ASTM D4078-02(2021)
(Specification)Standard Specification for Water Emulsion Floor Polish
Standard Specification for Water Emulsion Floor Polish
ABSTRACT
This specification covers floor polish intended for use on all nonwood floors and on sealed-wood floors. The polish shall be tested for its nonvolatile contents, presence of sediment, pH, accelerated aging, freeze/thaw resistance, recoatbility, water-spotting, detergent resistance, resistance to soiling, powdering, and coefficient of friction.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers floor polish intended for use on all nonwood floors and on sealed-wood floors.
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.3 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
- 28-Feb-2021
- Technical Committee
- D21 - Polishes
- Drafting Committee
- D21.05 - Specifications
Relations
- Effective Date
- 01-Jan-2024
- Effective Date
- 01-Dec-2023
- Effective Date
- 01-Dec-2023
- Effective Date
- 01-Dec-2023
- Effective Date
- 01-Dec-2023
- Effective Date
- 01-Dec-2023
- Effective Date
- 01-Nov-2017
- Effective Date
- 01-Mar-2017
- Effective Date
- 01-Mar-2017
- Effective Date
- 01-Mar-2017
- Effective Date
- 01-Mar-2017
- Effective Date
- 01-Mar-2017
- Effective Date
- 01-Mar-2017
- Effective Date
- 01-Oct-2016
- Refers
ASTM D1455-87(2015) - Standard Test Method for 60° Specular Gloss of Emulsion Floor Polish - Effective Date
- 01-Nov-2015
Overview
ASTM D4078-02(2021) – Standard Specification for Water Emulsion Floor Polish sets performance requirements and test methods for water emulsion floor polish intended for use on all nonwood floors, as well as on sealed-wood floors. Published by ASTM International, this standard provides guidance to manufacturers, suppliers, and end users in selecting and evaluating floor care products that deliver consistent quality, safety, and performance. The document supports regulatory compliance and quality assurance by referencing internationally recognized test procedures relevant to floor polish products.
Key Topics
- Scope and Applicability: The standard addresses water emulsion floor polishes suitable for various floor types, including both nonwood and sealed-wood flooring.
- Product Quality Attributes: Specifies key requirements, such as:
- Nonvolatile content (total solids)
- Acceptable levels of sediment
- pH (maximum of 10.0)
- Visual and measured gloss
- Color and odor restrictions
- Performance and Stability Testing: Outlines procedures for evaluating:
- Accelerated aging and heat resistance
- Freeze/thaw stability
- Water-spot resistance
- Detergent resistance (optional but available for designated products)
- Recoatability and powdering
- Soil resistance and removability
- Static coefficient of friction (minimum 0.5 for safety)
- Referenced Standards: Incorporates a range of ASTM test methods, ensuring standardized evaluation of product attributes.
Applications
Water emulsion floor polishes specified by ASTM D4078-02(2021) are used extensively in commercial, institutional, and residential settings to improve the appearance, durability, and safety of various types of flooring. Common applications include:
- Facility Maintenance: In schools, hospitals, offices, and public buildings, consistent product quality is essential for facility managers overseeing cleaning and maintenance.
- Product Development and Quality Assurance: Manufacturers utilize this specification to meet customer and regulatory expectations for performance, including durability, recoatability, and resistance to soiling or chemical cleaners.
- Procurement and Compliance: Establishes measurable benchmarks for buyers and specifiers, ensuring that supplied products conform to agreed-upon performance characteristics.
- Safety and Slip Resistance: Mandated coefficient of friction promotes safer walking surfaces, particularly vital in high-traffic or sensitive environments.
- International Trade: As the standard aligns with World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) guidelines, it supports harmonized product acceptance in global markets.
Related Standards
ASTM D4078-02(2021) references several related ASTM standards critical for comprehensive testing and evaluation of water emulsion floor polishes, including:
- ASTM D1290 – Test Method for Sediment in Water-Emulsion Polishes by Centrifuge
- ASTM D1455 – Test Method for 60° Specular Gloss of Emulsion Floor Polish
- ASTM D1791 – Accelerated Aging of Liquid Water-Emulsion Floor Polishes
- ASTM D2047 – Static Coefficient of Friction of Polish-Coated Flooring Surfaces
- ASTM D3153, D3206, D3207, D3209, D3210 – Methods for evaluation of recoatability, soil resistance, detergent resistance, freeze/thaw resistance, and color
- ASTM E70 – Test Method for pH of Aqueous Solutions
Adhering to ASTM D4078-02(2021) helps ensure floor polish products consistently meet performance, safety, and appearance standards, supporting lasting floor care solutions across diverse industries.
