ASTM D3206-23

Standard Test Method for Soil Resistance of Floor Polishes

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 This test method measures the ability of a floor polish to resist soiling by a standard soil that approximates dirt carried in from the outside.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of soil resistance of floor polishes on test tile only. A carpet covered roller is used to simulate the action of foot traffic. A synthetic soil is employed in conjunction with the roller.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.3 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.  
1.4 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.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Nov-2023
• ICS: 71.100.99 - Other products of the chemical industry
• ICS: 97.080 - Cleaning appliances
• Technical Committee: D21 - Polishes
• Drafting Committee: D21.04 - Performance Tests

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D3206-17 - Standard Test Method for Soil Resistance of Floor Polishes
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2023
• Refers: ASTM D3153-23 - Standard Test Method for Recoatability of Water-Emulsion Floor Polishes
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2023
• Refers: ASTM D3153-17 - Standard Test Method for Recoatability of Water-Emulsion Floor Polishes
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2017
• Referred By: ASTM D3757-16 - Standard Guide for Preparing Specifications for Solvent-based Floor Polishes
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2023
• Referred By: ASTM D4078-02(2021) - Standard Specification for Water Emulsion Floor Polish
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2023
• Referred By: ASTM D3440-13(2019) - Standard Guide for Preparing Specifications for Water-Emulsion Floor Polishes
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2023

Overview

ASTM D3206-23: Standard Test Method for Soil Resistance of Floor Polishes is a recognized international standard developed by ASTM International. This method provides a systematic approach for evaluating the soil resistance of floor polishes on standardized test tiles. It is a widely referenced test for assessing how well a floor polish can resist soiling from substances that simulate typical dirt carried indoors by foot traffic. The procedure relies on controlled laboratory conditions, using specific apparatus and test soils, to ensure results are reproducible and meaningful for both research and quality control contexts.

Key Topics

• Test Purpose: Measures the effectiveness of a floor polish in resisting soiling when subjected to simulated traffic and dirt.

• Test Substrate: Uses official vinyl composition tile (OVCT) to ensure consistency.

• Soil Simulation: Employs a synthetic soil, such as the AATCC formula, to closely replicate real-world contaminants.

• Apparatus: Relies on equipment including a straight line washability machine, a carpet-covered roller, and a reflectometer for measuring surface reflectance.

• Test Methodology:

  • Application of two coats of floor polish to clean test tiles.
  • Controlled soiling with a standardized amount of synthetic dirt.
  • Simulated foot traffic using a carpeted roller for a fixed number of cycles.
  • Reflectance measurements taken to quantify soiling.

• Results and Reporting: Delivers quantitative results that indicate percentage of soiling, and offers a basis for comparative analysis between products.

• Reproducibility: When performed alongside a control sample, the method provides reliable differentiation between products with varying resistance to soil pick-up.

• Safety and Compliance: Users must observe all relevant safety, health, and environmental protocols when conducting tests.

Applications

ASTM D3206-23 is directly applicable and valuable for:

• Product Development: Manufacturers use the method to formulate and improve floor polishes with enhanced resistance to soiling, thereby extending floor appearance and reducing maintenance costs.
• Quality Assurance: Ensures that floor polish products meet consistent, high standards for soil resistance, which is critical for commercial, institutional, and residential flooring markets.
• Comparative Testing: Enables side-by-side comparison of new and existing floor polish products, helping stakeholders select solutions best suited for high-traffic areas.
• Research and Standardization: Laboratories and technical teams rely on this test for benchmarking new materials, supporting claims in technical data sheets, and aligning with regulatory or client requirements.

Related Standards

The ASTM D3206-23 standard references several related ASTM standards, which may be useful for complementary testing or additional evaluation:

• ASTM D1436 - Test Methods for Application of Emulsion Floor Polishes to Substrates for Testing Purposes
• ASTM D3153 - Test Method for Recoatability of Water-Emulsion Floor Polishes
• ASTM E1347 - Method for Color and Color-Difference Measurement by Tristimulus Colorimetry (withdrawn, but historically relevant)

By following ASTM D3206-23 and integrating related standards, product developers and quality controllers can deliver reliable, evidence-based results for floor polish performance, specifically relating to resistance to soiling. This, in turn, supports innovation, market competitiveness, and adherence to best practices within the surface care industry.

Keywords: floor polish, soil resistance, ASTM D3206, test method, surface cleaning, vinyl composition tile, synthetic soil, product testing, washability, reflectance, quality assurance.

