ASTM D6662-17

Standard Specification for Polyolefin-Based Plastic Lumber Decking Boards

ABSTRACT
This specification covers polyolefin-based plastic lumber products for use as exterior residential decking boards. Plastic lumber products are currently made predominantly with recycled polyolefin plastics (in particular high-density polyethylene) where the products are more or less non-homogenous in the cross-section. However, this specification is also potentially applicable to similar manufactured plastic products made from other plastic and plastic composite materials that have non-homogenous cross-sections. Performance requirements to which the products should adhere to are flexural properties (allowable flexural stress, and effective modulus of elasticity and adjustment for creep), dimensional stability during thermal expansion, weatherability (surface appearance and flexural property changes, and hygrothermal cycling), fire properties, and slip resistance. Also detailed here is a procedure to calculate recommended span lengths for spacing of support joists.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers polyolefin-based plastic lumber products for use as exterior residential decking boards.  
1.2 Plastic lumber products are currently made predominantly with recycled polyolefin plastics (in particular high-density polyethylene) where the products are more or less non-homogenous in the cross-section. However, this specification is also potentially applicable to similar manufactured plastic products made from other plastic and plastic composite materials that have non-homogenous cross-sections.  
1.3 This specification details a procedure to calculate recommended span lengths for spacing of support joists. This procedure was developed using experimental data from a typical unreinforced plastic lumber made predominantly from recycled high-density polyethylene. The methodology to develop span lengths for other types and compositions of plastic lumber is detailed in Appendix X1 of this standard.  
1.4 The values are stated in inch-pound units, as these are currently the most common units used by the construction industry. Equivalent SI units are indicated in parentheses. However, the units stated for irradiance exposure in the weatherability section (6.3) are in SI units as these are the units commonly used for testing of this type.  
1.5 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.
Note 1: There is no similar or equivalent ISO Standard.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 28-Feb-2017
• ICS: 91.100.99 - Other construction materials
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.20 - Plastic Lumber

