ASTM F1303-04(2021)

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.
Designation:F1303 −04 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Specification for
Sheet Vinyl Floor Covering with Backing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1303; 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 F137 Test Method for Flexibility of Resilient Flooring Ma-
terials with Cylindrical Mandrel Apparatus
1.1 This specification covers floor covering having a vinyl
F141 Terminology Relating to Resilient Floor Coverings
plastic wear layer with backing. Products may also contain
F386 Test Method for Thickness of Resilient Flooring Ma-
non-PVC specialty performance top layer(s) or intermediate
terials Having Flat Surfaces
layer(s), or both.
F410 Test Method for Wear Layer Thickness of Resilient
1.2 Two types of floor covering based on binder content are
Floor Coverings by Optical Measurement
covered. The floor covering is intended for use in commercial,
F710 Practice for Preparing Concrete Floors to Receive
light commercial, and residential buildings based on service-
Resilient Flooring
ability characteristics. General information and performance
F925 Test Method for Resistance to Chemicals of Resilient
characteristics that determine serviceability and recommended
Flooring
use are included in this specification.
F970 Test Method for Measuring Recovery Properties of
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded Floor Coverings after Static Loading
F1482 Practice for Installation and Preparation of Panel
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only Type Underlayments to Receive Resilient Flooring
F1514 TestMethodforMeasuringHeatStabilityofResilient
and are not considered standard.
Flooring by Color Change
1.4 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the
F1515 Test Method for Measuring Light Stability of Resil-
test methods portion, Section 11, of this specification. This
ient Flooring by Color Change
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
F1914 Test Methods for Short-Term Indentation and Re-
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
sidual Indentation of Resilient Floor Covering
of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and
2.2 American National Standard:
environmental practices and determine the applicability of
ANSI/ASQC Z1.4 Sampling Procedures and Tables for In-
regulatory limitations prior to use.
spection by Attributes
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3. Terminology
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3.1 Definitions:
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.1.1 wear layer—the portion of a resilient floor covering
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
that contains or protects the pattern effect. The wear layer does
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
not include temporary finishes or maintenance coatings.
2. Referenced Documents
3.1.2 For additional definitions refer to Terminology F141.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4. Classification
4.1 Sheet vinyl floor covering shall conform to the follow-
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F06 on
ing types, grades, and backing classes.
Resilient Floor Coverings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F06.80
4.1.1 Types—Types shall be classified by the PVC wear
on Specifications.
layer’s binder content (vinyl resins, plasticizers, and stabiliz-
Current edition approved June 1, 2021. Published June 2021. Originally
approved in 1990. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as F1303–04 (2014). ers). Non-PVC compositions (specialty performance layer(s))
DOI: 10.1520/F1303-04R21.
used as the top layer are not described by binder limits.
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 Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., 13th
the ASTM website. Floor, New York, NY 10036.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F1303−04 (2021)
6.1.2 The binder of the wear layer shall consist of one or
PVC Binder Content, PVC Wear Layer
Type Min, % Description
more vinyl resins, plasticizers, and stabilizers. Each resin shall
A
I 90 Transparent or translucent layer(s) that
be polyvinyl chloride or a copolymer of vinyl chloride not less
may contain opaque, translucent, or
transparent chips or particles than85 %ofwhichisvinylchloride.Thevinylresin(s)shallbe
suspended through all or part of the
not less than 60 % by weight of the binder.
thickness. This wear layer(s) may be
6.1.3 The wear layer may be transparent, translucent, or
over a decorative print.
A
II 34 Opaque, translucent, or transparent opaque. A background or pattern under the wear layer may be
chips or particles that may be
printedwithsuitablyformulated,colorstableinks,orotherwise
surrounded by a clear or colored grout.
prepared to create a color stable pattern. The color of the
The design extends throughout the
thickness of the wear layer. The wear
pattern created must be stable against heat and light deteriora-
layer may be over a decorative print.
tion. See 11.7 and 11.8.
A
All types may have a non-PVC top layer(s) with an average minimum total
6.1.4 The surface of the wear layer may be smooth,
thickness of 0.0004 (in.). Top layer(s) thinner than 0.0004 (in.) may be used but
embossed, or otherwise textured with or without valley (de-
cannot be counted to classify the grade.
pressed) printing.
4.1.2 Grades—Grades shall be classified by the total wear
6.1.5 Non-PVC Layer—The top layer(s) of a Type I or II
layer thickness (sum of PVC and non-PVC wear layers). The
product can be a non-PVC layer(s), which may constitute part
wear layer system shall consist of a single layer or multiple
of the total wear layer system up to 49 % and is not removable
layers that do not delaminate under normal use.
by normal maintenance procedures.
4.1.3 Backing Classes—Backing classes shall be arranged
6.1.6 A background color or pattern under the Type I or II
according to composition and use category.
wear layer system may be printed with suitably formulated,
4.1.3.1 Class A backings shall be fibrous (non-asbestos
color stable materials.
formulated)andsuitableforfloorsabove,on,andbelow-grade.
6.2 Intermediate Layers—Intermediate layers, such as foam
4.1.3.2 Class B backings shall be nonfoamed plastic and
and reinforcing materials, may be included.
suitable for floors above, on, and below-grade.
6.3 Backing—The composition of backings shall be fibrous,
4.1.3.3 Class C backings shall be foamed plastic and suit-
able for floors above, on, and below-grade. nonfoamed plastic, or foamed plastic and may contain other
ingredients provided the resultant backing is suitable for the
5. Ordering Information
use category specified in 4.1.3.
5.1 Sheet vinyl floor covering with backing shall be ordered
NOTE 1—Backing classes are specified in order to properly specify the
by type, grade, class, and other characteristics important to the
adhesives and installation systems to be used.
purchaser for the intended use as indicated by Table 1.
7. Physical Requirements
6. Materials
7.1 Type I and Type II sheet vinyl floor covering shall meet
the requirements in Table 2.
6.1 Wear Layer:
6.1.1 The wear layer shall have a vinyl plastic binder and
8. Dimensions
may include pigments, fillers, extenders, and other ingredients,
and shall be stabilized against heat and light deterioration.
8.1 The floor covering is available in standard 6-ft (1.83 m)
or 12-ft (3.66 m) widths (minus 0 in.). Other widths may be
available. All widths are not available for all types.
TABLE 1 Sheet Vinyl Floor Covering Use Characteristics
8.2 The overall thickness of floor covering varies depending
Wear Layer Thickness,
Intended upon type, grade, and class. The floor covering shall be
min avg
Type Grade
A
Use
furnishedinaminimumoverallthicknessof0.040in.(1.0mm)
in. (mm)
provided that the surfaces to receive them are prepared in
I 1 0.020 (0.51) R/LC/C
2 0.014 (0.36) R/LC accordance with Practice F710 and Guide F1482.
3 0.010 (0.25) R
II 1 0.050 (1.27) R/LC/C
9. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance
2 0.030 (0.76) R
...