D20.50 - Durability of Plastics

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The ability of a plastic material to resist deterioration of its electrical, mechanical, and optical properties caused by exposure to light, heat, and water can be very significant for many applications. This practice is intended to induce property changes associated with end-use conditions, including the effects of daylight, 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 saltwater exposure.  
4.2 Caution—Variations in results are possible when operating conditions are varied within the accepted limits of this practice. Therefore, all references to the use of this practice must be accompanied by a report prepared in accordance with Section 9 that describes the specific operating conditions used. Refer to Practice G151 for detailed information on the caveats applicable to use of results obtained in accordance with this practice.
Note 2: 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 G141.  
4.3 Reproducibility of test results between laboratories has been shown to be good when the stability of materials is evaluated in terms of performance ranking compared to other materials or to a control.6,7 Therefore, exposure of a similar material of known performance (a control) at the same time as the test materials is strongly recommended. It is preferable that the number of specimens of the control material be the same as that used for test materials. It is recommended that at least three replicates of each material be exposed to allow for statistical evaluation of results.  
4.4 Test results will depend upon the care that is taken to operate the equipment in accordance with Practice G155. Significant factors include regulation of line voltage, freedom from salts or other d...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers specific procedures and test conditions that are applicable for xenon-arc exposure of plastics conducted in accordance with Practices G151 and G155. This practice also covers the preparation of test specimens, the test conditions best suited for plastics, and the evaluation of test results.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
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.
Note 1: This practice and ISO 4892-2 address the same subject matter, but differ in technical content.  
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.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This test method for rate of water absorption has two chief functions: first, as a guide to the proportion of water absorbed by a material and consequently, in those cases where the relationships between moisture and electrical or mechanical properties, dimensions, or appearance have been determined, as a guide to the effects of exposure to water or humid conditions on such properties; and second, as a control test on the uniformity of a product. This second function is particularly applicable to sheet, rod, and tube arms when the test is made on the finished product.  
4.2 Comparison of water absorption values of various plastics made on the basis of values obtained in accordance with 8.1 and 8.4 have been found useful.  
4.3 Ideal diffusion of liquids4 into polymers is a function of the square root of immersion time. Time to saturation is strongly dependent on specimen thickness. For example, Table 1 shows the time to approximate time saturation for various thickness of nylon-6.  
4.4 The moisture content of a plastic is very intimately related to such properties as electrical insulation resistance, dielectric losses, mechanical strength, appearance, and dimensions. The effect upon these properties of change in moisture content due to water absorption depends largely on the type of exposure (by immersion in water or by exposure to high humidity), shape of the part, and inherent properties of the plastic. With nonhomogeneous materials, such as laminated forms, the rate of water absorption is sometimes known to be widely different through each edge and surface. Even for otherwise homogeneous materials, it has been observed to be slightly greater through cut edges than through molded surfaces. Consequently, attempts to correlate water absorption with the surface area must generally be limited to closely related materials and to similarly shaped specimens: For materials of widely varying density, relation between water-absorption values on a volume as well as ...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the relative rate of absorption of water by plastics when immersed. This test method is intended to apply to the testing of all types of plastics, including cast, hot-molded, and cold-molded resinous products, and both homogeneous and laminated plastics in rod and tube form and in sheets 0.13 mm (0.005 in.) or greater in thickness.  
1.2 The values given in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values stated in parentheses are for information only.
Note 1: This test method and ISO 62 are technically equivalent when the test specimen described in 6.2 is used.  
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.

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 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.  
4.2 Cautions—Variation in results can be expected when operating conditions are varied within the accepted limits of this practice. Therefore, no reference to the use of this practice shall be made unless accompanied by a report prepared in accordance with Section 9 that describes the specific operating conditions used. Refer to Practice G151 for detailed information on the caveats applicable to use of results obtained in accordance with this practice.
Note 2: 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 G141.  
4.3 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.3,4 It is recommended that at least three replicates of each material evaluated be exposed to allow for statistical evaluation of results.  
4.4 Test results will depend upon the care that is taken to operate the equipment in accordance with Practice G154. 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, if ex...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the specific procedures applicable for fluorescent Ultraviolet (UV) exposure of photodegradable plastics conducted in accordance with Practices G151 and G154. This practice also covers the preparation of test specimens and the evaluation of test results.  
1.2 Practice D4329 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 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.
Note 1: There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.  
1.5 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.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The property retention index (PRI) determined by this practice is intended primarily to provide relative durability performance information on materials for design engineers. It is up to the user to ensure that appropriate sampling procedures are used for the selection of specimens to be exposed so that the PRI data obtained is actually representative of the material being evaluated.  
4.2 The PRI obtained depends on the material being tested, property being evaluated, and exposure condition used. A PRI obtained for one property will probably not be the same as the PRI for a different property of the same material, even if the same exposure test is used.  
4.3 Plastics exposed to a combination of environmental and thermal treatments may undergo a change in functional performance. Any laboratory-accelerated aging procedure, especially those that use only a single stress, may not realistically indicate the changes a plastic may undergo in actual use conditions. This practice provides a means for expressing the changes in properties as a function of time exposed in a wide variety of tests. The PRI data obtained is best used for comparing the performance of materials subjected to the same exposure test simultaneously.  
4.3.1 Both laboratory-accelerated and outdoor exposure testing can be highly variable, and the PRI data will be influenced by this variability. For example, PRI data from outdoor exposures can vary depending on the exposure location and the time of year when the exposure is conducted. Variability in laboratory-accelerated exposure tests can result in large differences in PRI data from two laboratories running supposedly identical tests. PRI data obtained from exposure to laboratory-accelerated tests cannot be used to predict the PRI for exposure to natural weathering or actual use conditions unless there is a sufficient amount of data from both types of exposure to allow valid statistical comparisons.  
4.4 A number of different exposure techniqu...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers procedures for the calculation of a property retention index (PRI) of thermoplastic and thermoset plastics after exposure to thermal aging, natural or artificial accelerated weathering, or chemical exposures.  
1.2 This practice is not intended to establish a fixed procedure for conducting the exposure test, but it is intended to provide a set of specific procedures used to calculate the retention index of a characteristic property of the material after it has been exposed. Selection of the specific exposure test conditions depends on the material being tested and the property being measured. It is up to the user to determine which exposure test conditions are most relevant to the specific material and the service condition being used. The exposure test used must be conducted in accordance with conditions described in specific exposure standards.  
1.3 This practice does not describe procedures for sampling the materials to be tested. These procedures are described in the standards and specifications applicable to the material being evaluated.  
1.4 The procedure used to calculate the PRI depends on whether the test used to characterize the materials being exposed is destructive or nondestructive. The PRI can be useful in describing short-term mechanical, electrical, and other properties of plastics at specified temperatures after the materials have been subjected to an exposure test.  
1.5 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.
Note 1: There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard. ISO 11248 is significantly different since it pertains only to thermosetting resins.  
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with in...

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This test method is intended only as a convenient test method for measurement of linear dimensional changes in plastics subjected to defined conditions of test as outlined in Sections 7 and 8.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method is designed to provide a means for measuring the dimensional changes of plastic specimens such as shrinkage or expansion, developed under specific heat and water conditionings.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
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.
Note 1: This standard and ISO 2796 address the same subject matter but differ in technical content.  
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.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This practice involves the concentration of sunlight by a system of plane mirrors, arranged to simulate a parabolic trough focused on an air-cooled target board on which the test specimens are mounted. Exposure cycles with and without water spray that are commonly used for this method are described in Table 1. Other exposure cycles not listed in Table 1 can be used, upon consensual agreement between interested parties. (A) This is the cycle specified in Procedure C of Practice D4141/D4141M.  
4.1.1 Accelerated outdoor exposure tests performed using this practice in an absence of a programmed moisture cycle are intended to simulate conventional exposure testing on racks facing the equator in desert and arid regions.  
4.1.2 Accelerated outdoor exposure tests performed using this practice with a programmed moisture cycle shall possess the feature of spraying high purity water on the specimens in a regular, periodic fashion that is intended to simulate the results of conventional exposure testing on fixed racks facing the equator in subtropical, semi-humid, and temperate regions. Water-spray cycles that are recommended by this practice are given in Table 1.  
4.2 The effectiveness of the Fresnel-reflector accelerated outdoor weathering test machines depends primarily on the amount and character of the UV in the direct-beam component of sunlight.
Note 2: Use of the apparatus in regions of moderate- to high-diffuse irradiance will reduce the test machine's effectiveness substantially for providing concentrated UV in the target (specimen) area.  
4.3 Testing to specific levels (quantities) of solar ultraviolet radiant exposure is recommended. Elapsed time exposure-level determinations shall not be used for testing with this practice. Testing to specific levels of UV irradiation, whether to total UV or within selected wavebands, is an effective method for improving agreement between wintertime and summertime testing on the Fresnel-reflector weathering-test machi...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the use of Fresnel-reflecting concentrators that use the sun as a source of ultraviolet (UV) and longer wavelength radiation. Such devices are used in the outdoor accelerated exposure testing of plastics.  
1.2 This practice provides a procedure for performing outdoor accelerated exposure testing of plastics using a Fresnel-reflector outdoor accelerated weathering test machine. The apparatus is described herein and in Practice G90 more completely.  
1.3 This practice is applicable to a range of plastic materials including, but not limited to, plastic films, sheets, laminates, and extruded and molded products in a variety of shapes and sizes, as specified in 8.2 and 8.3.  
1.4 This practice describes test conditions that attempt to simulate plastics exposures in desert and subtropical climates. Specimen preparation, property testing procedures, and the evaluation of results are covered in existing test methods or specifications for specific materials.  
