ASTM D1793-23

Standard Test Method for Water Spotting of Emulsion Floor Polishes

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This test method measures the ability of a floor polish to resist spotting by water. This test method may be used to measure the extent of damage by a large amount of water or in a separate method to measure the amount of damage by a small amount of water that has evaporated to dryness. Reference polishes should be used for comparison.
Note 1: The test method may induce slight whitening, color change, noticeable change in appearance, including removal of the film, which is caused by contact with water.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of water spotting resistance of water emulsion floor polishes. The test method approximates the actual conditions of water spotting encountered in service.  
1.2 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.  
1.3 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 D1793-17 - Standard Test Method for Water Spotting of Emulsion 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 D1793-23 - Standard Test Method for Water Spotting of Emulsion Floor Polishes provides a reliable procedure for assessing the water spotting resistance of water-based floor polishes. Developed by ASTM International, this standard helps manufacturers, laboratories, and quality control professionals evaluate how well a floor polish withstands exposure to water under service-like conditions. Water spotting can include changes in appearance such as whitening, color shift, or film removal, all critical to the longevity and visual appeal of finished flooring.

Key Topics

• Water Spotting Definition: Water spotting refers to any observable change in a floor finish's appearance due solely to the action of cool water on its surface.
• Test Apparatus: Utilizes official vinyl composition tiles (OVCT), distilled water, and calibrated pipets to ensure consistency and reproducibility.
• Dynamic and Static Test Procedures:
  • Dynamic testing involves placing a measured volume of distilled water on the test panel for a set period, followed by careful observation of any resulting appearance changes.
  • Static testing assesses the effect of a small water drop left to evaporate, simulating common in-service accidents.
• Preparation and Conditioning: Standardized application and drying of the polish emulsion ensure that results are comparable across different products and tests.
• Assessment and Interpretation: The standard supports precise evaluation of a polish's resistance to water-induced spotting, critical for product comparison and quality assessment.

Applications

ASTM D1793-23 is widely used across industries related to floor care, building maintenance, and flooring product manufacturing. Practical applications include:

• Product Development: Manufacturers of emulsion floor polishes use this method to evaluate and improve water resistance in new formulations.
• Quality Control: Ensures each batch of floor polish meets uniform performance standards before reaching consumers.
• Comparative Testing: Enables the assessment of different commercial products or alternative formulations under controlled laboratory conditions.
• Flooring Certification: Facilities, property managers, and purchasers rely on test results to select polishes suitable for environments where frequent water exposure is likely, such as kitchens, entrances, and bathrooms.
• Regulatory Compliance: Assists manufacturers in meeting both national and international quality verification requirements.

Related Standards

Many organizations supplement ASTM D1793-23 with additional relevant test methods to create a comprehensive assessment regime:

• ASTM D1436 - Test Methods for Application of Emulsion Floor Polishes to Substrates for Testing Purposes: Details the procedures for applying polishes to test panels, ensuring consistent substrate preparation.
• ASTM Standards for Floor Polish Performance: Related test methods that cover wear resistance, gloss retention, and detergent resistance.
• ISO and National Standards: ASTM D1793-23 adheres to international principles set out by the World Trade Organization’s TBT Committee, supporting harmonized global trade and product assessment.

Practical Value

Employing this standard supports the production of high-quality, durable, and visually appealing floor finishes. The ASTM D1793-23 test method ensures reliable benchmarking and guides continuous product improvement by providing objective water resistance data. Its use ultimately leads to better performing floor polish products for residential, commercial, and institutional facilities, delivering long-lasting value in real-world service conditions.

Keywords: water spotting, emulsion floor polish, ASTM D1793-23, water resistance, floor care standard, vinyl composition tile, polish testing.

