Standard Test Method for Resistance to Growth of Mold on the Surface of Interior Coatings in an Environmental Chamber

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 (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. Should this test method 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 to 98 % at a temperature of 32.5+ 1oC (90+ 2oF ) 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.
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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Publication Date
09-Nov-2000
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ASTM D3273-00 - Standard Test Method for Resistance to Growth of Mold on the Surface of Interior Coatings in an Environmental Chamber
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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:D3273–00
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 D 3273; 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 (e) 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 1.4 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.
1.2 This test method can be used to evaluate the compara-
2. Referenced Documents
tive resistance of interior coating to accelerated mildew
2.1 ASTM Standards:
growth. Performance at a certain rating (in accordance with
D 3274 Test Method for Evaluating Degree of Surface
Test Method D 3274) does not imply any specific period of
Disfigurement of Paint Films by Microbial (Fungal or
time for a fungal free coating. However, a better rated coating
3
Algal) Growth or Soil and Dirt Accumulation
nearly always performs better in actual end use.
3. Significance and Use
NOTE 1—This test method is intended for the accelerated evaluation of
an interior coatings’ resistance to fungal defacement. Use of this test
3.1 An accelerated test for determining the resistance of
method for evaluating exterior coatings’ performance has not been
interior coatings to mold growth is useful in estimating the
validated, nor have the limitations for such use been determined. Should
performance of coatings designed for use in interior environ-
this test method be used for the testing of an exterior coating system, a
ments that promote mold growth and in evaluating compounds
precautionary statement regarding interpretation of results as being
outside of the scope of this test method must be included.Any accelerated that may inhibit such growth and the aggregate levels for their
weathering (leaching, weathering machine exposure, etc.,) should be
use (see also Note 1).
reported and should also bear reference to the fact that it is beyond the
3.2 This test method should preferably be used by persons
current scope of this test method.
who have had basic microbiological training.
1.3 Temperature and humidity must be effectively con-
4. Apparatus
trolled within the relatively narrow limits specified in order for
the chamber to function reproducibly during the short test
4.1 Environmental Chamber, capable of maintaining a rela-
period. Severity and rate of mold growth on a film is a function tive humidity of 95 to 98 % at a temperature of 32.5 6 1°C (90
of the moisture content of both the film and the substrate. A
6 2°F) while providing a continuous inoculation of the surface
relative humidity of 95 to 98 % at a temperature of 32.5 6 1°C of exposed panels with mold spores. The chamber should be
(90 6 2°F ) is necessary for test panels to develop rapidly and
kept in a room controlled to 21 to 24°C (70 to 75°F) so that
maintain an adequate moisture level to support mold growth. heat loss from the cabinet is insignificant and that 95 to 98 %
relative humidity is readily obtained at the test temperature.
Alternatively the cabinet must be insulated with suitable
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint
materials to minimize heat loss.
and Related Coatings, Materials, andApplications and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D01.28 on Biodeterioration.
Current edition approved Nov. 10, 2000. Published January 2001. Originally
published as D 3273 – 73 T. Last previous edition D 3273 – 94.
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.
3
Box 601, Rockaway, NJ 07866. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 06.01.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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