ASTM C1607-06
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Determination of "Microwave Safe for Reheating" for Ceramicware
Standard Test Method for Determination of "Microwave Safe for Reheating" for Ceramicware
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test is for evaluating ceramic products that are intended for reheating in a Consumer based microwave oven. It is not intended for evaluating products that will be used in commercial type microwaves.
This test method is not intended to evaluate metallic or polymeric based products.
Ceramic products intended for microwave use must also be evaluated for thermal shock resistance and pass the 325°F criteria as described in Test Method C 554, before being tested for microwave safety. This would include specific tests for dinnerware, cookware, drinkware and ancillary items intended for use with hot foods, such as gravy boats or any product intended for microwave use.
Dishes having a metallic glaze, decoration or paint should not be used in this test or microwave ovens unless it is specifically designed for and marked as microwave safe.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method determines the suitability of ceramicware for use in microwave re-heating applications. Microwave ovens are mainly used for reheating and defrosting frozen foods. Severe thermal conditions can occur while reheating foods. Typical reheating of foods requires one to five min. in the microwave at the highest power settings. Longer periods than five minutes are considered cooking. Cooking test methods and standards are not addressed in this test method. Most ceramicware is minimally absorbing of the microwave energy and will not heat up significantly. Unfortunately there are some products that absorb microwave energy to a greater extent and can become very hot in the microwave and pose a serious hazard. Additionally, the nature of microwave heating introduces radiation in a non-uniform manner producing temperature differentials in the food being cooked as well as the ceramic container holding it. The differential may become great enough to thermal shock the ware and create dangerous conditions.
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.
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Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation:C1607–06
Standard Test Method for
Determination of “Microwave Safe for Reheating” for
Ceramicware
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1607; 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 3.1.1 microwave safe for re-heating—ceramic products that
can be used in a microwave oven without any degradation,
1.1 This test method determines the suitability of ceram-
such as by deformation, fracturing, crazing, or heating up to
icware for use in microwave re-heating applications. Micro-
excessive temperatures.
waveovensaremainlyusedforreheatinganddefrostingfrozen
foods. Severe thermal conditions can occur while reheating
4. Summary of Test Method
foods. Typical reheating of foods requires one to five min. in
4.1 This method can be used to determine if a product is
the microwave at the highest power settings. Longer periods
safe to use for reheating foods in a microwave oven. The test
than five minutes are considered cooking. Cooking test meth-
emulates typical microwave use conditions.Temperature maxi-
ods and standards are not addressed in this test method. Most
mums and temperature differentials of products are determined
ceramicware is minimally absorbing of the microwave energy
after being subjected to microwave re-heating conditions.
and will not heat up significantly. Unfortunately there are some
products that absorb microwave energy to a greater extent and
5. Significance and Use
can become very hot in the microwave and pose a serious
5.1 This test is for evaluating ceramic products that are
hazard. Additionally, the nature of microwave heating intro-
intended for reheating in a Consumer based microwave oven.
duces radiation in a non-uniform manner producing tempera-
It is not intended for evaluating products that will be used in
ture differentials in the food being cooked as well as the
commercial type microwaves.
ceramic container holding it. The differential may become
5.2 This test method is not intended to evaluate metallic or
great enough to thermal shock the ware and create dangerous
polymeric based products.
conditions.
5.3 Ceramic products intended for microwave use must also
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
be evaluated for thermal shock resistance and pass the 325°F
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
criteria as described in Test Method C554, before being tested
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
for microwave safety. This would include specific tests for
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
dinnerware, cookware, drinkware and ancillary items intended
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
for use with hot foods, such as gravy boats or any product
2. Referenced Documents intended for microwave use.
2 5.4 Dishes having a metallic glaze, decoration or paint
2.1 ASTM Standards:
should not be used in this test or microwave ovens unless it is
C554 Test Method for Crazing Resistance of Fired Glazed
specifically designed for and marked as microwave safe.
Ceramic Whitewares by a Thermal Shock Method
6. Interferences
3. Terminology
6.1 Test samples must be free from any obvious physical
3.1 Definition:
defects.
