Ash Content ASTM D 5630 ASTM D 2584 ISO 3451 http://www.ptli.com/testlopedia/tests/ash-d5630.

asp

Plastics Technology Laboratories

Ash Content
ASTM D2584, D5630,
ISO 3451
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Scope:
An Ash test is used to determine if a material is filled. The test will identify the total filler content. It
cannot identify individual percentages in multi-filled materials without additional test procedures being
performed. An ash test cannot be used to determine the percent carbon fiber or percent carbon black since
carbon burns off during the Ash test.

Procedure:
An Ash test involves taking a known amount of sample, placing the weighed sample into a dried / pre-
weighed porcelain crucible, burning away the polymer in an air atmosphere at temperatures above 500°C,
and weighing the crucible after it is has been cooled to room temperature in a desiccator. Ash residue
remaining in the crucible is considered filler unless the residue is less than 1%. Residues of less than 1%
are typically the result of additives that did not burn off.

Data:
The Ash test result is expressed as % ash. A magnified optical examination of the ash residue is performed
to determine if the ash is glass, mineral, or a combination of both. The total ash content equals the weight
of the ash divided by the weight of the original sample multiplied by 100%.

Specimen size:
Six grams of sample is typically used, which represents three crucibles each containing two grams of
sample. Smaller sample weights can be tested but accuracy diminishes with smaller sample sizes.

Number of specimens tested by PTLI:

Typically the average of 3 crucibles is reported.

Further Analysis:

Identification of Filler
If the supplied material has mineral filler an FTIR analysis of the ash residue can help to further identify
the type of mineral.

Smaller sample sizes:

TGA (Thermogravimetric Analysis) is an alternative method to determine filler content with smaller

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Ash Content ASTM D 5630 ASTM D 2584 ISO 3451 http://www.ptli.com/testlopedia/tests/ash-d5630.asp

samples sizes.

**Please note that this test description is intentionally generic in nature and aimed at providing a descriptive
summary to enhance test understanding. For more information please contact a Intertek PTL Technical
Representative at iptl@intertek.com . Due to copyright restrictions, we are not able to provide copies of
standards. Standards can be obtained from appropriate standards authorities.
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