ASTM F739-99a
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Resistance of Protective Clothing Materials to Permeation by Liquids or Gases Under Conditions of Continuous Contact
Standard Test Method for Resistance of Protective Clothing Materials to Permeation by Liquids or Gases Under Conditions of Continuous Contact
SCOPE
1.1 This test method measures the resistance of protective clothing materials to permeation by liquid or gaseous chemicals under the condition of continuous contact.
1.1.1 Procedure A -For use when the test chemical is a liquid that is either volatile or soluble in water.
1.1.2 Procedure B -For use when the test chemical is a gas.
1.2 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. Specific precautionary statements are given in Section 7.
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Designation:F 739–99a
Standard Test Method for
Resistance of Protective Clothing Materials to Permeation
by Liquids or Gases Under Conditions of Continuous
Contact
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 739; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
Workers involved in the production, use, and transportation of liquid and gaseous chemicals can be
exposed to numerous compounds capable of causing harm upon contact with the human body. The
deleterious effects of these chemicals can range from acute trauma such as skin irritation and burn, to
chronicdegenerativediseasesuchascancer.Sinceengineeringcontrolsmaynoteliminateallpossible
exposures, attention is often placed on reducing the potential for direct skin contact through the use
of protective clothing that resists permeation, penetration, and degradation.
Thistestmethodisusedtomeasuretheresistancetopermeationundertheconditionsofcontinuous
contact of the clothing material by the test chemical. Resistance to permeation under the condition of
intermittent contact with the test chemical should be determined by Test Method F1383. Resistance
to penetration should be determined by Test Method F903. Procedures for measuring the effects of
liquid chemicals on the physical properties (that is, degradation) of rubbers, plastics, and coated
fabrics are found in Test Method D471, Test Method D543, and Test Method D751, respectively.
1. Scope to Chemical Reagents
D751 Test Methods for Coated Fabrics
1.1 This test method measures the resistance of protective
E105 Practice for Probability Sampling of Materials
clothing materials to permeation by liquid or gaseous chemi-
E171 Specification for Standard Atmospheres for Condi-
cals under the condition of continuous contact.
tioning and Testing Flexible Barrier Materials
1.1.1 Procedure A—For use when the test chemical is a
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
liquid that is either volatile or soluble in water.
ASTM Test Methods
1.1.2 Procedure B—Forusewhenthetestchemicalisagas.
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
F903 Test Method for Resistance of Materials Used In
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Protective Clothing Materials to Penetration by Liquids
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
F1001 Guide for Selection of Chemicals to Evaluate Pro-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precau-
tective Clothing Materials
tionary statements are given in Section 7.
F1194 Guide for Documenting the Results of Chemical
2. Referenced Documents PermeationTesting on Materials Used In Protective Cloth-
ing Materials
2.1 ASTM Standards:
F1383 Test Method for Resistance of Protective Clothing
D471 Test Method for Rubber Property—Effect of Liq-
Materials to Permeation by Liquids or Gases Under Con-
uids
ditions of Intermittent Contact
D543 TestMethodforEvaluatingtheResistanceofPlastics
2.2 Federal Standard:
Fed. Std. No. 191, Method 5030.2 Measurement of the
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F23 on
Protective Clothing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F23.30 on
Chemical Resistance. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01.
Current edition approved June 10, 1999. Published August 1999. Originally Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 09.02.
published as F739–81. Last previous edition F739–99. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
2 6
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 09.01. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.09.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.03.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
F 739–99a
FIG. 1 ASTM Permeation Test Cell
Thickness of Materials 3.1.6 minimum detectable mass permeated, n—the smallest
mass of permeant that is detectable with the complete perme-
3. Terminology
ation test system.
3.1 Definitions:
DISCUSSION—This value is not necessarily the sensitivity of
3.1.1 analytical technique, n—a procedure whereby the
the analytical instrument.
concentration of the test chemical in a collection medium is
3.1.7 minimum detectable permeation rate, n—the lowest
quantitatively determined.
rate of permeation that is measurable with the complete
DISCUSSION—These procedures are often specific to indi-
permeation test system.
vidual chemical and collection medium combinations. Appli-
DISCUSSION—This value is not necessarily the sensitivity of
cable techniques include UV (ultraviolet) and IR (infrared)
the analytical instrument.
