ASTM D7473/D7473M-21
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Weight Attrition of Non-floating Plastic Materials by Open System Aquarium Incubations
Standard Test Method for Weight Attrition of Non-floating Plastic Materials by Open System Aquarium Incubations
SCOPE
1.1 This test method is used to determine the weight loss as a function of time of non-floating plastic materials (including formulation additives), when incubated under changing, open, marine aquarium conditions, which is representative of aquatic aerobic environments near the coasts and near the bottom of a body of water in the absence of sunlight, particularly UV and visible portions of the spectrum. The goal of this test is to obtain data that can be used to assess the potential for physical degradation of the test material. Such potential for physical degradation will be affected by real life environmental conditions.
1.2 In particular this test method does not take into consideration the possible effects of solar irradiation.
1.3 The aquarium-incubated plastic materials are examined for visual degradation and dry weight loss over time. This test does not provide information on ultimate biodegradation (that is, it is not a replacement for Test Method D6691), but it is an ASTM method for weight attrition. The standard addresses only weight loss as a function of time of the plastics materials in a marine environment and shall not be used for demonstrating ultimate biodegradation.
1.4 This test method does not provide information regarding the potential formation of microplastics due to the physical degradation of the samples.
1.5 Plastic pieces of known size and thickness are used at levels so as not to exceed the availability of micronutrients essential for and therefore limit the microbial processes.
1.6 The aquarium incubation test method allows for representative indigenous microorganisms present in seawater and marine sediment to be enriched for and carry out the biodegradation. It is recommended that the test be carried out in the geographical vicinity (latitudinal area) where the test materials are likely to be used. These Aquarium studies are conducted in indoor environments, hence any sunlight-induced effects on degradation, or biodegradation, or both, are not taken into account.
1.7 This test by itself shall not be used as the basis for claims, such as “Biodegradable in Marine Environments” since it is only a weight loss test method. This test method is solely a means for measuring a characteristic (physical degradation) under standard conditions. It does not assess the general environmental impact of plastic products.
1.8 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems has the potential to result in non-conformance with the standard.
1.9 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.
Note 1: There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.
1.10 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.
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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:D7473/D7473M −21
Standard Test Method for
Weight Attrition of Non-floating Plastic Materials by Open
1
System Aquarium Incubations
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7473/D7473M; 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* indoor environments, hence any sunlight-induced effects on
degradation, or biodegradation, or both, are not taken into
1.1 This test method is used to determine the weight loss as
account.
a function of time of non-floating plastic materials (including
formulation additives), when incubated under changing, open,
1.7 This test by itself shall not be used as the basis for
marineaquariumconditions,whichisrepresentativeofaquatic claims,suchas“BiodegradableinMarineEnvironments”since
aerobic environments near the coasts and near the bottom of a
it is only a weight loss test method. This test method is solely
body of water in the absence of sunlight, particularly UV and a means for measuring a characteristic (physical degradation)
visible portions of the spectrum. The goal of this test is to
under standard conditions. It does not assess the general
obtain data that can be used to assess the potential for physical environmental impact of plastic products.
degradation of the test material. Such potential for physical
1.8 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-
degradation will be affected by real life environmental condi-
pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The
tions.
values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equiva-
1.2 In particular this test method does not take into consid- lents;therefore,eachsystemshallbeusedindependentlyofthe
eration the possible effects of solar irradiation.
other.Combiningvaluesfromthetwosystemshasthepotential
to result in non-conformance with the standard.
1.3 The aquarium-incubated plastic materials are examined
for visual degradation and dry weight loss over time. This test 1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the
does not provide information on ultimate biodegradation (that safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
is, it is not a replacement for Test Method D6691), but it is an responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
ASTM method for weight attrition. The standard addresses priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
only weight loss as a function of time of the plastics materials mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
in a marine environment and shall not be used for demonstrat-
NOTE 1—There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.
ing ultimate biodegradation.
1.10 This international standard was developed in accor-
1.4 Thistestmethoddoesnotprovideinformationregarding
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
the potential formation of microplastics due to the physical
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
degradation of the samples.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.5 Plastic pieces of known size and thickness are used at mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
levels so as not to exceed the availability of micronutrients
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
essential for and therefore limit the microbial processes.
