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Designation: D 746 – 98e1

Standard Test Method for

Brittleness Temperature of Plastics and Elastomers by
Impact1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 746; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

e1 NOTE—Editorially corrected 8.1.2 and 8.2.2 in April 2002.

1. Scope* E 220 Test Method for Calibration of Thermocouples by

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the tem- Comparison Techniques4
perature at which plastics and elastomers exhibit brittle failure E 644 Test Methods for Testing Industrial Resistance Ther-
under specified impact conditions. Two routine inspection and mometers4
acceptance procedures are also provided. E 1137 Specification for Industrial Platinum Resistance
Thermometers4
NOTE 1—When testing rubbers for impact brittleness use Test Methods 2.2 ISO Standard:
D 2137.
ISO 974-1980 (E) Plastics—Determination of the Brittle-
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the ness Temperature by Impact5
standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the 3. Terminology
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 3.1 General—The definitions of plastics used in this test
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- method are in accordance with Test Method D 883 unless
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- otherwise specified.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 3.2 brittleness temperature—that temperature, estimated
NOTE 2—This test method and ISO 974-1980 (E) are technically statistically, at which 50 % of the specimens would probably
equivalent when using the Type B fixture and the Type III specimen, fail.
however, the minimum number of specimens that are required to be tested
may be significantly different when using this test method. The ISO 4. Summary of Test Method
method requires that a minimum of 100 specimens be tested. 4.1 To determine the brittleness temperature, specimens are
secured to a specimen holder with a torque wrench. The
2. Referenced Documents
specimen holder is immersed in a bath containing a heat-
2.1 ASTM Standards: transfer medium that is cooled. The specimens are struck at a
D 618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics and Electrical specified linear speed and then examined. The brittleness
Insulating Materials for Testing2 temperature is defined as the temperature at which 50 % of the
D 832 Practice for Rubber Conditioning for Low- specimens fail.
Temperature Testing3
D 883 Terminology Relating to Plastics2 5. Significance and Use
D 1898 Practice for Sampling of Plastics2 5.1 This test method establishes the temperature at which
D 2137 Test Methods for Rubber Property—Brittleness 50 % of the specimens tested fail when subjected to the
Point of Flexible Polymers and Coated Fabrics3 conditions specified herein. The test provides for the evaluation
E 77 Test Method for the Inspection and Verification of of long-time effects such as crystallization, or those that may
Thermometers4 be introduced by low-temperature incompatibility of plasticiz-
ers in the material under test. Plastics and elastomers are used
in many applications requiring low-temperature flexing with or
1 without impact. Data obtained by this test method may be used
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-20 on Plastics
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.30 on Thermal Properties to predict the behavior of plastic and elastomeric materials at
(Section D20.30.07).
Current edition approved July 10, 1998. Published January 1999. Originally
published as D 746 – 43 T. Last previous edition D 746 – 95.
2 5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01. ISO Standards Handbook 21, Vol 1. ISO Standards are available through
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 09.01. American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., 13th Floor, New York, NY
4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.03. 10036.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 D 746 – 98e1
low temperatures only in applications in which the conditions and specimen clamp shall have a clearance of 3.6 6 0.1 mm at
of deformation are similar to those specified in this test and immediately following impact. The clearance between the
method. This test method has been found useful for specifica- outside of the striking edge and the clamp shall be 2.0 6 0.1