spectrophotometry, gas and liquid chromatography, colorim-
3.1.8 normalized breakthrough detection time, n—in an
etry, length-of-stain detector tubes, and radionuclide tagging/
detection counting. open-loop test, the time at which the permeation rate reaches
3.1.2 breakthrough detection time, n—the elapsed time 0.1 µg/cm /min. In a closed-loop test, the time at which the
measured from the start of the test to the sampling time that
mass of chemical permeated reaches 0.25 µg/cm .
immediately precedes the sampling time at which the test
3.1.9 open loop, adj—refers to a testing mode in which
chemical is first detected (see Fig. 5).
fresh collection medium flows continuously through the col-
DISCUSSION—The breakthrough detection time is dependent
lection chamber of the test cell.
on the sensitivity of the method (see Appendix X1).
3.1.10 penetration, n—in a protective clothing material or
3.1.3 closed-loop, adj—refers to a testing mode in which
item, the process by which a solid, liquid, or gas moves
the collection medium volume is fixed.
through closures, seams, interstices, and pinholes or other
3.1.4 collection medium, n—a liquid or gas that does not
imperfections on a nonmolecular level.
affect the measured permeation and in which the test chemical
is freely soluble or adsorbed to a saturation concentration 3.1.11 permeation, n—the process by which a chemical
greater than 0.5 weight or volume percent. moves through a protective clothing material on a molecular
3.1.5 degradation, n—a deleterious change in one or more
level.
properties of a material.
DISCUSSION—Permeationinvolvesthefollowing:(1)sorption
of molecules of the chemical into the contacted (challenge
side) surface of the material, (2) diffusion of the sorbed
8 molecules in the material, and (3) desorption of the molecules
AvailablefromStandardizationDocumentsOrderDesk,Bldg.4SectionD,700
Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS. from the opposite (collection side) surface of the material.
F 739–99a
FIG. 2 Example Set-up for Continuous Collecting Medium Sample Withdrawal, Analysis, and Return
FIG. 3 Example Set-up for Continuous Flow of Fresh Collecting Medium
3.1.12 protective clothing material, n—any material or 4.2 In the permeation test apparatus, the protective clothing
combination of materials used in an item of clothing for the
material specimen partitions the test chemical from the collec-
purpose of isolating parts of the body from a potential hazard.
tion medium.
DISCUSSION—In this test method the particular hazard is
4.2.1 Thecollectionmedium,whichmaybeliquidorgas,is
permeation of a hazardous chemical.
analyzed quantitatively for its concentration of the chemical
3.1.13 steady-state permeation, n—the constant rate of
andtherebytheamountofthatchemicalthathaspermeatedthe
permeation that occurs after breakthrough when the chemical
barrier as a function of time after its initial contact with the
contact is continuous and all forces affecting permeation have
material.
reached equilibrium.
4.2.2 By either graphical representation or appropriate cal-
3.1.14 test chemical, n—the liquid or gas that is used to
culations,orboth,thebreakthroughdetectiontime,normalized
challenge the protective clothing material specimen.
breakthroughdetectiontime,andthepermeationrateofthetest
DISCUSSION—The liquid or gas may be either one component
chemical are determined.
(for example, a neat liquid or gas) or have several components
(for example, a mixture).
5. Significance and Use
4. Summary of Test Method
5.1 This test method is normally used to evaluate flat
4.1 The resistance of a protective clothing material to
specimens from finished items of protective clothing and from
permeation by a test chemical is assessed by measuring the
materials that are candidates for items of protective clothing.
breakthrough detection time, normalized breakthrough detec-
tion time, and subsequent permeation rate through replicate 5.1.1 Finished items of protective clothing include gloves,
specimens of the material. arm shields, aprons, suits, hats, boots, respirators, and the like.
F 739–99a
FIG. 5 The Breakthrough Detection Time for a method sensitivity
of 0.05 µg/cm /min is 23 minutes. The Normalized Breakthrough
Detection Time is 33 minutes. The Steady State Permeation Rate
is approximately 0.15 µg/cm /min.
protection from hazardous chemicals. Long breakthrough de-
tectiontimesandnormalizedbreakthroughdetectiontimesand
low permeation rates are characteristics of better barriers.
NOTE 1—At present, no quantitative information exists about accept-
able levels of dermal contact. Therefore, the data obtained using this test
method cannot be used to infer safe exposure levels.
5.3 The sensitivity of the test method in detecting low
permeation rates or amounts of the test chemical that permeate
is determined by the combination of the analytical technique
and collection system selected, and the ratio of material
specimen area to collection medium volume or flow rate.
