ASTM D5630

Ash Content in Plastics

Applicability: ASTM D5630 is a standard test method used to determine the inorganic content of plastics at ash levels of 0.01 % or above. It is limited to materials (including glass) that are stable to 900 °C, and fluorinated polymers and polymers containing halogenated components are not included.

Purpose: The purpose of ASTM D5630 is to quantify the inorganic residue in plastics by destructive ashing, using either a muffle-furnace technique (Procedure A) or a rapid-ash muffle-furnace technique (Procedure B). The ash may consist of antiblock agents, fillers, reinforcements, catalyst residues, and colorants, and its quantity is an important variable in the manufacturing process; the method quantifies the residue but does not identify its individual components.