ASTM_D_6662_-_13.pdf

Designation:D666213Standard Specification forPolyolefin-Based Plastic Lumber Decking Boards1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6662;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This specification covers polyolefin-based plastic lum-ber products for use as exterior residential decking boards.1.2 Plastic lumber products are currently made predomi-nantly with recycled polyolefin plastics(in particular high-density polyethylene)where the products are more or lessnon-homogenous in the cross-section.However,this specifica-tion is also potentially applicable to similar manufacturedplastic products made from other plastic and plastic compositematerials that have non-homogenous cross-sections.1.3 This specification details a procedure to calculate rec-ommended span lengths for spacing of support joists.Thisprocedure was developed using experimental data from atypical unreinforced plastic lumber made predominantly fromrecycled high-density polyethylene.The methodology to de-velop span lengths for other types and compositions of plasticlumber is detailed in Appendix X1 of this standard.1.4 The values are stated in inch-pound units,as these arecurrently the most common units used by the constructionindustry.Equivalent SI units are indicated in parentheses.However,the units stated for irradiance exposure in theweatherability section(6.3)are in SI units as these are the unitscommonly used for testing of this type.1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.NOTE1There is no similar or equivalent ISO Standard.2.Referenced Documents2.1 The following documents of the issue in effect on thedate of material purchase form a part of this specification to theextent referenced herein:2.2 ASTM Standards:2D883 Terminology Relating to PlasticsD2565 Practice for Xenon-Arc Exposure of Plastics In-tended for Outdoor ApplicationsD2915 Practice for Sampling and Data-Analysis for Struc-tural Wood and Wood-Based ProductsD4329 Practice for Fluorescent Ultraviolet(UV)Lamp Ap-paratus Exposure of PlasticsD5033 Guide for Development ofASTM Standards Relatingto Recycling and Use of Recycled Plastics(Withdrawn2007)3D6109 Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforcedand Reinforced Plastic Lumber and Related ProductsD6112 Test Methods for Compressive and Flexural Creepand Creep-Rupture of Plastic Lumber and ShapesD6341 Test Method for Determination of the Linear Coef-ficient of Thermal Expansion of Plastic Lumber andPlastic Lumber Shapes Between 30 and 140F(34.4and 60C)E84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics ofBuilding MaterialsE108 Test Methods for Fire Tests of Roof CoveringsG151 Practice for Exposing Nonmetallic Materials inAccel-erated Test Devices that Use Laboratory Light SourcesG154 Practice for Operating Fluorescent Ultraviolet(UV)Lamp Apparatus for Exposure of Nonmetallic MaterialsG155 Practice for Operating Xenon Arc Light Apparatus forExposure of Non-Metallic Materials3.Terminology3.1 Definitions:3.1.1 plastic lumber,na manufactured product made pri-marily from plastic materials(filled or unfilled),typically usedas a building material for purposes similar to those of tradi-tional lumber,which is usually rectangular in cross-section.(Terminology D883)3.1.1.1 DiscussionPlastic lumber is typically supplied insizes similar to those of traditional lumber board,timber and1This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 onPlastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.20 on Plastic Lumber.Current edition approved June 1,2013.Published June 2013.Originallyapproved in 2001.Last previous edition approved in 2009 as D6662-09.DOI:10.1520/D6662-13.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced onwww.astm.org.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 dimension lumber;however the tolerances for plastic lumberand for traditional lumber are not necessarily the same.(Terminology D883)3.1.2 resin,na solid or pseudo solid organic material oftenof high molecular weight,which exhibits a tendency to flowwhen subjected to stress,usually has a softening or meltingrange,and usually fractures conchoidally.(Terminology D883)3.1.2.1 DiscussionIn a broad sense,the term is used todesignate any