tion purposes, but does not necessarily measure the lowest mm at impact. These dimensional requirements of the striking
temperature at which the material may be used. edge and clamping device are illustrated in Fig. 3. Fig. 4 shows
a typical clamp. Details of the specimen clamp are given in Fig.
NOTE 3—Suitable apparatus is commercially available from several
suppliers. The striking member may be motor-driven, solenoid-operated, 5.
gravity-actuated, or spring-loaded. The motor-driven tester should be 6.3 Torque Wrench, 0 to 8.5 N · m.
equipped with a safety interlock to prevent striker arm motion when the
NOTE 4—Because of the difference in geometry of the specimen
cover is open.
clamps, test results obtained when using the Type A specimen clamp and
6. Apparatus striking member may not correlate with those results obtained when using
the Type B apparatus.
6.1 Type A:
6.1.1 Specimen Clamp and Striking Member—Design the 6.4 Temperature-Measurement System—The temperature of
specimen clamp to hold the specimen or specimens as a the heat-transfer medium shall be determined with a thermo-
cantilever beam. Each individual specimen shall be firmly and couple or resistance thermometer having a suitable range for
securely held in a separate clamp. The striking edge shall move the temperatures at which the determinations are to be made.
relative to the specimens at a linear speed of 2000 6 200 mm/s The temperature-measuring device and the related readout
at impact and during at least the following 6.4 mm of travel. In equipment shall be accurate to at least 60.5°C. The
order to maintain this speed, it may be necessary to reduce the temperature-measuring device shall be located as close to the
number of specimens tested at one time. The distance between specimens as possible. Thermocouples shall be calibrated in
the center line of the striking edge and the clamp shall be accordance with Test Method E 220. Resistance temperature
7.87 6 0.25 mm at impact. The striking edge shall have a devices shall comply with the requirements of Test Methods
radius of 1.6 6 0.1 mm. The striking arm and specimen clamp E 644 and Specification E 1137.
shall have a clearance of 6.35 6 0.25 mm at and immediately NOTE 5—A thermometer may be used if it can be shown to agree with
following impact. These dimensional requirements are illus- the specified temperature measuring system. Mercury-in-glass thermom-
trated in Fig. 1. Fig. 2 shows a typical clamp.6 Use free-fitting eters shall be calibrated for the depth of immersion in accordance with
clamping screws, 10-32 National Fine Thread. Test Method E 77.
6.2 Type B: 6.5 Heat-Transfer Medium—Any liquid heat transfer me-
6.2.1 Specimen Clamp and Striking Member—Design the dium that remains fluid at the test temperature and will not
specimen clamp to hold the specimen or specimens as a appreciably affect the material tested may be used. Measure-
cantilever beam. Each individual specimen shall be firmly and ment of selected physical properties prior to and after 15-min
securely held in a separate clamp. The striking edge shall move exposure at the highest temperature used will provide an
relative to the specimens at a linear speed of 2000 6 200 mm/s indication of the inertness of a plastic to the heat transfer
at impact and during at least the following 5.0 mm of travel. In medium. There should be no significant difference between the
order to maintain this speed, it may be necessary to reduce the results.
number of specimens tested at one time. The radius of the 6.5.1 Where a flammable or toxic solvent is used as the
lower jaw of the clamp shall be 4.0 6 0.1 mm. The striking cooling medium, the customary precautions in handling such a
edge shall have a radius of 1.6 6 0.1 mm. The striking edge material should be exercised. Methanol is the recommended
heat transfer medium for rubber.
6
NOTE 6—The following materials have been found suitable for use at
A detailed drawing of a typical clamp may be obtained from ASTM Headquar-
the indicated temperatures. When silicone oil is used, moisture from the
ters. Order Adjunct : ADJD0746.
air will condense on the surface of the oil, causing slush to form. This
slush may collect on the temperature-measuring device as ice and affect
temperature measurement. If this should occur, remove the ice from the
temperature-measuring device.
Material Temperature, °C
5-mm2/s viscosity silicone oil −60
2
2-mm /s viscosity silicone oil −76
Methyl alcohol −90

