ASTM D543-06

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.

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.

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).