ASTM D6954-18
(Guide)Standard Guide for Exposing and Testing Plastics that Degrade in the Environment by a Combination of Oxidation and Biodegradation
Standard Guide for Exposing and Testing Plastics that Degrade in the Environment by a Combination of Oxidation and Biodegradation
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This guide is a sequential assembly of extant but unconnected standard tests and practices for the oxidation and biodegradation of plastics, which will permit the comparison and ranking of the overall rate of environmental degradation of plastics that require thermal or photooxidation to initiate degradation. Each degradation stage is independently evaluated to allow a combined evaluation of a polymer’s environmental performance under a controlled laboratory setting. This enables a laboratory assessment of its disposal performance in, soil, compost, landfill, and water and for use in agricultural products such as mulch film without detriment to that particular environment.
Note 5: For determining biodegradation rates under composting conditions, Specification D6400 is to be used, including test methods and conditions as specified.
5.2 The correlation of results from this guide to actual disposal environments (for example, agricultural mulch films, composting, or landfill applications) has not been determined, and as such, the results should be used only for comparative and ranking purposes.
5.3 The results of laboratory exposure cannot be directly extrapolated to estimate absolute rate of deterioration by the environment because the acceleration factor is material dependent and can be significantly different for each material and for different formulations of the same material. However, exposure of a similar material of known outdoor performance, a control, at the same time as the test specimens allows comparison of the durability relative to that of the control under the test conditions.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide provides a framework or road map to compare and rank the controlled laboratory rates of degradation and degree of physical property losses of polymers by thermal and photooxidation processes as well as the biodegradation and ecological impacts in defined applications and disposal environments after degradation. Disposal environments range from exposure in soil, landfill, and compost in which thermal oxidation may occur and land cover and agricultural use in which photooxidation may also occur.
1.2 In this guide, established ASTM International standards are used in three tiers for accelerating and measuring the loss in properties and molecular weight by both thermal and photooxidation processes and other abiotic processes (Tier 1), measuring biodegradation (Tier 2), and assessing ecological impact of the products from these processes (Tier 3).
1.3 The Tier 1 conditions selected for thermal oxidation and photooxidation accelerate the degradation likely to occur in a chosen application and disposal environment. The conditions should include a range of humidity or water concentrations based on the application and disposal environment in mind. The measured rate of degradation at typical oxidation temperatures is required to compare and rank the polymers being evaluated in that chosen application to reach a molecular weight that constitutes a demonstrable biodegradable residue (using ASTM International biometer tests for CO2 evolution appropriate to the chosen environment). By way of example, accelerated oxidation data must be obtained at temperatures and humidity ranges typical in that chosen application and disposal environment, for example, in soil (20 to 30°C), landfill (20 to 35°C), and composting facilities (30 to 65°C). For applications in soils, local temperatures and humidity ranges must be considered as they vary widely with geography. At least one temperature must be reasonably close to the end use or disposal temperature, but under no circumstances should this be more than 20°C away from the removed that temperature. It must also be established that the polymer does not undergo a phase change, such as glass transition temperature (Tg) within the temperature range of testing.
1.4 The residues resulting from the oxidations are then exposed to appropriate disposa...
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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: D6954 − 18
Standard Guide for
Exposing and Testing Plastics that Degrade in the
Environment by a Combination of Oxidation and
1
Biodegradation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6954; 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* or disposal temperature, but under no circumstances should
this be more than 20°C away from the removed that tempera-
1.1 This guide provides a framework or road map to
ture. It must also be established that the polymer does not
compare and rank the controlled laboratory rates of degrada-
undergo a phase change, such as glass transition temperature
tion and degree of physical property losses of polymers by
(Tg) within the temperature range of testing.
thermal and photooxidation processes as well as the biodegra-
dation and ecological impacts in defined applications and
1.4 The residues resulting from the oxidations are then
disposal environments after degradation. Disposal environ-
exposed to appropriate disposal or use environments in stan-
ments range from exposure in soil, landfill, and compost in
dard biometric test methods to measure the rate and degree of
which thermal oxidation may occur and land cover and
biodegradation (Tier 2).
agricultural use in which photooxidation may also occur.
