1.1 This test method describes a standard procedure for determining the average viscometric degree of polymerization (abbreviated ) of new or aged electrical papers. The determination is made by measuring the intrinsic viscosity of a solution of the paper in an appropriate solvent.

1.2 The degree of polymerization (or the degree of condensation) of a particular cellulose molecule is the number of anhydro-β-glucose monomers, C₆H₁₀O₅, in the cellulose molecule. Within a sample of paper, not all the cellulose molecules have the same degree of polymerization so that the mean value measured by viscometric methods is not necessarily the same as that which are obtained by other methods.

1.3 This standard may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. 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 to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. See Section 9