ASTM D3273-12
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Resistance to Growth of Mold on the Surface of Interior Coatings in an Environmental Chamber
Standard Test Method for Resistance to Growth of Mold on the Surface of Interior Coatings in an Environmental Chamber
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
An accelerated test for determining the resistance of interior coatings to mold growth is useful in estimating the performance of coatings designed for use in interior environments that promote mold growth and in evaluating compounds that may inhibit such growth and the aggregate levels for their use (see also Note 1).
This test method should preferably be used by persons who have had basic microbiological training.
FIG. 1 Environmental Cabinet Assembly
SCOPE
1.1 This test method describes a small environmental chamber and the conditions of operation to evaluate reproducibly in a 4-week period the relative resistance of paint films to surface mold fungi, mildew growth in a severe interior environment. The apparatus is designed so it can be easily built or obtained by any interested party and will duplicate results obtained in a large tropical chamber.
1.2 This test method can be used to evaluate the comparative resistance of interior coating to accelerated mildew growth. Performance at a certain rating does not imply any specific period of time for a fungal free coating. However, a better rated coating nearly always performs better in actual end use.
Note 1—This test method is intended for the accelerated evaluation of an interior coatings' resistance to fungal defacement. Use of this test method for evaluating exterior coatings' performance has not been validated, nor have the limitations for such use been determined. If this test method is to be used for the testing of an exterior coating system, a precautionary statement regarding interpretation of results as being outside of the scope of this test method must be included. Any accelerated weathering (leaching, weathering machine exposure, etc.) should be reported and should also bear reference to the fact that it is beyond the current scope of this test method.
1.3 Temperature and humidity must be effectively controlled within the relatively narrow limits specified in order for the chamber to function reproducibly during the short test period. Severity and rate of mold growth on a film is a function of the moisture content of both the film and the substrate. A relative humidity of 95 ± 3 % at a temperature of 32.5 ± 1°C (90 ± 2°F ) is necessary for test panels to develop rapidly and maintain an adequate moisture level to support mold growth.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given 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.
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Designation: D3273 − 12
StandardTest Method for
Resistance to Growth of Mold on the Surface of Interior
1
Coatings in an Environmental Chamber
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3273; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope 1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
1.1 This test method describes a small environmental cham-
only.
ber and the conditions of operation to evaluate reproducibly in
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
a 4-week period the relative resistance of paint films to surface
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
mold fungi, mildew growth in a severe interior environment.
2
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
The apparatus is designed so it can be easily built or obtained
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
by any interested party and will duplicate results obtained in a
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
large tropical chamber.
2. Referenced Documents
1.2 This test method can be used to evaluate the compara-
3
tive resistance of interior coating to accelerated mildew
2.1 ASTM Standards:
growth. Performance at a certain rating does not imply any
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
specific period of time for a fungal free coating. However, a
ASTM Test Methods
better rated coating nearly always performs better in actual end
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
use.
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
NOTE 1—This test method is intended for the accelerated evaluation of
an interior coatings’ resistance to fungal defacement. Use of this test
3. Significance and Use
method for evaluating exterior coatings’ performance has not been
3.1 An accelerated test for determining the resistance of
validated, nor have the limitations for such use been determined. If this
test method is to be used for the testing of an exterior coating system, a interior coatings to mold growth is useful in estimating the
precautionary statement regarding interpretation of results as being
performance of coatings designed for use in interior environ-
outside of the scope of this test method must be included.Any accelerated
ments that promote mold growth and in evaluating compounds
weathering (leaching, weathering machine exposure, etc.) should be
that may inhibit such growth and the aggregate levels for their
reported and should also bear reference to the fact that it is beyond the
use (see also Note 1).
current scope of this test method.
