ASTM D5208-91

Standard Practice for Fluorescent Ultraviolet (UV) Exposure of Photodegradable Plastics (Withdrawn 2000)

SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the specific procedures applicable for fluorescent Ultraviolet (UV) exposure of photodegradable plastics conducted in accordance with Practices G 151 and G 154. This practice also covers the preparation of test specimens and the evaluation of test results.
Note 1—Previous ersions of this practice referenced fluorescent UV devices described by Practice G 53, which described very specific equipment designs. Practice G 53 has been withdrawn and replaced by Practice G 151, which describes performance criteria for all exposure devices that use laboratory light sources and by Practice G 154, which gives requirements for exposing nonmetallic materials in fluorescent UV devices.
1.2 Practice D 4329 covers fluorescent UV exposures of plastics intended for long term use in outdoor applications.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, 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.
Note 2—There is no ISO standard equivalent to this practice.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Dec-2001
• Withdrawal Date: 09-Feb-2000
• ICS: 83.080.01 - Plastics in general
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.96 - Environmentally Degradable Plastics and Biobased Products

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D5208-01 - Standard Practice for Fluorescent Ultraviolet (UV) Exposure of Photodegradable Plastics
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-2001
• Referred By: ASTM D3826-18 - Standard Practice for Determining Degradation End Point in Degradable Polyethylene and Polypropylene Using a Tensile Test
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-2001
• Referred By: ASTM D6954-18 - Standard Guide for Exposing and Testing Plastics that Degrade in the Environment by a Combination of Oxidation and Biodegradation
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-2001

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:D5208–91 AnAmerican National Standard
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTINGAND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA19428
Reprinted from theAnnual Book ofASTM Standards. CopyrightASTM
Standard Practice for
Operating Fluorescent Ultraviolet (UV) and Condensation
Apparatus for Exposure of Photodegradable Plastics
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5208; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope thetestspecimen.Proceduresdescribedinthispracticeattempt
to simulate the exterior exposure of plastics.
1.1 This practice covers the procedures applicable when
4.2 Since the spectral power distribution of fluorescent
Practice G53 is employed for exposure testing of photode-
lamps is not an exact match with sunlight and since the other
gradableplastics.Referenceismadetosamplepreparationand
parametersoftemperatureandwaterdonotrepresentaspecific
evaluation of test results.
known climatic condition, the results of laboratory exposures
1.2 The values given in both inch-pound and SI units are to
may not correlate to data obtained with outdoor weathering.
be regarded separately as the standard. The units given in
There may be no positive correlation of exposure results
parentheses are for information only.
between this and other laboratory weathering devices.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.3 Variations in results may be expected when operating
safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the
conditions among instruments from different manufacturers
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
vary within accepted limits of this practice.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5. Apparatus
2. Referenced Documents 5.1 Fluorescent UV/Condensation Apparatus, complying
with Practice G53.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
2 5.2 The lamps shall be UVA-340 lamps with a peak emis-
E772 Terminology Relating to Solar Energy Conversion
sion at 343 nm and a spectral power distribution as shown in
G 7 Practice for Atmospheric Environmental Exposure
3 Fig. 1. Materials exposed to UVA-340 lamps in this device
Testing of Nonmetallic Materials
receive an irradiance of 0.72 W/m /nm (610%) at 340 nm.
G53 Practice for Operating Light- and Water-Exposure
The UV irradiance from 295 to 400 nm is 39 W/m (610%).
Apparatus(FluorescentUV/CondensationType)forExpo-
5.2.1 Other fluorescent UV lamps meeting the size and
sure of Nonmetallic Materials
electrical characteristics in 5.2 may be used by prior agree-
3. Terminology
ment, provided that the lamp and spectral power distribution
are reported in conformance with Section 11. Use of lamps
3.1 Definitions:
other than those specified in 5.2 may result in significant
3.1.1 The terminology of this practice is consistent with
differences in test results.
definitions found in the Compilation of ASTM Standard Ter-
5.3 Test Chamber Location:
minology.
5.3.1 Locatetheapparatusinanareamaintainedbetween18
4. Significance and Use
and 27°C (65 to 80°F). Measure ambient temperature at a
distance of 6 in. (150 mm) from the plane of the sample door
4.1 Plastic materials used for photodegradable applications
oftheapparatus.Controlofambienttemperatureisparticularly
are subject to attack by the degrading elements of the weather,
criticalforproperoperationofapparatusstackedoneabovethe
particularly ultraviolet (UV) light, oxygen, temperature, and
other, because the heat generated from one unit has the
water.Thispracticemaybeusedforevaluatingthebehaviorof
potential to interfere with the operation of adjacent units.
plastics exposed in an apparatus that produces ultraviolet
5.3.2 Locate the apparatus at least 300 mm from walls or
radiation, controlled temperature, and water condensation on
other apparatus. Shield or avoid nearby heat sources, such as
ovens or heated test apparatus.
5.3.3 Ventilate the room where the apparatus is located to
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-20 on Plastics
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.96 on Environmentally
remove the heat and moisture produced and to maintain the
Degradable Plastics.
Current edition approved Nov. 15, 1991. Published January 1992.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 12.02.
Apparatus and lamps from Q-Panel Co., 26200 First St., Cleveland, OH 44145
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
andfromAtlasElectricDevicesCo.,4114N.RavenswoodAve.,Chicago,IL60613,
Available from ASTM Headquarters, 1916 Race St., Philadelphia, PA 19103-
have been found suitable for this purpose.
1187.
D5208
effect of the exposure on the specimens. Where practical, it is
recommendedthatspecimensbesizedtofitthesampleholders
supplied with the apparatus.
6.2 Expose at least three replicates of each material being
tested.Determinetherequiredpropertiesofeachandreportthe
mean of the property measurements. Preparation and exposure
of separate specimen sets for several exposure stages can
provide a record of degradation for different time intervals.
This technique is essential when destructive tests are used to
evaluate property changes. Property testing on unexposed
replicates for comparison purposes is often useful.
6.3 Do not mask the face of a specimen for the purpose of
showing on one panel the effects of various exposure times.
Misleading results may be obtained by this method, since the
masked portion of the specimen is still exposed to temperature
FIG. 1 Representative Spectral Power Distribution of UVA-340 and humidity cycles that, in many cases, will affect results.
Fluorescent Lamps
6.4 Since the thickness of a specimen may markedly affect
theresultsofthetest,recordtheactualthicknessatthestartand
temperatures specified above.
conclusion of the exposure period.
5.3.4 Locate the apparatus in a room with no airborne
6.4.1 For specimens of self-insulating materials, such as
solventsorotherchemicalsthatcouldaffectthetestspecimens
foams, maximum specimen thickness should be 20 mm to
asambientairiscontinuallydrawnintothetestchamberduring
allow adequate heat transfer for condensation.
the UV cycle.
6.5 To provide rigidity, flexible specimens should be at-
tached to, or backed by, a panel made of aluminum, 0.025 in.
6. Test Specimens
(0.63 mm) thick, 3003 H14 alloy.
6.1 The size and shape of specimens are determined by the
6.6 Seal holes in specimens larger than 2 mm and any
material specification or the test method used to evaluate the
openings larger than 1 mm around irregularly shaped speci-
mens to prevent loss of water vapor. Back porous specimens
Notes on Measurement Technique for Data Graphed as Fig. 1—A spectrora- with a vapor barrier such as aluminum.
diometer was used to measure the sp
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