ASTM D3274-09(2013)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Evaluating Degree of Surface Disfigurement of Paint Films by Fungal or Algal Growth, or Soil and Dirt Accumulation
Standard Test Method for Evaluating Degree of Surface Disfigurement of Paint Films by Fungal or Algal Growth, or Soil and Dirt Accumulation
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The growth of fungi in and on the surface of paint films represents a major cause of discoloration or disfigurement of painted surfaces. Because of their dark pigmentation, it is frequently difficult to distinguish fungi from dirt or soil particles.
4.2 Use of Pictorial Standards:
4.2.1 The pictorial references that are part of this test method are for illustration purposes and may be used for visual comparisons.
4.2.2 The diagrams represent an idealized schematic of various growth levels on paint films. they are intended as a representation only, but will serve as a useful guideline to establish amount and type of growth.
4.2.3 The diagrams represented in Fig. 1 are not derived from a linear scale. The scale is intended to provide for more discrimination at the earlier stages of fungal or algal growth. It is at these levels that greater discernment is necessary.
4.2.4 Comparisons made on dark colored substrates will be much more difficult, and will therefore require much more care and attention. It must be noted that because it is difficult to distinguish mild fungal or algal growth on the very dark substrates, there may be a tendency to under-rate those specimens.
SCOPE
1.1 Fungal growth, frequently referred to as mildew in the paint industry, causes defacement of paint film exposed outdoors. The visual rating of paint surface disfigurement due to fungal or algal attack is required in order to compare the performance of different coatings.
1.2 This method of rating mildew evaluation is intended to be used on exterior exposed paint films. This method may be used to rate interior fungal or algal growth, but it should be noted that the growth patterns on interior surfaces are different than exterior due to the lack of weathering influences. It is primarily intended for test specimens, but can also be sued for rating mildew growth on larger structures such as entire houses. If this is used for large areas, the project should be broken down into smaller sections.
1.3 This method is intended for field use for the macro rating of surface disfigurement only. The visual scales are meant to be used by the unaided eye to rate algal, fungal, or dirt disfigurement on larger surface areas such as test panels, siding boards, or entire buildings. Techniques are included for the differentiation of soil and dirt.
1.4 Fungi will grow on most paint films exposed outdoors that are located in conditions favorable to growth. Test procedures such as Practices D1006, D3456, and G7 are available describing natural exposure tests that can be used to expose paint films, in order to create fungal or algal growth.
1.5 The pictorial references available for use with this test method provide a numerical basis for rating the degree of fungal or algal growth on paint films.
1.6 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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Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation:D3274 −09 (Reapproved 2013)
Standard Test Method for
Evaluating Degree of Surface Disfigurement of Paint Films
by Fungal or Algal Growth, or Soil and Dirt Accumulation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3274; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber 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 priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.1 Fungal growth, frequently referred to as mildew in the
paint industry, causes defacement of paint film exposed out-
2. Referenced Documents
doors. The visual rating of paint surface disfigurement due to
fungal or algal attack is required in order to compare the 2.1 ASTM Standards:
performance of different coatings. D1006Practice for Conducting Exterior Exposure Tests of
Paints on Wood
1.2 This method of rating mildew evaluation is intended to
D3456Practice for Determining by Exterior Exposure Tests
be used on exterior exposed paint films. This method may be
theSusceptibilityofPaintFilmstoMicrobiologicalAttack
used to rate interior fungal or algal growth, but it should be
D4610Guide for Determining the Presence of and Remov-
noted that the growth patterns on interior surfaces are different
ing Microbial (Fungal or Algal) Growth on Paint and
than exterior due to the lack of weathering influences. It is
Related Coatings
primarily intended for test specimens, but can also be sued for
G7Practice for Atmospheric Environmental Exposure Test-
rating mildew growth on larger structures such as entire
ing of Nonmetallic Materials
houses. If this is used for large areas, the project should be
broken down into smaller sections.