6.6 Temperature Control—Suitable means (automatic or

manual) shall be provided for controlling the temperature of
the heat-transfer medium to within 60.5°C of the desired
value. Powdered solid carbon dioxide (dry ice) and liquid
nitrogen are recommended for lowering the temperature, and
FIG. 1 Dimensional Requirements Between Specimen Clamp and an electric immersion heater for raising the temperature.
Striking Edge (Type A) 6.7 Tank, insulated.

2
 D 746 – 98e1

FIG. 2 Typical Clamp (Type A)

8.1.1 Geometry—This type of specimen shall be

6.35 6 0.51 mm wide by 31.75 6 6.35 mm long as illustrated
in Fig. 6.
8.1.2 Preparation— Cut the test specimens from a flat sheet
with a thickness of 1.91 6 0.13 mm. The specimens may be
die-punched, cut by hand using a razor blade or other sharp
tool, or cut by an automatic machine. Specimens may also be
prepared by injection molding.
8.2 Type II (for Fixture Type A):
8.2.1 Geometry (Modified T-50 Specimen)—This type of
specimen shall be T-shaped, as illustrated in Fig. 6. When using
this type of specimen, clamp it so that the entire tab is inside
NOTE—Dimensions are in millimetres.
the jaws for a minimum distance of 3.18 mm.
FIG. 3 Dimensional Details of Striking Edge and Clamping
Device, Type B (Positioning of Unnotched Test Specimen) 8.2.2 Preparation— Cut the test specimens from a flat sheet
with a thickness of 1.91 6 0.13 mm. The specimens may be
die-punched, cut by hand using a razor blade or other sharp
tool, or cut by an automatic machine. Specimens may also be
prepared by injection molding.
8.3 Type III (for Fixture Type B):
8.3.1 Geometry—This type of specimen shall be
20.0 6 0.25 mm long by 2.5 6 0.05 mm wide and 1.6 6 0.1
FIG. 4 Assembled Clamp with Test Specimens, Type B mm thick as illustrated in Fig. 6.
8.3.2 Preparation— Cut the test specimens from a flat
6.8 Stirrer, to provide thorough circulation of the heat sheet. The specimens may be die-punched, cut by hand using a
transfer medium. razor blade or other sharp tool, or cut by an automatic machine.
Specimens may also be prepared by injection molding.
7. Sampling 8.4 Test results will vary according to molding conditions
7.1 Unless otherwise agreed upon between the seller and the and methods of specimen preparation. It is essential that
purchaser, sampling shall be in accordance with the General preparation methods produce uniform specimens. The pre-
and Specific Sampling Procedures sections of Practice D 1898. ferred method of preparation is to use an automatic cutting
Sampling, based on engineering principles, prior to packaging machine. Alternatively, specimens may be die-punched using
shall be considered an acceptable alternative. an arbor press or hydraulically operated press. No matter which
preparation method is employed, the specimen edges shall be
8. Test Specimen free of all flash. Specimens that are damaged in any way shall
8.1 Type I (for Fixture Type A): be discarded. If specimens are to be die punched, sharp dies

3
 D 746 – 98e1

NOTE—Dimensions are in millimetres.

FIG. 5 Details of One Form of Clamp Meeting the Requirements of 6.2

FIG. 6 Specimen Geometry

must be used in the preparation of specimens for this test if die may be judged by investigating the rupture point on any
reliable results are to be achieved. Careful maintenance of die series of broken specimens. When broken specimens are
cutting edges is of extreme importance and can be obtained by removed from the clamps of the testing machine it is advan-
daily lightly honing and touching up the cutting edges with tageous to pile these specimens and note if there is any
jewelers’ hard Arkansas honing stones. The condition of the tendency to break at or near the same portion of each specimen.

4
 D 746 – 98e1
Rupture points consistently at the same place may be the division of a specimen into two or more completely separated
indication that the die is dull, nicked, or bent at that particular pieces or as any crack in the specimen which is visible to the
position. unaided eye. Where a specimen has not completely separated,
it shall be bent to an angle of 90° in the same direction as the
9. Conditioning bend caused by the impact. It should then be examined for
9.1 Conditioning— Condition the test specimens at cracks at the bend. Record the number of failures and the
23 6 2°C and 50 6 5 % relative humidity for not less than 40 temperature at which they were tested.
h prior to the test in accordance with Procedure A of Practice 10.7 Increase or decrease the temperature of the bath in
D 618 for those tests where conditioning is required. In cases uniform increments of 2 or 5°C and repeat the procedure until
of disagreement, the tolerances shall be 61°C and 62 % the lowest temperature at which none of the specimens fail and
relative humidity. the highest temperature at which all of the specimens fail is
determined. A minimum of four tests shall be conducted in that
NOTE 7—Where long-time effects such as crystallization, incompatibil- temperature range. Ten new specimens should be used for each
ity, etc., of materials are to be studied, the test specimens may be
test.
conditioned in accordance with Practice D 832.