5.3.1 A sensitive analytical technique permits quantitative
NOTE—Fig. 4 shows five types of permeation behavior. Type A, the
detection of the test chemical in the collection medium at
mosttypical,wherethepermeationratestabilizesata“steadystate”value.
concentrations as low as parts per billion.
Type B behavior is due to the material specimen being structurally
5.3.2 Higher ratios of material specimen area to collection
modified by the chemical resulting in an increase or decrease in perme-
ation rate. Type C behavior occurs when the material specimen exhibits a medium volume or flow rate permit earlier detection of
sudden, very large increase in rate. Type D response happens when there
breakthrough and detection of lower permeation rates because
is moderate to heavy swelling of the material specimen although the
higher concentrations of the test chemical in the collection
permeation rate eventually stabilizes. Type E response can occur when
medium will develop in a given time period, relative to those
there is a high degree of swelling.
that would occur at lower ratios.
(Reprinted with permission by American Industrial Hygiene Associa-
tion Journal Vol 42:217–225 (1981).) 5.4 Comparison of results requires specific information on
FIG. 4 Five Types of Permeation Behavior
the test cell, procedures, and analytical techniques. Results
obtained from closed-loop and open-loop testing may not be
directly comparable.
5.1.2 The phrase “specimens from finished items” encom-
5.4.1 The sensitivity of an open-loop system is character-
passes seamed or other discontinuous regions as well as the
ized by its minimum detectable permeation rate.Amethod for
usual continuous regions of protective clothing items.
determining this value is presented in Appendix X1.
5.2 The breakthrough detection time, normalized break-
5.4.2 The sensitivity of a closed-loop system is character-
through time, and permeation rate are key measures of the
ized by its minimum detectable mass permeated.
effectiveness of a clothing material as a barrier to the test
chemical. Such information is used in the comparison of 5.5 A group of chemicals for use in permeation testing is
clothing materials during the process of selecting clothing for given in Guide F1001.
F 739–99a
6. Apparatus 6.4 Alternative Test Cell, alternative test cells for conduct-
ing permeation determinations may be used, provided that the
6.1 Thickness Gauge, suitable for measuring thicknesses to
results are reported as prescribed in Section 13. The cells
the nearest 0.02 mm (or the nearest 0.001 in.), as specified in
described above and shown in Fig. 1, however, are the
Fed. Std. No. 191 Method 5030.2, shall be used to determine
standards.
the thickness of each protective clothing material specimen
6.5 Constant Temperature Chamber or Bath, used to main-
tested.
tain the test cell within 61.0°C of the test temperature.
6.2 Analytical Balance, readable and reproducible to 60.5
mg,shallbeusedtodetermineweightperunitareaofeachtest
7. Safety Precautions
specimen.
7.1 Before carrying out this test method, safety precautions
6.3 Test Cell,thetestapparatusconsistsofatwo-chambered
recommendedforhandlinganypotentiallyhazardouschemical
cell for contacting the specimen with the test chemical on the
should be identified and reviewed to provide full protection to
specimen’s normally outside surface and with a collection
all personnel.
medium on the specimen’s normally inside surface.
9 7.1.1 For carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic, and other
6.3.1 LiquidTestChemical,thetestcell, asshowninFig.1,
toxic (poisonous) chemicals, the work area should be isolated,
is constructed of two sections of straight glass pipe, each
10 well-ventilated, and meticulously clean. Involved personnel
nominally sized to a 51-mm (2.0-in.) diameter. Materials
should be outfitted with protective clothing and equipment.
otherthanglassmaybeused.Suchmaterialswouldberequired
7.1.2 For corrosive or otherwise hazardous chemicals, in-
for tests involving chemicals (for example, hydrofluoric acid)
volved personnel should, as a minimum, be outfitted with
which are incompatible with glass. The section that is desig-
protective clothing and equipment.
natedtocontainthetestchemicalis22mm(0.85in.)inlength.
7.2 Emergency equipment, such as a safety shower, eye
The second section, which is designated to contain the collec-
wash,andself-containedbreathingapparatus,shouldbereadily
tion medium, is 35 mm (1.4 in.) or less in length as described
accessible from the test area.
in 6.3.1.5.
7.3 Appropriateproceduresforthedisposalofthechemicals
6.3.1.1 One end of each glass s
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