ASTM D3090-72(2008)
(Practice)Standard Practice for Storage Testing of Aerosol Products
Standard Practice for Storage Testing of Aerosol Products
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Aerosol products are subjected to storage tests to ascertain the shelf-life of the complete package, and to evaluate the degree of suitability of the valve and container components for their intended uses.
It is impractical to promulgate a standard procedure for conducting storage tests, since variations will be necessitated by differences in the ultimate objective (for example, the primary interest of one test may be concerned with container suitability or shelf-life of a new product in an existing package, while another test may be concerned with valve evaluation).
It follows that storage testing must be flexible enough to accommodate the small procedural changes required. Thus, this recommended practice will only set forth those principles to be observed in establishing a definite procedure, in order to allow the individual operator the prerogative of adapting these to satisfy his particular requirements.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the storage testing of aerosol products.
1.2 There are two major types of storage tests that may be performed on aerosol products:
1.2.1 Live Storage Tests, where the valves are actuated and the determinations are made at relatively frequent intervals (the purpose being to simulate consumer use of aerosol dispensers), and
1.2.2 Dead Storage Tests, performed to simulate warehouse storage conditions when shelf-life information is sought.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.4 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. For specific precautionary statements, see Section 4.
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Designation: D3090 − 72 (Reapproved 2008)
Standard Practice for
Storage Testing of Aerosol Products
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3090; 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.
1. Scope this recommended practice will only set forth those principles
to be observed in establishing a definite procedure, in order to
1.1 This practice covers the storage testing of aerosol
allow the individual operator the prerogative of adapting these
products.
to satisfy his particular requirements.
1.2 There are two major types of storage tests that may be
performed on aerosol products:
3. General Requirements
1.2.1 Live Storage Tests, where the valves are actuated and
3.1 Before making any aerosol storage tests, the following
thedeterminationsaremadeatrelativelyfrequentintervals(the
should be borne in mind:
purposebeingtosimulateconsumeruseofaerosoldispensers),
3.1.1 Sufficient test specimens should be available to re-
and
place any that fail during the test, and to make it possible to
1.2.2 Dead Storage Tests, performed to simulate warehouse
extend the storage period if desired.
storage conditions when shelf-life information is sought.
3.1.2 The test schedule and procedure should be well
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
planned. Only if this is followed, can there be any assurance
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
thatimportantdevelopmentshavenotbeenmissed,andthatthe
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
results will correlate with other storage test results.
and are not considered standard.
3.1.3 Thetestsshouldbeperformedbycompetentpersonnel
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the wellqualifiedinthefield.Sincemostofthedataisnotobtained
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the bydirectmeasurementandisthereforenotentirelyobjectivein
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- nature, it is highly desirable to have the same operator perform
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- all of the tests on a given specimen. This, in addition to 3.1.2,
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific will do much to minimize the effect of the human element.
precautionary statements, see Section 4.
3.2 Before any specimens are committed to storage, the
following should apply:
2. Significance and Use
3.2.1 All pertinent background information concerning the
2.1 Aerosol products are subjected to storage tests to ascer-
problem should be assembled, so that the test specimen can be
tain the shelf-life of the complete package, and to evaluate the
intelligently set up.
degree of suitability of the valve and container components for
3.2.2 Tests should be conducted to eliminate defective
their intended uses.
containers and valves (the frequency of such defects should be
recorded). To make this segregation possible, pressure
2.2 It is impractical to promulgate a standard procedure for
determinations, hot bath, vial leakage, and spray tests should
conducting storage tests, since variations will be necessitated
be made on each filled dispenser.
by differences in the ultimate objective (for example, the
3.2.3 Conditions of filling and handling should as closely as
primary interest of one test may be concerned with container
possible approximate those that would be encountered com-
suitabilityorshelf-lifeofanewproductinanexistingpackage,
mercially.
while another test may be concerned with valve evaluation).
2.3 Itfollowsthatstoragetestingmustbeflexibleenoughto
4. Safety Precautions
accommodate the small procedural changes required. Thus,
4.1 Aerosol storage tests involve a container, valve, or
product of unknown compatibility and performance. For this
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on Packagin-
reason, serious accidents could occur. The operator should
gand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.33 on Mechanical Dispens-
employgloves,safetyshield,safetyglasses,andapparatuswith
ers. This practice was originally developed by the Chemical Specialties Manufac-
turers Association. proper controls.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2008. Published November 2008. Originally
4.2 If, during a test, container perforations or signs of
approved in 1972. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D3090 – 72(2003).
DOI: 10.1520/D3090-72R08. advanced corrosion are found, or if the product, dispensers, or
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D3090 − 72 (2008)
valves otherwise become unmerchantable, the entire lot of 6.2.1 Specimens at each storage temperature should be held
specimensshouldbedestroyed.Continuedtestingwouldwaste in both upright and inverted positions.
time and space, and could result in a serious accident. 6.2.2 Enough specimens should be provided for each test so
that a minimum of two dispensers of each variable from each
5. Live Storage Test
temperature can be evaluated and torn down at each scheduled
5.1 Test Temperature—Specimens should be stored at room
examination. The other specimens remain untouched, with the
temperature. In addition, a higher-temperature storage (for
exception of weighing, until they are needed at a subsequent
example, 98°F (36°C) may be employed. The use of the
examination.
higher-temperature storage is particularly desirable when a
6.2.3 A minimum of twelve extra specimens per variable
new valve or product is being evaluated. The use of storage
should be stored at each temperature to allow for extension of
temperatures below 32°F (60°C), or the alternate exposure to
the test, if this later becomes necessary, and to allow a larger
subfreezing and elevated temperatures, has considerable merit
number of specimens to be inspected at the final examination.
in the screening of new valves or new valve materials.
6.2.4 Thus, the minimum suggested number of specimens
per product, container, or valve variable is as follows:
5.2 Test Position and Number of Specimens—If the purpose
of the test is to evaluate a valve, half of the specimens at each
4np~41y! (1)
storage temperature should be kept in an inverted position. If
where:
the product, or any constituent thereof, exerts a detrimental
y = duration of the test, years,
effect on the sealing material of the valve, the conditions may
n = number of storage temperatures, and
be more readily observed in the case of inverted cans. Six cans
p = number of storage positions to be employed.
inverted and six cans upright for each temperature is the
6.2.5 It is usually desirable to include a glass bottle of the
minimum number of specimens for each variable that should
be considered. If the test involves only one temperature, ten to aerosol concentrate with the specimens, in order to determine
twelve cans per variable (upright and inverted) is a more deteriorations that may take place that are independent of the
desirable size. aerosolcontainer.Oneortwoglassaerosolcontainersmayalso
be included.
5.3 Test Time—The tests are usually considered completed
6.2.6 It is often useful to place one or two empty metal
when 10 g or less of formulation remains in the containers.
containers with the specimens, especially for internally lined
Extension of the tests beyond this point may cause erratic and
variables, for possible future references.
unreliable results.
6.3 Test Time—Most dead storage tests are concluded after
5.4 Examination Schedule—Examinations of the specimens
24 months of storage, but a test may be extended for a much
should be made weekly, or more often if the completion of the
lo
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