ASTM F903-10
(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
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method is normally used to evaluate the barrier effectiveness against liquids of materials used for protective clothing and specimens from finished items of protective clothing.
Finished items of protective clothing include gloves, arm shields, aprons, suits, hoods, boots, and the like.
The phrase “specimens from finished items” encompasses seamed and other discontinuous regions as well as the usual continuous regions of protective clothing items.
A substitute challenge liquid (for example, water) is appropriate in some cases. However, it is possible that differences in chemical and molecular properties (for example, surface tension) lead to different results.
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.
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Designation: F903 − 10
Standard Test Method for
Resistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing to
1
Penetration by Liquids
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationF903;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginal
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) 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 2. Referenced Documents
2
1.1 This test method is used to test specimens of protective 2.1 ASTM Standards:
clothing and candidate materials and constructions to be used D1777 Test Method for Thickness of Textile Materials
in protective clothing. The resistance to visible penetration of E105 Practice for Probability Sampling of Materials
the test liquid is determined with the liquid in continuous F104 Classification System for Nonmetallic Gasket Materi-
contact with the normally outside surface of the test specimen. als
F739 Test Method for Permeation of Liquids and Gases
1.2 In some cases, significant amounts of hazardous mate-
throughProtectiveClothingMaterialsunderConditionsof
rials will permeate specimens that pass the penetration tests.
Continuous Contact
FormoresensitiveanalysisuseTestMethodF739todetermine
permeation.
3. Terminology
1.3 Thistestmethodisnotapplicabletofingertipsorcrotch
3.1 Definitions:
areas of gloves, which are possible failure points.
3.1.1 degradation, n—a deleterious change in one or more
1.4 The values as stated in inch-pound units are to be
properties of a material.
regarded as the standard. The values in parentheses are for
3.1.2 penetration, n—for chemical protective clothing, the
information only.
movement of substances through voids in aprotective clothing
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the material or item on a non-molecular level.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1.2.1 Discussion—Voids include gaps, pores, holes, and
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
imperfections in closures, seams, interfaces, and protective
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
clothing materials. Penetration does not require a change of
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.Specifichazardsare
state; solid chemicals move through voids in the material as
given in Section 7.
solids, liquids as liquids, and gases as gases. Penetration is a
distinctly different mechanism from permeation.
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeF23onPersonal
Protective Clothing and Equipment and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
2
F23.30 on Chemicals. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2010. Published February 2010. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as F903 - 03(2004). DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
10.1520/F0903-10.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F903 − 10
3.1.3 permeation, n—for chemical protective clothing, the 6.2.3 Screen, retaining, optional (see Table 2), with at least
movement of chemicals as molecules through protective cloth- 50 % open area.The purpose of the screen is to limit distention
ing material items by the processes of (1) absorption of the of the test specimen to 0.2 in. (5 mm) or less. Examples of
chemical into the contact surface of the material, (2) diffusion retaining screens are 11 by 11 nylon screen, 14 by 14
3
of the absorbed molecules throughout the material, and (3) polypropylene screen, and 13 by 13 polyester screen.
desorption of the chemical from the opposite surface of the
material.
7. Hazards
3.1.3.1 Discussion—Permeation is a distinctly different
7.1 Beforecarryingoutthistestmethod,identifyandreview
mechanism from penetration.
safety precau
...
This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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:F903–03 (Reapproved 2004) Designation:F903–10
Standard Test Method for
Resistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing to
1
Penetration by Liquids
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationF903;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginal
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) 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
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 bracketsparentheses 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1777 Test Method for Thickness of Textile Materials
E105 Practice for Probability Sampling Of Materials
F104 Classification System for Nonmetallic Gasket Materials
F739 Test Method for Permeation of Liquids and Gases through Protective Clothing Materials under Conditions of Continuous
Contact
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 degradation, n—a deleterious change in one or more properties of a material.
3.1.2 penetration, n—the movement of matter through closures, porous materials, seams, and pinholes or other imperfections
in protective clothing on a nonmolecular level. —for chemical protective clothing, the movement of substances through voids in
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F23 on Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
F23.30 on Chemical Resistance.
Current edition approved June 1, 2004. Published July 2004. Originally approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as F903-03. DOI: 10.1520/F0903-
03R04.on Chemicals.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2010. Published February 2010. Originally approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as F903 - 03(2004). DOI:
10.1520/F0903-10.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. 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.
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F903–10
aprotective clothing material or item on a non-molecular level.
3.1.2.1 Discussion—For this test method, the specific matter is a liquid chemical. —Voids include gaps, pores, holes, and
imperfections in closures, seams, interfaces, and protective clothing materials. Penetration does not require a change of state; solid
chemicals move through voids in the material as solids, liquids as liquids, and gases as gases. Penetration is a distinctly different
mechanism from permeation.
3.1.3 permeation, n—the process by which a chemical moves through a protective
...
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