ASTM C735-04(2019)

Standard Test Method for Acid Resistance of Ceramic Decorations on Returnable Beer and Beverage Glass Containers

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This test method evaluates the quality and serviceability of ceramic decorations on returnable beer and beverage containers.  
4.2 This test method is also suitable for specification acceptance. Its significance is that bottles with good acid resistance coatings have longer service life.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers qualitative determination of the acid resistance of ceramic decorations on returnable beer and beverage containers, to assure the necessary durability of the decoration.  
1.2 This test provides an indication of performance when and if the decoration is to be exposed to the acid solutions used in reclaiming bottles, and it also covers those instances where the beverages themselves have acidic properties.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.4 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Jan-2019
• ICS: 97.040.60 - Cookware, cutlery and flatware
• Technical Committee: C14 - Glass and Glass Products
• Drafting Committee: C14.10 - Glass Decoration

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM C735-04(2014) - Standard Test Method for Acid Resistance of Ceramic Decorations on Returnable Beer and Beverage Glass Containers
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2019
• Refers: ASTM C224-78(2020) - Standard Practice for Sampling Glass Containers
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2020
• Refers: ASTM C224-78(2014) - Standard Practice for Sampling Glass Containers
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2014
• Refers: ASTM C224-78(2009) - Standard Practice for Sampling Glass Containers
• Effective Date: 01-May-2009
• Refers: ASTM C224-78(2004)e1 - Standard Practice for Sampling Glass Containers
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004
• Refers: ASTM C224-78(1999) - Standard Practice for Sampling Glass Containers
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1999

Overview

ASTM C735-04(2019): Standard Test Method for Acid Resistance of Ceramic Decorations on Returnable Beer and Beverage Glass Containers provides a recognized method for evaluating the durability and quality of ceramic decorations on returnable glass bottles used in beer and beverage industries. Developed by ASTM International, this standard ensures that decorated containers meet performance expectations, particularly regarding their resistance to acidic environments encountered during cleaning and in contact with acidic beverages. The method is vital for confirming the service life and reusability of glass containers with decorated surfaces.

Key Topics

• Acid Resistance Assessment: The main focus of ASTM C735 is the qualitative determination of the acid resistance of ceramic decorations. This supports decision-making for both product design and quality assurance.
• Test Procedure: The test immerses half of the decorated area of a glass container into a hydrochloric acid solution, simulating conditions encountered during both commercial cleaning cycles and beverage storage. Visual comparison to a non-exposed reference specimen allows assessment of acid attack and grading of durability.
• Grading System: Results are classified in a multi-point grading scale, ranging from no visible attack, through various levels of discoloration and staining, to complete removal of the decoration. This provides a practical method for manufacturers and quality auditors.
• Specification and Acceptance: This method is suitable for use in specification compliance and acceptance testing for vendors and bottlers, ensuring that only durable, high-quality decorated containers enter into service.

Applications

• Quality Control in Manufacturing: Glass manufacturers and decorators use ASTM C735 to verify that production batches meet required durability standards. This reduces the risk of premature decoration failure and associated costs.
• Supplier Verification: Beverage companies and bottlers apply this method during supplier audits to ensure their products withstand cleaning cycles and product environments, especially in returnable and refillable systems.
• Regulatory and Contract Compliance: The test method assists in meeting local or international regulatory requirements regarding packaging durability and in fulfilling contractual quality obligations.
• Product Development: Research and development teams utilize ASTM C735 to test new decorating materials or processes, allowing rapid iteration and comparison before full-scale production.

Related Standards

• ASTM C224 - Practice for Sampling Glass Containers: Describes proper sampling methods for glass containers before testing, ensuring representative assessment across production lots.
• Other ASTM Glass Decoration and Quality Standards: Include additional protocols for testing abrasion resistance, color fastness, and glass integrity.
• International Standardization Principles: ASTM C735 is developed in accordance with guidelines set by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee, ensuring broad acceptability and harmonization with international trade practices.

Practical Value

By implementing ASTM C735-04(2019), manufacturers, decorators, and bottlers benefit from:

• Extended container lifetime and improved sustainability by ensuring reusability
• Enhanced product quality and brand reputation through durable decorative finishes
• Reduced rework and waste through early identification of substandard batches
• Reliable, standardized assessment criteria facilitating international trade and supplier comparisons

Use of this standard is essential for any organization engaged in the design, manufacture, or use of decorated, returnable beer and beverage glass containers requiring verified acid resistance.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: C735 − 04 (Reapproved 2019)
Standard Test Method for
Acid Resistance of Ceramic Decorations on Returnable Beer
and Beverage Glass Containers
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C735; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 4. Significance and Use
1.1 This test method covers qualitative determination of the 4.1 This test method evaluates the quality and serviceability
acid resistance of ceramic decorations on returnable beer and of ceramic decorations on returnable beer and beverage con-
beverage containers, to assure the necessary durability of the tainers.
decoration.
4.2 This test method is also suitable for specification accep-
1.2 This test provides an indication of performance when tance. Its significance is that bottles with good acid resistance
and if the decoration is to be exposed to the acid solutions used coatings have longer service life.
in reclaiming bottles, and it also covers those instances where
5. Reagent
the beverages themselves have acidic properties.
5.1 Hydrochloric Acid (27+73)—Dilute 27 volumes of
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
concentrated hydrochloric acid (HCl, sp gr 1.19) with 73
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
volumes of distilled water. This will produce nominal 11.5
standard.
weight % HCl. The volume of the solution may be varied as
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
needed.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
6. Test Specimen
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
6.1 The decorated ware should be representative of the lot,
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
or run, and should be taken in accordance with the principles
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
stated in Practice C224.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
7. Procedure
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
7.1 Pour the HCl (27 + 73) into a beaker large enough to
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
accept all of the test specimen and the reference sample. Keep
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
this solution at room temperature (25 6 5°C).
2. Referenced Documents
7.2 Place the test specimen into the HCl so that approxi-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
mately one half of the label is immersed, and cover the beaker.
C224 Practice for Sampling Glass Containers
7.3 Remove the specimen from the HCl after 20 min. Rinse
3. Summary of Test Method with water and dry.
3.1 This test method is a qualitative method which deter- 7.4 Record the temperature of the HCl at both the beginning
mines by visual inspection the degree of attack of a nominal and the end of the test period.
10 % hydrochloric acid solution on the ceramic decoration.
7.5 Retain a duplicate piece of ware with each decoration
under test, without exposure to HCl as an aid in judging the
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C14 on Glass
degree of chemical attack on the specimens under test.
and Glass Products and is the direct responsibility of
...