reinforcement surface all change the composite resin density
from the bulk resin density. The usual change is that bulk
density is lower, making void content seem lower than it really
is.
6.2 For composites with high void contents, this error will
lower the true value an insignificant amount, from a true 7 %
down to a calculated 6.7 %, for example. For composites with
low and void contents, the value may be lowered from a true
0.2 % to a calculated − 0.1 %. This would indicate an obvious
error, and illustrates that as the void content gets lower the
constant error in resin density gets progressively more impor-
tant. Note that these values are for example only, that different
resin systems can give different errors, and that it is left to the
individual tester to determine the accuracy of the calculated
result in his particular measurement.
6.3 For the special case of semi-crystalline plastics, such as
polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) and polyetheretherketone
(PEEK), an interference due to the level of crystallinity present
in the composite can cause significant variation in the mea-
surement of void content by this test method. The level of
crystallinity can be affected by a variety of circumstances,
including the molding conditions. For these polymers, the
density used in the calculation must be the actual density of the
resin in the composite.
NOTE 2—The actual degree of crystallinity of the composite can be
measured by techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)
or by X-ray diffraction.
7. Conditioning
7.1 Conditioning—Condition the test specimens at 23 6
2°C (73.4 63.6°F) and 50 610 % relative humidity for not
less than 40 h prior to test in accordance with Procedure A of
Practice D618, for those tests where conditioning is required.
In cases of disagreement, the tolerances shall be 1°C (1.8°F)
and 62 % relative humidity.
7.2 Test Conditions—Conduct tests in the standard labora-
tory atmosphere of 23 62°C (73.4 63.6°F) and 50 65 %
relative humidity, unless otherwise specified in the test meth-
ods. In cases of disagreement, the tolerances shall be 1°C
(1.8°F) and 65 % relative humidity.
8. Procedure
8.1 Density of the Resin and the Composite—Three test
methods are presented for these measurements. Measure the
density on pieces of resin that are bubble-free and that were
cured under heat, time, and pressure conditions that are as close
as practicable to the conditions under which the composite was
cured. Density measurements supplied by the resin manufac-
turer are acceptable if they are certified for each batch.
8.1.1 Test Method A—Measure densities using Test Methods
D792. Paragraph 1.1 of that test method requires the specimen
to have smooth edges and surfaces. For composites, this
requirement may necessitate hand sanding the specimen with
400-grit emery paper to remove fuzzy edges caused by cutting.
The specimen should be as free as possible from geometric
irregularities which tend to trap air bubbles. Remove any
bubbles by a wire, or other mechanical means. Do not use a
vacuum to remove bubbles, because cut surfaces of composites
may be porous and exposure to a vacuum will force water into
the pores, causing an error in the density measurement. In some
cases of extreme porosity, just immersing the composite in
water, without using a vacuum, will allow an unacceptably
large amount of water take-up by the composite. In these cases,
seal the porous surfaces by coating them with a known amount
of sealer of known density. This will require weighing the
specimen, then spraying-on or wiping-on the sealer, then
reweighing. A correction for this added material will then be
required in the calculations.
8.1.2 Test Method B—Measure densities in accordance with
Test Method D1505. The comments in 8.1.1 concerning fuzzy
edges and removal of bubbles apply here also.
8.1.3 Test Method C:
8.1.3.1 Densities calculated from weight and volume mea-
surements are acceptable if the specimens are smooth, uniform,
and of such shape that the volume can be calculated accurately
from the dimensions.
8.1.3.2 Procedure—The volume of each specimen shall not
be less than 2 cm
3
(0.125 in.
3
). Make dimensional measure-
ments with a micrometer at all edges (12 in all for a 6-sided
rectangular block). Use the averages for each dimension to
calculate the volume.
8.1.3.3 The tolerance on the accuracy of the micrometer
measurements shall be 60.0013 cm (60.0005 in.). With
maximum tolerance buildup on a small sample, this could
result in an error in the calculated volume of 0.6 %. For larger
samples, and with some measurements being in error on the
plus side and some on the minus side, the error in the
calculated volume should not exceed 0.2 %.
8.1.3.4 Calculate the density by dividing the weight by the
volume; express as grams per cubic centimeter.
8.2 Density of the Glass or Other Reinforcement—Most
glass reinforcement is E glass, which typically has a density
between 2.54 and 2.59 g/cm
3
; S glass density is 2.46 to 2.49
g/cm
3
. However, if a density determination is necessary, use
Test Methods D792. Pay particular attention to Note 11 of that
test method, which discusses removal of trapped air by
exposure of the sample to a vacuum. This step can be assumed
to be necessary in every determination of glass density. Use a
vacuum of 3 mm Hg or better. Several cycles of atmospheric
pressure-to-vacuum may be required before the trapped air is
completely removed.
NOTE 3—It is suggested that the density of the glass supplied be verified
with the glass fiber producer.
8.3 Resin Content of Composite—Determine in accordance
with Test Method D2584. The ignition loss in that test method
is the resin content of the sample and is to be recorded as the
weight percent as indicated.
9. Theoretical Density
9.1 Calculation—Using the values determined in 8.1,8.2,
and 8.3, calculate theoretical density of a composite as follows:
T
d
5100/
~
R/D1r/d
!
(1)
where:
T
d
= theoretical composite density,
D2734 − 23
2