ASTM_D_3090_-_72_2008.pdf

Designation:D309072(Reapproved 2008)Standard Practice forStorage Testing of Aerosol Products1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3090;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 practice covers the storage testing of aerosolproducts.1.2 There are two major types of storage tests that may beperformed on aerosol products:1.2.1 Live Storage Tests,where the valves are actuated andthe determinations are made at relatively frequent intervals(thepurpose being to simulate consumer use of aerosol dispensers),and1.2.2 Dead Storage Tests,performed to simulate warehousestorage conditions when shelf-life information is sought.1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regardedas standard.The values given in parentheses are mathematicalconversions to SI units that are provided for information onlyand are not considered standard.1.4 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 specificprecautionary statements,see Section 4.2.Significance and Use2.1 Aerosol products are subjected to storage tests to ascer-tain the shelf-life of the complete package,and to evaluate thedegree of suitability of the valve and container components fortheir intended uses.2.2 It is impractical to promulgate a standard procedure forconducting storage tests,since variations will be necessitatedby differences in the ultimate objective(for example,theprimary interest of one test may be concerned with containersuitability or shelf-life of a new product in an existing package,while another test may be concerned with valve evaluation).2.3 It follows that storage testing must be flexible enough toaccommodate the small procedural changes required.Thus,this recommended practice will only set forth those principlesto be observed in establishing a definite procedure,in order toallow the individual operator the prerogative of adapting theseto satisfy his particular requirements.3.General Requirements3.1 Before making any aerosol storage tests,the followingshould be borne in mind:3.1.1 Sufficient test specimens should be available to re-place any that fail during the test,and to make it possible toextend the storage period if desired.3.1.2 The test schedule and procedure should be wellplanned.Only if this is followed,can there be any assurancethat important developments have not been missed,and that theresults will correlate with other storage test results.3.1.3 The tests should be performed by competent personnelwell qualified in the field.Since most of the data is not obtainedby direct measurement and is therefore not entirely objective innature,it is highly desirable to have the same operator performall of the tests on a given specimen.This,in addition to 3.1.2,will do much to minimize the effect of the human element.3.2 Before any specimens are committed to storage,thefollowing should apply:3.2.1 All pertinent background information concerning theproblem should be assembled,so that the test specimen can beintelligently set up.3.2.2 Tests should be conducted to eliminate defectivecontainers and valves(the frequency of such defects should berecorded).To make this segregation possible,pressuredeterminations,hot bath,vial leakage,and spray tests shouldbe made on each filled dispenser.3.2.3 Conditions of filling and handling should as closely aspossible approximate those that would be encountered com-mercially.4.Safety Precautions4.1 Aerosol storage tests involve a container,valve,orproduct of unknown compatibility and performance.For thisreason,serious accidents could occur.The operator shouldemploy gloves,safety shield,safety glasses,and apparatus withproper controls.4.2 If,during a test,container perforations or signs ofadvanced corrosion are found,or if the product,dispensers,or1This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on Packagin-gand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.33 on Mechanical Dispens-ers.This practice was originally developed by the Chemical Specialties Manufac-turers Association.Current edition approved Oct.1,2008.Published November 2008.Originallyapproved in 1972.Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D3090 72(2003).DOI:10.1520/D3090-72R08.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 valves otherwise become unmerchantable,the entire lot ofspecimens should be destroyed.Continued testing would wastetime and space,and could result in a serious accident.5.Live Storage Test5.1 Test TemperatureSpecimens should be stored at roomtemp