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: D1793 − 23
Standard Test Method for
Water Spotting of Emulsion Floor Polishes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1793; 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.
NOTE 1—The test method may induce slight whitening, color change,
1. Scope
noticeable change in appearance, including removal of the film, which is
1.1 This test method covers the determination of water
caused by contact with water.
spotting resistance of water emulsion floor polishes. The test
method approximates the actual conditions of water spotting 5. Apparatus
encountered in service.
5.1 Substrate—The substrate to be used is official vinyl
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
composition tile (OVCT).
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
5.2 Distilled Water.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5.3 Pipet, volumetric, 1 mL.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
6. Preparation of Test Panel
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- 6.1 Apply the emulsion floor polish on the black
OVCT panel in accordance with Method C (Manual Dip
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- Method) of Test Method D1436. After application, place the
panel in a near vertical position and at the end of 10 min, wipe
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. off the bead at the bottom of the panel and allow the panel to
dry in a vertical position for 2 h at standard conditions of 50 %
2. Referenced Documents
6 4 % relative humidity and 23.9 °C 6 1.1 °C (75 °F 6 2 °F).
Apply a second coat in the same manner but reverse the panel
2.1 ASTM Standards:
so that the top is at the bottom. Drain in a near vertical position
D1436 Test Methods for Application of Emulsion Floor
for 10 min, wipe off the bead, and continue drying in a vertical
Polishes to Substrates for Testing Purposes
position at standard conditions for 24 h.
3. Terminology
NOTE 2—The drying time, counted from the time of application of the
second coat, may be varied from 24 h, but it should be remembered that
3.1 Definitions:
some floor polishes which have suitable water spotting resistance during
3.1.1 water spotting, n—any change in appearance of sur-
their normal service life do not achieve this resistance until 24 h to 48 h
face resulting solely from the action of cool water.
after application.
4. Significance and Use
7. Procedure
4.1 This test method measures the ability of a floor polish to
7.1 Dynamic Test—Standard conditions of 50 % 6 4 %
resist spotting by water. This test method may be used to
relative humidity and 23.9 °C 6 1.1 °C (75 °F 6 2 °F) should
measure the extent of damage by a large amount of water or in
prevail in the test area. Place the panel in a horizontal position
a separate method to measure the amount of damage by a small
making sure that the top is level. Place 1 mL of distilled water
amount of water that has evaporated to dryness. Reference
near the center of the panel, and allow it to stand undisturbed
polishes should be used for comparison.
for 1 h. Use cheesecloth, or a soft cotton cloth previously wet
with distilled water and well wrung out so that it is just damp
and wipe up the wate
...

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: D1793 − 17 D1793 − 23
Standard Test Method for
Water Spotting of Emulsion Floor Polishes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1793; 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 water spotting resistance of water emulsion floor polishes. The test method
approximates the actual conditions of water spotting encountered in service.
1.2 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.
1.3 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
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 water spotting—spotting, n—any change in appearance of surface resulting solely from the action of cool water.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 This test method measures the ability of a floor polish to resist spotting by water. This test method may be used to measure
the extent of damage by a large amount of water or in a separate method to measure the amount of damage by a small amount
of water that has evaporated to dryness. Reference polishes should be used for comparison.
NOTE 1—The test method may induce slight whitening, color change, noticeable change in appearance, including removal of the film, which is caused
by contact with water.
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 2017December 2023. Originally approved in 1960. Last previous edition approved in 20152017
as D1793 – 92D1793 – 17.(2015). DOI: 10.1520/D1793-17.10.1520/D1793-23.
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.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D1793 − 23
5. Apparatus
5.1 Substrate—The substrate to be used is vinylofficial vinyl composition tile (OVCT).
5.2 Distilled Water.
5.3 Pipet, volumetric, 1-mL.1 mL.
6. Preparation of Test Panel
6.1 Apply the emulsion floor polish on the black official vinyl composition tile panel OVCT panel in accordance with Method C
(Manual Dip Method) of Test MethodsMethod D1436. After application, place the panel in a near vertical position and at the end
of 10 min, wipe off the bead at the bottom of the panel and allow the panel to dry in a vertical position for 2 h at standard conditions
of 5050 % 6 4 % relative humidity and 23.9 6 1.1°C (75 6 2°F).23.9 °C 6 1.1 °C (75 °F 6 2 °F). Apply a second coat in the
same manner but reverse the panel so that the top is at the bottom. Drain in a near vertical position for 10 min, wipe off the bead,
and continue drying in a vertical position at standard conditions for 24 h.
NOTE 2—The drying time, counted from the time of application of the second coat, may be varied from 24 h, but it should be remembered that some
floor
...