7. Apparatus
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee C21 on Ceramic
7.1 The microwave oven chosen for testing is based on its
Whitewares and Related Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
power level and being close to a mid-sized consumer product.
C21.03 on Methods for Whitewares and Environmental Concerns.
This is to provide a relatively high power density, which
Current edition approved Feb. 15, 2006. Published March 2006. DOI: 10.1520/
C1607-06.
creates conditions that are slightly harsher than conditions
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
found in the average microwave oven. The main difference
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
between microwave ovens is the power of the magnetron,
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. which generates the microwaves. Midsize and large ovens are
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C1607–06
typically rated at 900 to 1300 watts and compact ovens have physical damage resulting from shipping or handling that
about 600 to 800 watts of output. would not represent the process.
7.1.1 Greater wattage for a given space heats food more
quickly. The microwave oven chosen for this method is based 11. Preparation of Apparatus
on having the greatest power output per volume. This provides
11.1 Only microwave models fulfilling the description in
worse case conditions for microwaves available in the midsize
7.1 of this method should be used for testing. It is critical to
range while allowing for a greater range of sample sizes.
have the same power level of emitted microwaves in the same
Microwaves with greater power outputs of 1400 and 1600
volume of space to achieve correlation between test sites.
watts that were once available are no longer in production.
7.1.2 Microwave Oven, (1350 Watts) with an internal oven
12. Calibration and Standardization
3 3
cavity volume of approximately 0.045 M (1.58 ft ) dimen-
12.1 Measure and log the available power for heating before
7 1
sions of 228 by 418 by 470 mm (9 by 16 ⁄16 by 18 ⁄2 in.) and
performing tests. This should be performed one time at the
rotating glass platter.
beginning of tests to determine that the microwave unit is
7.2 Fast Reading Contact Surface Thermocouple Probe,or
producing consistent power levels. It is important that the
suitable surface temperature reading device.
microwave does not have residual heat in it from previous
7.3 Scale, capable of reading 1200 6 0.5 g.
testing so that this test starts from room temperature. The
determination of power output is accomplished by measuring
8. Reagents and Materials
the temperature rise in 1 kg of water exposed to microwave
8.1 Tap Water.
radiation for a two-minute period of time. The analyst can
8.2 Plastic Beakers, 1 L, 500 mL; Graduate cylinder 250
relate power in watts to the power setting of the microwave.
mL.
12.1.1 Program the microwave for 2 minutes at maximum
8.3 Eye Protection.
power and leave the door open.
8.4 Insulated Gloves or Oven Mitts, preferably waterproof.
12.1.2 Record the weight of the plastic beaker.
8.5 Permanent Marker.
12.1.3 Add 1.0 kg (1000.0 6 0.5 g) of tap water into a
8.6 Boiling Stones.
plastic beaker. Equilibrate the water to room temperature 23 6
9. Hazards 2°C (73 6 4°F) measure to 6 0.1°C (0.2°F).
12.1.4 Place the beaker in the center of the glass platter
9.1 Thermal shock is possible during the testing of the
close the door and press start on the microwave.
product. Care should be taken while handling ware and be
12.1.5 When the microwave finishes the 2-minute cycle, the
prepared for unexpected failure of the ware.
beaker is removed and the water vigorously stirred with a
9.2 Whenever heating water in a microwave there is the
plastic spoon for 10 seconds. Then immerse the temperature
possibility of super heating the water. Do not use distilled
reading device into the water and slowly stir.
water, as it is more likely to superheat than tap water. If the
12.1.6 Record the maximum temperature within the first 10
water is super heated it is possible that it will spontaneously
seconds to 6 0.1°C (0.2°F). Use a new sample for each
erupt splashing boiling hot water, which could potentially
additional measurement. Do not reuse the water, even after
cause burns and injury. Always use boiling stones in the water
cooling, as it may be more prone to create dangerous super-
container when boiling water.
heating conditions.
9.3 People with Pacemakers or any other life sustaining
...
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