ASTM F3404-23a

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F3404 − 23 F3404 − 23a
Standard Specification for
Heterogeneous Polyurethane Tile or Plank Flooring
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3404; 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 specification covers the requirements for the compound and physical characteristics of heterogeneous polyurethane tile
or plank flooring that is printed or otherwise decorated to achieve a pattern or visual and protected by a clear wear layer.
1.2 This specification covers heterogeneous polyurethane tile or plank flooring that shall be composed of binder, fillers, and
pigments. The binder shall consist of one or more resins of polyurethane, polyurethane copolymers or other suitable or any
desirable combination. Other suitable polymeric resins may be incorporated as part of the binder, provided the polyurethane portion
of the binder is greater than 60 % in the base layer.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.4 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 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:
F137 Test Method for Flexibility of Resilient Flooring Materials with Cylindrical Mandrel Apparatus
F141 Terminology Relating to Resilient Floor Coverings
F386 Test Method for Thickness of Resilient Flooring Materials Having Flat Surfaces
F410 Test Method for Wear Layer Thickness of Resilient Floor Coverings by Optical Measurement
F925 Test Method for Resistance to Chemicals of Resilient Flooring
F970 Test Method for Measuring Recovery Properties of Floor Coverings after Static Loading
F1410 Test Method for Measuring Maximum Functional Wet Volume of Utility Vacuum Cleaners
F1514 Test Method for Measuring Heat Stability of Resilient Flooring by Color Change
F1515 Test Method for Measuring Light Stability of Resilient Flooring by Color Change
F1914 Test Methods for Short-Term Indentation and Residual Indentation of Resilient Floor Covering
F2055 Test Method for Size and Squareness of Resilient Floor Tile by Dial Gauge Method
F2199 Test Method for Determining Dimensional Stability and Curling Properties of Resilient Flooring after Exposure to Heat
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F06 on Resilient Floor Coverings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F06.80 on
Specifications.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2023Aug. 15, 2023. Published January 2023August 2023. Originally approved in 2021. Last previous edition approved in 20212023 as
ɛ1
D8062 – 21D8062 – 23. . DOI: 10.1520/F3404-23.10.1520/F3404-23A.
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
F3404 − 23a
F2421 Test Method for Measurement of Resilient Floor Plank by Dial Gauge
2.2 ISO Standard:
ISO 4918 Resilient, textile and laminate floor coverings — Castor chair test
2.3 ANSI Standard:
ANSI/ASQC Z1.4 Sampling Procedures and Tables for Inspection by Attributes
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions: For definitions of other terms used in this standard, see Terminology F141.
3.1.1 polyurethane, n—a polymer composed of organic units joined by carbamate (urethane) links. Polyurethanes can be
thermosetting (duroplastic) or thermoplastic polymers.
4. Classification
4.1 Polyurethane tile or plank flooring covered by this specification shall be classified as: heterogeneous polyurethane tile or plank
flooring with a clear wear layer. The surface structure can be either smooth or embossed.
5. Ordering Information
5.1 Purchaser shall state whether this specification is to be used, select the preferred options permitted herein, and include the
following information in the invitation bid or purchase order:
5.1.1 Title, number, and date of this specification;
5.1.2 Pattern number;
5.1.3 Quantity in square feet;
5.1.4 Size required (9.2);
5.1.5 Thickness required (9.1);
5.1.6 Lot formation if other than as specified in ANSI/ASQC Z1.4 (see Sections 11 and 13);
5.1.7 Sampling if other than as specified in ANSI/ASQC Z1.4 (see Sections 11 and 13);
5.1.8 Packing requirements if other than as specified (Section 16);
5.1.9 Palletization if required (agreement between the manufacturer and the purchaser);
5.1.10 Marking required if other than specified (Section 15) (agreement between the manufacturer and the purchaser);
5.1.11 Chemical Resistance (8.1). The basic chemicals used in the test are those likely to be found in domestic, commercial and
institutional use. Many proprietary compounds contain one or more of these basic chemicals. Should the flooring for unusual
application need to be resistant to a specific chemical, this additional requirement should become part of the procurement
document;
5.1.12 Other requirements (agreement between the manufacturer and the purchaser).
6. Materials and Manufacture
6.1 Wear Layer:
Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO Central Secretariat, Chemin de Blandonnet 8, CP 401, 1214 Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland,
https://www.iso.org.
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
F3404 − 23a
6.1.1 The flooring wear layer consists of polyurethane or other suitable combinations that minimally provide the same results as
listed in Table 1.
6.1.2 The wear layer shall have a minimum thickness of 0.00394 in. (0.1 mm).
6.1.3 The wear layer shall not be removable by maintenance procedures in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines.
6.1.4 The wear layer shall be clear, a background or pattern may be printed on a pattern carrier with suitably formulated, color
stable inks or otherwise prepared to create a color stable pattern. The color of the pattern created must be stable against heat and
light deterioration. See 8.4 and 8.5.
6.1.5 The surface of the wear layer may be smooth, embossed or otherwise textured.
6.2 Base Layer:
6.2.1 The flooring base layer consists of polyurethane and a filler.
6.2.2 If necessary to meet the results listed in Table 1 the base layer can be equipped with a reinforcement layer to stabilize the
product.
7. Physical Properties
7.1 The polyurethane tile or plank floor covering shall meet the requirements in Table 1.
8. Performance Requirements
8.1 Resistance to Chemicals—Tested in accordance with Test Method F925 for residential and commercial usages, polyurethane
flooring tiles shall have no more than a slight change in surface dulling, surface attack, or staining when exposed to the following
chemicals:
8.1.1 White vinegar (5 % acetic acid),
8.1.2 Rubbing alcohol (70 % isopropyl alcohol),
TABLE 1 Characteristics and Tests
Characteristic Requirement Test Method Reference
Size, tolerance 9.3
up to 12 in. ±0.016 in./lin.ft (0.40 mm) F2055
A
up to 12 in. ±0.016 in. (0.40 mm) F2055 Tile
>12 in. # 18 in. ±0.018 in./lin.ft (0.45 mm)
A
>12 in. # 18 in. ±0.018 in. (0.45 mm)
> 18 in. ±0.020 in./lin.ft (0.50 mm)
A
> 18 in. ±0.020 in. (0.50 mm)
$24 in. < 48 in. ±0.060 in./lin.ft (1.50 mm) F2421
A
$24 in. < 48 in. ±0.060 in. (1.50 mm) ISO 24337 Plank/F2421 Plank 9.4
$ 48 in. ±0.080 in./lin.ft (2.00 mm)
A
$ 48 in. ±0.080 in. (2.00 mm)
Thickness, product as specified ±0.006 in. (±0.15 mm) F386 9.1
Thickness, wear layer min. 0.00394 in. (0.1 mm) F410 9.2
Dimensional stability # 0.02 in. per linear feet F2199 8.6
Static Load Recovery 250 lb load, max residual indent 0.004 F970 8.2
in. (0.1016 mm) after 24 h recovery
Residual indentation 75 lb load, average #8 %, maximum F1914 8.3
single reading 10 %
Resistance to chemicals no more than a slight c
...