ASTM F903-03

Standard Test Method for Resistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing to Penetration by Liquids

SCOPE
1.1 This test method is used to test specimens of protective clothing and candidate materials and constructions to be used in protective clothing. The resistance to visible penetration of the test liquid is determined with the liquid in continuous contact with the normally outside surface of the test specimen.
1.2 In some cases, significant amounts of hazardous materials will permeate specimens that pass the penetration tests. For more sensitive analysis use Test Method F 739 to determine permeation.
1.3 This test method is not applicable to finger tips or crotch areas of gloves, which are possible failure points.
1.4 The values as stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values in parentheses are for information only.
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. Specific hazards are given in Section 7.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Jan-2003
• ICS: 13.340.10 - Protective clothing
• Technical Committee: F23 - Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment
• Drafting Committee: F23.30 - Chemicals

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F903-99a - Standard Test Method for Resistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing to Penetration by Liquids
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2003
• Replaced By: ASTM F903-03(2004) - Standard Test Method for Resistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing to Penetration by Liquids
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2004
• Referred By: ASTM F1359/F1359M-22 - Standard Test Method for Liquid Penetration Resistance of Protective Clothing or Protective Ensembles Under a Shower Spray While on a Manikin
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F1494-23 - Standard Terminology Relating to Protective Clothing
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F739-20 - Standard Test Method for Permeation of Liquids and Gases Through Protective Clothing Materials Under Conditions of Continuous Contact
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F1671/F1671M-22 - Standard Test Method for Resistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing to Penetration by Blood-Borne Pathogens Using Phi-X174 Bacteriophage Penetration as a Test System
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F1407-12(2017) - Standard Test Method for Resistance of Chemical Protective Clothing Materials to Liquid Permeation—Permeation Cup Method
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F1296-08(2023) - Standard Guide for Evaluating Chemical Protective Clothing
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F1670/F1670M-17a - Standard Test Method for Resistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing to Penetration by Synthetic Blood
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F1001-12(2017) - Standard Guide for Selection of Chemicals to Evaluate Protective Clothing Materials
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F2704-17a - Standard Specification for Air-Fed Protective Ensembles
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F1461-17 - Standard Practice for Chemical Protective Clothing Program
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F1052-20 - Standard Test Method for Pressure Testing Vapor Protective Suits
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F2669-12(2018) - Standard Performance Specification for Protective Clothing Worn by Operators Applying Pesticides (Withdrawn 2023)
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F1383-20 - Standard Test Method for Permeation of Liquids and Gases Through Protective Clothing Materials Under Conditions of Intermittent Contact
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2003

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: F 903 – 03
Standard Test Method for
Resistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing to
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Penetration by Liquids
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 903; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
Workers involved in the production, use, and transportation of liquid 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 chronic
degenerative disease, such as cancer. Since engineering controls may not eliminate all possible
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.
This test method determines resistance to penetration only. Resistance to permeation and
degradation should be determined by other test methods.
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1. Scope E 105 Practice for Probability Sampling of Materials
F 104 Classification System for Nonmetallic Gasket Mate-
1.1 This test method is used to test specimens of protective
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rials
clothing and candidate materials and constructions to be used
F 739 Test Method for Resistance of Protective Clothing
in protective clothing. The resistance to visible penetration of
Materials to Permeation by Liquids or Gases Under Con-
the test liquid is determined with the liquid in continuous
5
ditions of Continuous Contact
contact with the normally outside surface of the test specimen.
1.2 In some cases, significant amounts of hazardous mate-
3. Terminology
rials will permeate specimens that pass the penetration tests.
3.1 Definitions:
For more sensitive analysis use Test Method F 739 to deter-
3.1.1 degradation, n—a deleterious change in one or more
mine permeation.
properties of a material.
1.3 This test method is not applicable to finger tips or crotch
3.1.2 penetration, n—the movement of matter through clo-
areas of gloves, which are possible failure points.
sures, porous materials, seams, and pinholes or other imper-
1.4 The values as stated in inch-pound units are to be
fections in protective clothing on a nonmolecular level.
regarded as the standard. The values in parentheses are for
3.1.2.1 Discussion—For this test method, the specific mat-
information only.
ter is a liquid chemical.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.3 permeation, n—the process by which a chemical
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
moves through a protective clothing material on a molecular
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
level.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.1.3.1 Discussion—Permeation involves the following: (1)
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazards are
absorption of molecules of the chemical into the contacted
given in Section 7.
(challenge side) surface of the material, (2) diffusion of the
2. Referenced Documents sorbed molecules in the material, and (3) desorption of the
molecules from the opposite (collection side) surface of the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
2 material.
D 1777 Test Method for Thickness of Textile Materials
3.1.4 protective clothing, n—a garment used for the purpose
of isolating parts of the body from contact with a potential
hazard.
1
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.
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Current edition approved January 10, 2003. Published March 2003. Originally Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
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approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 1999 as F 903 - 99a. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 09.02.
2 5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 07.01. 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.
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F 903–03
3.1.4.1 Discussion—The potential hazard addressed by this adequate exhaust ventilation and keep it meticulously clean.
test method is penetration by liquids. Outfit involved personnel with appropriate protective clothing
and equipment.
4. Summary of Test Method
7.1.2 For corrosive or otherwise hazardous chemicals, outfit
involved personnel, as a minimum, with protective clothing
4.1 A specimen is subjected to a liquid for a specified time
and pressure sequence and observed for visible penetration of and equipment.
7.2 Keep emergency equipment, such
...