ASTM F903-99a
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Resistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing to Penetration by Liquids
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 F739 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
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: F 903 – 99a An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
Resistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing to
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.
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
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
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—in a protective clothing material or
areas of gloves, which are possible failure points.
item, the process by which a solid, liquid, or gas moves
1.4 The values as stated in inch-pound units are to be
through closures, seams, interstices, and pinholes or other
regarded as the standard. The values in parentheses are for
imperfections on a non-molecular level.
information only.
3.1.3 permeation, n—the process by which a chemical
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
moves through a protective clothing material on a molecular
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
level.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1.3.1 Discussion—Permeation involves the following: (1)
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
absorption of molecules of the chemical into the contacted
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazards are
(challenge side) surface of the material, (2) diffusion of the
given in Section 7.
sorbed molecules in the material, and (3) desorption of the
2. Referenced Documents molecules from the opposite (collection side) surface of the
material.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.1.4 protective clothing, n—a garment used for the purpose
D 1777 Test Method for Measuring Thickness of Textile
of isolating parts of the body from contact with a potential
Materials
hazard.
3.1.4.1 Discussion—The potential hazard addressed by this
test method is penetration by liquids.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F-23 on
Protective Clothing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F23.30 on
Chemical Resistance.
Current edition approved June 10, 1999. Published August 1999. Originally Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
published as F 903 – 84. Last previous edition F 903 – 99. 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, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
F 903
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 equipment.
and pressure sequence and observed for visible penetration of
7.2 Keep emergency equipment, such as a safety shower,
the liquid. If the liquid passes through the specimen, the
eye wash, and self-contained breathing apparatus readily ac-
material fails the test for resistance to penetration of the liquid.
cessible to the test area.
4.2 In the penetration test apparatus, the specimen acts as a
7.3 A transparent safety shield (6.2.2) shall be present
partition separating the hazardous liquid chemical from the
between the test cell and the observer.
viewing side of the test cell.
7.4 Dispose of hazardous chemicals according to federal,
5. Significance and Use state, and local regulations.
5.1 This test method is normally used to evaluate the barrier
8. Test Specimen
effectiveness against liquids of materials used for protective
8.1 Specimens consist of either a single layer or a composite
clothing and specimens from finished items of protective
of multiple layers which is representative of an actual protec-
clothing.
tive clothing material or construction with all layers arranged
5.1.1 Finished items of protective clothing include gloves,
in proper order.
arm shields, aprons, suits, hoods, boots, and the like.
8.1.1 If in the design of an item of protective clothing,
5.1.2 The phrase “specimens from finished items” encom-
different materials or thickness of materials are specified at
passes seamed and other discontinuous regions as well as the
different locations, specimens from each location shall be
usual continuous regions of protective clothing items.
selected.
5.2 A substitute challenge liquid (for example, water) is
8.1.2 If in the design, stitched-through or other type seams
appropriate in some cases. However, it is possible that differ-
are specified, additional specimens containing such seams shall
ences in chemical and molecular properties (for example,
be tested.
surface tension) lead to different results.
8.2 Each material specimen to be tested shall have a
minimum dimension of 2.5-in. (65 mm). A 2.75-in. (70-mm)
6. Apparatus
square is convenient.
6.1 Thickness Gage, suitable for measuring thickness to the
8.3 A minimum of three random specimens shall be tested
nearest 0.001 in. (or nearest 0.01 mm), as specified in Test
for each material, composite, area (in the case of a heterog-
Method D 1777.
enous design), or other condition. Random specimens shall be
6.2 Liquid Penetration Tester, as shown in Figs. 1-8 . See
generated as described in Practice E 105.
Table 1 for parts and materials.
6.2.1 Test Cell, consisting of a chamber for the challenge
9. Procedure
liquid and a restraining ring which holds the outside surface of
9.1 Using Test Method D 1777 measure the appropriate
the specimen in contact with the challenge liquid on the open
thickness of each specimen to nearest 0.001 in. (or nearest 0.02
side of the chamber and which allows observation of the
mm) and record. For nonuniform samples, record the lowest
specimen’s inside surface through a viewing port. A transpar-
values.
ent cover is optional.
9.2 Place a droplet of the challenge liquid on the normally
6.2.2 Safety Shield, transparent and shatter (proof)/resistant,
inside surface of an extra piece of the material to be tested to
to separate the liquid penetration tester from the observer (see
predetermine the appearance of end point penetration. The
Fig. 1).
droplet must remain easily visible to ensure that a droplet that
6.2.3 Screen, retaining, optional (see Table 2), with at least
penetrates the material will be seen. If not, one of the following
50 % open area. The purpose of the screen is to limit distention
methods has usually been effective in enhancing droplet
of the test specimen to 0.2 in. (5 mm) or less. Examples of
visibility by producing a characteristic discoloration.
retaining screens are 11 by 11 nylon screen, 14 by 14
9.2.1 Apply talcum powder on the normally inside surface
polypropylene screen, and 13 by 13 polyester screen.
of the specimen.
9.2.2 Add food coloring, an acid-base indicator, or Oil Red
7. Hazards
to the challenge liquid.
7.1 Before carrying out this test method, identify and review
9.2.3 Apply food coloring or Oil Red to the normally inside
safety precautions recommended for handling each hazardous
surface of the specimen.
chemical of interest to provide full protection to all personnel.
9.2.4 Add a fluorescent dye to the challenge liquid.
7.1.1 For carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic, and other
9.3 Mount the first specimen in the test cell with the
toxic (poisonous) chemicals, isolate the work area under
normally outside surface toward the chemical chamber and
adequate exhaust ventilation and keep it meticulously clean.
assemble it as shown in Fig. 1. A transparent cover (see Fig. 3)
Outfit involved personnel with appropriate protective clothing
is optionally mounted directly on the test cell as long as it does
and equipment.
not alter the test results.
9.4 If the
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