ASTM D3273-00
Historical Standard: ASTM D3273-00 Standard Test Method for Resistance to Growth of Mold on the Surface of Interior Coatings in an Environmental Chamber
SUPERSEDED (see Active link, below)
ASTM D3273
1. Scope
1.1 This test method describes a small environmental chamber and the conditions of operation to evaluate reproducibly in a 4-week period the relative resistance of paint films to surface mold fungi, mildew growth in a severe interior environment. The apparatus is designed so it can be easily built or obtained by any interested party and will duplicate results obtained in a large tropical chamber.
1.2 This test method can be used to evaluate the comparative resistance of interior coating to accelerated mildew growth. Performance at a certain rating (in accordance with Test Method D3274) does not imply any specific period of time for a fungal free coating. However, a better rated coating nearly always performs better in actual end use.
Note 1--This test method is intended for the accelerated evaluation of an interior coatings' resistance to fungal defacement. Use of this test method for evaluating exterior coatings' performance has not been validated, nor have the limitations for such use been determined. Should this test method be used for the testing of an exterior coating system, a precautionary statement regarding interpretation of results as being outside of the scope of this test method must be included. Any accelerated weathering (leaching, weathering machine exposure, etc.,) should be reported and should also bear reference to the fact that it is beyond the current scope of this test method.
1.3 Temperature and humidity must be effectively controlled within the relatively narrow limits specified in order for the chamber to function reproducibly during the short test period. Severity and rate of mold growth on a film is a function of the moisture content of both the film and the substrate. A relative humidity of 95 to 98 % at a temperature of 32.5 + 1 o C (90 + 2 o F ) is necessary for test panels to develop rapidly and maintain an adequate moisture level to support mold growth.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses 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.
2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.
ASTM Standards
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
Keywords
environmental chamber; mold; surface interior coatings ; Bacteria/bacterial control--paints/related coatings/materials; Biodeterioration; Environmental test chamber; Exposure tests--organic coatings; Film--paints/related coatings/materials; Four-week test; Fungal influence/resistance--paints/related coatings; Gypsum products; Latex paints; Microbiological examination--paints/related coatings; Molds; Ponderosa pine; Solventborne paints/coatings; Surface analysis--paints/related coatings/materials
ICS Code
ICS Number Code 87.040 (Paints and varnishes)
DOI: 10.1520/D3273-00
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