ASTM D7859-19

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of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
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Designation: D7859 − 13 D7859 − 19
Standard Practice for
Spraying, Sampling, Packaging, and Test Specimen
Preparation of Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) Insulation
for Testing of Emissions Using Environmental Chambers
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7859; 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.
ε NOTE—Editorial changes were made in April 2013.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice describes standardized procedures for the preparation, spraying, packaging, and shipping of fresh spray
polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation product samples to be tested for their emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and
semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs). These procedures are applicable to both closed-cell and open-cell SPF insulation
products. Potential chemical emissions of interest include blowing agents, solvents, aldehydes, amine catalysts, diisocyanates, and
flame retardants.
1.2 Typically, SPF insulation samples are prepared at one location, such as a chemical manufacturing facility or a field product
installation site. The newly prepared samples are preserved in a sealed bag, placed in a secondary container, and then shipped to
a laboratory for testing.
1.3 The spraying of SPF insulation products is only to be performed by trained individuals using professional spraying
equipment under controlled conditions. The details of the spraying equipment and spraying procedures are based on industry
practice and are outside of the scope of this practice.
1.4 This practice also describes procedures for the laboratory preparation of test specimens from open-cell and closed-cell SPF
insulation product samples. These specimens are prepared for testing in small-scale chambers following Guide D5116 and in
micro-scale chambers that are described in Practice Test Method D7706D8142.
1.5 Procedures for VOC and SVOC emission testing, gas sample collection and chemical analysis are outside of the scope of
this practice. Such procedures will need to address the potential for emissions of some SVOCs, for example, amine catalysts, flame
retardant and isocyanates, to adhere to the chamber walls.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.7 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.
1.8 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:
D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
D4840 Guide for Sample Chain-of-Custody Procedures
D5116 Guide for Small-Scale Environmental Chamber Determinations of Organic Emissions from Indoor Materials/Products
D7706D8142 Practice for Rapid Screening of VOC Emissions from Products Using Micro-Scale Test Method for Determining
Chemical Emissions from Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) Insulation using Micro-Scale Environmental Test Chambers
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 on Air Quality and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.05 on Indoor Air.
Current edition approved April 1, 2013Jan. 1, 2019. Published April 2013January 2019. Originally approved in 2013. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D7859
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– 13 . DOI: 10.1520/D7859-13E01.10.1520/D7859-19.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D7859 − 19
3. Terminology
3.1 For definitions of terms commonly used for sampling and analysis of atmospheres, refer to Terminology D1356. For
definitions of terms commonly used when testing products and materials for VOC emissions, refer to Guide D5116.Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of terms commonly used for sampling and analysis of atmospheres, refer to Terminology D1356. For
definitions of terms commonly used when testing products and materials for VOC emissions, refer to Guide D5116.
3.2 A-Side—polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) consisting predominantly of 4,4’-MDI and higher molecular
weight oligomers of MDI.
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3.3 B-side—polyol system, or resin system, consisting mostly of polyol(s), with smaller amounts of catalyst(s), flame
retardant(s), blowing agent(s), and other additives.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 A-side—polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) consisting predominantly of 4,4’-MDI and higher molecular
weight oligomers of MDI.
3.2.2 B-side—polyol system, or resin system, consisting mostly of polyol(s), with smaller amounts of catalyst(s), flame
retardant(s), blowing agent(s), and other additives.
3.2.3 closed-cell SPF—SPF that contains cells or voids that are not interconnected. Closed-cell SPF insulation typically has a
density between 24 to 32 kilograms per cubic metre when fully cured.
3.2.4 open-cell SPF—SPF that contains cells or voids that are largely interconnected. Open-cell SPF insulation typically has a
density between 6.4 to 9.6 kilograms per cubic metre when fully cured.
3.4 Open-cell SPF—SPF that contains cells or voids that are largely interconnected. Open-cell SPF insulation typically has a
density between 6.4 to 9.6 kilograms per cubic metre when fully cured.
3.5 Closed-cell SPF—SPF that contains cells or voids that are not interconnected. Closed-cell SPF insulation typically has a
density between 24 to 32 kilograms per cubic metre when fully cured.
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 This practice is applicable to open-cell and closed-cell spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation. Procedures are described
for the preparation, spraying, packaging, shipping, and test specimen preparation of small, representative samples of these
products. The samples are then sent to a laboratory and tested for emissions of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds in
environmental test chambers described in Guide D5116 and Practice Test Method D7706D8142.
4.2 Samples are prepared by trained and competent operators using professional spraying equipment. Detailed instructions on
the selection and operation of this equipment are outside of the scope of this practice. This practice specifies the information to
be collected during the spraying operation. A test sample is sprayed to a defined thickness and size onto a defined substrate. The
sample is wrapped with aluminum foil, packaged in a layered polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bag, placed in a secondary
container, and sent to the laboratory on the same day it is sprayed and prepared, if possible.
