ASTM D3045 Test Standard for Unloaded Thermal Aging of Plastics

ASTM D3045 is standard practice for no-load thermal aging of plastics. It tests the exposure conditions that plastics must undergo to test their resistance to oxidation or other types of degradation that occurs over time.

Exposure to temperatures higher than the intended use temperature for extended periods causes premature aging of polymers. This aging procedure can be helpful in predicting how materials will age over time.

This standard serves as a guide for comparing the thermal wear properties of measured materials with the fluctuation in specific properties of interest at a single temperature. Procedures for comparing the thermal aging properties of materials at a range of temperatures to estimate the time required for a defined property to change are also described in this application. EUROLAB offers ASTM D3045 as part of its polymer testing services.

Exposure to heat can cause many types of physical and chemical changes in plastics. Exposure level over both temperature and time will affect the extent and type of property changes that will occur. Polymers certainly do not deteriorate with short exposures to high temperature, but prolonged exposures of plastics to high temperature often cause some degradation, as well as a gradual change in physical properties as the different properties may not all change at the same rate.

ASTM D3045 simulates hot conditions that are intended to be used to understand the durability of materials and their expected lifespan to prevent property loss.

Our organization, EUROLAB, also provides testing services within the scope of the ASTM D3045 test standard for unloaded thermal aging of plastics, within the framework of laboratory testing services.