ASTM_D_4398_-_07.pdf

Designation:D439807AnAmerican National StandardStandard Test Method forDetermining the Chemical Resistance of Fiberglass-Reinforced Thermosetting Resins by One-Side PanelExposure1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4398;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.Scope*1.1 This test method is intended for use in the evaluation ofthe chemical resistance of fiberglass-reinforced thermosettingresins that are subjected to one-side panel exposure to specificenvironments.It takes into consideration the coldwall effectsand radiation losses of heat transfer through the laminate wall.1.2 This test method is supplemental to Practice C581 anddoes not supersede it.NOTE1There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety problems,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.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2C581 Practice for Determining Chemical Resistance ofThermosetting Resins Used in Glass-Fiber-ReinforcedStructures Intended for Liquid ServiceD790 Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforcedand Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materi-alsD2583 Test Method for Indentation Hardness of Rigid Plas-tics by Means of a Barcol Impressor3.Terminology3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.1.1 glassfiberglassfilamentsforengineeringapplications,most commonly“E”type made from a lime-alumina borosilicate glass that is relatively soda free,of highstrength-to-weight ratio with a sizing compatible with the resinbeing used.Other glass fiber compositions may be used butshould be considered as variables for comparison to thestandard.Glass fibers are used commercially in the reinforce-ment of rigid engineering plastic structures.3.1.2 thermosetting resinslinear,relatively low molecularweight polymer chains that react during cure forming“cross-links”which bond the chains together with primary valencebonds.Once cross-linked,such three-dimensional polymerswill not soften appreciably up to their decomposition tempera-ture.Typical of such resin systems are the polymers,vinylesters,and epoxies.4.Significance and Use4.1 The results obtained by this test method may serve as aguide in,but not as the sole basis for,predicting the possibleperformance of the particular glass-fiber-reinforced thermoset-ting resin laminate in the one-side exposure to the specificenvironment under evaluation.No attempt has been made toincorporate into the test method all of the factors that may enterinto the serviceability of a glass-fiber-reinforced resin structurewhen subjected to chemical environments.4.2 This test method provides for the determination ofchanges in the physical properties of the test panel and testmedia during and after the one-side exposure in the test media.Determination of changes include:Barcol hardness,appear-ance of panel,appearance of test media,flexural properties,and thickness.5.Apparatus5.1 Test CellThis is a laboratory unit in which only thesurface of one side of a test panel is subjected to the corrosiveor aggressive environment,which is the normal experience ofchemical processing equipment in actual plant operations.Itconsists of an open-ended glass cylinder,with several ground-glass joint nozzles for insertion of appropriate auxiliaries.Theends of the open glass cylinder are closed off with thefiberglass-reinforced resin panel to be tested,and are tightlysealed with chemical-resistant gaskets,allowing one side of thepanel to come in contact with the test media.1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plasticsand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.23 on Reinforced PlasticPiping Systems and Chemical Equipment.Current edition approved Sept.1,2007.Published September 2007.Originallyapproved in 1984.Last previous edition approved in 2002 as D4398 02.DOI:10.1520/D4398-07.2For 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.*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standardCopyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United StatesNOTICE:This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.Contact ASTM International(www.astm.org)for the latest information15.1.1 Typical test cells are shown in Fig.1 and Fig.2.Otherlaboratory units for one-side corrosion testing of equal or largerdiameter may be used also w