ASTM D5208-09

Standard Practice for Fluorescent Ultraviolet (UV) Exposure of Photodegradable Plastics

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Materials made from photodegradable plastics are intended to show relatively rapid deterioration of chemical, physical, and mechanical properties when exposed to light, heat, and water after fulfilling their intended purpose. This practice is intended to induce property changes associated with conditions that might be experienced when the material is discarded as litter, including the effects of sunlight, moisture, and heat. The exposure used in this practice is not intended to simulate the deterioration caused by localized weather phenomena such as atmospheric pollution, biological attack, and salt water exposure.
Cautions—Variation in results may be expected when operating conditions are varied within the accepted limits of this practice. Therefore, no reference to the use of this practice should be made unless accompanied by a report prepared in accordance with Section 9 that describes the specific operating conditions used. Refer to Practice G 151 for detailed information on the caveats applicable to use of results obtained in accordance with this practice.
Note 3—Additional information on sources of variability and on strategies for addressing variability in the design, execution and data analysis of laboratory accelerated exposure tests is found in Guide G 141.
Exposure of a similar material of known performance (a control) at the same time as the test specimens provides a standard for comparative purposes. Use of a control to rank the stability of test materials greatly improves agreement between different laboratories. , It is recommended that at least three replicates of each material evaluated be exposed to allow for statistical evaluation of results.
Test results will depend upon the care that is taken to operate the equipment in accordance with Practice G 154. Significant factors include regulation of line voltage, temperature of the room in which the device operates, temperature control, and condition and age of the lamps.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the specific procedures applicable for fluorescent Ultraviolet (UV) exposure of photodegradable plastics conducted in accordance with Practices G 151 and G 154. This practice also covers the preparation of test specimens and the evaluation of test results.
Note 1—Previous versions of this practice referenced fluorescent UV devices described by Practice G 53, which described very specific equipment designs. Practice G 53 has been withdrawn and replaced by Practice G 151, which describes performance criteria for all exposure devices that use laboratory light sources and by Practice G 154, which gives requirements for exposing nonmetallic materials in fluorescent UV devices.
1.2 Practice D 4329 covers fluorescent UV exposures of plastics intended for long term use in outdoor applications.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, 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.  
Note 2—There is no known ISO equivalent to this practice.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Aug-2009
• ICS: 83.080.01 - Plastics in general
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.96 - Environmentally Degradable Plastics and Biobased Products

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D5208-01 - Standard Practice for Fluorescent Ultraviolet (UV) Exposure of Photodegradable Plastics
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2009
• Referred By: ASTM D3826-18 - Standard Practice for Determining Degradation End Point in Degradable Polyethylene and Polypropylene Using a Tensile Test
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2009
• Referred By: ASTM D6954-18 - Standard Guide for Exposing and Testing Plastics that Degrade in the Environment by a Combination of Oxidation and Biodegradation
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2009

Standards Content (Sample)