10. Procedure 11. Routine Inspection and Acceptance

10.1 In establishing the brittleness temperature of a mate- 11.1 Procedure A— For routine inspection of materials
rial, it is recommended that the test be started at a temperature received from an approved supplier, it shall be satisfactory to
at which 50 % failure is expected. Test a minimum of ten accept lots on the basis of testing a minimum of ten specimens
specimens at this temperature. If all of the specimens fail, at a specified temperature as stated in the relevant material
increase the temperature of the bath by 10°C and repeat the test specifications. Not more than five shall fail (see Section 10).
using new specimens. If none of the specimens fail, decrease 11.2 Procedure B— It shall be satisfactory to accept elas-
the bath temperature by 10°C and repeat the test using new tomeric composition on a basis of testing five specimens at a
specimens. If the approximate brittleness temperature is not specified temperature, as stated in the relevant material speci-
known, the start temperature should be chosen arbitrarily. fications. None shall fail.
10.2 Prior to beginning a test, prepare the bath and bring the
apparatus to the desired starting temperature. If the bath is 12. Calculation
cooled using dry ice, place a suitable amount of powdered dry 12.1 Standard Method— Using the number of specimens
ice in the insulated tank and slowly add the heat-transfer that failed, calculate the percentage of failures at each tem-
medium until the tank is filled to a level 30 to 50 mm from the perature. Calculate the brittleness temperature of the material
top. If the apparatus is equipped with a liquid nitrogen or CO2 as follows:
cooling system and automatic temperature control, follow Tb 5 T h 1 DT[~S/100! 2 ~1/2!#
instructions provided by the manufacturer of the instrument for
preparing and operating the bath. where:
10.3 Mount the test specimens firmly in the clamping T b = brittleness temperature, °C,
device. Secure the specimens with a torque wrench. To avoid Th = highest temperature at which failure of all the speci-
excessive deformation of the specimens, use a torque suitable mens occurs (proper algebraic sign must be used),
for the material being tested. °C,
DT = temperature increment, °C, and
NOTE 8—It is recommended that a clamping torque of 0.56 6 0.01 S = sum of the percentage of breaks at each temperature
N · m (5 6 0.1 lb · in.) be used to mount the samples. If slippage of the
specimens in the clamp occurs, increase the torque the minimum amount
(from a temperature corresponding to no breaks
necessary to eliminate the slippage. down to and including Th). Derivations of the above
formula are contained in other references.7,8
10.4 Mount the clamping device in the testing apparatus and
lower the clamping device into the heat-transfer medium. If dry NOTE 9—Example: The following example illustrates application of
ice is being used as a coolant, maintain constant temperature by this formula:
the judicious addition of small quantities of dry ice. If the Material—Plasticized poly(vinyl chloride)
apparatus is equipped with a liquid nitrogen or CO2 cooling Number of Specimens Tested at Each Temperature—Ten.
system and automatic temperature control, follow the manu- At −30°C, 0 failed
facturer’s instructions for setting and maintaining temperature. At −32°C, 2 failed
10.5 After waiting for 3 6 0.5 min, record the temperature At −34°C, 3 failed
and deliver a single impact to the specimens. At −36°C, 6 failed
10.6 Remove the clamping device from the testing appara- At −38°C, 8 failed
tus and remove the individual specimens from the clamping At −40°C, 10 failed
device. Allow the specimens to warm up prior to being bent for At −42°C, 10 failed
inspection of cracks. This may be done by leaving the
specimens at room temperature for 1 min or by placing them in
lukewarm water for 10 to 15 s. Examine each specimen to Then: Th = −40°C
determine whether or not it has failed. Failure is defined as the DT = 2

5
 D 746 – 98e1

S = 0 + 20 + 30 + 60 + 80 + 100 = 290 13.1.3 Specimen type, dimensions, and method of prepara-