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precautionary statements are given in Section 7.  
Note 1: This standard is equivalent to ISO 877-3: 2009.  
1.7 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.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 When discarded as litter, articles made using photodegradable plastics are subject to attack by daylight (particularly solar-ultraviolet radiation), oxygen, heat, and water. The 5° exposure angle used in this practice represents typical conditions for degradation experienced by litter.  
4.2 This practice requires characterization of the duration of exposure in terms of solar-ultraviolet radiation. Solar-ultraviolet radiation varies considerably as a function of location and time of year. This can cause dramatic differences in the time required to produce a specified level of degradation in a polymer. Daro4 has shown that when the same lot of polyethylene containing an iron-salt prodegradant is exposed at various times of the year in a single location, the time required to produce an average of two chain scissions per molecule varied by over 130 %. Daro, and Zerlaut and Anderson5 have shown that this variability can be significantly reduced when total solar or solar-ultraviolet radiation, or both, is used to characterize the exposure increments.  
4.3 In addition to variations in level of daylight and solar-ultraviolet radiation, there are significant differences in temperature, and moisture stresses between different locations, and between different years, or periods within a single year, at a single location. Because of this variability, results from this test cannot be used to predict the absolute rate at which photodegradable plastics degrade. Results from this test can be used to compare relative rates of degradation for materials exposed at the same time in the same location. Results from multiple exposures of a common lot of material (during different seasons over several years) at different sites can be used to compare the relative rates at which a particular photodegradable plastic will degrade in each location.
Note 2: An inherent limitation in solar-radiation measurements is that they do not reflect the effects of variations in temperature and moi...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice defines test conditions applicable when Practices D1435 and G7/G7M are employed for the outdoor exposure testing of photodegradable plastics.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Note 1: There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.  
1.3 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.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Materials made from photodegradable plastics are intended to deteriorate rapidly when exposed to solar radiation, oxygen, heat, moisture and other degrading elements of the weather. This practice is used for evaluating the photodegradability of plastics when exposed in an apparatus that produces simulated daylight (1,2)6 and controlled temperature and moisture. 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. There can be no positive correlation of exposure results between this and other laboratory weathering devices.  
4.2 Variations in results can be expected when operating conditions are varied within the accepted limits of this practice. Therefore, all test results using this practice must be accompanied by the specific operating conditions required in Section 9. Refer to Practice G151 for detailed information on the caveats applicable to use of results obtained in accordance with this practice.  
4.3 The results of laboratory exposure cannot be directly extrapolated to estimate absolute rate of deterioration by the environment because the acceleration factor is material dependent and can be significantly different for each material and for different formulations of the same material. However, exposure of a similar material of known outdoor performance, a control, at the same time as the test specimens allows comparison of the durability relative to that of the control under the test conditions. Evaluation in terms of relative durabilities also greatly improves the agreement in test results among different laboratories (3).  
4.4 Test results will depend on the care that is taken to operate the equipment in accordance with Practice G155. Significant factors include regulation of line voltage, freedom from salt or other deposits from water, temperature and humidity control and condition and age of the burners and ...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers specific procedures and test conditions that are applicable for xenon arc exposure of photodegradable plastics conducted in accordance with Practices G151 and G155. This practice also covers the preparation of test specimens, the test conditions best suited for photodegradable plastics, and the evaluation of test results.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Note 1: This practice is technically equivalent to ISO 4892-2 and Practice D2565 which cover xenon arc exposures of plastics intended for long term use in outdoor applications.  
1.3 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.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 There are limitations of the results obtained from these practices. The choice of types and concentrations of reagents, duration of immersion or stress, or both, level of stress, temperature of the test, and properties to be reported are necessarily arbitrary. The specification of these conditions provides a basis for standardization and serves as a guide to investigators wishing to compare the relative resistance of various plastics to chemical reagents.  
4.2 Correlation of test results with the actual performance or serviceability of plastics is necessarily dependent upon the similarity between the testing and the end-use conditions. For applications involving continuous immersion, the data obtained in short-time tests are of interest only in eliminating the most unsuitable materials or indicating a probable relative order of resistance to chemical reagents.  
4.3 Evaluation of plastics for special applications involving corrosive conditions shall be based upon the particular reagents and concentrations to be encountered. Base the selection of test conditions on the manner and duration of contact with reagents, the temperature of the system, applied stress, and other performance factors involved in the particular application.  
4.4 The practices present general guidelines without covering specifics on all the varied applications of plastics, such as use in automobiles and exposure to various automotive fluids, or use in hospital environments with exposure to disinfectants and cleaning fluids. These practices can be extended to such applications with specifics on the study conducted noted in the report.  
4.5 The use of appropriate controls is critical to evaluate the utility of the information generated by these practices. Particular attention should be given to the variability in the data generated, especially for the baseline controls, and issues in data generation reported to mitigate misuse of information.
SCOPE
1.1 These practices cover the evaluation of all plastic materials including cast, hot-molded, cold-molded, laminated resinous products, and sheet materials for resistance to chemical reagents.  
1.2 Three procedures are presented, two under practice A (Immersion Test), and one under practice B (Mechanical Stress and Reagent Exposure under Standardized Conditions of Applied Strain). These practices include provisions for reporting changes in weight, dimensions, appearance, color, strength, and other mechanical properties. Standard reagents are specified to establish results on a comparable basis without precluding the use of other chemical reagents pertinent to specific chemical resistance requirements. Provisions are made for various exposure times, stress conditions, and exposure to reagents at elevated temperatures. The type of conditioning (immersion or wet patch/wipe method) depends upon the end-use of the material. If the material is used as a container or transfer line, immersion of the specimens is used. If the material will only see short exposures or will be used in proximity and reagent will splash or spill on the material, the wet patch or wipe method of applying reagent to the material is used.
Note 1: Practice B for evaluating environmental stress cracking resistance differs from Practice D7474, which seeks to measure residual stresses in molded sulfone plastic parts with the use of calibrated chemical reagents. Practice B differs from Test Method D1693, which seeks to quantify the susceptibility of ethylene plastics to environmental stress-cracking subjected to specific conditions, by measuring the proportion of specimens that crack in a given time.  
1.3 The effect of chemical reagents on properties shall be determined by making measurements on standard specimens for such tests before and after immersion or stress, or both, if so tested.  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for infor...

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Conditioning of specimens is typically conducted: (1) for the purpose of bringing the material into equilibrium with normal or average room conditions, (2) simply to obtain reproducible results, regardless of previous history of exposure, or (3) to subject the material to abnormal conditions of temperature or humidity in order to predict its service behavior.  
4.2 The conditioning procedures prescribed in this practice are designed to obtain reproducible results and have the potential to give physical values somewhat higher or somewhat lower than values under equilibrium at normal conditions, depending upon the particular material and test. Depending on the thickness, type of material and its previous history, it is possible that it would take 20 to 100 days or more to ensure substantial equilibrium under normal conditions of humidity and temperature. Consequently, conditioning for reproducibility must of necessity be used for general purchase specifications and product control tests.
SCOPE
1.1 In general, the physical and electrical properties of plastics are influenced by temperature and relative humidity in a manner that materially affects test results. In order to make reliable comparisons between different materials and between different laboratories, it is necessary to standardize the humidity conditions, as well as the temperature, to which specimens of these materials are subjected prior to and during testing. This practice defines procedures for conditioning plastics (although not necessarily to equilibrium) prior to testing, and the conditions under which they shall be tested.  
1.2 For some materials, it is possible that a material specification exists that requires the use of this practice, but with some procedural modifications. The material specification takes precedence over this practice. Refer to the material specification before using this practice. Table 1 in Classification D4000 lists the ASTM material specifications that currently exist.  
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.
Note 1: This standard and ISO 291 address the same subject matter, but differ in technical content. ISO 291 describes only two temperature and humidity conditions for conditioning or testing, or both.  
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.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The ability of a plastic material to resist deterioration of its electrical, mechanical, and optical properties caused by exposure to light, heat, and water can be very significant for many applications. This practice is intended to induce property changes associated with end-use conditions, 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 saltwater exposure.  
4.2 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 shall be made unless accompanied by a report prepared in accordance with Section 9 that describes the specific operating conditions used. Refer to Practice G151 for detailed information on the caveats applicable to use of results obtained in accordance with this practice.
Note 2: 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 G141.  
4.2.1 The spectral power distribution of light from an open-flame carbon-arc is significantly different from that produced in light and water exposure devices using other carbon-arc configurations or other light sources. The type and rate of degradation and the performance rankings produced by exposures to filtered open-flame carbon-arcs can be much different from those produced by exposures to other types of laboratory light sources.  
4.2.2 Interlaboratory comparisons are valid only when all laboratories use the same type of carbon-arc, filters, and exposure conditions.  
4.3 Reproducibility of test results between laboratories has been shown to be good when the stability of materials is evaluated in terms of performance ranking compared to other materials or to ...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers specific procedures and test conditions that are applicable for exposure of plastics in filtered open-flame carbon-arc devices conducted in accordance with Practices G151 and G152. This practice also covers the preparation of test specimens, the test condition suited for plastics, and the evaluation of test results.  
1.2 This practice does not cover enclosed carbon-arc exposures of plastics, which had been allowed in Practice D1499. Enclosed carbon-arc exposures of plastics are described in Practice D6360, and in G153, which gives requirements for exposing nonmetallic materials in enclosed carbon-arc devices.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values in parentheses are given for information only.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Note 1: This practice is technically equivalent to  ISO 4892-4.  
