ASTM F548-19

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Designation: F548 − 09 (Reapproved 2014) F548 − 19
Standard Test Method for
Intensity of Scratches on Aerospace Transparent Plastics
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F548; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of original
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A superscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers the visual inspection of shallow or superficial scratches on the surface of aerospace transparent
plastic materials.
1.2 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.3 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
F428 Test Method for Intensity of Scratches on Aerospace Glass Enclosures
3. Summary of Test Method
3.1 A visual comparison is made between a set of graded scratch standards and the scratch on the plastic material to determine
the relative intensity of the scratch.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 Scratches exist on all transparent plastic surfaces. Usually they are very fine scratches from cleaning operations that are not
visible when looking through the plastic. Deeper scratches may result from careless cleaning or handling. While these may not be
deep enough to affect the structural integrity of the part, their appearance in certain locations may be distracting to the observer
looking through the plastic. Therefore, a procedure to define these scratches is useful.
5. Reference Materials
NOTE 1—Adjuncts for scratches on plastic are not currently available. However, adjuncts are available for scratches on glass surfaces and a study has
been donecompleted to equate the two (see Appendix X1the Appendix). ). Refer to Test Method F428 for sources of the glass adjuncts.
6. Procedure
6.1 Place the part in a suitable inspection position. This mayshall be horizontal on a padded table, vertical against a neutral
background, or at an angle. The scratched surface shall be toward the observer. The light level shall be a minimum of 80 lux.
80 lux. Either natural or artificial light mayshall be used. Place the scratch in the ASTM comparison standard beside and parallel
to the scratch to be assessed on the plastic material. Rotate the part or viewing angle to get the best definition of the scratch.
Disregarding the length of the scratch on the plastic material and on the standard, select and record the highest-numbered standard
scratch that most clearly matches the appearance of the scratch on the plastic material. Measure and record the length of the scratch
to the nearest 1 mm (0.04 in.).
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F07 on Aerospace and Aircraft and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F07.08 on Transparent
Enclosures and Materials.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2014Nov. 1, 2019. Published December 2014November 2019. Originally publishedapproved in 1981. Last previous edition approved in
20092014 as F548 – 09.F548 – 09(2014). DOI: 10.1520/F0548-09R14.10.1520/F0548-19.
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volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
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F548 − 19
7. Interpretation
7.1 Customer specifications for transparent plastic materials and parts may shall be used to detail allowab
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