2. Referenced Documents
1.6 The aquarium incubation test method allows for repre-
2
sentative indigenous microorganisms present in seawater and
2.1 ASTM Standards:
marine sediment to be enriched for and carry out the biodeg-
D883Terminology Relating to Plastics
radation. It is recommended that the test be carried out in the
D6691Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegrada-
geographical vicinity (latitudinal area) where the test materials
tion of Plastic Materials in the Marine Environment by a
are likely to be used.TheseAquarium studies are conducted in
Defined Microbial Consortium or Natural Sea Water
Inoculum
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD20onPlastics
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.96 on Environmentally
2
Degradable Plastics and Biobased Products. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved March 1, 2021. Published March 2021. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2012. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as D7473– 12. Standards volume information, refer to th
...
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: D7473 − 12 D7473/D7473M − 21
Standard Test Method for
Weight Attrition of Non-floating Plastic Materials in the
Marine Environment by Open System Aquarium
1
Incubations
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7473;D7473/D7473M; 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 test method is used to determine the weight loss as a function of time of non-floating plastic materials (including
formulation additives), when incubated under changing, open, marine aquarium conditions, which is representative of aquatic
aerobic environments near the coasts and near the bottom of a body of water in the absence of sunlight, particularly UV and visible
portions of the spectrum. The goal of this test is to obtain data that will predict real world experiences based on the extent and
rate of biodegradation data of the same materials obtained from the laboratory Test Method can be used D6691. The aquarium
incubated films are examined for visual degradation and dry weight loss over time. This test is not a replacement to Test Methodto
assess the D6691, but rather an additional ASTM method for weight attrition. The standard addresses weight loss of the plastics
in a marine environment and cannot be used for demonstrating biodegradation for which Specificationpotential for physical
degradation of the test material. Such potential for physical degradation will be affected D7081 needs to be used.by real life
environmental conditions.
1.2 In particular this test method does not take into consideration the possible effects of solar irradiation.
1.3 The aquarium-incubated plastic materials are examined for visual degradation and dry weight loss over time. This test does
not provide information on ultimate biodegradation (that is, it is not a replacement for Test Method D6691), but it is an ASTM
method for weight attrition. The standard addresses only weight loss as a function of time of the plastics materials in a marine
environment and shall not be used for demonstrating ultimate biodegradation.
1.4 This test method does not provide information regarding the potential formation of microplastics due to the physical
degradation of the samples.
1.5 Plastic film pieces of known size and thickness are used at levels so as not to exceed the availability of micronutrients essential
for and therefore limit the microbial biodegradation process.processes.
1.6 The aquarium incubation test method allows for representative indigenous microorganisms present in seawater and marine
sediment to be enriched for and carry out the biodegradation. It is recommended that the test be carried out in the geographical
vicinity (latitudinal area) where the test film ismaterials are likely to be used and potentially disposed of in the marine environment
if biodegradable criteria are met. used. These Aquarium studies are conducted in indoor environments, hence any sunlight-induced
effects on degradation, or biodegradation, or both, are not taken into account.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.96 on Environmentally Degradable
Plastics and Biobased Products.
Current edition approved May 1, 2012March 1, 2021. Published June 2012March 2021. DOI:10.1520/D7473–12.Originally approved in 2012. Last previous edition
approved in 2012 as D7473 – 12. DOI:10.1520/D7473_D7473M–21.
*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
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D7473/D7473M − 21
1.4 Prior to conducting this aquarium test method (weight loss data) for the verification of biodegradability, Test Method D6691
shall be run on the same materials to establish quantitative levels of the plastic organic carbon oxidation and levels of carbon
dioxide recovered there from. If Test Method D6691 achieves 30 % mineralization, then apply this Aquarium test and perform it.
If the results from Test Method D6691 do not achieve 30 % mineralization, then aquarium incubation testing need not be done and
the material shall be considered non-biodegradable in the marine environment.
1.7 This test by itself shall not be
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