1.5 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.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The ability of a plastic material to resist deterioration of its electrical, mechanical, and optical properties caused by exposure to light, heat, and water can be very significant for many applications. This practice is intended to induce property changes associated with end-use conditions, 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 saltwater exposure.  
4.2 Caution—Variation in results can be expected when operating conditions are varied within the accepted limits of this practice; therefore, no reference to the use of this practice shall be made unless accompanied by a report prepared in accordance with Section 9 that describes the specific operating conditions used. Refer to Practice G151 for detailed information on the caveats applicable to use of results obtained in accordance with this practice.
Note 2: 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 G141.  
4.2.1 The spectral power distribution of light from an enclosed carbon arc is significantly different from that produced in light and water exposure devices using other carbon-arc configurations or other light sources. The type and rate of degradation and the performance rankings produced by exposures to enclosed carbon arcs can be much different from those produced by exposures to other types of laboratory light sources.  
4.2.2 Interlaboratory comparisons are valid only when all laboratories use the same type of carbon arc, filters, and exposure conditions  
4.3 Reproducibility of test results between laboratories has been shown to be good when the stability of materials is evaluated in terms of performance ranking compared to other materials or to a control; theref...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers specific procedures and test conditions that are applicable for exposure of plastics in enclosed carbon-arc devices conducted in accordance with Practices G151 and G153. This practice also covers the preparation of test specimens, the test conditions suited for plastics, and the evaluation of test results.  
1.2 This practice does not cover filtered open-flame carbon-arc exposures of plastics, which are covered in Practice D1499. Practice D5031 describes enclosed carbon-arc exposures of paints and related coatings.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Note 1: There is no known ISO equivalent to this practice.  
1.5 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.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The ability of a plastic material to resist deterioration caused by exposure to light, heat, and water is a property of significance in many applications. This practice is intended to induce property changes associated with end-use conditions, including the effects of ultraviolet solar irradiance, 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 saltwater exposure. (Warning—Variation in operating conditions within the accepted limits of this practice will not necessarily provide the same results. Therefore, no reference to the use of this practice shall be made unless accompanied by a report prepared in accordance with Section 8 that describes the specific operating conditions used. Refer to Practice G151 for detailed information on the caveats applicable to use of results obtained in accordance with this practice.)
Note 2: 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 G141.  
4.2 Reproducibility of test results between laboratories has been shown to be good when the stability of materials is evaluated in terms of performance ranking compared to other materials or to a control.5,6 Therefore, exposure of a similar material of known performance (a control) at the same time as the test materials is strongly recommended. It is recommended that at least three replicates of each material be exposed to allow for statistical evaluation of results.  
4.3 Test results will depend upon the care that is taken to operate the equipment in accordance with Practice G154. Significant factors include regulation of line voltage, temperature of the room in which the device operates, temperature control, and condition and age of the lamp.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers specific procedures and test conditions that are applicable for using a fluorescent UV lamp and water apparatus exposure of plastics conducted in accordance with Practices G151 and G154. This practice also covers the preparation of test specimens, the test conditions best suited for plastics, and the evaluation of test results.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
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.
Note 1: This standard and ISO 4892-3 address the same subject matter, but differ in technical contact.  
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.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This practice is intended to simulate the effects produced by exposure to solar radiation through glass. This practice uses exposure in a xenon-arc device equipped with window glass filters and operated in accordance with Practices G151 and G155.
Note 2: Practice D4674 describes exposures in a device that uses a combination of fluorescent “cool white” and ultraviolet (UV) lamps to simulate the effects of exposures to indoor fluorescent light and window glass filtered daylight.  
4.2 Warning—Variation in results may be expected when operating conditions are varied within the accepted limits of this practice. Therefore, all references to the use of this practice must be accompanied by a report prepared in accordance with Section 9 that describes the specific operating conditions used. Refer to Practice G151 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 G141.  
4.3 Test results will depend upon the care that is taken to operate the equipment in accordance with Practice G155. Significant factors include regulation of line voltage, temperature and humidity control, and condition and age of the lamps and filters.  
4.4 Reproducibility of test results between laboratories has been shown to be good when the stability of materials is evaluated in terms of performance ranking compared to other materials or to a control.4,5 Therefore, exposure of a similar material of known performance (a control) at the same time as the test materials is strongly recommended. The number of specimens of the control material should be the same as that used for test materials. It is recommended that at least three replicates of each material be exposed to allow for statistical evaluation of results.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers specific procedures and test conditions that are applicable for exposure of plastics in window glass-filtered xenon-arc devices in accordance with Practices G151 and G155 for evaluating the stability of plastics intended for use in indoor applications.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Note 1: There is no known ISO equivalent to this practice.  
1.3 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.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Tests conducted in accordance with this practice are used to evaluate the stability of plastic materials when they are exposed outdoors. The relative durability of plastics in outdoor use can be very different depending on the location of the exposure because of differences in ultraviolet (UV) radiation, time of wetness, temperature, pollutants, and other factors. It cannot be assumed, therefore, that results from one exposure in a single location will be useful for determining relative durability in a different location. Exposures in several locations with different climates that represent a broad range of anticipated service conditions are recommended.  
4.1.1 Because of year-to-year climatological variations, results from a single exposure test cannot be used to predict the absolute rate at which a material degrades. Several years of repeat exposures are needed to get an average test result for a given location.  
4.2 The results of short-term exposure tests can provide an indication of relative outdoor performance, but it is recommended they not be used to predict the absolute long-term performance of a material. The results of tests conducted for less than twelve months will depend on the particular season of the year in which they begin.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice is intended to cover procedures for the exposure of plastic materials to weather.  
Note 1: See Practice G24 for aging under glass.  
1.2 This practice is limited to the method by which the material is to be exposed and the general procedure to be followed. It is intended for use with finished articles of commerce as well as with all sizes and shapes of test specimens.  
1.3 Means of evaluation of the effects of weathering will depend on the intended use for the test material.  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.  
1.5 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.
Note 2: This standard and ISO 877.2-2009, Method A, are technically equivalent.  
1.6 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.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Plastic compositions containing salts of lead, cadmium, copper, antimony, and certain other metals (as stabilizers, pigments, driers, or fillers) may stain due to the formation of a metallic sulfide when in contact with external materials that contain sulfide. The external sulfide source may be liquid, solid, or gas. Examples of materials that may cause sulfide stains are rubber, industrial fumes, foods, kraft paper, etc. This practice provides a means of estimating the relative susceptibility of plastic composition to sulfide staining.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the determination of the resistance of plastics to staining in the presence of sulfides.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.  
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. For specific precaution statements, see Section 6.
Note 1: There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.  
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.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Tests conducted in accordance with this practice are intended to induce property changes associated with use exposure to light and heat in typical office environments. These exposures are not intended to simulate the deterioration caused by localized phenomena such as handling, dirt contamination, etc.
Note 5: Caution: Refer to practice G151 for full cautionary guidance applicable to all laboratory weathering devices. Additional information on sources of variability and on strategies for addressing variability by design and data analysis of laboratory accelerated exposure tests is found in Guide G141.  
5.2 Variation in results may be expected are possible between the different methods described in this practice. For example, differences in spectral distribution of the lamps used and variations in the irradiance for a single type of lamp can cause significant differences in test results. Therefore, any no reference to the use of this practice should be made unless accompanied by a report prepared in accordance with Section 12 that describes needs to include a reference to the method used.  
5.3 Reproducibility of test results between laboratories has been shown to be good when the stability of materials is evaluated in terms of performance ranking compared to other materials or to a control. Therefore, exposure of a similar material of known performance (a control) at the same time as the test materials is strongly recommended. It is recommended that at least three replicates of each material be exposed to allow for statistical evaluation of results.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the basic principles and operating procedures for using fluorescent light to determine color stability of plastics when materials are exposed in typical office environments where fluorescent overhead lighting and window-filtered daylight are used for illumination and where temperature and humidity conditions are in accordance with American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommendations for workers' comfort.  
1.2 This practice describes four methods where specimens are exposed to fluorescent light under controlled environmental conditions. Two of the methods use an exposure device that provides for mixing of fluorescent lamps and two of the methods use devices that comply with Practice G154.
Note 1: Method I uses cool white fluorescent lamps and window glass filtered fluorescent UVB lamps and is the same method described in previous versions of this standard.  
1.3 Specimen preparation and evaluation of the results are covered in ASTM methods or specifications for specific materials. General guidance is given in Practice G151. More specific information about methods for determining the change in properties after exposure and reporting these results is described in Practice D5870.  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.  
1.5 Unless otherwise specified, all dimensions are nominal.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precautionary statements are given in Section 7.
Note 2: There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.  
1.7 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.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The use of this practice presupposes that the failure criteria selected to evaluate materials (that is, the property or properties being measured as a function of exposure time) and the duration of the exposure can be shown to relate to the intended use of the materials.  
4.2 Plastic materials exposed to heat are subject to many types of physical and chemical changes. The severity of the exposures in both time and temperature determines the extent and type of change that takes place. A plastic material is not necessarily degraded by exposure to elevated temperatures. However, extended periods of exposure of plastics to elevated temperatures will generally cause some degradation, with progressive changes in physical properties. Specific properties and failure (or lifetime) criteria for these properties are typically chosen for the evaluation of thermal endurance.  
4.3 Generally, short exposures at elevated temperatures drive out volatiles such as moisture, solvents, or plasticizers, relieve molding stresses, advance the cure of thermosets, and may cause some change in color of the plastic or coloring agent, or both. Normally, additional shrinkage should be expected with loss of volatiles or advance in polymerization.  