3. Terminology
1.3 This method is intended for field use for the macro
3.1 Types of Fungal Growth—Duringexaminationofapaint
rating of surface disfigurement only. The visual scales are
film, it may be possible to distinguish between the several
meanttobeusedbytheunaidedeyetoratealgal,fungal,ordirt
typesoffungaloralgalgrowth.Ifrequired,itmaybenecessary
disfigurementonlargersurfaceareassuchastestpanels,siding
to note the type of fungal or algal growth found. Under
boards, or entire buildings. Techniques are included for the
magnification, and with some identification training, it is
differentiation of soil and dirt.
possible to be able to distinguish growth types. The following
1.4 Fungi will grow on most paint films exposed outdoors
definitions are some growth types that may be found.
that are located in conditions favorable to growth. Test proce-
3.2 hyphae, n—thread-like, tubular fungal filaments that
dures such as Practices D1006, D3456, and G7 are available
compose the mycelium.
describing natural exposure tests that can be used to expose
3.3 mildew, n—a popular term for the conglomerations of
paint films, in order to create fungal or algal growth.
fungi that grow on and disfigure paint films.
1.5 The pictorial references available for use with this test
3.4 mycelium, n—vegetative mass of hyphae forming the
method provide a numerical basis for rating the degree of
body of a fungus.
fungal or algal growth on paint films.
3.5 spore—an asexual reproductive cell capable of develop-
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
ing into a mature fungus without fusion with another cell.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.5.1 Discussion—Spores tend to be spherical in morphol-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
ogy and are observed singly or in clusters. Spores may or may
not be associated with fungal mycelia and can range in a wide
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint
and Related Coatings, Materials, andApplications and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D01.28 on Biodeterioration. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2013. Published October 2013. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
ε1
approved in 1973. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as D3274–09 . DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D3274-09R13. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D3274−09 (2013)
variety of colors. Although primarily gray or black, some distinguish mild fungal or algal growth on the very dark
spores are green in color and have been mistaken as terrestrial substrates, there may be a tendency to under-rate those
algae. specimens.
5. Soil or Dirt Particles
4. Significance and Use
5.1 Fungaloralgalratingscanbemademoredifficultbythe
4.1 The growth of fungi in and on the surface of paint films
presence of dirt and soil particles.The distinction between dirt
represents a major cause of discoloration or disfigurement of
accumulation and surface mildew is sometimes difficult to
painted surfaces. Because of their dark pigmentation, it is
distinguish to the naked eye.
frequently difficult to distinguish fungi from dirt or soil
particles.
5.2 Use visual evaluation under high power binocular mag-
nification to assist in determining whether the particle is soil,
4.2 Use of Pictorial Standards:
dirt, or mildew.
4.2.1 The pictorial references that are part of this test
NOTE 1—After experience has been gained in a certain geographic
methodareforillustrationpurposesandmaybeusedforvisual
location,recognitionofmildewbecomeseasierandcanoftenbeachieved
comparisons.
without the aid of magnification.
4.2.2 The diagrams represent an idealized schematic of
5.3 In some cases it is necessary to place a drop of 5%
various growth levels on paint films. they are intended as a
sodium hypochlorite (common household bleach) on the paint
representation only, but will serve as a useful guideline to
surface to determine if the defacement is biological in accor-
establish amount and type of growth.
dance with Guide D4610.
4.2.3 The diagrams represented in Fig. 1 are not derived
5.3.1 Thebleachwillremovethecolorationfromanyliving
from a linear scale. The scale is intended to provide for more
organic matter, therefore if the color of the “particles” under
discrimination at the earlier stages of fungal or algal growth. It
the bleach drop do not change color, that object is probably
is at these levels that greater discernment is necessary.
either dirt or soil.
4.2.4 Comparisons made on dark colored substrates will be
muchmoredifficult,andwillthereforerequiremuchmorecare 5.4 The addition of a drop of bleach is an invasive and
and attention. It must be noted that because it is difficult to destructive test. The future growth of organisms on that spot
(a)
FIG. 1Early Stages of Fungal Growth
D3274−09 (2013)
(b)
FIG. 1Early Stages of Fungal Growth (continued)
and in the immediate surrounding area will b
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