ASTM_E_2649_-_12.pdf

Designation:E264912Standard Test Method forDetermining Argon Concentration in Sealed Insulating GlassUnits Using Spark Emission Spectroscopy1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2649;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 test method covers procedures for using a sparkemission spectroscope to determine the concentration of argongas in the space between the lites of a sealed insulating glassunit.1.2 This is a non-destructive test method.1.3 This test method shall be used only in a controlledlaboratory environment.1.4 This test method is applicable for insulating glass unitswhere argon has been added to the sealed insulating glasscavity and the balance of the gas is atmospheric air.1.5 This test method is applicable for clear,double-glazedinsulating glass units.1.6 This test method is applicable for double-glazed insu-lating glass units with one lite having a metallic coating ortinted glass,or both,and with clear glass as the other lite.1.7 This test method is applicable for triple-glazed insulat-ing glass units only when the center lite of glass has a metalliccoating(either low emissivity(low E)or reflective)and both ofthe other lites are clear glass.1.8 This test method also includes a procedure for verifyingthe accuracy of the readings of the test apparatus.1.9 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as thestandard.The values given in parentheses are mathematicalconversions to inch-pound units that are provided for informa-tion only and are not considered standard.1.10 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.For specificwarning statements,refer to 7.1.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2C162 Terminology of Glass and Glass ProductsC717 Terminology of Building Seals and SealantsE631 Terminology of Building ConstructionsE177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias inASTM Test MethodsE691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study toDetermine the Precision of a Test MethodE2190 Specification for Insulating Glass Unit Performanceand Evaluation3.Terminology3.1 Definitions:For definitions of terms found in this testmethod,refer to Terminologies C162,C717,and E631.3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.2.1 sealed insulating glass unitan assembled unit,com-prising sealed lites of glass separated by dehydrated space(s),normally intended for clear vision areas of buildings.4.Summary of Test Method4.1 The spark emission spectroscope is placed against theglass surface of a sealed insulating glass unit in a prescribedmanner.A high voltage,at low current,is applied to the glasssurface.This voltage creates a spark which induces a plasmafrom the gas molecules inside the test specimen.This causeslight emissions(photons)of characteristic wavelengths.Theinstrument then collects the photons and analyzes them byspark emission spectroscopy.The resulting spectrum is com-pared to calibration data internal to the instrument to determinethe concentration of argon inside the unit.5.Significance and Use5.1 This test method is intended to provide a means fordetermining the concentration of argon in sealed insulatingglass units under controlled conditions in compliance with theapparatus manufacturers instructions.1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 onPerformance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.22on Durability Performance of Building Constructions.Current edition approved April 1,2012.Published May 2012.Originallyapproved in 2009.Last previous edition approved in 2009 as E2649 09.DOI:10.1520/E2649-09.2For 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.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 5.2 This is a non-destructive test method in that the edgeseal of the test specimen is not breached in order to determinethe argon gas concentration.However,damage to some glasscoatings on the inner surfaces of the glass can occur.5.3 This test method has been developed based on datacollected in a controlled laboratory environment.5.4 The device shall be used to determine the argon gasconcentration in insulating glass units in a controlled labora-tory environment.Refer to 12.3.5.5 This test method may be used to determine the argon gasconcentration before,during,or after the insulatin