4.4 Some plastic materials become brittle due to loss of plasticizers after exposure at elevated temperatures. Other types of plastics become soft and sticky, either due to sorption of volatilized plasticizer or due to breakdown of the polymer.  
4.5 The degree of change observed will depend on the property measured. Different properties, mechanical or electrical, may not change at the same rate. For instance, the arc resistance of thermosetting compounds improves up to the carbonization point of the material. Mechanical properties, such as flexural properties, are sensitive to heat degradation and may change at a more rapid rate. Ultimate properties such as strength or elongation are more sensitive to degradation than bulk properties such as...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice is intended to define the exposure conditions for evaluating the thermal endurance of plastics when exposed solely to hot air for extended periods of time. Only the procedure for heat exposure is specified. The effect of elevated temperature on any particular property is determined by selection of the appropriate test method and test specimens for that property.  
1.2 This practice can be used as a guide to compare thermal aging characteristics of materials as measured by the change in some property of interest. The property of interest is measured at room temperature.  
1.3 This practice recommends procedures for comparing the thermal aging characteristics of materials at a single temperature. Recommended procedures for determining the thermal aging characteristics of a material using a series of elevated temperatures for the purpose of estimating endurance time to a defined property change at a lower temperature are also described; the applicability of the Arrhenius relation for making predictions to other temperatures, is assumed in this case.  
1.4 This practice does not predict thermal aging characteristics where interactions between stress, environment, temperature, and time control failure occur.  
1.5 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.
Note 1: This standard and ISO-2578 address the same subject matter but differ in technical content.  
1.6 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 ...

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 There are limitations of the results obtained from these practices. The choice of types and concentrations of reagents, duration of immersion or stress, or both, level of stress, temperature of the test, and properties to be reported are necessarily arbitrary. The specification of these conditions provides a basis for standardization and serves as a guide to investigators wishing to compare the relative resistance of various plastics to chemical reagents.  
4.2 Correlation of test results with the actual performance or serviceability of plastics is necessarily dependent upon the similarity between the testing and the end-use conditions. For applications involving continuous immersion, the data obtained in short-time tests are of interest only in eliminating the most unsuitable materials or indicating a probable relative order of resistance to chemical reagents.  
4.3 Evaluation of plastics for special applications involving corrosive conditions shall be based upon the particular reagents and concentrations to be encountered. Base the selection of test conditions on the manner and duration of contact with reagents, the temperature of the system, applied stress, and other performance factors involved in the particular application.  
4.4 The practices present general guidelines without covering specifics on all the varied applications of plastics, such as use in automobiles and exposure to various automotive fluids, or use in hospital environments with exposure to disinfectants and cleaning fluids. These practices can be extended to such applications with specifics on the study conducted noted in the report.  
4.5 The use of appropriate controls is critical to evaluate the utility of the information generated by these practices. Particular attention should be given to the variability in the data generated, especially for the baseline controls, and issues in data generation reported to mitigate misuse of information.
SCOPE
1.1 These practices cover the evaluation of all plastic materials including cast, hot-molded, cold-molded, laminated resinous products, and sheet materials for resistance to chemical reagents.  
1.2 Three procedures are presented, two under practice A (Immersion Test), and one under practice B (Mechanical Stress and Reagent Exposure under Standardized Conditions of Applied Strain). These practices include provisions for reporting changes in weight, dimensions, appearance, color, strength, and other mechanical properties. Standard reagents are specified to establish results on a comparable basis without precluding the use of other chemical reagents pertinent to specific chemical resistance requirements. Provisions are made for various exposure times, stress conditions, and exposure to reagents at elevated temperatures. The type of conditioning (immersion or wet patch) depends upon the end-use of the material. If the material is used as a container or transfer line, immersion of the specimens is used. If the material will only see short exposures or will be used in proximity and reagent will splash or spill on the material, the wet patch method of applying reagent to the material is used.
Note 1: Practice B for evaluating environmental stress cracking resistance differs from Practice D7474, which seeks to measure residual stresses in molded sulfone plastic parts with the use of calibrated chemical reagents. Practice B differs from Test Method D1693, which seeks to quantify the susceptibility of ethylene plastics to environmental stress-cracking subjected to specific conditions, by measuring the proportion of specimens that crack in a given time.  
1.3 The effect of chemical reagents on properties shall be determined by making measurements on standard specimens for such tests before and after immersion or stress, or both, if so tested.  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
1.5 ...

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Tests conducted in accordance with this practice are intended to induce property changes associated with use exposure to light and heat in typical office environments. These exposures are not intended to simulate the deterioration caused by localized phenomena such as handling, dirt contamination, etc.
Note 5—Caution: Caution: Refer to practice G151 for full cautionary guidance applicable to all laboratory weathering devices. Additional information on sources of variability and on strategies for addressing variability by design and data analysis of laboratory accelerated exposure tests is found in Guide G141.
Variation in results may be expected are possible between the different methods described in this practice. For example, differences in spectral distribution of the lamps used and variations in the irradiance for a single type of lamp can cause significant differences in test results. Therefore, any no reference to the use of this practice should be made unless accompanied by a report prepared in accordance with Section 12 that describes needs to include a reference to the method used.
Reproducibility of test results between laboratories has been shown to be good when the stability of materials is evaluated in terms of performance ranking compared to other materials or to a control. Therefore, exposure of a similar material of known performance (a control) at the same time as the test materials is strongly recommended. It is recommended that at least three replicates of each material be exposed to allow for statistical evaluation of results.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the basic principles and operating procedures for using fluorescent light to determine color stability of plastics when materials are exposed in typical office environments where fluorescent overhead lighting and window-filtered daylight are used for illumination and where temperature and humidity conditions are in accordance with American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommendations for workers' comfort.
1.2 This practice describes four methods where specimens are exposed to fluorescent light under controlled environmental conditions. Two of the methods use an exposure device that provides for mixing of fluorescent lamps and two of the methods use devices that comply with Practice G154.
Note 1—Method I uses cool white fluorescent lamps and window glass filtered fluorescent UVB lamps and is the same method described in previous versions of this standard.
1.3 Specimen preparation and evaluation of the results are covered in ASTM methods or specifications for specific materials. General guidance is given in Practice G151. More specific information about methods for determining the change in properties after exposure and reporting these results is described in Practice D5870.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.5 Unless otherwise specified, all dimensions are nominal.
1.6 This practice may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, is 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. Specific precautionary statements are given in Section 7.
Note 2—There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.
WITHDRAWN RATIONALE
This practice covers the basic principles and operating procedures for using fluorescent light to determine color stability of plastics when materials are exposed in typical office environments where fluorescent overhead lighting and window-filtered daylight are used for illumination and where temperature and humidity conditions are in accordance with American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommendations for workers' co...

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 This test method for rate of water absorption has two chief functions: first, as a guide to the proportion of water absorbed by a material and consequently, in those cases where the relationships between moisture and electrical or mechanical properties, dimensions, or appearance have been determined, as a guide to the effects of exposure to water or humid conditions on such properties; and second, as a control test on the uniformity of a product. This second function is particularly applicable to sheet, rod, and tube arms when the test is made on the finished product.  
3.2 Comparison of water absorption values of various plastics can be made on the basis of values obtained in accordance with 7.1 and 7.4.  
3.3 Ideal diffusion of liquids3 into polymers is a function of the square root of immersion time. Time to saturation is strongly dependent on specimen thickness. For example, Table 1 shows the time to approximate time saturation for various thickness of nylon-6.  
3.4 The moisture content of a plastic is very intimately related to such properties as electrical insulation resistance, dielectric losses, mechanical strength, appearance, and dimensions. The effect upon these properties of change in moisture content due to water absorption depends largely on the type of exposure (by immersion in water or by exposure to high humidity), shape of the part, and inherent properties of the plastic. With nonhomogeneous materials, such as laminated forms, the rate of water absorption may be widely different through each edge and surface. Even for otherwise homogeneous materials, it may be slightly greater through cut edges than through molded surfaces. Consequently, attempts to correlate water absorption with the surface area must generally be limited to closely related materials and to similarly shaped specimens: For materials of widely varying density, relation between water-absorption values on a volume as well as a weight basis may need to be considered.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the relative rate of absorption of water by plastics when immersed. This test method is intended to apply to the testing of all types of plastics, including cast, hot-molded, and cold-molded resinous products, and both homogeneous and laminated plastics in rod and tube form and in sheets 0.13 mm (0.005 in.) or greater in thickness.  
1.2 The values given in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values stated in parentheses are for information only.  
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.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This test method is intended only as a convenient test method for measurement of linear dimensional changes in plastics subjected to defined conditions of test as outlined in Sections 7 and 8.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method is designed to provide a means for measuring in plastic specimens the dimensional changes such as shrinkage or expansion, developed under specific heat and water conditionings.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Note 1: There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.  
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.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The ability of a plastic material to resist deterioration of its electrical, mechanical, and optical properties caused by exposure to light, heat, and water can be very significant for many applications. This practice is intended to induce property changes associated with end-use conditions, including the effects of daylight, 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 saltwater exposure.  
4.2 Caution—Variations in results are possible when operating conditions are varied within the accepted limits of this practice. Therefore, all references to the use of this practice must be accompanied by a report prepared in accordance with Section 9 that describes the specific operating conditions used. Refer to Practice G151 for detailed information on the caveats applicable to use of results obtained in accordance with this practice.
Note 2: 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 G141.  
