ASTM D 4976 : 2004

1.1 This specification provides for the identification of polyethylene plastics molding and extrusion materials in such a manner that the supplier and the user can agree on the acceptability of different commercial lots or shipments. The tests involved in this specification are intended to provide information for identifying materials in accordance with the groups, classes, and grades covered. It is not the function of this specification to provide specific engineering data for design purposes.

1.2 Other requirements may be necessary to identify particular characteristics important to specialized applications. These shall be agreed upon between the user and the supplier, by using the suffixes given in Section 1.3.

1.3 Ethylene plastic materials, being thermoplastic, are reprocessable and recyclable (see Note 1). This specification allows for the use of those ethylene plastic materials, provided that any specific requirements as governed by the producer and the end user are met.

Note 1—See Guide D 5033 for information and definitions related to recycled plastics.

1.4 The values stated in SI units are regarded as the standard.

1.5 The following precautionary caveat pertains to the test method portion only, Section 12, of this specification. 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.6 For information regarding plastic pipe materials see Specification D 3350. For information regarding wire and cable materials, see Specification D 1248. For information on polyethylenes with densities below 0.910 g/cm³, see Classification D 5593.

Note 2—There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.