Since: Tb = Th + DT[(S/100) − (1/2)] tion,
Then: Tb = −40 + 4.8 = −35.2°C 13.1.4 Specimen conditioning methods, if any, including
time elapsed since molding or annealing,
Brittleness temperature, reported as −35°C. 13.1.5 Torque used to secure the specimens,
12.2 Alternative Graphic Method—The value reported by 13.1.6 Brittleness temperature to the nearest 1°C,
this graphic method is essentially the same as that calculated by 13.1.7 Type of test apparatus and heat-transfer medium
the standard method described in 12.1, but may be obtained used,
without determining either the highest temperature at which all 13.1.8 Method of calculation, and
specimens fail or the lowest at which all pass the test. When 13.1.9 Date of test.
testing materials that possess a wide temperature range of 13.2 For routine inspection and acceptance testing only, the
brittleness transition, the graphic method also requires the following shall be recorded instead of 13.1.6 and 13.1.8:
testing of fewer sets of samples to determine the brittleness 13.2.1 Number of specimens tested,
temperature. Select sets of ten specimens each in which both 13.2.2 Temperature of test, and
failures and nonfailures occur at four or more temperatures. 13.2.3 Number of failures.
Choose temperatures above and below the estimated 50 %
failure point. Plot the data on probability graph paper with 14. Precision and Bias
temperature on the linear scale and percent failure on the 14.1 Precision— Table 1 is based on a round-robin test
probability scale. Select the temperature scale so that it conducted in 1997 involving three materials and nine labora-
represents a minimum of two divisions for each degree. Draw tories. Each laboratory made two determinations on each
the best fitting straight line through these points. The tempera- material. This study has been submitted to ASTM to be filed as
ture indicated at the intersection of the data line with the 50 % a research report.
probability line shall be reported as the brittleness temperature, 14.1.1 Sr is the within-laboratory standard deviation of the
T b. Where there is a question of conformance to the relevant average; r = 2.8 Sr. (See 14.1.3 for application of r.)
material specification, the value obtained according to 12.1 14.1.2 SR is the between-laboratory standard deviation of
shall be accepted as the Tb value. the average; R = 2.8 SR. (See 14.1.4 for application of R.)
NOTE 10—The graphic method applied to the data from the example in 14.1.3 Repeatability— In comparing two test results for the
Note 9 is shown in Fig. 7. The brittleness temperature, Tb, estimated to the same material, obtained by the same operator using the same
nearest degree is −35°C. equipment on the same day, those test results should be judged
not equivalent if they differ by more than the r value for the
13. Report material and condition.
13.1 Report the following information: 14.1.4 Reproducibility— In comparing two test results for
13.1.1 Reference to this test method, the same material, obtained by different operators using differ-
13.1.2 Complete identification of the material tested, includ- ent equipment on different days, those test results should be
ing type, source, manufacturer’s code designation, form in judged not equivalent if they differ by more than the R value
which supplied, and previous history, for the material and condition. (This applies between different
laboratories or between different equipment within the same
laboratory.)
14.1.5 Any judgement in accordance with 14.1.3 and 14.1.4
will have an approximate 95 % (0.95) probability of being
correct.
14.2 Bias—There are no recognized standards on which to
base an estimate of bias for this test method.

15. Keywords
15.1 brittle failure; brittleness temperature; elastomer; im-
pact plastics

TABLE 1 Precision and Bias Data

Materials Average Sr SR r R
#1 Injection Molded PP −8.5 0.67 1.90 1.89 5.33
#2 Injection Molded PP −31.9 1.11 4.33 3.11 12.12
FIG. 7 Graphic Method for Determining the Tb Brittleness #3 Die Cut PE −35.1 2.22 9.03 6.22 25.28
Temperature

6
 D 746 – 98e1
APPENDIXES

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. STRIKER MECHANISM VELOCITY CALIBRATION FOR THE SOLENOID-ACTUATED BRITTLENESS TESTER

X1.1 Calibration is accomplished by measuring the height,

h, to which a steel ball, suspended on the striker mechanism of
the tester, rises after the striker has had its upward motion
halted by contact with a mechanical stop. The ball is acceler-
ated in such a manner that the law governing a freely falling
body applies. The velocity, v, of the striker is readily calculated
from the following expression:
v5=2gh