4.3 Reproducibility of test results between laboratories has been shown to be good when the stability of materials is evaluated in terms of performance ranking compared to other materials or to a control.6,7 Therefore, exposure of a similar material of known performance (a control) at the same time as the test materials is strongly recommended. It is preferable that the number of specimens of the control material be the same as that used for test materials. It is recommended that at least three replicates of each material be exposed to allow for statistical evaluation of results.  
4.4 Test results will depend upon the care that is taken to operate the equipment in accordance with Practice G155. Significant factors include regulation of line voltage, freedom from salts or other d...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers specific procedures and test conditions that are applicable for xenon-arc exposure of plastics conducted in accordance with Practices G151 and G155. This practice also covers the preparation of test specimens, the test conditions best suited for plastics, and the evaluation of test results.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Note 1: This practice and ISO 4892-2 address the same subject matter, but differ in technical content.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The property retention index (PRI) determined by this practice is intended primarily to provide relative durability performance information on materials for design engineers. It is up to the user to ensure that appropriate sampling procedures are used for the selection of specimens to be exposed so that the PRI data obtained is actually representative of the material being evaluated.  
4.2 The PRI obtained depends on the material being tested, property being evaluated, and exposure condition used. A PRI obtained for one property will probably not be the same as the PRI for a different property of the same material, even if the same exposure test is used.  
4.3 Plastics exposed to a combination of environmental and thermal treatments may undergo a change in functional performance. Any laboratory-accelerated aging procedure, especially those that use only a single stress, may not realistically indicate the changes a plastic may undergo in actual use conditions. This practice provides a means for expressing the changes in properties as a function of time exposed in a wide variety of tests. The PRI data obtained is best used for comparing the performance of materials subjected to the same exposure test simultaneously.  
4.3.1 Both laboratory-accelerated and outdoor exposure testing can be highly variable, and the PRI data will be influenced by this variability. For example, PRI data from outdoor exposures can vary depending on the exposure location and the time of year when the exposure is conducted. Variability in laboratory-accelerated exposure tests can result in large differences in PRI data from two laboratories running supposedly identical tests. PRI data obtained from exposure to laboratory-accelerated tests cannot be used to predict the PRI for exposure to natural weathering or actual use conditions unless there is a sufficient amount of data from both types of exposure to allow valid statistical comparisons.  
4.4 A number of different exposure techniqu...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers procedures for the calculation of a property retention index (PRI) of thermoplastic and thermoset plastics after exposure to thermal aging, natural or artificial accelerated weathering, or chemical exposures.  
1.2 This practice is not intended to establish a fixed procedure for conducting the exposure test, but it is intended to provide a set of specific procedures used to calculate the retention index of a characteristic property of the material after it has been exposed. Selection of the specific exposure test conditions depends on the material being tested and the property being measured. It is up to the user to determine which exposure test conditions are most relevant to the specific material and the service condition being used. The exposure test used must be conducted in accordance with conditions described in specific exposure standards.  
1.3 This practice does not describe procedures for sampling the materials to be tested. These procedures are described in the standards and specifications applicable to the material being evaluated.  
1.4 The procedure used to calculate the PRI depends on whether the test used to characterize the materials being exposed is destructive or nondestructive. The PRI can be useful in describing short-term mechanical, electrical, and other properties of plastics at specified temperatures after the materials have been subjected to an exposure test.  
1.5 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.
Note 1: There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard. ISO 11248 is significantly different since it pertains only to thermosetting resins.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The ability of a plastic material to resist deterioration of its electrical, mechanical, and optical properties caused by exposure to light, heat, and water can be very significant for many applications. This practice is intended to induce property changes associated with end-use conditions, 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 saltwater exposure.  
4.2 Caution—Variation in results can be expected when operating conditions are varied within the accepted limits of this practice; therefore, no reference to the use of this practice shall be made unless accompanied by a report prepared in accordance with Section 9 that describes the specific operating conditions used. Refer to Practice G151 for detailed information on the caveats applicable to use of results obtained in accordance with this practice.
Note 2: 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 G141.  
4.2.1 The spectral power distribution of light from an enclosed carbon arc is significantly different from that produced in light and water exposure devices using other carbon-arc configurations or other light sources. The type and rate of degradation and the performance rankings produced by exposures to enclosed carbon arcs can be much different from those produced by exposures to other types of laboratory light sources.  
4.2.2 Interlaboratory comparisons are valid only when all laboratories use the same type of carbon arc, filters, and exposure conditions  
4.3 Reproducibility of test results between laboratories has been shown to be good when the stability of materials is evaluated in terms of performance ranking compared to other materials or to a control; theref...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers specific procedures and test conditions that are applicable for exposure of plastics in enclosed carbon-arc devices conducted in accordance with Practices G151 and G153. This practice also covers the preparation of test specimens, the test conditions suited for plastics, and the evaluation of test results.  
1.2 This practice does not cover filtered open-flame carbon-arc exposures of plastics, which are covered in Practice D1499. Practice D5031 describes enclosed carbon-arc exposures of paints and related coatings.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as 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.
Note 1: There is no known ISO equivalent to this practice.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 There are limitations of the results obtained from these practices. The choice of types and concentrations of reagents, duration of immersion or stress, or both, level of stress, temperature of the test, and properties to be reported are necessarily arbitrary. The specification of these conditions provides a basis for standardization and serves as a guide to investigators wishing to compare the relative resistance of various plastics to typical chemical reagents.  
4.2 Correlation of test results with the actual performance or serviceability of plastics is necessarily dependent upon the similarity between the testing and the end-use conditions. For applications involving continuous immersion, the data obtained in short-time tests are of interest only in eliminating the most unsuitable materials or indicating a probable relative order of resistance to chemical reagents.  
4.3 Evaluation of plastics for special applications involving corrosive conditions shall be based upon the particular reagents and concentrations to be encountered. Base the selection of test conditions on the manner and duration of contact with reagents, the temperature of the system, applied stress, and other performance factors involved in the particular application.
SCOPE
1.1 These practices cover the evaluation of all plastic materials including cast, hot-molded, cold-molded, laminated resinous products, and sheet materials for resistance to chemical reagents. These practices include provisions for reporting changes in weight, dimensions, appearance, and strength properties. Standard reagents are specified to establish results on a comparable basis. Provisions are made for various exposure times, stress conditions, and exposure to reagents at elevated temperatures. The type of conditioning (immersion or wet patch) depends upon the end-use of the material. If used as a container or transfer line, immerse the specimens. If the material will only see short exposures or will be used in proximity and reagent will splash or spill on the material, use the wet patch method of applying reagent.  
1.2 The effect of chemical reagents on other properties shall be determined by making measurements on standard specimens for such tests before and after immersion or stress, or both, if so tested.  
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 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. Specific hazards statements are given in Section 7.
Note 1: This standard and ISO 22088 Part 3 address the same subject matter, but differ in technical content (and the results cannot be directly compared between the two test methods).

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Plastic compositions containing salts of lead, cadmium, copper, antimony, and certain other metals (as stabilizers, pigments, driers, or fillers) may stain due to the formation of a metallic sulfide when in contact with external materials that contain sulfide. The external sulfide source may be liquid, solid, or gas. Examples of materials that may cause sulfide stains are rubber, industrial fumes, foods, kraft paper, etc. This practice provides a means of estimating the relative susceptibility of plastic composition to sulfide staining.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the determination of the resistance of plastics to staining in the presence of sulfides.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.  
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific precaution statements, see Section 6. Note 1—There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This practice involves the concentration of sunlight by a system of plane mirrors, arranged to simulate a parabolic trough focused on an air-cooled target board on which the test specimens are mounted. Exposure cycles with and without water spray that are commonly used for this method are described in Table 1. Other exposure cycles not listed in Table 1 can be used, upon consensual agreement between interested parties.
4.1.1 Accelerated outdoor exposure tests performed using this practice in an absence of a programmed moisture cycle are intended to simulate conventional exposure testing on racks facing the equator in desert and arid regions.  
4.1.2 Accelerated outdoor exposure tests performed using this practice with a programmed moisture cycle shall possess the feature of spraying high purity water on the specimens in a regular, periodic fashion that is intended to simulate the results of conventional exposure testing on fixed racks facing the equator in subtropical, semi-humid, and temperate regions. Water-spray cycles that are recommended by this practice are given in Table 1.  
4.2 The effectiveness of the Fresnel-reflector accelerated outdoor weathering test machines depends primarily on the amount and character of the UV in the direct-beam component of sunlight.Note 2—Use of the apparatus in regions of moderate- to high-diffuse irradiance will reduce the test machine's effectiveness substantially for providing concentrated UV in the target (specimen) area.  
4.3 Testing to specific levels (quantities) of solar ultraviolet radiant exposure is recommended. Elapsed time exposure-level determinations shall not be used for testing with this practice. Testing to specific levels of UV irradiation, whether to total UV or within selected wavebands, is an effective method for improving agreement between wintertime and summertime testing on the Fresnel-reflector weathering-test machines. Other seasonal factors such as temperature and time of wetness can affect ...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the use of Fresnel-reflecting concentrators that use the sun as a source of ultraviolet (UV) and longer wavelength radiation. Such devices are used in the outdoor accelerated exposure testing of plastics.  
1.2 This practice provides a procedure for performing outdoor accelerated exposure testing of plastics using a Fresnel-reflector outdoor accelerated weathering test machine. The apparatus is described herein and in Practice G90 more completely.  
1.3 This practice is applicable to a range of plastic materials including, but not limited to, plastic films, sheets, laminates, and extruded and molded products in a variety of shapes and sizes, as specified in 8.2 and 8.3.  
1.4 This practice describes test conditions that attempt to simulate plastics exposures in desert and subtropical climates. Specimen preparation, property testing procedures, and the evaluation of results are covered in existing test methods or specifications for specific materials.  
