ASTM D1603 Test

The ASTM D1603 test is performed to determine the carbon black content in % in polyethylene, polypropylene and polybutylene plastics in accordance with the guidelines of the standard. The test is done by burning pure nitrogen gas in a high temperature heat furnace.

The purpose of the ASTM D1603 test is to determine the carbon black content in Olefin materials such as polyethylene or polypropylene that do not contain non-volatile additives or fillers. The test is often used as a quality control measure for black polyolefins.

The ASTM D1603 test method covers the determination of the carbon black content in polyethylene, polypropylene, and polybutylene plastics. Not recommended for use with acrylic or other polar monomer modifications that may affect accuracy. Determinations of the carbon black content are made gravimetrically after pyrolysis of the sample under nitrogen. This test method is not applicable to compositions containing non-volatile pigments or fillers other than carbon black.

During the test procedure, a known weight of the sample is placed in a weighed combustion vat and then placed in a 600°C tube furnace under dry oxygen-free nitrogen evacuation. After a certain time, the combustion vessel is cooled (with the burn residue) and then weighed. The combustion vessel is kept in a 600°C muffle furnace to oxidize the carbon residue, after the carbon is oxidized the vessel is cooled and weighed. 

EUROLAB, together with its state-of-the-art accredited laboratories and expert team, helps you get precise and fast results within the scope of ASTM D1603 test.