ASTM D7706-11

Manufacturers increasingly are being asked or required to demonstrate that vapor-phase emissions of chemicals of concern from their products under normal use conditions comply with various voluntary or regulatory acceptance criteria. This process typically requires manufacturers to have their products periodically tested for VOC emissions by independent laboratories using designated reference test methods (for example, Test Method D6007, ISO 16000-9, and ISO 16000-10). To ensure continuing compliance, manufacturers may opt to, or be required to, implement screening tests at the production level.

Reference methods for testing chemical emissions from products are rigorous and typically are too time-consuming and impractical for routine emission screening in a production environment.

Micro-scale chambers are unique in that their small size and operation at moderately elevated temperatures facilitate rapid equilibration and shortened testing times. Provided a sufficiently repeatable correlation with reference test results can be demonstrated, appropriate control levels can be established and micro-scale chamber data can be used to monitor product manufacturing for likely compliance with reference acceptance criteria. Enhanced turnaround time for results allows for more timely adjustment of parameters to maintain consistent production with respect to vapor-phase chemical emissions.

This practice can also be used to monitor the quality of raw materials for manufacturing processes.

The use of elevated temperatures additionally facilitates screening tests for emissions of semi-volatile VOCs (SVOCs) such as some phthalate esters and other plasticizers.

1.1 This practice describes a micro-scale chamber apparatus and associated procedures for rapidly screening materials and products for their vapor-phase emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including formaldehyde and other carbonyl compounds. It is intended to complement, not replace reference methods for measuring chemical emissions for example, small-scale chamber tests (Guide D5116) and emission cell tests (Practice D7143).

1.2 This practice is suitable for use in and outside of laboratories, in manufacturing sites and in field locations with access to electrical power.

1.3 Compatible material/product types that may be tested in the micro-scale chamber apparatus include rigid materials, dried or cured paints and coatings, compressible products, and small, irregularly-shaped components such as polymer beads.

1.4 This practice describes tests to correlate emission results obtained from the micro-scale chamber with results obtained from VOC emission reference methods (for example, Guide D5116, Test Method D6007, Practice D7143, and ISO 16000-9 and ISO 16000-10).

1.5 The micro-scale chamber apparatus operates at moderately elevated temperatures, 30°C to 60°C, to eliminate the need for cooling, to reduce test times, boost emission rates, and enhance analytical signals for routine emission screening, and to facilitate screening of semi-volatile VOC (SVOC) emissions such as emissions of some phthalate esters and other plasticizers.

1.6 Gas sample collection and chemical analysis are dependent upon the nature of the VOCs targeted and are beyond the scope of this practice. However, the procedures described in Test Method D7339, Practice D6196 and ISO 16000-6 for analysis of VOCs and in Test Method D5197 and ISO 16000-3 for analysis of formaldehyde and other carbonyl compounds are applicable to this practice.

1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.8 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.