4.3 Testing is to begin within 48 h of the time the sample is sprayed and prepared. When testing in a small-scale environmental
chamber, the laboratory cuts the sample to create a test specimen of a defined thickness and size. The thickness varies with product
type as specified in 8.3 and 8.4. The test specimen is placed into a tight-fitting stainless-steel holder with only the upper face of
the product exposed. The specimen in its holder is transferred to the test chamber. Specialized procedures are described in 8.5 for
preparing specimens for testing in micro-scale chambers.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Manufacturers of SPF insulation may need to test their products for vapor-phase emissions of volatile and semi-volatile
organic compounds in order to comply with voluntary standards, purchase specifications, or other requirements.
5.2 Since SPF insulation is formed by chemical reaction when combining a two-component mixture during spraying,
specialized equipment and procedures are needed to reproducibly create representative samples suitable for emission testing.
5.3 SPF insulation product manufacturer’s specifications and instructions must be followed carefully and detailed information
regarding the spraying process must be recorded (see 7.3). Other precautions regarding handling and shipping are needed to ensure
that the chemical integrity of the samples is preserved to the extent possible by practical means (see 7.5).
5.4 Laboratories must prepare representative test specimens from samples of SPF insulation in a consistent manner so that
emission tests can be reproduced and reliable comparisons can be made between test data for different samples.
6. Materials
6.1 Spray gun and related spraying equipment for application of the SPF insulation product shall be as specified by the SPF
insulation product manufacturer. Contact the SPF equipment manufacturer for details concerning the spraying equipment.
(Warning—DO NOT attempt to create SPF insulation samples without the proper spraying equipment or without proper training
in the operation of this equipment including the use of appropriate personal protective equipment. ) The main spraying equipment
components typically consist of:
6.1.1 Spray gun with impingement mixing technology for mixing the two part liquid product inside the gun, gun tip, and purge
system;
6.1.2 Proportioning machine with pumps, pressure controls and heating capacity; and
SPF applicator on-line health and safety training is available from the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry at www.spraypolyurethane.orghttps://
www.spraypolyurethane.org.
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6.1.3 Heated hoses.
6.2 Substrate Material—Clean high-density polyethylene (HDPE) sheets, cut to minimum dimensions of 30 by 30-cm, with a
minimum thickness of 9-mm.
6.3 Knife or saw, clean and free of cutting oils and other organic contaminants.
6.4 Circular foam coring tool constructed of steel to cut SPF insulation samples to fit tightly into sample holders or directly into
micro-scale chambers as described in Practice Test Method D7706D8142.
6.5 Layered polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bags, with a middle layer of aluminum foil and an inner layer of linear low
density polyethylene (LLDPE), light resistant, preferably with zipper seal (zipper seal may not be available on larger sized bags),
composite layer approximately 0.127-mm thick. Bags are available commercially for food storage and should be sized to minimize
headspace when the sample is placed in the bag.
NOTE 1—For open-cell SPF products, a bag size of approximately 51 by 76 cm has been found to be suitable. For closed-cell SPF products, a bag size
of approximately 46 by 71 cm has been found to be suitable.
6.6 Packaging tape, clear, approximately 5-cm wide.
6.7 Stainless steel sample holder with open top; dimensions are described in 8.3.3 and 8.4.3 depending on the type of material
being tested.
6.8 Stainless steel or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) shims for sample holder, as necessary.
6.9 Aluminum foil, clean, heavy-gauge roll, approximately 0.024-mm thick.
6.10 Shipping container, sturdy and insulated secondary container such as a recreational cooler or a molded insulated shipping
container housed in a cardboard box. The insulated container should be as air tight as possible.
7. Sample Preparation
7.1 Prepare and spray the SPF insulation sample either in a controlled spray booth or room at a product manufacturing location
or in the field at a building application site using the equipment and processing parameters that are specified by the SPF insulation
product manufacturer for application of the product in buildings. The spray booth or room should be maintained at a constant
temperature of 23 6 2°C and relative humidity of ≤80%. However, the preparer may elect to utilize different environmental
parameters in the spray booth or room to mimic a particular field condition (for example, cold weather application). Environmental
conditions of the spray booth or room must be documented. For safety and to ensure that samples are prepared properly,
preparation and spraying must be conducted by a trained and competent operator. Follow all applicable safety instructions.
NOTE 2—Industry programs that accredit spray foam contractors and operators are available.
7.2 Prior to spraying the SPF insulation sample, the operator shall ensure that the container of the B-side material of the product
is adequately mixed if specified by the manufacturer. Prior to spraying, the operator flushes the spray equipment using the product
formulation to be tested so that potential residuals from previously-sprayed products do not contaminate the sample. Flush the
A-A-side and B-side hoses with the material to be sprayed using volume equal to at least three times the hose volume. If the spray
gun incorporates a self-cleaning mechanism (that is, solvent), the solvent name and its Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) registry
number are recorded and communicated to the laboratory.
7.3 At the time of spraying, record the following information:
7.3.1 Spray operator name, affiliation, and, if applicable, certifications/accreditations;
7.3.2 SPF insulation product manufacturer name, product name, whether open-cell or closed cell formulation, and lot numbers
of the A-A-side and B-si
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