This specification covers the classification, testing, and requirements of polyphthalamide (PPA) materials, both virgin and recycled, suitable for injection molding. This specification is intended to be a means of calling out plastics materials used in the fabrication of end items or parts, and not for the selection of materials. The materials are classified into groups according to crystallinity, and are further subdivided into classes and grades as specified. Materials shall be sampled, prepared, and conditioned appropriately for testing, for which specimens shall conform to specified values of the following requirements: inherent viscosity; melting temperature; glass transition; tensile strength; flexural strength and modulus; Izod impact strength; deflection temperature; and moisture.

1.1 This classification system covers polyphthalamide (PPA) materials suitable for injection molding.

1.2 The properties included in this classification system are those required to identify the compositions covered. Other requirements necessary to identify particular characteristics important to specialized applications are to be specified by using suffixes as given in Section 5.

1.3 This classification system allows for the use of recycled materials provided that all specification requirements are met.

1.4 This classification system is intended to be a means of calling out plastics materials used in the fabrication of end items or parts. It is not intended for the selection of materials. Material selection can be made by those having expertise in the plastics field only after careful consideration of the design and the performance required of the part, the environment to which it will be exposed, the fabrication process to be employed, the costs involved, and the inherent properties of the material other than those covered by this classification system.

1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard (see IEEE/ASTM SI-10). The values given in parentheses are for information only.

1.6 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the test methods portion, Section 11, of this classification system: 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. Specific precautionary statements are given in 11.7.1.

Note 1: There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard. ISO 16396-1/-2 for polyamides may also be used to describe and classify these PPA materials, but the technical content is significantly different.

Note 2: ASTM Standard D6779 on polyamide materials also includes PPA materials in its coverage of various polyamide chemistries. This standard gives additional information for classification and specification for PPA compositions classified as Group 10 (PA6T/66), Group 12 (PA6T/6I/66) and Group 13 (PA6T/6I) in ASTM Standard D6779 and includes provisions for other PPA compositions to utilize the classification presented.

1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.