ASTM D2538-02(2010)

1.1 This practice covers the relative fusion characteristics of poly(vinyl chloride) compounds.

1.2 The test procedures appear in the following order:

When PVC compounds are mixed under appropriate conditions of heat and shear, a fused mass is produced. This mass has certain melt characteristics which can be defined with a torque rheometer operated under fixed conditions of shear and temperature. The fusion characteristics of a PVC compound are manifest as fusion time, fusion torque, melt torque, melt viscosity, and heat and color stability.

A control lot is to be used as a standard against which other test results are to be compared. Test data are to be evaluated relative to the control lot.