X1.2 Securing Ball Support—Remove either one of the

nuts that fasten the striking bar guide rods to the solenoid
armature yoke. Place the small hole of the ball support (Fig.
X1.1) over the guide rod and replace and secure the nut.
FIG. X1.2 Rubber Bumper
X1.3 Adjusting Stroke of Striker—Remove the metal guard
from around the solenoid. Spread open the rubber bumper (Fig. upward flight of the ball is independent of the mass of the ball.
X1.2) and insert it around the armature. Replace the solenoid However, if the mass is too large, the motion of the striker bar
guard. Insert a typical rubber or plastic specimen into the may be impeded.) Clamp a glass or clear plastic tube with a
specimen holder of the tester. Raise the striking mechanism by minimum inside diameter of 25.4 mm in a vertical position
hand until the end of the stroke is reached. It is essential that, directly over the ball. The tube should contain a scale divided
with the striking mechanism raised to its maximum height, the into 5-mm intervals. The zero position on the scale should be
striker bar of the tester be in contact with the specimen but that aligned with the top of the ball when the ball is at the top of the
the bar not be in the plane of the specimen. If the striker bar is stroke of the striker mechanism.
not in contact with the specimen, the rubber bumper must be
removed and replaced by a thinner bumper. Conversely, if the X1.5 Measurement and Calculation—With the tester
striker bar moves into the plane of the specimen, the bumper equipped as described above and devoid of test specimens and
must be replaced by a thicker one. immersion medium, fire the solenoid and read the ball height to
the closest 5 mm. Make at least five measurements. Average all
X1.4 Placement of Ball and Measuring Tube—Place a results and convert the average to metres. Determine the striker
19-mm diameter steel ball on the ball holder. (In theory, the velocity, v, from the following equation:
v 5 =2gh

where:
v = velocity, m/s,
g = 9.8 m/s2, and
h = average ball height, m.
NOTE X1.1—Calibration measurements should be made with the tester
supported on a nonresilient surface, such as a laboratory bench or concrete
floor. Resilient mountings tend to absorb some of the striker energy
FIG. X1.1 Ball Support causing low ball height values.

X2. STRIKER MECHANISM VELOCITY CALIBRATION FOR THE SOLENOID-ACTUATED BRITTLENESS TESTER
DURING ACTUAL TESTING

X2.1 With the tester equipped with ball support, ball, and determine the range in striker velocity, using the equation in
measuring tube (see Appendix X1), but without the rubber X1.5. This range is termed “range of velocity at the top of the
bumper (tester in normal operating condition) and devoid of stroke.”
test specimens and immersion medium, fire the solenoid and
read the ball height to the closest 5 mm. Make ten measure- X2.2 With the tester equipped as described in X2.1, but also
ments. From the lowest and highest ball height readings, with test specimen(s) and immersion medium, conduct the

7
 D 746 – 98e1
brittleness test as outlined in Section 10. Read the ball height velocity at the top of the stroke was found to be 2.5 to 2.7 m/s.
each time the solenoid is fired. Convert the ball height to This range becomes the acceptable range for this series of tests.
velocity as shown in X1.5. If the velocity lies within the The acceptable ranges should be established each time the
predetermined range of velocity at the top of the stroke, the test striker velocity at point of impact is determined (see Appendix
shall be considered valid. If the speed lies outside of the X1).
predetermined range, the test shall be invalid and should not be X2.3.3 Using the procedure of X2.2, with the tester con-
reported. Should successive tests be invalid, adjustments taining a test specimen(s) and immersion medium, the velocity
should be made to bring the velocity at the top of the stroke at the top of the stroke during the first solenoid firing was found
within the acceptable, predetermined range. This may be to be 2.5 m/s. This velocity was within the acceptable range
accomplished by reducing the number of specimens tested per and the test was valid.
impact or by changing from Type A to Type B specimens.
X2.3.4 The velocity at the top of the stroke during the
X2.3 The following example typifies the entire velocity second and third solenoid firings were found to be 2.4 and 2.3
calibration procedure for solenoid-actuated testers: m/s, respectively. These velocities are outside of the acceptable
X2.3.1 Using the procedure of Appendix X1, the striker range and both tests are invalid.
velocity at point of impact of a tester devoid of test specimens X2.3.5 Adjustments were made to increase the velocity at
and immersion medium was found to be 1.9 m/s. This velocity the top of the stroke, using the procedures given in X2.2.
is within the specified limits of 5.1.1. X2.3.6 The speeds at the top of the stroke during the fourth
X2.3.2 Using the procedure of X2.1, with the tester devoid and all subsequent solenoid firings were found to lie between
of test specimens and immersion medium, the range of striker 2.5 and 2.7 m/s. The results of all these tests were valid.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee D-20 has identified the location of selected changes to this test method since the last issue that may
impact the use of this test method.

D 746 – 98: (3) Paragraph 10.6 was revised to allow specimens to warm up
(1) Section 14 was revised to include Precision and Bias before inspecting them for cracks.
statements as a result of an interlaboratory study.
(2) Note 9 was revised to change the recommended clamping
torque.

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