ASTM F485-08(2019)

Standard Practice for Effects of Cleaners on Unpainted Aircraft Surfaces

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 This practice is used to ensure that candidate aircraft surface cleaners do not leave a residue which, on drying, would leave a permanent stain requiring polishing to remove.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes the procedure used to determine the effect of cleaners on unpainted aircraft surfaces. Visual observation is used for determining streaking or permanent stains which require polishing to remove.  
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information.  
1.3 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2019
• ICS: 49.040 - Coatings and related processes used in aerospace industry
• Technical Committee: F07 - Aerospace and Aircraft
• Drafting Committee: F07.07 - Qualification Testing of Aircraft Cleaning Materials

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F485-08(2013) - Standard Practice for Effects of Cleaners on Unpainted Aircraft Surfaces
• Effective Date: 01-May-2019
• Refers: ASTM D1193-06 - Standard Specification for Reagent Water
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2006
• Refers: ASTM D1193-99e1 - Standard Specification for Reagent Water
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-1999
• Refers: ASTM D1193-99 - Standard Specification for Reagent Water
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-1999
• Referred By: ASTM D6361/D6361M-98(2020) - Standard Guide for Selecting Cleaning Agents and Processes
• Effective Date: 01-May-2019

Overview

ASTM F485-08(2019) - Standard Practice for Effects of Cleaners on Unpainted Aircraft Surfaces is a key international standard developed by ASTM International for evaluating the impact of cleaning products on unpainted aircraft surfaces. This standard describes reliable procedures to ensure surface cleaners do not leave residues or cause permanent stains that would necessitate additional polishing. By implementing this practice, manufacturers, maintenance teams, and aviation service providers can validate the suitability of cleaning agents, helping to maintain the structural integrity and aesthetics of aircraft exteriors.

Key Topics

• Visual Assessment Methods
  The standard prescribes visual observation techniques to detect streaking or the presence of permanent stains on unpainted aircraft surfaces after exposure to cleaning products.

• Test Procedures

  • Preparation of test specimens from standard materials such as Alclad 7075-T6 aluminum and Titanium Alloy 6A14V
  • Usage of recommended reagents and cleaning solutions, with dilution rates provided by manufacturers
  • Standardized test conditions, including immersion times, drying procedures, and rinsing protocols

• Reporting Requirements

  • Documenting the visual appearance of test panels after cleaning and drying cycles
  • Specifying test concentrations and diluents used
  • Comparison between treated and untreated areas to determine if residues or stains have occurred

• Unit and Safety Considerations

  • Inch-pound units are regarded as standard for reporting results
  • Users are responsible for safety, health, and environmental practices

Applications

• Aircraft Maintenance and Cleaning Validation

  • Ensures candidate aircraft surface cleaners do not compromise unpainted aluminum or titanium surfaces, which is essential for commercial, military, and private aircraft maintenance operations.

• Cleaner Selection and Quality Control

  • Provides manufacturers and maintenance service providers with an objective method to screen and approve surface cleaners before field application, helping to avoid costly surface repairs or aircraft downtime.

• Compliance with Regulatory and Industry Requirements

  • Assists organizations in meeting both internal and regulatory expectations for aircraft surface care by adopting internationally recognized assessment methods.

• Preservation of Aircraft Value

  • Minimizes risk of permanent stains, maintaining the appearance and value of aircraft fleets.

Related Standards

• ASTM D1193: Specification for Reagent Water - referenced for preparing test solutions and rinsing processes.
• SAE-AMS-QQ-A-250/13: Defines requirements for Aluminum Alloy Alclad 7075, a typical material for unpainted aircraft surfaces assessed by this practice.
• SAE-AMS-T-9046: Covers Titanium and Titanium Alloy materials used in the test procedure.
• General Aviation Maintenance Standards & Aerospace Cleaning Protocols: ASTM F485 is frequently cited in conjunction with broader aviation maintenance and materials protection standards to ensure comprehensive compliance.

By applying ASTM F485-08(2019), organizations safeguard unpainted aircraft surfaces against adverse effects from cleaning agents, ensuring safety, appearance, and longevity of vital aerospace assets. This standard underlines the importance of proper material assessment and process control in aviation cleaning and maintenance.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F485 − 08 (Reapproved 2019)
Standard Practice for
Effects of Cleaners on Unpainted Aircraft Surfaces
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationF485;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.
1. Scope 4. Reagents and Materials
1.1 This practice describes the procedure used to determine 4.1 Reagents:
the effect of cleaners on unpainted aircraft surfaces. Visual 4.1.1 Reagent water in accordance with Specification
observation is used for determining streaking or permanent D1193, Type IV.
stains which require polishing to remove. 4.1.2 Methyl n-propyl ketone (MPK).
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded 4.2 Materials:
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for 4.2.1 Aluminum 7075-T6 Alclad in accordance with indus-
information. try standard SAE-AMS-QQ-A-250/13.
4.2.2 Titanium Alloy 6A14V in accordance with industry
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
standard SAE-AMS-T-9046, Composition AB-1.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5. Preparation of Test Specimens
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
5.1 Prepare two panels, each 2 by 6 by 0.020 in. (50 by 152
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
by 0.51 mm), from alclad aluminum and titanium alloy and
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
clean them with methyl n-propyl ketone.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
6. Preparation of Test Solution
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
6.1 Make the solutions of the cleaner to be tested in reagent
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. water (see 4.1.1) in accordance with the dilutions recom-
mended by the manufacturer.
2. Referenced Documents
7. Procedure
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
7.1 Immerse the cleaned test specimens for 3 to 5 min in a
2.2 Industry Standards:
sufficient quantity of the cleaning solution to cover approxi-
SAE-AMS-QQ-A-250/13 Aluminum Alloy Alclad 7075,
mately one half of the panel. After removing from the test
Plate and Sheet
solution, immediately place the panels at 45° from the hori-
SAE-AMS-T-9046 Titanium and Titanium Alloy, Sheet,
zontal in a mechanical convection oven maintained at 150 6
Strip, and Plate (Composition AB-1)
5 °F (65.5 6 2 °C) for 30 min.At the end of the 30 min period,
remove the panels from the oven, cool to room temperature,
3. Significance and Use
rinse on each side within 15 min under running tap water for
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