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Frequently Asked Questions
ASTM D4078-02(2021) is a technical specification published by ASTM International. Its full title is "Standard Specification for Water Emulsion Floor Polish". This standard covers: ABSTRACT This specification covers floor polish intended for use on all nonwood floors and on sealed-wood floors. The polish shall be tested for its nonvolatile contents, presence of sediment, pH, accelerated aging, freeze/thaw resistance, recoatbility, water-spotting, detergent resistance, resistance to soiling, powdering, and coefficient of friction. SCOPE 1.1 This specification covers floor polish intended for use on all nonwood floors and on sealed-wood floors. 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.3 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.
ABSTRACT This specification covers floor polish intended for use on all nonwood floors and on sealed-wood floors. The polish shall be tested for its nonvolatile contents, presence of sediment, pH, accelerated aging, freeze/thaw resistance, recoatbility, water-spotting, detergent resistance, resistance to soiling, powdering, and coefficient of friction. SCOPE 1.1 This specification covers floor polish intended for use on all nonwood floors and on sealed-wood floors. 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.3 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.
ASTM D4078-02(2021) is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 71.100.99 - Other products of the chemical industry. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
ASTM D4078-02(2021) has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ASTM E70-24, ASTM D1793-23, ASTM D3052-23, ASTM D3206-23, ASTM D2048-23, ASTM D3153-23, ASTM D2047-17, ASTM D1793-17, ASTM D3206-17, ASTM D3207-17, ASTM D3153-17, ASTM D2048-17, ASTM D3052-17, ASTM D3207-92(2016), ASTM D1455-87(2015). Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
ASTM D4078-02(2021) is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
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: D4078 −02 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Specification for
Water Emulsion Floor Polish
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4078; 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 D3153 Test Method for Recoatability of Water-Emulsion
Floor Polishes
1.1 Thisspecificationcoversfloorpolishintendedforuseon
D3206 Test Method for Soil Resistance of Floor Polishes
all nonwood floors and on sealed-wood floors.
D3207 Test Method for Detergent Resistance of Floor Polish
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Films
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
D3209 Test Method for Freeze/Thaw Resistance of Polymer
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Floor Polishes
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
D3210 Test Method for Comparing Colors of Films from
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Water-Emulsion Floor Polishes
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
E70 Test Method for pH of Aqueous Solutions With the
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
Glass Electrode
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3. Requirements
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3.1 Nonvolatile Content (Total Solids)—The nonvolatile
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
content shall be agreed upon between the purchaser and seller,
2. Referenced Documents
and shall be determined by Test Method D2834.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.2 Sediment—Any sediment present in the product shall be
D1290 Test Method for Sediment in Water-Emulsion Pol-
soft and free of grit. The amount of sediment shall not exceed
ishes by Centrifuge
0.2 % when tested as specified in Test Method D1290.
D1455 Test Method for 60° Specular Gloss of Emulsion
3.3 pH—The pH of the product shall not be greater than
Floor Polish
10.0 when tested as specified in Test Method E70.
D1791 Test Method for Accelerated Aging of Liquid Water-
Emulsion Floor Polishes
3.4 Stability:
D1792 Test Method for Long-Term Removability Properties
3.4.1 Heat (Accelerated Aging)—When tested as specified
of Emulsion Floor Polishes
in Test Method D1791, the product shall develop no offensive
D1793 Test Method for Water Spotting of Emulsion Floor
odor, exhibit minimum creaming, gelling, or separation, and
Polishes
display less than 10 % loss of 60 ° specular gloss when tested
D2047 Test Method for Static Coefficient of Friction of
as specified in Test Method D1455.
Polish-Coated Flooring Surfaces as Measured by the
3.4.2 Freeze/Thaw Resistance—When tested as specified in
James Machine
Test Method D3209, the product shall exhibit minimum
D2048 Test Method for Powdering of Floor Polish Films
creaming, gelling, or separation, and display less than 10 %
D2834 Test Method for Nonvolatile Matter (Total Solids) in
loss of 60 ° specular gloss when tested as specified in Test
Water-Emulsion Floor Polishes, Solvent-Based Floor
Method D1455.
Polishes, and Polymer-Emulsion Floor Polishes
3.5 Color—Color, as expressed by the whiteness index,
D3052 Practice for Rating Water-Emulsion Floor Polishes
shall be measured as specified in Method D3210. The product
shall be equivalent or have less discoloring effect when
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D21 on
compared to the control floor polish specified in 3.15.
Polishes and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D21.05 on Specifications.
Current edition approved March 1, 2021. Published March 2021. Originally
3.6 Odor—The product shall have no offensive odor.
approved in 1981. Last previous
...




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