• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer

1-800-685-2088 | support@mat-cs.com

  • LinkedIn
MAT-CS - Materials Characterization Services

Materials Characterization Services

  • Home
  • About
    • Meet the Team
    • Consulting
  • Analytical Techniques
    • Bulk Analysis
    • Microscopy and Microanalytical
    • Surface and Thin Film
    • Polymer Characterization
    • Optical Measurements
    • Liquids and Gases
    • Electrical / Electronics
    • Reliability Testing
    • Miscellaneous
  • Test Methods
    • ASTM Methods List
    • ISO Methods List
    • AATCC
    • AOAC
    • AOCS
    • EPA, SM
    • FDA BAM
    • IP
    • JEDEC
    • MIL-STD
    • OCSPP
    • OPPTS
    • REACH
    • RoHS
    • SEMI
    • TAPPI
    • USP/EP/JP
  • Resources
    • Experiment Design
    • Consulting
    • The Laboratory Landscape
    • Quality Programs
    • Regulatory-Based Analyses
  • Contact
  • Get a Quote!
MAT-CS Home Cover

ASTM D4591

ASTM D4591 – Standard Test Method for Determining Temperatures and Heats of Transitions of Fluoropolymers by Differential Scanning Calorimetry

Description:

Significance and Use

4.1 DSC analysis may be used with fluoropolymers to achieve at least four different objectives as follows:

4.1.1 To measure transition temperatures to aid in the identification of the various fluoropolymers, individually or in mixtures;

4.1.2 To compare the relative levels of crystalline content of two or more specimens of a sample of a fluoropolymer relative to another sample by measuring the heat of fusion;

Note 2: Absolute values of crystalline content cannot be determined until values for heats of fusion of the completely crystalline polymers are available.

4.1.3 The heat of crystallization of pure PTFE homopolymer is depending on the relative molecular weight of the specimen. Some PTFE resins are modified with small amounts of comonomers. These modifications have profound effects on crystallization behavior and shall be considered when evaluating the results.

4.1.4 To characterize PTFE (DSC thermal curves determined on powders or products of PTFE that have never been melted convey appreciable information about details of morphology and molecular structure);4

4.1.5 To supplement the test for standard specific gravity (SSG) described in Specifications D4894 and D4895 by using the heat of crystallization of pure PTFE homopolymer, depending on the relative molecular weight of the specimen. The scopes of these specifications, however, include PTFE resins modified with small amounts of comonomers, and many commercial PTFE resins are modified in this manner. These modifications can have profound effects on crystallization behavior. Published relationships4 between heat of crystallization and molecular weight refer to pure PTFE homopolymers and, therefore, cannot be applied to the modified resins.

Scope

1.1 This test method defines conditions for the use of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) with fluoropolymers. It covers the use of DSC analyses with the fluoropolymers, PTFE, PVDF, PCTFE, and PVF and their copolymers PFA, MFA, FEP, ECTFE, EFEP, VDF/HFP, VDF/TFE/HFP, VDF/CTFE. The test method is applicable to the analysis of powders as well as samples taken from semi-finished or finished products. The nature of fluoropolymers is such that special procedures are needed for running DSC analysis and interpreting the results.

1.2 The values stated in SI units as detailed in IEEE/ASTM SI-10 are to be regarded as the standard.

1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

Note 1: There is currently no ISO standard that duplicates this test method. ISO 20568-1 and ISO 20568-2 cover similar testing and reference this test method for testing conditions.

Related Test Methods

ASTM D4950

ASTM D495

ASTM D4951

ASTM D4950

ASTM D495

ASTM D4948

ASTM D4946

ASTM D4943

ASTM D4940

ASTM D4935

ASTM D4929

ASTM D4928

Previous Post:MAT-CS Home CoverASTM D4590
Next Post:ASTM D4592MAT-CS Home Cover

Ready to start your analysis?

Get a Quote!
MAT-CS

Your One Source for Materials Analysis

1-800-685-2088

support@mat-cs.com

  • Home
  • Analytical Techniques
  • Test Methods
  • Resources
  • Contact Us
  • Get a Quote!
  • Special Analysis Request

  • LinkedIn

Copyright © 2025 by Materials Characterization Services ยท All Rights Reserved
Website Built, Hosted, and Managed by Digital Donkey Marketing