ASTM D 5870 : 1995

1.1 This practice covers procedures for the calculation of a property retention index (PRI) of thermoplastic and thermoset plastics after exposure to thermal aging, natural or artificial accelerated weathering, or chemical exposures.

1.2 This practice is not intended to establish a fixed procedure for conducting the exposure test, but it is intended to provide a set of specific procedures used to calculate the retention index of a characteristic property of the material after it has been exposed. Selection of the specific exposure test conditions depends on the material being tested and the property being measured. It is up to the user to determine which exposure test conditions are most relevant to the specific material and the service condition being used. The exposure test used must be conducted according to conditions described in specific exposure standards.

1.3 This practice does not describe procedures for sampling the materials to be tested. These procedures are described in the standards and specifications applicable to the material being evaluated.

1.4 The procedure used to calculate the PRI depends on whether the test used to characterize the materials being exposed is destructive or nondestructive. The PRI can be useful in describing short-term mechanical, electrical, and other properties of plastics at specified temperatures after the materials have been subjected to an exposure test.

1.5 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.