ASTM D8539-23 PDF

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 5.1 This guide is intended to assist users how to determine polymer properties in polyolefins related to their morphology (2) using TD-NMR Relaxometry, for example, Xylene Solubles (XS) content in polypropylene (PP). 5.2 The advantage of using TD-NMR Relaxometry lies in the fact that the method is rapid, non-destructive, cost effective, safe for the operator, environmentally friendly, and less dependent on operator consistency than traditional methods. 5.3 These polymer properties are measured for Quality Assurance (QA), Quality Control (QC) (7) and process control, for example, certificates of analysis (CoA) or optimization of the reaction process (6). These properties are key indicators of performance characteristics and are therefore important in compounding and manufacturing of plastic products. 5.3.1 This guide is applicable in a laboratory environment, continuous inspection as a quality control or as a research tool. It is also appropriate for use in commercial processes used to produce polyethylene and polypropylene. 5.4 TD-NMR Relaxometry can measure crystallinity content and relaxation rates directly (4), (5). Polyolefin properties used in industry that are correlated with crystallinity can be quantified. In these cases, a calibration is necessary. 5.5 As a secondary technique, results achieved by different TD-NMR Relaxometry systems, even from the same vendor, in different laboratories are not necessarily comparable and may result in biases. Therefore, the user is advised to perform measurement validation. SCOPE 1.1 This guide is intended to provide suggested approaches and criteria for the determination of polyolefin properties via time-domain Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (TD-NMR) Relaxometry. Though any crystallinity or morphology related property can be determined using this method (1), (2)2, the focus of this guide is on the prediction of Xylene Solubles content for polypropylene and density (3) for polyethylene as these are the most commonly specified properties for polyolefin manufacturers. Please note that other properties such as flexural modulus, Izod, Charpy, intrinsic viscosity, decalin/hexane solubles and others can be determined as well. 1.2 High-Level Purpose—The purpose of this guide includes: (1) educating new users on the use of TD-NMR Relaxometry to determine properties of polyolefins in manufacturing plants and laboratories; (2) providing a standard terminology that can be used by different vendors and end users; (3) establishing minimum requirements for apparatus, data acquisition, analysis, calibration and validation; (4) providing guidance for the specification, evaluation, cost justification, implementation, project management, training, and documentation of TD-NMR Relaxometers; and (5) providing a functional requirements checklist for TD-NMR Relaxometers for use in polyolefin plants and laboratories that can be integrated with existing systems. 1.3 Audience—This guide has been created with the needs of the following stakeholders in mind: (1) end users of TD-NMR Relaxometers for use in polyolefin plants and laboratories, (2) implementers of TD-NMR Relaxometers for use in polyolefin plants and laboratories, (3) quality personnel, (4) information technology personnel, (5) vendors of TD-NMR Relaxometers for use in polyolefin plants and laboratories, (6) individuals who approve funding of TD-NMR Relaxometers for use in polyolefin plants and laboratories, (7) applications support specialists for TD-NMR Relaxometers used in polyolefin plants and laboratories, and (8) software test/validation specialists. 1.4 Information contained in this guide will benefit a broad audience of people who interact with a TD-NMR Relaxometer used in polyolefin plants and laboratories. New users can use this guide to understand the purpose and functions of TD-NMR Relaxometers for use in polyolefin plants and laboratories as well as the int...