3 Considerations for the ASTM D5511 Test

The ASTM D5511 test is used to determine the anaerobic biodegradability of plastic materials under high-solids anaerobic-digestion conditions. It measures the conversion of carbon in the sample to carbon in the gaseous form to determine the degree and rate of your polymer’s biodegradation. While this test is great for assessing the biodegradability of your products in high-solids anaerobic digestors, there are a few considerations to make. 

While the ASTM D5511 Test is Applicable to a Wide Range of Plastics, There are Limitations

This biodegradability test is designed for many plastic materials, however, there are a few polymers that are not compatible with this test. Plastic materials that are inhibitory to the microorganisms present in anaerobic digesters operating on household waste. If you are unsure if your plastics meet this criteria, reach out to our team and we can help you determine if the ASTM D5511 is the right test for your needs.

You Will Receive a Few Numerical Values to Determine the Biodegradability of Your Polymer to Assist with Product Development

Once the ASTM D5511 test is complete, you will receive your biodegradation report. In this report, you will receive three pieces of information: the degree of biodegradation, biogas production rate, and a comparative analysis. 

The degree of biodegradation will be presented as a percentage. The amount of biodegradation that occurred will be compared to the theoretical maximum to obtain this percentage. Biogas production rate can determine the rate at which the product undergoes biodegradation under these anaerobic conditions. Finally, your results will be compared to the control material to determine the relative biodegradability of the test specimen.   

These results will help you determine the behavior of your products at their end-of-life stage. It can also give you the information you need to pursue additional biodegradability testing or make certain changes to your product to improve its biodegradability. 

ASTM D5511 Indicates the Biodegradability of Your Polymers Over a Range of Time

The ASTM D5511 test lasts between 15 to 30 days, but can be extended if there is still significant biodegradation occurring, and provides you with accurate information regarding the biodegradability of your polymers. This gives you the information you need to make any changes before going through testing again, or it allows you to substantiate your marketing claims as quickly as possible. Plus, the environment simulated in the test is very similar to waste conditions in real-world scenarios, giving you peace of mind knowing exactly how your products will behave.

How Aropha Can Help Streamline Your ASTM D5511 Testing 

At Aropha, our goal is to make sure biodegradability testing is readily available and affordable for all companies. To make this happen, our team offers a digital twin simulation platform so you can accurately simulate any of the biodegradability tests we offer in the lab. This allows you to simulate your initial screening testing, saving you time and money. 

Once you have the results of your simulated initial screening tests, you can send your samples to us to start your ASTM D5511 testing right away. This ensures that you have a swift feedback loop so you can make formulation adjustments, achieve ideal test results, and commercialize your product quickly.

Additionally, if you do decide you want to pursue more testing, our team offers a wide range of biodegradability testing for your products. We have the ability to test the biodegradability, ecotoxicity, and compostability of your plastic products in a variety of environments, such as soil, marine, and other environments. These tests will allow you to know exactly how your products behave at the end of their lifecycle in each individual environment. If you have any questions regarding which tests may be best for you, we can also help you make those decisions. 

Interested in Biodegradability Testing for Your Plastic Products? Contact Aropha Today 

With our wide range of biodegradability testing offerings and our digital twin simulation platform, we can meet all of your biodegradability testing needs in the timeline you want. To experience our accurate, streamlined biodegradability testing, contact our team today.