ASTM F1515-98

Standard Test Method for Measuring Light Stability of Resilient Vinyl Flooring by Color Change

SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for determining the resistance of resilient vinyl floor covering to color change from exposure to light over a specified period of time.  
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 health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Mar-1998
• ICS: 19.040 - Environmental testing
• ICS: 83.080.20 - Thermoplastic materials
• ICS: 91.060.30 - Ceilings. Floors. Stairs
• Technical Committee: F06 - Resilient Floor Coverings

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM F1515-03 - Standard Test Method for Measuring Light Stability of Resilient Vinyl Flooring by Color Change
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F1303-04(2021) - Standard Specification for Sheet Vinyl Floor Covering with Backing
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1998
• Referred By: ASTM F1913-19 - Standard Specification for Vinyl Sheet Floor Covering Without Backing
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1998
• Referred By: ASTM F1700-20 - Standard Specification for Solid Vinyl Floor Tile
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1998
• Referred By: ASTM F3009-14(2018) - Standard Specification for Polyolefin Composition Floor Tile
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1998
• Referred By: ASTM F1861-21 - Standard Specification for Resilient Wall Base
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1998
• Referred By: ASTM F2195-18(2023) - Standard Specification for Linoleum Floor Tile
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1998
• Referred By: ASTM F2982-18 - Standard Specification for Polyester Composition Floor Tile
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1998
• Referred By: ASTM F3261-20 - Standard Specification for Resilient Flooring in Modular Format with Rigid Polymeric Core
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1998
• Referred By: ASTM F3403-23 - Standard Specification for Heterogeneous Polyurethane Sheet Flooring
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1998
• Referred By: ASTM F3404-23a - Standard Specification for Heterogeneous Polyurethane Tile or Plank Flooring
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1998
• Referred By: ASTM F2034-18 - Standard Specification for Sheet Linoleum Floor Covering
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1998