3.2 This test method should preferably be used by persons
1.3 Temperature and humidity must be effectively con-
who have had basic microbiological training.
trolled within the relatively narrow limits specified in order for
the chamber to function reproducibly during the short test
4. Apparatus
period. Severity and rate of mold growth on a film is a function
4.1 Environmental Chamber, capable of maintaining a rela-
of the moisture content of both the film and the substrate. A
tive humidity of 95 6 3 % at a temperature of 32.5 6 1°C (90
relative humidity of 95 6 3 % at a temperature of 32.5 6 1°C
6 2°F) while providing a continuous inoculation of the surface
(90 6 2°F ) is necessary for test panels to develop rapidly and
of exposed panels with mold spores. The chamber should be
maintain an adequate moisture level to support mold growth.
kept in a room controlled to no less than 21°C (75°F) so that
heat loss from the cabinet is insignificant and that 92 to 98 %
relative humidity is readily obtained at the test temperature.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint
Alternatively the cabinet must be insulated with suitable
and Related Coatings, Materials, andApplications and is the direct responsibility of
materials to minimize heat loss.
Subcommittee D01.28 on Biodeterioration.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2012. Published March 2012. Originally
approved in 1973. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as D3273 – 00 (2006).
3
DOI: 10.1520/D3273-12. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
2
Additional specifications for construction of a chamber that has been found contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
suitable for this method may be obtained from New Jersey Industrial Controls, P.O. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Do
...
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:D3273–00(Reapproved2005) Designation:D3273–12
Standard Test Method for
Resistance to Growth of Mold on the Surface of Interior
1
Coatings in an Environmental Chamber
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3273; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method describes a small environmental chamber and the conditions of operation to evaluate reproducibly in a
4-week period the relative resistance of paint films to surface mold fungi, mildew growth in a severe interior environment. The
2
apparatus is designed so it can be easily built or obtained by any interested party and will duplicate results obtained in a large
tropical chamber.
1.2 This test method can be used to evaluate the comparative resistance of interior coating to accelerated mildew growth.
Performance at a certain rating (in accordance with Test Method D3274) does not imply any specific period of time for a fungal
free coating. However, a better rated coating nearly always performs better in actual end use.
NOTE 1—This test method is intended for the accelerated evaluation of an interior coatings’ resistance to fungal defacement. Use of this test method
for evaluating exterior coatings’ performance has not been validated, nor have the limitations for such use been determined. ShouldIf this test method
is to be used for the testing of an exterior coating system, a precautionary statement regarding interpretation of results as being outside of the scopeof
this test method must be included. Any accelerated weathering (leaching, weathering machine exposure, etc.) should be reported and should also bear
reference to the fact that it is beyond the current scope of this test method.
1.3 Temperature and humidity must be effectively controlled within the relatively narrow limits specified in order for the
chamber to function reproducibly during the short test period. Severity and rate of mold growth on a film is a function of the
moisture content of both the film and the substrate. A relative humidity of 95 to 98%6 3 % at a temperature of 32.5 6 1°C (90
6 2°F ) is necessary for test panels to develop rapidly and maintain an adequate moisture level to support mold growth.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given 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.
2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards: D3274Test Method for Evaluating Degree of Surface Disfigurement of Paint Films by Fungal or Algal
Growth, or Soil and Dirt Accumulation
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
3. Significance and Use
3.1 Anacceleratedtestfordeterminingtheresistanceofinteriorcoatingstomoldgrowthisusefulinestimatingtheperformance
ofcoatingsdesignedforuseininteriorenvironmentsthatpromotemoldgrowthandinevaluatingcompoundsthatmayinhibitsuch
growth and the aggregate levels for their use (see also Note 1).
3.2 This test method should preferably be used by persons who have had basic microbiological training.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D01.28 on Biodeterioration.
Current edition approved Dec.Feb. 1, 2005.2012. Published February 2006.March 2012. Originally approved in 1973. Last previous edition approved in 20002005 as
D3273 – 00 (2006). DOI: 10.1520/D3273-00R05.10.1520/D3273-12.
2
Additional specifications for construction of a chamber that has been found suitable for this method may be obtained from New Jersey Industrial Controls, P.O. Box 601,
Rockaway, NJ 07866.
3
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 Summa
...
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