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:D6662 −17
Standard Specification for
1
Polyolefin-Based Plastic Lumber Decking Boards
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6662; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
2
1. Scope* 2.2 ASTM Standards:
D883Terminology Relating to Plastics
1.1 This specification covers polyolefin-based plastic lum-
D2565Practice for Xenon-Arc Exposure of Plastics In-
ber products for use as exterior residential decking boards.
tended for Outdoor Applications
D2915Practice for Sampling and Data-Analysis for Struc-
1.2 Plastic lumber products are currently made predomi-
tural Wood and Wood-Based Products
nantly with recycled polyolefin plastics (in particular high-
D4329Practice for Fluorescent Ultraviolet (UV) Lamp Ap-
density polyethylene) where the products are more or less
paratus Exposure of Plastics
non-homogenous in the cross-section. However, this specifica-
D5033GuideforDevelopmentofASTMStandardsRelating
tion is also potentially applicable to similar manufactured
to Recycling and Use of Recycled Plastics (Withdrawn
plastic products made from other plastic and plastic composite
3
2007)
materials that have non-homogenous cross-sections.
D6109TestMethodsforFlexuralPropertiesofUnreinforced
1.3 This specification details a procedure to calculate rec-
and Reinforced Plastic Lumber and Related Products
ommended span lengths for spacing of support joists. This
D6112Test Methods for Compressive and Flexural Creep
procedure was developed using experimental data from a
and Creep-Rupture of Plastic Lumber and Shapes
typical unreinforced plastic lumber made predominantly from
D6341Test Method for Determination of the Linear Coef-
recycled high-density polyethylene. The methodology to de-
ficient of Thermal Expansion of Plastic Lumber and
velop span lengths for other types and compositions of plastic
Plastic Lumber Shapes Between –30 and 140°F (–34.4
lumber is detailed in Appendix X1 of this standard.
and 60°C)
E84Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
1.4 The values are stated in inch-pound units, as these are
Building Materials
currently the most common units used by the construction
E108Test Methods for Fire Tests of Roof Coverings
industry. Equivalent SI units are indicated in parentheses.
G151PracticeforExposingNonmetallicMaterialsinAccel-
However, the units stated for irradiance exposure in the
erated Test Devices that Use Laboratory Light Sources
weatherabilitysection(6.3)areinSIunitsasthesearetheunits
G154Practice for Operating Fluorescent Ultraviolet (UV)
commonly used for testing of this type.
Lamp Apparatus for Exposure of Nonmetallic Materials
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
G155Practice for Operating XenonArc LightApparatus for
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Exposure of Non-Metallic Materials
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3. Terminology
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 plastic lumber, n—a manufactured product made pri-
NOTE 1—There is no similar or equivalent ISO Standard.
marily from plastic materials (filled or unfilled), typically used
as a building material for purposes similar to those of tradi-
2. Referenced Documents
tional lumber, which is usually rectangular in cross-section.
2.1 The following documents of the issue in effect on the
(Terminology D883)
dateofmaterialpurchaseformapartofthisspecificationtothe
3.1.1.1 Discussion—Plastic lumber is typically supplied in
extent referenced herein:
sizes similar to those of traditional lumber board, timber and
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
PlasticsandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD20.20onPlasticLumber. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved March 1, 2017. Published March 2017. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D6662-13. DOI: The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
10.1520/D6662-17. www.astm.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D6662−17
dimension lumber; however the tolerances for plastic lumber
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D6662 − 13 D6662 − 17
Standard Specification for
1
Polyolefin-Based Plastic Lumber Decking Boards
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6662; 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 Scope*
1.1 This specification covers polyolefin-based plastic lumber products for use as exterior residential decking boards.
1.2 Plastic lumber products are currently made predominantly with recycled polyolefin plastics (in particular high-density
polyethylene) where the products are more or less non-homogenous in the cross-section. However, this specification is also
potentially applicable to similar manufactured plastic products made from other plastic and plastic composite materials that have
non-homogenous cross-sections.
1.3 This specification details a procedure to calculate recommended span lengths for spacing of support joists. This procedure
was developed using experimental data from a typical unreinforced plastic lumber made predominantly from recycled high-density
polyethylene. The methodology to develop span lengths for other types and compositions of plastic lumber is detailed in Appendix
X1 of this standard.
1.4 The values are stated in inch-pound units, as these are currently the most common units used by the construction industry.
Equivalent SI units are indicated in parentheses. However, the units stated for irradiance exposure in the weatherability section
(6.3) are in SI units as these are the units commonly used for testing of this type.
1.5 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.
NOTE 1—There is no similar or equivalent ISO Standard.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 The following documents of the issue in effect on the date of material purchase form a part of this specification to the extent
referenced herein:
2
2.2 ASTM Standards:
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
D2565 Practice for Xenon-Arc Exposure of Plastics Intended for Outdoor Applications
D2915 Practice for Sampling and Data-Analysis for Structural Wood and Wood-Based Products
D4329 Practice for Fluorescent Ultraviolet (UV) Lamp Apparatus Exposure of Plastics
3
D5033 Guide for Development of ASTM Standards Relating to Recycling and Use of Recycled Plastics (Withdrawn 2007)
D6109 Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastic Lumber and Related Products
D6112 Test Methods for Compressive and Flexural Creep and Creep-Rupture of Plastic Lumber and Shapes
D6341 Test Method for Determination of the Linear Coefficient of Thermal Expansion of Plastic Lumber and Plastic Lumber
Shapes Between –30 and 140°F (–34.4 and 60°C)
E84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
E108 Test Methods for Fire Tests of Roof Coverings
G151 Practice for Exposing Nonmetallic Materials in Accelerated Test Devices that Use Laboratory Light Sources
G154 Practice for Operating Fluorescent Ultraviolet (UV) Lamp Apparatus for Exposure of Nonmetallic Materials
G155 Practice for Operating Xenon Arc Light Apparatus for Exposure of Non-Metallic Materials
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.20 on Plastic Lumber.
Current edition approved June 1, 2013March 1, 2017. Published June 2013March 2017. Originally approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 20092013 as
D6662 - 09.D6662 - 13. DOI: 10.1520/D6662-13.10.1520/D6662-17.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D6662 − 17
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 plastic lumber, n—a manufactured product
...