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: F 1515 – 98
Standard Test Method for
Measuring Light Stability of Resilient Flooring by Color
Change
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1515; 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.
1. Scope radiant-energy source. The filters selected are to simulate
indoor exposure conditions behind window glass. See Practice
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for determining the
D 4459.
resistance of resilient floor covering to color change from
3.2 To ensure uniform exposure, the specimens are mounted
exposure to light over a specified period of time.
on a cylindrical framework that rotates around the xenon lamp
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
suspended in the center.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.3 The effect of radiation (actinic and thermal) on the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
specimen shall be the color difference between the specimen
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
before and after exposure.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4. Significance and Use
2. Referenced Documents
4.1 Resilient floor covering is made by fusing polymer
2.1 ASTM Standards:
materials under heat or pressure, or both, in various manufac-
D 2244 Test Method for Calculation of Color Differences
turing and decorating processes. The polymer material may be
from Instrumentally Measured Color Coordinates
compounded with plasticizers, stabilizers, fillers, and other
D 2565 Practice for Operating Xenon Arc-Type Light-
ingredients for processability and product performance char-
Exposure Apparatus With and Without Water for Exposure
3 acteristics. The formulation of the compound can be varied
of Plastics
considerably depending on the desired performance character-
D 4459 Practice for Operating an Accelerated Lightfastness
istics and methods of processing.
Xenon-Arc Type (Water-Cooled) Light-Exposure Appara-
4.2 Light stability, which is resistance to discoloration from
tus for the Exposure of Plastics for Indoor Applications
light, is a basic requirement for functional use.
E 177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
4.3 This test method provides a means of measuring the
ASTM Test Methods
amount of color change in flooring products when subjected to
E 691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
accelerated light exposure over a period of time (functional use
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
of the flooring product).
G 26 Practice for Operating Light-Exposure Apparatus
4.4 This test method specifies that a sample is measured by
(Xenon-Arc Type) With and Without Water for Exposure
a spectrophotometer and expressed in DE* units before and
of Nonmetallic Materials
after accelerated light exposure.
2.2 DIN Standard:
DIN 53384 Artificial Weathering and Aging of Plastics by
NOTE 1—It is the intent that this test method be used for testing light
Exposure to Laboratory UV Radiation Sources, April
stability performance properties to be referenced in resilient flooring
specifications.
5. Apparatus
3. Summary of Practice
5.1 The apparatus employed shall utilize either a water-
3.1 Specimens are exposed continuously at a controlled
cooled or air-cooled xenon-arc lamp as the source of radiation
temperature and humidity to a properly filtered xenon-arc
and should be of Type AH, BH, or E as described in Practices
D 2565 or G 26.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F-6 on Resilient
5.1.1 Type AH—An exposure apparatus in which the source
Floor Coverings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F06.30 on Physical
of radiant energy shall be a water-cooled xenon-arc vertically
Service Properties.
Current edition approved March 10, 1998. Published June 1998. Originally
located at the central axis of either a 20-in. (508-mm) diameter
published as F 1515 – 95. Last previous edition F 1515 – 97.
vertical specimen rack, or of a 25.5-in. (648-mm) diameter
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 06.01.
3 inclined rack. Means shall be provided to control temperature,
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.02.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.03. relative humidity, and spectral irradiance. The specimen rack
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
F 1515
shall rotate at approximately 1 rpm. 6. Hazards
5.1.2 Type BH—An exposure apparatus in which the source
6.1 Check to be sure the apparatus is operating properly at
of radiant energy shall be a water-cooled xenon-arc vertically
the start of each test. Check the lamp condition at weekly
located at the central axis of a 37.75-in. (960-mm) diameter
intervals to be sure that the burner tube and optical filters are
inclined or vertical specimen rack. Means shall be provided to
clean and that they have not exceeded the maximum recom-
control temperature, relative humidity and spectral irradiance.
mended period of use.
The specimen rack shall rotate at approximately 1 rpm.
6.2 Be sure specimens are held flat when measuring color.
5.1.3 Type E—An exposure apparatus in which the source
of radiant energy shall be three air-cooled xenon-arc lamps 7. Procedure
operating simultaneously at a nominal 4500 watts each. The
7.1 The test specimens shall be flat and of uniform thick-
lamps shall be located within a central core, which shall be
ness. Dimensions are not critical. However, the specimens
positioned at the center of a 610-mm (24.1-in.) diameter
should be capable of fitting the exposure rack and covering the
specimen rack. Means shall be provided to control temperature,
aperture (usually 2.0 by 2.0 in. (50.8 by 50.8 mm)) of the
relative humidity, and irradiance intensity. The specimen rack
color-measuring apparatus used.
shall rotate around the light source.
7.2 For each exposure time cut three specimens or cut one
specimen and mark three test areas from each sample. All
NOTE 2—Type AH, Type BH, and Type E may not yield equivalent
specimens shall be of similar color, pattern and texture.
results.
NOTE 3—White, monochromatic, flat material is preferred for testing.
5.2 Xenon Light Source—The xenon light source consists of
a quartz-jacketed burner tube charged with xenon gas.
7.3 Obtain and record initial L*, a*, and b* readings on each
5.3 Glass Filters—Table 1 shows the relative spectral
of the three specimens or areas with the color measuring
power distribution limits of xenon-arcs filtered for simulating a
equipment before placing in the xenon-arc test apparatus. Mark
behind window-glass exposure. For water-cooled xenon, an
the exact area of the measurement for future location in the
inner borosilicate-glass cylinder is used in combination with a
color measurement equipment.
soda-lime-glass outer cylinder to selectively screen radiation
7.4 Program the instrument to operate in the continuous
output. For air-cooled xenon, the filters shall be an infrared
light-on mode without water spray at an irradiance equivalent
2 2
(IR) reflecting inner glass filter, quartz middle filter, and a
to 0.30 W/m at 340 nm (that is, 37 W/m at 300 to 400 nm).
soda-lime-glass outer filter.
Place the black panel sensor and specimens on the specimen
5.4 Light Monitor—The light monitor shall be capable of
rack preferably toward the center of the test chamber
...