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
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. Specific precautionary statements are given in Section 7. Note 1—This standard is equivalent to ISO 877-3: 2009.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The ability of a plastic material to resist deterioration of its electrical, mechanical, and optical properties caused by exposure to light, heat, and water can be very significant for many applications. This practice is intended to induce property changes associated with end-use conditions, 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 saltwater exposure.  
4.2 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 shall be made unless accompanied by a report prepared in accordance with Section 9 that describes the specific operating conditions used. Refer to Practice G151 for detailed information on the caveats applicable to use of results obtained in accordance with this practice.Note 2—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 G141.  
4.2.1 The spectral power distribution of light from an open-flame carbon-arc is significantly different from that produced in light and water exposure devices using other carbon-arc configurations or other light sources. The type and rate of degradation and the performance rankings produced by exposures to filtered open-flame carbon-arcs can be much different from those produced by exposures to other types of laboratory light sources.  
4.2.2 Interlaboratory comparisons are valid only when all laboratories use the same type of carbon-arc, filters, and exposure conditions.  
4.3 Reproducibility of test results between laboratories has been shown to be good when the stability of materials is evaluated in terms of performance ranking compared to other materials or to a c...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers specific procedures and test conditions that are applicable for exposure of plastics in filtered open-flame carbon-arc devices conducted in accordance with Practices G151 and G152. This practice also covers the preparation of test specimens, the test condition suited for plastics, and the evaluation of test results.  
1.2 This practice does not cover enclosed carbon-arc exposures of plastics, which had been allowed in Practice D1499. Enclosed carbon-arc exposures of plastics are described in Practice D6360, and in G153, which gives requirements for exposing nonmetallic materials in enclosed carbon-arc devices.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values in parentheses are given for information only.  
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.Note 1—This practice is technically equivalent to  ISO 4892-4.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The ability of a plastic material to resist deterioration of its electrical, mechanical, and optical properties caused by exposure to light, heat, and water can be very significant for many applications. This practice is intended to induce property changes associated with end-use conditions, including the effects of ultraviolet solar irradiance, 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 saltwater exposure. (Warning—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 8 that describes the specific operating conditions used. Refer to Practice G151 for detailed information on the caveats applicable to use of results obtained in accordance with this practice.)Note 2—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 G141.  
4.2 Reproducibility of test results between laboratories has been shown to be good when the stability of materials is evaluated in terms of performance ranking compared to other materials or to a control.5,6 Therefore, exposure of a similar material of known performance (a control) at the same time as the test materials is strongly recommended. It is recommended that at least three replicates of each material be exposed to allow for statistical evaluation of results.  
4.3 Test results will depend upon the care that is taken to operate the equipment in accordance with Practice G154. Significant factors include regulation of line voltage, temperature of the room in which the device operates, temperature control, and condition and age of the lamp.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers specific procedures and test conditions that are applicable for fluorescent UV exposure of plastics conducted in accordance with Practices G151 and G154. This practice also covers the preparation of test specimens, the test conditions best suited for plastics, and the evaluation of test results.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.Note 1—This practice is technically similar to ISO 4892-3.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Tests conducted in accordance with this practice are used to evaluate the stability of plastic materials when they are exposed outdoors. The relative durability of plastics in outdoor use can be very different depending on the location of the exposure because of differences in ultraviolet (UV) radiation, time of wetness, temperature, pollutants, and other factors. It cannot be assumed, therefore, that results from one exposure in a single location will be useful for determining relative durability in a different location. Exposures in several locations with different climates that represent a broad range of anticipated service conditions are recommended.  
4.1.1 Because of year-to-year climatological variations, results from a single exposure test cannot be used to predict the absolute rate at which a material degrades. Several years of repeat exposures are needed to get an average test result for a given location.  
4.2 The results of short-term exposure tests can provide an indication of relative outdoor performance, but they should not be used to predict the absolute long-term performance of a material. The results of tests conducted for less than twelve months will depend on the particular season of the year in which they begin.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice is intended to cover procedures for the exposure of plastic materials to weather. Note 1—See Practice G24 for aging under glass.  
1.2 This practice is limited to the method by which the material is to be exposed and the general procedure to be followed. It is intended for use with finished articles of commerce as well as with all sizes and shapes of test specimens.  
1.3 Means of evaluation of the effects of weathering will depend on the intended use for the test material.  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.  
1.5 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. Note 2—This standard and ISO 877.2-2009, Method A, are technically equivalent.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Conditioning of specimens is typically conducted: (1) for the purpose of bringing the material into equilibrium with normal or average room conditions, (2) simply to obtain reproducible results, regardless of previous history of exposure, or (3) to subject the material to abnormal conditions of temperature or humidity in order to predict its service behavior.  
4.2 The conditioning procedures prescribed in this practice are designed to obtain reproducible results and have the potential to give physical values somewhat higher or somewhat lower than values under equilibrium at normal conditions, depending upon the particular material and test. Depending on the thickness, type of material and its previous history, it is possible that it would take 20 to 100 days or more to ensure substantial equilibrium under normal conditions of humidity and temperature. Consequently, conditioning for reproducibility must of necessity be used for general purchase specifications and product control tests.
SCOPE
1.1 In general, the physical and electrical properties of plastics are influenced by temperature and relative humidity in a manner that materially affects test results. In order to make reliable comparisons between different materials and between different laboratories, it is necessary to standardize the humidity conditions, as well as the temperature, to which specimens of these materials are subjected prior to and during testing. This practice defines procedures for conditioning plastics (although not necessarily to equilibrium) prior to testing, and the conditions under which they shall be tested.  
1.2 For some materials, it is possible that a material specification exists that requires the use of this practice, but with some procedural modifications. The material specification takes precedence over this practice. Refer to the material specification before using this practice. Table 1 in Classification D4000 lists the ASTM material specifications that currently exist.  
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Note 1—This standard and ISO 291 address the same subject matter, but differ in technical content. ISO 291 describes only two temperature and humidity conditions for conditioning or testing, or both.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This test method is intended only as a convenient test method for measurement of linear dimensional changes in plastics subjected to defined conditions of test as outlined in Sections 7 and 8.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method is designed to provide a means for measuring in plastic specimens the dimensional changes such as shrinkage or expansion, developed under specific heat and water conditionings.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.Note 1—There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This practice is intended to simulate the effects produced by exposure to solar radiation through glass. This practice uses exposure in a xenon-arc device equipped with window glass filters and operated in accordance with Practices G151 and G155.Note 2—Practice D4674 describes exposures in a device that uses a combination of fluorescent “cool white” and ultraviolet (UV) lamps to simulate the effects of exposures to indoor fluorescent light and window glass filtered daylight.  
4.2 Warning—Variation in results may be expected when operating conditions are varied within the accepted limits of this practice. Therefore, all references to the use of this practice must be accompanied by a report prepared in accordance with Section 9 that describes the specific operating conditions used. Refer to Practice G151 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 G141.  
4.3 Test results will depend upon the care that is taken to operate the equipment in accordance with Practice G155. Significant factors include regulation of line voltage, temperature and humidity control, and condition and age of the lamps and filters.  
4.4 Reproducibility of test results between laboratories has been shown to be good when the stability of materials is evaluated in terms of performance ranking compared to other materials or to a control.4,5 Therefore, exposure of a similar material of known performance (a control) at the same time as the test materials is strongly recommended. It is recommended that at least three replicates of each material be exposed to allow for statistical evaluation of results.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers specific procedures and test conditions that are applicable for exposure of plastics in window glass-filtered xenon-arc devices in accordance with Practices G151 and G155 for evaluating the stability of plastics intended for use in indoor applications.  
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.Note 1—There is no known ISO equivalent to this practice.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The property retention index (PRI) determined by this practice is intended primarily to provide relative durability performance information on materials for design engineers. It is up to the user to ensure that appropriate sampling procedures are used for the selection of specimens to be exposed so that the PRI data obtained is actually representative of the material being evaluated.
The PRI obtained depends on the material being tested, property being evaluated, and exposure condition used. A PRI obtained for one property will probably not be the same as the PRI for a different property of the same material, even if the same exposure test is used.
Plastics exposed to a combination of environmental and thermal treatments may undergo a change in functional performance. Any laboratory-accelerated aging procedure, especially those that use only a single stress, may not realistically indicate the changes a plastic may undergo in actual use conditions. This practice provides a means for expressing the changes in properties as a function of time exposed in a wide variety of tests. The PRI data obtained is best used for comparing the performance of materials subjected to the same exposure test simultaneously.
Both laboratory-accelerated and outdoor exposure testing can be highly variable, and the PRI data will be influenced by this variability. For example, PRI data from outdoor exposures can vary depending on the exposure location and the time of year when the exposure is conducted. Variability in laboratory-accelerated exposure tests can result in large differences in PRI data from two laboratories running supposedly identical tests. PRI data obtained from exposure to laboratory-accelerated tests cannot be used to predict the PRI for exposure to natural weathering or actual use conditions unless there is a sufficient amount of data from both types of exposure to allow valid statistical comparisons.
A number of different exposure techniques can be used to provide ...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers procedures for the calculation of a property retention index (PRI) of thermoplastic and thermoset plastics after exposure to thermal aging, natural or artificial accelerated weathering, or chemical exposures.
1.2 This practice is not intended to establish a fixed procedure for conducting the exposure test, but it is intended to provide a set of specific procedures used to calculate the retention index of a characteristic property of the material after it has been exposed. Selection of the specific exposure test conditions depends on the material being tested and the property being measured. It is up to the user to determine which exposure test conditions are most relevant to the specific material and the service condition being used. The exposure test used must be conducted in accordance with conditions described in specific exposure standards.