1.5 The data generated under Tier 1 evaluation and the
1.2 In this guide, establishedASTM International standards
determined time for the biodegradation in the chosen environ-
are used in three tiers for accelerating and measuring the loss
ment (Tier 2) allow ranking relative to other polymers evalu-
in properties and molecular weight by both thermal and
ated under similar environmental conditions with this guide.
photooxidation processes and other abiotic processes (Tier 1),
The degree and time for biodegradation should be consistent
measuring biodegradation (Tier 2), and assessing ecological
with ASTM International methods, and any residues from the
impact of the products from these processes (Tier 3).
intermediate oxidation stage and from biodegradation must be
1.3 TheTier 1 conditions selected for thermal oxidation and
showntobeenvironmentallybenignandnotpersistent(Tier3).
photooxidation accelerate the degradation likely to occur in a
NOTE 1—The intended use of this guide is for comparison and ranking
chosen application and disposal environment. The conditions
of data to aid in the design and development and the reduction of
should include a range of humidity or water concentrations
environmental impacts of polymers that require no more than 24 months
based on the application and disposal environment in mind.
to oxidize and biodegrade in the intended use and disposal options and
create no harmful or persistent residues under the appropriate disposal
The measured rate of degradation at typical oxidation tempera-
conditions (for example, two seasons of crop-growing conditions in soil).
tures is required to compare and rank the polymers being
evaluated in that chosen application to reach a molecular
1.6 Itiscautionedthattheresultsofanylaboratoryexposure
weight that constitutes a demonstrable biodegradable residue
in this guide cannot be directly extrapolated to actual disposal
(using ASTM International biometer tests for CO evolution
2
environments; confirmation to real world exposure is ulti-
appropriate to the chosen environment). By way of example,
mately required as with all ASTM International standards.
accelerated oxidation data must be obtained at temperatures
1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
and humidity ranges typical in that chosen application and
standard.
disposalenvironment,forexample,insoil(20to30°C),landfill
(20 to 35°C), and composting facilities (30 to 65°C). For NOTE2—ThereisnoISOstandardthatistheequivalentofthisstandard
guide.
applications in soils, local temperatures and humidity ranges
must be considered as they vary widely with geography. At
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
least one temperature must be reasonably close to the end use
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
isthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD20.96onEnvironmentallyDegrada
...
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: D6954 − 04 (Reapproved 2013) D6954 − 18
Standard Guide for
Exposing and Testing Plastics that Degrade in the
Environment by a Combination of Oxidation and
1
Biodegradation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6954; 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 guide provides a framework or road map to compare and rank the controlled laboratory rates of degradation and degree
of physical property losses of polymers by thermal and photooxidation processes as well as the biodegradation and ecological
impacts in defined applications and disposal environments after degradation. Disposal environments range from exposure in soil,
landfill, and compost in which thermal oxidation may occur and land cover and agricultural use in which photooxidation may also
occur.
1.2 In this guide, established ASTM International standards are used in three tiers for accelerating and measuring the loss in
properties and molecular weight by both thermal and photooxidation processes and other abiotic processes (Tier 1), measuring
biodegradation (Tier 2), and assessing ecological impact of the products from these processes (Tier 3).
1.3 The Tier 1 conditions selected for thermal oxidation and photooxidation accelerate the degradation likely to occur in a
chosen application and disposal environment. The conditions should include a range of humidity or water concentrations based on
the application and disposal environment in mind. The measured rate of degradation at typical oxidation temperatures is required
to compare and rank the polymers being evaluated in that chosen application to reach a molecular weight that constitutes a
demonstrable biodegradable residue (using ASTM International biometer tests for CO evolution appropriate to the chosen
2
environment). By way of example, accelerated oxidation data must be obtained at temperatures and humidity ranges typical in that
chosen application and disposal environment, for example, in soil (20 to 30°C), landfill (20 to 35°C), and composting facilities (30
to 65°C). For applications in soils, local temperatures and humidity ranges must be considered as they vary widely with geography.
At least one temperature must be reasonably close to the end use or disposal temperature, but under no circumstances should this
be more than 20°C away from the removed that temperature. It must also be established that the polymer does not undergo a phase
change, such as glass transition temperature (Tg) within the temperature range of testing.
1.4 The residues resulting from the oxidations are then exposed to appropriate disposal or use environments in standard
biometric test methods to measure the rate and degree of biodegradation (Tier 2).
1.5 The data generated under Tier 1 evaluation and the determined time for the biodegradation in the chosen environment (Tier
2) allow ranking relative to other polymers evaluated under similar environmental conditions with this guide. The degree and time
for biodegradation should be consistent with ASTM International methods, and any residues from the intermediate oxidation stage
and from biodegradation must be shown to be environmentally benign and not persistent (Tier 3).
NOTE 1—The intended use of this guide is for comparison and ranking of data to aid in the design and development and the reduction of environmental
impacts of polymers that require no more than 24 months to oxidize and biodegrade in the intended use and disposal options and create no harmful or
persistent residues under the appropriate disposal conditions (for example, two seasons of crop-growing conditions in soil).
1.6 It is cautioned that the results of any laboratory exposure in this guide cannot be directly extrapolated to actual disposal
environments; confirmation to real world exposure is ultimately required as with all ASTM International standards.
1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard.
NOTE 2—There is no ISO standard that is the equivalent of this standard guide. Note this changed all subsequent Note numbers.
1.8 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 safety, health, and healthenviro
...
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