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    ASTM D542 - 14

    Standard Test Method for Index of Refraction of Transparent Organic Plastics

    Active Standard ASTM D542 | Developed by Subcommittee: D20.40

    Book of Standards Volume: 08.01

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    Significance and Use

    4.1 This test method measures a fundamental property of matter which is useful for the control of purity and composition for simple identification purposes, and for optical parts design. This test method is capable of readability to four figures to the right of the decimal point.

    1. Scope

    1.1 This test method covers a procedure for measuring the index of refraction of transparent organic plastic materials.

    1.2 A refractometer method is presented. This procedure will satisfactorily cover the range of refractive indices found for such materials. Refractive index measurements require optically homogeneous specimens of uniform refractive index.

    Note 1—This test method and ISO 489 are technically equivalent.

    1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.


    2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

    ASTM Standards

    C162 Terminology of Glass and Glass Products

    D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing

    D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics

    E284 Terminology of Appearance

    E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method

    ISO Standard

    ISO 489 Determination of the Refractive Index of Transparent Plastics--Part A Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.

    ICS Code

    ICS Number Code 83.080.01 (Plastics in general)

    UNSPSC Code

    UNSPSC Code

    Referencing This Standard
    Link Here
    Link to Active (This link will always route to the current Active version of the standard.)

    DOI: 10.1520/D0542

    Citation Format

    ASTM D542-14, Standard Test Method for Index of Refraction of Transparent Organic Plastics, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2014, www.astm.org

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