1.3 This practice does not describe procedures for sampling the materials to be tested. These procedures are described in the standards and specifications applicable to the material being evaluated.
1.4 The procedure used to calculate the PRI depends on whether the test used to characterize the materials being exposed is destructive or nondestructive. The PRI can be useful in describing short-term mechanical, electrical, and other properties of plastics at specified temperatures after the materials have been subjected to an exposure test.
1.5 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.  
Note 1—There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard. ISO DIS 11248 is significantly different since it pertains only to thermosetting resins.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method for rate of water absorption has two chief functions: first, as a guide to the proportion of water absorbed by a material and consequently, in those cases where the relationships between moisture and electrical or mechanical properties, dimensions, or appearance have been determined, as a guide to the effects of exposure to water or humid conditions on such properties; and second, as a control test on the uniformity of a product. This second function is particularly applicable to sheet, rod, and tube arms when the test is made on the finished product.
Comparison of water absorption values of various plastics can be made on the basis of values obtained in accordance with 7.1 and 7.4.
Ideal diffusion of liquids into polymers is a function of the square root of immersion time. Time to saturation is strongly dependent on specimen thickness. For example, Table 1 shows the time to approximate time saturation for various thickness of nylon-6.
The moisture content of a plastic is very intimately related to such properties as electrical insulation resistance, dielectric losses, mechanical strength, appearance, and dimensions. The effect upon these properties of change in moisture content due to water absorption depends largely on the type of exposure (by immersion in water or by exposure to high humidity), shape of the part, and inherent properties of the plastic. With nonhomogeneous materials, such as laminated forms, the rate of water absorption may be widely different through each edge and surface. Even for otherwise homogeneous materials, it may be slightly greater through cut edges than through molded surfaces. Consequently, attempts to correlate water absorption with the surface area must generally be limited to closely related materials and to similarly shaped specimens: For materials of widely varying density, relation between water-absorption values on a volume as well as a weight basis may need to be considered.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the relative rate of absorption of water by plastics when immersed. This test method is intended to apply to the testing of all types of plastics, including cast, hot-molded, and cold-molded resinous products, and both homogeneous and laminated plastics in rod and tube form and in sheets 0.13 mm [0.005 in.] or greater in thickness.  
1.2 The values given in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values stated in brackets are for information only.  
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Note 1—ISO 62 is technically equivalent to this test method.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The use of this practice presupposes that the failure criteria selected to evaluate materials (that is, the property or properties being measured as a function of exposure time) and the duration of the exposure can be shown to relate to the intended use of the materials.
Plastic materials exposed to heat may be subject to many types of physical and chemical changes. The severity of the exposures in both time and temperature determines the extent and type of change that takes place. A plastic material is not necessarily degraded by exposure to elevated temperatures, but may be unchanged or improved. However, extended periods of exposure of plastics to elevated temperatures will generally cause some degradation, with progressive change in physical properties.
Generally, short exposures at elevated temperatures may drive out volatiles such as moisture, solvents, or plasticizers, relieve molding stresses, advance the cure of thermosets, and may cause some change in color of the plastic or coloring agent, or both. Normally, additional shrinkage should be expected with loss of volatiles or advance in polymerization.
Some plastic materials may become brittle due to loss of plasticizers after exposure at elevated temperatures. Other types of plastics may become soft and sticky, either due to sorption of volatilized plasticizer or due to breakdown of the polymer.
The degree of change observed will depend on the property measured. Different properties, mechanical or electrical, may not change at the same rate. For instance, the arc resistance of thermosetting compounds improves up to the carbonization point of the material. Mechanical properties, such as flexural properties, are sensitive to heat degradation and may change at a more rapid rate. Ultimate properties such as strength or elongation are more sensitive to degradation than bulk properties such as modulus, in most cases.
Effects of exposure may be quite variable, especially when specimens are exposed for lo...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice is intended to define the exposure conditions for testing the resistance of plastics to oxidation or other degradation when exposed solely to hot air for extended periods of time. Only the procedure for heat exposure is specified, not the test method or specimen. The effect of heat on any particular property may be determined by selection of the appropriate test method and specimen.
1.2 This practice should be used as a guide to compare thermal aging characteristics of materials as measured by the change in some property of interest. This practice recommends procedures for comparing the thermal aging characteristics of materials at a single temperature. Recommended procedures for determining the thermal aging characteristics of a material at a series of temperatures for the purpose of estimating time to a defined property change at some lower temperature are also described.
1.3 This practice does not predict thermal aging characteristics where interactions between stress, environment, temperature, and time control failure occurs.
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.
Note 1—ISO-2578 is considered to be technically equivalent to this practice.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Plastic compositions containing salts of lead, cadmium, copper, antimony, and certain other metals (as stabilizers, pigments, driers, or fillers) may stain due to the formation of a metallic sulfide when in contact with external materials that contain sulfide. The external sulfide source may be liquid, solid, or gas. Examples of materials that may cause sulfide stains are rubber, industrial fumes, foods, kraft paper, etc. This practice provides a means of estimating the relative susceptibility of plastic composition to sulfide staining.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the determination of the resistance of plastics to staining in the presence of sulfides.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific precaution statements, see Section 6.  
Note 1—There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Conditioning of specimens is typically conducted: (1) for the purpose of bringing the material into equilibrium with normal or average room conditions, (2) simply to obtain reproducible results, regardless of previous history of exposure, or (3) to subject the material to abnormal conditions of temperature or humidity in order to predict its service behavior.
The conditioning procedures prescribed in this practice are designed to obtain reproducible results and have the potential to give physical values somewhat higher or somewhat lower than values under equilibrium at normal conditions, depending upon the particular material and test. Depending on the thickness, type of material and its previous history, it is possible that it would take 20 to 100 days or more to ensure substantial equilibrium under normal conditions of humidity and temperature. Consequently, conditioning for reproducibility must of necessity be used for general purchase specifications and product control tests.
SCOPE
1.1 In general, the physical and electrical properties of plastics are influenced by temperature and relative humidity in a manner that materially affects test results. In order to make reliable comparisons between different materials and between different laboratories, it is necessary to standardize the humidity conditions, as well as the temperature, to which specimens of these materials are subjected prior to and during testing. This practice defines procedures for conditioning plastics (although not necessarily to equilibrium) prior to testing, and the conditions under which they shall be tested.
1.2 For some materials, it is possible that a material specification exists that requires the use of this practice, but with some procedural modifications. The material specification takes precedence over this practice. Refer to the material specification before using this practice. Table 1 in Classification D 4000 lists the ASTM material specifications that currently exist.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Note 1—This standard and ISO 291 address the same subject matter, but differ in technical content. ISO 291 describes only two temperature and humidity conditions for conditioning or testing, or both.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The ability of a plastic material to resist deterioration of its electrical, mechanical, and optical properties caused by exposure to light, heat, and water can be very significant for many applications. This practice is intended to induce property changes associated with end-use conditions, including the effects of daylight, 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 saltwater exposure.
Caution—Variations in results may be expected when operating conditions are varied within the accepted limits of this practice. Therefore, all references to the use of this practice must be 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.
Reproducibility of test results between laboratories has been shown to be good when the stability of materials is evaluated in terms of performance ranking compared to other materials or to a control. , Therefore, exposure of a similar material of known performance (a control) at the same time as the test materials is strongly recommended. It is recommended that at least three replicates of each material 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 155. Significant factors include regulation of line voltage, freedom from salts or other deposits from water, temperature and humidity control, and condition and age of the burner and filters.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers specific procedures and test conditions that are applicable for xenon-arc exposure of plastics conducted in accordance with Practices G 151 and G 155. This practice also covers the preparation of test specimens, the test conditions best suited for plastics, and the evaluation of test results.
Note 1—Previous versions of this practice referenced xenon-arc devices described in Practice G 26, which described very specific equipment designs. Practice G 26 is being replaced by Practice G 151, which describes performance criteria for all exposure devices that use laboratory light sources and by Practice G 155, which gives requirements for exposing nonmetallic materials in xenon-arc devices. Practice G 26 will be balloted for withdrawal before December 2000.
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.
Note 2—This practice is technically equivalent to ISO 4892-2.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The ability of a plastic material to resist deterioration of its electrical, mechanical, and optical properties caused by exposure to light, heat, and water can be very significant for many applications. This practice is intended to induce property changes associated with end-use conditions, 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 saltwater exposure. (Warning—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 shall 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 2—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.
Reproducibility of test results between laboratories has been shown to be good when the stability of materials is evaluated in terms of performance ranking compared to other materials or to a control; therefore, exposure of a similar material of known performance (a control) at the same time as the test materials is strongly recommended.3 ,4 It is recommended that at least three replicates of each material 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 153. Significant factors include regulation of line voltage, freedom from salt or other deposits from water, temperature and humidity control, and conditions of the electrodes.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers specific procedures and test conditions that are applicable for exposure of plastics in enclosed carbon-arc devices conducted in accordance with Practices G 151 and G 153. This practice also covers the preparation of test specimens, the test conditions suited for plastics, and the evaluation of test results.
1.2 This practice does not cover filtered open-flame carbon-arc exposures of plastics, which are covered in Practice D 1499. Practice D 5031 describes enclosed carbon-arc exposures of paints and related coatings.
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.Note 1
There is no known ISO equivalent to this practice.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This practice is intended to simulate the effects produced by exposure to solar radiation through glass. This practice uses exposure in a xenon-arc device equipped with window glass filters and operated in accordance with Practices G 151 and G 155.
