ASTM International Committee E37 on Thermal Measurements

Committee E37 met at ASTM Headquarters in West Conshohocken PA on May 26, 2004. Rick Seyler (Tredegar Film Products) chaired the meeting. There are over 104 members of E37, Tom O'Toole (ASTM Staff).

Dr. Pat Gallagher (Ohio State University/Clemson University), a founder of Committee E37 in 1973, was recognized as the 2003 ASTM Award of Merit winner and an ASTM Fellow, on May 26, 2004 at ASTM headquarters. Pat is an active participant and lecturer for NATAS, ICTAC and ASTM. His research developed standards for Thermogravimetry.

An E37 Symposium on Fast Scan DSC and Surface Properties by Thermal Analytical Methods was presented on May 24-25, 2004. Larry Judovits (Atofina) and Wei Ping Pan (Western KY Univ) chaired and organized this timely symposium. The two-day program included world recognized leaders in surface thermal analysis and specialized DSC techniques. For details please contact Tom O'Toole at ASTM or the NATAS-ASTM editor, Alan Riga.

The following is a summary of the subcommittee on 'Thermal Analysis and Rheological Methods', chaired by Roger Blaine (TAI), rblaine@tainstruments.com. Committee E43 on Metric Practice responded to E37 with the appropriate scale for logarithm axes in figures. Their preference is for a base unit to be used along with decade scales. An alternate is a single unit along with decade scales. These recommendations will aid the presentation of DMA and rheological information (Blaine).

We have reported here a number of up-to-date standard test methods covering a variety of thermal analytical methods. The complete published method is available from ASTM International. If you want some detail of each method go to www.astm.org and search by the method number, e.g., E831. The scope of the method is available to you free. If you want the complete method there is a charge. Each method number is followed by a two-digit number e.g. -99 for E831. The re-approval is accomplished five years from the cited number e.g. -99 needs re-approval in 2004. Therefore, the 2004 standard test number method number will be E831-04.

The following are accomplishments and actions of Committee E37 to-date in 2004:

• Re-approval to E1641-99, 'Decomposition Kinetics by TGA';
• New Standards: 'Validation of Weight Loss Measurements by TGA' [E37.01.28] and 'Loss Modulus Calibration of DMAs' [E37.01.22]
• Revisions: E1868-02, 'Loss on Drying by TGA'; E1582-00, 'TGA Temperature Calibration' [E37.01.03] is to up grade the source of reference materials; E2113-02, TMA Calibration of Length Change [E37.01.08]

The "[E37.01]" is indicative of a task group. If you wanted to be involved in developing methods for your industry using, for example, 'Loss Modulus Calibration of a DMA' then contact Roger Blaine and join task group E37.01.22 to learn and aid the process.

Standard Test Methods published or revised and re-published to-date are:

E831-03 Linear Thermal Expansion by TMA;
E928-03 Calorimetric Purity by DSC;
E967-03 DSC/DTA Temperature Calibration;
E1131-03 Compositional Analysis by TGA;
E1326-03 Tg by DSC;
E1363-03 Temperature Calibration for TMA;
E1782-03 Vapor Pressure by Thermal Analysis;
E1858-03 Oxidation Induction Time by DSC and PDSC;
E2008-04 Volatility Rate by TGA, (Q. Kwok) Interlab precision& bias statement added;
E2039-04 Determining and Reporting Dynamic Dielectric Properties;
E2040-03 Mass Scale Calibration of TGA;
E2041-03 Borchardt and Daniels Kinetics by DSC;
E2070-03 Isothermal Kinetics by DSC;
E2092-03 Distortion Temperature by TMA;
E2347-04 Indentation Softening Temperature by TMA.

Publication of E1640-04 'Assignment of the Tg by DMA' is pending.

A highlight of the Task Groups in-progress includes the following:

• E1582-00 Temperature of Calibration of a TGA was revised to include an upgrade of the source of reference materials.
• E928 Calorimetric Purity by DSC (Judovits) added the Euro-purity method and is published. A ruggedness interlaboratory test will be performed using a series of chemicals developed by Ken Alexander/Alan Riga (U of Toledo).
• E1269 Heat Capacity by DSC (Archer, NIST) revised to correct and extend method to lower temperatures.
• E831-03 Coefficient of Expansion was revised to include temperature range of measurement.
• E1858 Oxidation Induction Time (S. Sauerbrunn, Mettler Toledo) an interlab test will be conducted to add a precision and bias statement for Method B using Pressure DSC in air.
• E1824 Tg in Tension by TMA (B. Cassel, TAI) Interlab test in progress possibly using PET, P-Styrene or PVC. PVC was the material chosen for the study.
• E2160 Heats of Reaction (D. Archer) need interlab study for Pand B statement.
• Revision of E2040 on mass calibration is complete.
• E1867 Swayajith Sahadavan (GE India) Dynamic Mechanical Measurements. The new method for Loss Modulus Calibration by DMA has a draft protocol and was balloted.
• E2069 Calibration of Cooling in a DSC (Sauerbrunn) Need a suitable liquid crystal.
• E37.01.28 New Standard Practice for TGA Mass Loss and Residue Validation (Ron Burke) Draft protocol is being developed.
• E37.01.29 Rheometry Calibration (C. Schoff) New Task Group on Viscosity, Storage Modulus and Loss Modulus calibration for Rheometers. The Task group will use SRMs 2490 & 2491. Draft standard protocol in progress.
• E37.01.30 Sulfated Ash by TGA. Single lab precision information needed for purposed standard.

Volunteers for this and other studies can join our team by posting a message to the Thermal Network and request to be an E37.01 volunteer or contact Roger Blaine.

ASTM E37.05 the Subcommittee on 'Thermophysical Properties' will meet later this year (Daniela Stroe, Anter).

These methods and others will be presented and discussed at the next Committee E37 meeting on October 7th, after the NATAS conference in the Williamsburg Marriott, Williamsburg VA. For more information and your needed input contact the NATAS-ASTM editor, Alan Riga.

Alan Riga
ICTAC-ASTM Liaison