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: D3206 − 23
Standard Test Method for
Soil Resistance of Floor Polishes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3206; 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 4. Apparatus
1.1 This test method covers the determination of soil resis- 4.1 Offıcial Vinyl Composition Tile (OVCT) —white,
tance of floor polishes on test tile only. A carpet covered roller 304.8 mm by 304.8 mm (12 in. by 12 in.).
is used to simulate the action of foot traffic. A synthetic soil is
4.2 Washability Apparatus—The Gardner straight line
employed in conjunction with the roller.
washability machine.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
4.3 Roller.
standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are
4.4 Carpeting.
provided for information only and are not considered standard.
4.5 Standard Soiling Compound—A soiling compound,
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
such as AATCC (American Association of Textile Colorist and
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Chemist) synthetic soil formula.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
4.6 Reflectometer, equipped with a search unit for measur-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
ing diffused reflectance and a green filter.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
4.7 Pipet, 2 mL.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
5. Procedure
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
5.1 Clean the test tile in accordance with Test Method
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
D3153, paragraph 9.1.2. Rinse well and allow to dry. Apply
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2 mL of polish by following Method B of Test Method D1436.
After 3 h, apply a second coat, also 2 mL. Age the tiles for 48 h
2. Referenced Documents
at room temperature.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5.2 Sprinkle carefully, as evenly as possible, exactly 2 g of
D1436 Test Methods for Application of Emulsion Floor
soil across that portion of the tile over which the roller will
Polishes to Substrates for Testing Purposes
track. Run the machine for 300 cycles (600 passes). During the
D3153 Test Method for Recoatability of Water-Emulsion
cycling, it may be necessary to occasionally brush the soil back
Floor Polishes
onto the track as it will be scattered by the motion of the roller.
E1347 Test Method for Color and Color-Difference Mea-
At the end of the test, wipe the surface with tissue to remove
surement by Tristimulus Colorimetry
any loose soil. Wipe firmly, but do not bear down.
3. Significance and Use NOTE 1—Before new carpeting on the roller is used for the first time, it
should be “broken in” by running over a blank tile with approximately 4 g
3.1 This test method measures the ability of a floor polish to
of soil for 500 or more cycles.
resist soiling by a standard soil that approximates dirt carried in
6. Evaluation of Results
from the outside.
6.1 Measure 45°, 0° directional (diffuse) luminous (green
filter) reflectance with instrument of type specified in Test
...

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: D3206 − 17 D3206 − 23
Standard Test Method for
Soil Resistance of Floor Polishes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3206; 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
1.1 This test method covers the determination of soil resistance of floor polishes on test tile only. A carpet covered roller is used
to simulate the action of foot traffic. A synthetic soil is employed in conjunction with the roller.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for
information only and are not considered standard.
1.3 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 healthsafety, health, and environmental practices and determine
the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1436 Test Methods for Application of Emulsion Floor Polishes to Substrates for Testing Purposes
D3153 Test Method for Recoatability of Water-Emulsion Floor Polishes
E97E1347 Method of Test for Directional Reflectance Factor, 45-Deg 0-Deg, of Opaque Specimens by Broad-Band Filter
ReflectometryMethod for Color and Color-Difference Measurement by Tristimulus Colorimetry (Withdrawn 1991)
3. Significance and Use
3.1 This test method measures the ability of a floor polish to resist soiling by a standard soil that approximates dirt carried in from
the outside.
4. Apparatus
4.1 Offıcial Vinyl Composition Tile (OVCT) —white, 304.8 by 304.8 mm (12 by 12 in.).304.8 mm by 304.8 mm (12 in. by 12 in.).
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D21 on Polishes and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D21.04 on Performance Tests.
Current edition approved March 1, 2017Dec. 1, 2023. Published April 2017January 2024. Originally approved in 1973. Last previous edition approved in 20152017 as
D3206 – 08 (2015).D3206 – 17. DOI: 10.1520/D3206-17.10.1520/D3206-23.
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.
OVCT tile may be obtained through Armstrong Flooring from various home improvement stores. The following Armstrong tile substrates have been found to perform
adequately for this test method: Armstrong Excelon Feature Tile: Chalk II (56830), http://www.armstrong.com/commflooringna/product_details_toolbox_magnify.jsp?item
_id=47408.(56830).
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D3206 − 23
4.2 Washability Apparatus—The Gardner straight line washability machine.
4.3 Roller.
4.4 Carpeting.
4.5 Standard Soiling Compound—A soiling compound, such as AATCC (American Association of Textile Colorist and Chemist)
synthetic soil formula.
4.6 Reflectometer, equipped with a search unit for measuring diffu
...