Note 2—Practice D 4674 describes exposures in a device that uses a combination of fluorescent “cool white” and ultraviolet (UV) lamps to simulate the effects of exposures to indoor fluorescent light and window glass filtered daylight.
Warning—Variation in results may be expected when operating conditions are varied within the accepted limits of this practice. Therefore, all references to the use of this practice must be 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.
Test results will depend upon the care that is taken to operate the equipment in accordance with Practice G 155. Significant factors include regulation of line voltage, temperature and humidity control, and condition and age of the burner and filters.
Reproducibility of test results between laboratories has been shown to be good when the stability of materials is evaluated in terms of performance ranking compared to other materials or to a control.3 ,4 Therefore, exposure of a similar material of known performance (a control) at the same time as the test materials is strongly recommended. It is recommended that at least three replicates of each material be exposed to allow for statistical evaluation of results.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers specific procedures and test conditions that are applicable for exposure of plastics in window glass-filtered xenon-arc devices in accordance with Practices G 151 and G 155 for evaluating the stability of plastics intended for use in indoor applications.
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.
Note 1 - There is no known ISO equivalent to this practice.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method is intended only as a convenient test method for measurement of linear dimensional changes in plastics subjected to defined conditions of test as outlined in Sections 7 and 8.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method is designed to provide a means for measuring in plastic specimens the dimensional changes resulting from exposure to service conditions. In particular, this test method is suitable for measuring shrinkage or elongation developed under specific oven and water conditionings.
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.Note 1
There is no similar or comparable ISO standard.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The limitations of the results obtained from these practices should be recognized. The choice of types and concentrations of reagents, duration of immersion or stress, or both, temperature of the test, and properties to be reported is necessarily arbitrary. The specification of these conditions provides a basis for standardization and serves as a guide to investigators wishing to compare the relative resistance of various plastics to typical chemical reagents.
Correlation of test results with the actual performance or serviceability of plastics is necessarily dependent upon the similarity between the testing and the end-use conditions. For applications involving continuous immersion, the data obtained in short-time tests are of interest only in eliminating the most unsuitable materials or indicating a probable relative order of resistance to chemical reagents.
Evaluation of plastics for special applications involving corrosive conditions should be based upon the particular reagents and concentrations to be encountered. The selection of test conditions should take into account the manner and duration of contact with reagents, the temperature of the system, applied stress, and other performance factors involved in the particular application.
SCOPE
1.1 These practices cover the evaluation of all plastic materials including cast, hot-molded, cold-molded, laminated resinous products, and sheet materials for resistance to chemical reagents. These practices include provisions for reporting changes in weight, dimensions, appearance, and strength properties. Standard reagents are specified to establish results on a comparable basis. Provisions are made for various exposure times, stress conditions, and exposure to reagents at elevated temperatures. The type of conditioning (immersion or wet patch) depends upon the end-use of the material. If used as a container or transfer line, specimens should be immersed. If the material will only see short exposures or will be used in close proximity and reagent may splash or spill on the material, the wet patch method of applying reagent should be used.
1.2 The effect of chemical reagents on other properties shall be determined by making measurements on standard specimens for such tests before and after immersion or stress, or both, if so tested.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in brackets are for information only.
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. Specific hazards statements are given in Section 7.Note 1
This standard and ISO 22088 Part 3 address the same subject matter, but differ in technical content (and the results cannot be directly compared between the two test methods).

SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the relative rate of absorption of water by plastics when immersed. This test method is intended to apply to the testing of all types of plastics, including cast, hot-molded, and cold-molded resinous products, and both homogeneous and laminated plastics in rod and tube form and in sheets 0.13 mm [0.005 in.] or greater in thickness.
1.2 The values given in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values stated in brackets are for information only.
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. Note 1
ISO 62 is technically equivalent to this test method.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Conditioning of specimens may be undertaken: (1) for the purpose of bringing the material into equilibrium with normal or average room conditions, (2) simply to obtain reproducible results, regardless of previous history of exposure, or (3) to subject the material to abnormal conditions of temperature or humidity in order to predict its service behavior.
The conditioning procedures prescribed in this practice are designed to obtain reproducible results and may give physical values somewhat higher or somewhat lower than values under equilibrium at normal conditions, depending upon the particular material and test. To ensure substantial equilibrium under normal conditions of humidity and temperature, however, may require from 20 to 100 days or more depending upon thickness and type of material and its previous history. Consequently, conditioning for reproducibility must of necessity be used for general purchase specifications and product control tests.
SCOPE
1.1 In general, the physical and electrical properties of plastics are influenced by temperature and relative humidity in a manner that materially affects test results. In order that reliable comparisons may be made of different materials and between different laboratories, it is necessary to standardize the humidity conditions, as well as the temperature, to which specimens of these materials are subjected prior to and during testing. This practice defines procedures for conditioning plastics (although not necessarily to equilibrium) prior to testing, and the conditions under which they shall be tested.
1.2 For some materials, there may be a material specification that requires the use of this practice, but with some procedural modifications. The material specification takes precedence over this practice. Refer to the material specification before using this practice. Table 1 in Classification D 4000 lists the ASTM material specifications that currently exist.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Note 1-ISO 291 is related to this practice; however, ISO 291 describes only two temperature and humidity conditions for conditioning or testing, or both.

SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the use of Fresnel-reflecting concentrators that use the sun as a source of ultraviolet (UV) and longer wavelength radiation. Such devices are used in the outdoor accelerated exposure testing of plastics.
1.2 This practice provides a procedure for performing outdoor accelerated exposure testing of plastics using a Fresnel-reflector outdoor accelerated weathering test machine. The apparatus is described herein and in Practice G 90 more completely.
1.3 This practice is applicable to a range of plastic materials including, but not limited to, plastic films, sheets, laminates, and extruded and molded products in a variety of shapes and sizes, as specified in .
1.4 This practice describes test conditions that attempt to simulate plastics exposures in desert and subtropical climates. Specimen preparation, property testing procedures, and the evaluation of results are covered in existing test methods or specifications for specific materials.
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. Specific precautionary statements are given in Section .Note 1
This standard and ISO 877.2-1991, Method C, are technically equivalent.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The ability of a plastic material to resist deterioration of its electrical, mechanical, and optical properties caused by exposure to light, heat, and water can be very significant for many applications. This practice is intended to induce property changes associated with end-use conditions, 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 saltwater exposure. (Warning—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 8 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 2—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.
Reproducibility of test results between laboratories has been shown to be good when the stability of materials is evaluated in terms of performance ranking compared to other materials or to a control.5 ,6 Therefore, exposure of a similar material of known performance (a control) at the same time as the test materials is strongly recommended. It is recommended that at least three replicates of each material 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 lamp.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers specific procedures and test conditions that are applicable for fluorescent UV exposure of plastics conducted in accordance with Practices G 151 and G 154. This practice also covers the preparation of test specimens, the test conditions best suited for plastics, and the evaluation of test results.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are be regarded as standard. The values given in brackets are for information only.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Note 1—This practice is technically similar to ISO 4892-3.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The ability of a plastic material to resist deterioration of its electrical, mechanical, and optical properties caused by exposure to light, heat, and water can be very significant for many applications. This practice is intended to induce property changes associated with end-use conditions, 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 saltwater exposure. (Warning—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 shall 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 2—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.
Reproducibility of test results between laboratories has been shown to be good when the stability of materials is evaluated in terms of performance ranking compared to other materials or to a control.4 ,5 Therefore, exposure of a similar material of known performance (a control) at the same time as the test materials is strongly recommended. It is recommended that at least three replicates of each material 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 152. Significant factors include regulation of line voltage, freedom from salt or other deposits from water, temperature and humidity control, and conditions of the electrodes.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers specific procedures and test conditions that are applicable for exposure of plastics in filtered open-flame carbon-arc devices conducted in accordance with Practices G 151 and G 152. This practice also covers the preparation of test specimens, the test condition suited for plastics, and the evaluation of test results.
1.2 This practice does not cover enclosed carbon-arc exposures of plastics, which had been allowed in Practice D 1499. Enclosed carbon-arc exposures of plastics are described in Practice D 6360, and in G 153, which gives requirements for exposing nonmetallic materials in enclosed carbon-arc devices.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Note 1—This practice is technically equivalent to ISO 4892-4.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Tests conducted in accordance with this practice are used to evaluate the stability of plastic materials when they are exposed outdoors. The relative durability of plastics in outdoor use can be very different depending on the location of the exposure because of differences in ultraviolet (UV) radiation, time of wetness, temperature, pollutants, and other factors. It cannot be assumed, therefore, that results from one exposure in a single location will be useful for determining relative durability in a different location. Exposures in several locations with different climates that represent a broad range of anticipated service conditions are recommended.
4.1.1 Because of year-to-year climatological variations, results from a single exposure test cannot be used to predict the absolute rate at which a material degrades. Several years of repeat exposures are needed to get an average test result for a given location.
The results of short-term exposure tests can provide an indication of relative outdoor performance, but they should not be used to predict the absolute long-term performance of a material. The results of tests conducted for less than twelve months will depend on the particular season of the year in which they begin.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice is intended to cover procedures for the exposure of plastic materials to weather. Note 1See Practice G 24 for aging under glass.
1.2 This practice is limited to the method by which the material is to be exposed and the general procedure to be followed. It is intended for use with finished articles of commerce as well as with all sizes and shapes of test specimens.
1.3 Means of evaluation of the effects of weathering will depend on the intended use for the test material.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
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.
This standard and ISO 877.2-1991, Method A, are technically equivalent.