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: D5208 − 09
StandardPractice for
Fluorescent Ultraviolet (UV) Exposure of Photodegradable
1
Plastics
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5208; 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* E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
1.1 This practice covers the specific procedures applicable
G53 Practice for Operating Light-and Water-Exposure Ap-
for fluorescent Ultraviolet (UV) exposure of photodegradable
paratus (Fluorescent UV-Condensation Type) for Expo-
plastics conducted in accordance with Practices G151 and
3
sure of Nonmetallic Materials (Withdrawn 2000)
G154. This practice also covers the preparation of test speci-
G113 Terminology Relating to Natural andArtificial Weath-
mens and the evaluation of test results.
ering Tests of Nonmetallic Materials
NOTE 1—Previous versions of this practice referenced fluorescent UV
G141 Guide for Addressing Variability in Exposure Testing
devices described by Practice G53, which described very specific equip-
of Nonmetallic Materials
ment designs. Practice G53 has been withdrawn and replaced by Practice
G147 Practice for Conditioning and Handling of Nonmetal-
G151, which describes performance criteria for all exposure devices that
lic Materials for Natural and Artificial Weathering Tests
use laboratory light sources and by Practice G154, which gives require-
ments for exposing nonmetallic materials in fluorescent UV devices.
G151 Practice for Exposing Nonmetallic Materials inAccel-
erated Test Devices that Use Laboratory Light Sources
1.2 Practice D4329 covers fluorescent UV exposures of
G154 PracticeforOperatingFluorescentLightApparatusfor
plastics intended for long term use in outdoor applications.
UV Exposure of Nonmetallic Materials
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
G169 Guide for Application of Basic Statistical Methods to
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
Weathering Tests
only.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the 3. Terminology
safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1 The definitions given in Terminology G113 are appli-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
cable to this practice.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4. Significance and Use
NOTE 2—There is no known ISO equivalent to this practice.
4.1 Materials made from photodegradable plastics are in-
tended to show relatively rapid deterioration of chemical,
2. Referenced Documents
physical, and mechanical properties when exposed to light,
2
2.1 ASTM Standards: heat, and water after fulfilling their intended purpose. This
practice is intended to induce property changes associated with
D3826 Practice for Determining Degradation End Point in
Degradable Polyethylene and Polypropylene Using a Ten- conditions that might be experienced when the material is
discarded as litter, including the effects of sunlight, moisture,
sile Test
D4329 Practice for Fluorescent UV Exposure of Plastics and heat. The exposure used in this practice is not intended to
simulate the deterioration caused by localized weather phe-
D5870 Practice for Calculating Property Retention Index of
Plastics nomena such as atmospheric pollution, biological attack, and
salt water exposure.
4.2 Cautions—Variation in results may be expected when
1
ThispracticeisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD20onPlasticsand
operating conditions are varied within the accepted limits of
isthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD20.96onEnvironmentallyDegradable
Plastics and Biobased Products.
this practice. Therefore, no reference to the use of this practice
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2009. Published September 2009. Originally
should be made unless accompanied by a report prepared in
approved in 1991. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as D5208 - 01. DOI:
accordance with Section 9 that describes the specific operating
10.1520/D5208-09.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
the ASTM website. www.astm.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:D5208–01 Designation: D 5208 – 09
Standard Practice for
Fluorescent Ultraviolet (UV) Exposure of Photodegradable
1
Plastics
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5208; 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*
1.1 ThispracticecoversthespecificproceduresapplicableforfluorescentUltraviolet(UV)exposureofphotodegradableplastics
conducted in accordance with Practices G 151 and G 154. This practice also covers the preparation of test specimens and the
evaluation of test results.
NOTE 1—Previous versions of this practice referenced fluorescent UV devices described by Practice G 53, which described very specific equipment
designs. Practice G 53 has been withdrawn and replaced by Practice G 151, which describes performance criteria for all exposure devices that use
laboratory light sources and by Practice G 154, which gives requirements for exposing nonmetallic materials in fluorescent UV devices.
1.2 Practice D 4329 covers fluorescent UV exposures of plastics intended for long term use in outdoor applications.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, 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.
NOTE 2—There is no ISO standardknown ISO equivalent to this practice.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 3826 Practice for Determining Degradation End Point in Degradable Polyolefins Polyethylene and Polypropylene Using a
Tensile Test
D3980Practice for Interlaboratory Testing of Paint and Related Materials 4329 Practice for Fluorescent UV Exposure of
Plastics
D 5870 Practice for Calculating the Property Retention Index of Plastics
E 691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
G53 Practice for Operating Light-and Water-Exposure Apparatus (Fluorescent UV/-Condensation Type) for Exposure of
Nonmetallic Materials (Discontinued 2001)
G113 Terminology Relating to Natural and Artificial Weathering Tests of Nonmetallic Materials
G 141 Guide for Addressing Variability in Exposure Testing onof Nonmetallic Materials
G 147 Practice for Conditioning and Handling of Nonmetallic Materials for Natural and Artificial Weathering Tests
G 151 Practice for Exposing Nonmetallic Materials in Accelerated Test Devices that Use Laboratory Light Sources
G 154 Practice for Operating Fluorescent Light Apparatus for UV Exposure of Nonmetallic Materials
G 169 Guide for Application of Basic Statistical Methods to Weathering Tests
3. Terminology
3.1 The definitions given in Terminology G 113 are applicable to this practice.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 Materials made from photodegradable plastics are intended to show relatively rapid deterioration of chemical, physical, and
mechanical properties when exposed to light, heat, and water after fulfilling their intended purpose. This practice is intended to
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.96 on Environmentally Degradable
Plastics.
Current edition approved December 10, 2001. Published February 2002. Originally published as D5208–91. Discontinued February 2000 and reinstated as D5208–01. on
Environmentally Degradable Plastics and Biobased Products.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2009. Published September 2009. Originally approved in 1991. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as D 5208 - 01.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book ofASTM Standards
, Vol 08.02.volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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D5208–09
induce property changes associated with conditions that might be experienced when the material is discarded as litter, including
th
...