss‑on‑drying methods) when cross-checking results.

Keywords

moisture, loss in weight, loss-on-drying, plastics, moisture content, thermogravimetric, moisture analyzer, ASTM D6980, quality control, drying to constant mass.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM D6980‑17 is a standard test method that defines how to determine moisture in plastic materials by measuring weight loss during controlled drying (loss-in-weight) until constant mass is reached. It is intended for control, acceptance and assessment testing.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers sample preparation, controlled heating and periodic weighing, data recording until a constant weight is achieved, calculation of moisture content (reported in SI units), and safety notes (specimens will be hot). The method is applicable to most plastics with a practical sensitivity to about 50 mg/kg (50 ppm).

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: QC and analytical labs in plastics manufacturing, materials R&D groups, compounders, converters, and instrumentation vendors (moisture analyzers) use the method for incoming resin checks, process control, and troubleshooting moisture-related defects.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The D6980‑17 edition is the current active edition as published on 22 August 2017. Users should check ASTM's publication records for any later revisions or corrigenda if absolute currency is required.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: D6980 is part of ASTM Committee D20 (Plastics) standards and specifically maintained by subcommittee D20.70. It has earlier editions (for example D6980‑12 and D6980‑09) and is grouped with other plastics test methods addressing moisture, volatiles and compositional analysis.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Key keywords are moisture, loss-in-weight, moisture content, plastics, thermogravimetric, loss-on-drying, moisture analyzer, ASTM D6980.