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Designation: D 1669 – 01

Standard Practice for

Preparation of Test Panels for Accelerated and Outdoor
Weathering of Bituminous Coatings1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 1669; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope 5.1.1 Metal, Aluminum or Aluminum Alloy, as described in

1.1 This practice covers a procedure for the preparation of Table 2 of Specification B 209 under Alloy 3003-H14.4
accelerated and outdoor weathering test panels of bituminous 5.1.2 Finish—Mill finish and process cleaned.
coatings. It is considered suitable for the preparation of film 5.1.3 Dimensions:
thicknesses in the range from 0.25 to 2.54 mm (0.010 to 0.100 5.1.3.1 Thickness—0.64 to 1.90 mm (0.025 to 0.075 in.).
in.). 5.1.3.2 Width and Length—70 by 150 mm (23⁄4 by 57⁄8 in.)
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the or of a size that will allow a minimum bitumen film area of 51
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the by 127 mm (2 by 5 in.).
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 5.1.4 Flatness—The maximum deviation from a true flat
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- surface for either length or width shall not exceed 0.0005 times
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. the dimension. Flatness shall be measured on a true flat surface
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as employing a curling gage equipped with a dial which reads in
standard. 0.025 mm (0.001 in.) and having a foot loading of approxi-
mately 100 g.5
2. Referenced Documents 5.1.5 Edges—The edges of the panels shall be free of burrs.
2.1 ASTM Standards: 5.1.6 Storage—Panels shall be stored in a dry, well-
B 209 Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy ventilated place to prevent condensation and possible staining
Sheet and Plate2 or corrosion.
D 5 Test Method for Penetration of Bituminous Materials3 5.2 Press—The press shall be capable of delivering a
E 1 Specification for ASTM Thermometers3 4500-kg (10 000-lb) thrust and be equipped for using platens
152 by 152 mm (6 by 6 in.) or larger platens.6
3. Summary of Practice 5.3 Platens—The platens shall be 152 by 152 mm (6 by 6
3.1 Heated bituminous material is poured onto a clean, in.) or larger in size and suitable for use with the press. (Platens
heated, and masked aluminum panel. Care is taken to remove can be purchased with the press.) It is preferable that both
air bubbles. The bitumen is leveled in a press before solidify- platens have thermostatically controlled units capable of heat-
ing, and the coated panel is then cooled, cleaned, and measured ing them to temperatures up to 260°C (500°F).
for uniform thickness. 5.4 Metal Spacers—The metal spacers shall be 13 mm
(1⁄2 in.) wide and at least 152 mm (6 in.) long and of suitable
4. Significance and Use thickness so that the proper thicknesses of bitumen films can be
4.1 This practice for preparation of test panels greatly applied.7 To cover the range from 0.254 to 2.54 mm (0.010 to
increases the likelihood of achieving reproducible results in 0.100 in.), the following supply of metal spacers is adequate:
subsequent testing. 4–0.038 mm (0.0015 in.)
4–0.051 mm (0.002 in.)
5. Apparatus
5.1 Panel—A supporting metal panel on which the bitumi-
4
nous coating is applied. It shall meet the following require- Panels available from the following suppliers meet these requirements: The
Q-Panel Company, 26200 First St., Cleveland OH 44145; Atlas Electric Devices
ments:
Co., 4114 N. Ravenswood Ave., Chicago, IL 60613; Advanced Coating Technolo-
gies Inc., 273 Industrial Dr. (PO Box 401), Hillsdale MI 49242.
1 5
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D08 on Roofing, Model B-81, manufactured by Federal Products Corp., 1112 Eddy St.,
Waterproofing, and Bituminous Materials and is the direct responsibility of Providence, RI 02901, has been found satisfactory for this purpose.
6
Subcommittee D08.02 on Prepared Roofings, Shingles, and Siding Materials. A Laboratory Model Carver Press, manufactured by Fred S. Carver, Inc., 1
Current edition approved Aug. 10, 2001. Published November 2001. Originally Chatham Rd., Summit, NJ 07901, having a working range from 0 to 9000 kg (0 to
published as D 1669 – 59 T. Last previous edition D 1669 – 89 (Reapproved 20 000 lb) has been found satisfactory for this purpose.
1994)e1. 7
Suitable spacers known as “shim” or “feeler” stock are available from U.S.
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 02.02. Gasket & Shim Co., 2743 Second St. (P.O. Box 360 A), Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44222,
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.03. and many machine shops.

Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

1
 NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.

D 1669
4–0.076 mm (0.003 in.) unwrap the panels until the day on which they are to be coated.
4–0.127 mm (0.005 in.) This is to prevent oxidation and contamination of the face. Do
4–0.229 mm (0.009 in.) not reuse the test panels.
4–0.254 mm (0.010 in.) 6.2 Precalibration and Classification—Measure the thick-
4–0.305 mm (0.012 in.) ness of all panels at six representative points and classify them
4–0.330 mm (0.013 in.) into groups of identical thickness.
4–0.081 mm (0.015 in.) 6.3 Marking—Mark or drill the panels either before or after
5.5 Kraft Paper—The kraft paper shall be from 64 to 191 coating, but preferably afterwards. If marked or drilled before
µm (0.0025 to 0.0075 in.) in thickness. coating, take care to see that these operations do not alter the
5.6 Release Paper—Silicone- or Teflon-coated release pa- flatness of the panel by distortion or by leaving burrs.
per shall be cut to a size large enough to cover the platens of (Warning—Stamping identification numbers by means of steel
the press. It must be easily removed at room temperature dies should be done with extreme caution; distortion of the
without damaging the bitumen film.8 panel or shattering of the coating may result.) The preferred
5.7 Heating Equipment: method of marking is by scratching the previously coated panel
5.7.1 One gas or electrically heated oven capable of warm- with a hardened steel stylus. Marking may be done on the back
ing the uncoated panels, thermostatically controlled so a of the panel or on the face at one end. The masking tape
temperature range from 93 to 204°C (200 to 400°F) can be surrounding the coated portion of the panel will leave a clean,
maintained. A hot plate or any suitable plate-type heating unit uncoated area suitable for marking when the tape is stripped
capable of thermostatically controlling the temperature be- off.
tween 93 to 204°C (200 and 400°F) would be adequate. 6.4 Mounting for Press—On a two-tier rack, mask the
5.7.2 One gas or electrically heated hot plate or oven for panels so that the exposed bitumen is centered on the panel.
heating the bitumen, controlled so that container temperatures
will not exceed 316°C (600°F). 7. Preparation of Bitumen
5.8 Melting Container—A 17-kg (6-oz.) min. container of 7.1 Place the seamless tin container on the thermostatically
suitable size in which the bitumen can be melted, similar in controlled hot plate or in a forced-air oven and melt the
type to that specified in Test Method D 5. bituminous coating in the container adding the coating in small
5.9 Thermometers: increments as the melting proceeds. Stir the coating throughout
5.9.1 One ASTM Partial Immersion Thermometer, having a the entire melting operation to prevent local overheating but
range from −7 to 304°C (20 to 580°F) and conforming to the not vigorously enough to whip air into the sample.
requirements for Thermometer 2C as prescribed in Specifica- 7.1.1 A suitable alternative method is to melt the bitumen in
tion E 1, shall be used to determine the temperature of the oven the inner container of an oil bath. This apparatus shall be
used to warm the uncoated panel. heated on a thermostatically controlled hot plate. The outer
5.9.2 Two ASTM Partial Immersion Thermometers, having container shall contain a low-viscosity, high-flash petroleum
a range from −7 to 304°C (20 to 580°F) and conforming to the product or other suitable liquid, and it shall be maintained at a
requirements for Thermometer 3C as prescribed in Specifica- temperature slightly higher than the desired temperature of the
tion E 1. One shall be used to determine the temperature of the sample bitumen in the inner container. A suitable ladle shall be
bitumen sample. The other shall be used to determine the used for transferring the bitumen from the inner container to
temperature of the oven or oil bath, if either of these is used. the mounted panel.
5.10 Water Bath—A small tank through which lukewarm 7.1.2 In cases in which filled bitumen is used, make sure
water is running, shall be used for removing the dextrin-coated that the sample is mixed with a mechanical agitator to ensure
paper from finished panels when the bitumen has a softening proper dispersion of filler within the bitumen.
point over 93°C (200°F). For bitumens with lower softening 7.2 The viscosity of the molten coating shall be the basis for
points, the temperature of the water shall be below 27°C selection of the proper pouring temperature. That consistency
(80°F). shall be selected which previous experience has indicated will
5.11 Thickness Gage—A suitable hand micrometer, caliper, permit preparation of the coated panel. Since considerable
or dial-type thickness gage reading in 25 µm (0.001 in.) and leeway is permitted in selecting the pouring temperature, the
having a foot of approximately 645 mm2 (1 in.2) in area shall temperature should be high enough to permit easy escape of
be used for calipering the panels. occluded air, but, except with coatings of very high softening
5.12 Masking Tape—Pressure-sensitive paper or cloth tape, point, the temperature should not exceed 232°C (450°F). It has
13 to 25 mm (1⁄2 to 1 in.) in width. been found that a viscosity of about 300 6 200 cP is desirable.
6. Preparation of Metal Panels 8. Preparation of Press
6.1 Handling—Handle the panel by the edges only and do 8.1 Heat both top and bottom platens of the press to a
not allow fingers to contact the face to be coated. Do not temperature equal to the softening point of the bitumen +14°C
(+25°F). If only one of the platens can be heated, keep the
8
press closed while heating one of the platens to a temperature
Dextrin-coated paper is also allowed to be used as a release paper. It must not
equal to the softening point of the bitumen +14°C (+25°F).
leave a residue that cannot be removed by water. A small tank through which
lukewarm water (below 27°C (80°F)) is running shall be used for removing This will allow both plates to become adequately heated to the
dextrin-coated paper from finished panels. desired temperature.

2
 NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.

D 1669
8.2 Open the press and place a set of spacers, equal in 9.7 After 5 to 10 s, remove the panel from the press and
thickness to the aluminum panel and the desired thickness of allow it to cool to room temperature. Carefully peel the release
bituminous film, at each of two opposite sides of the lower paper off assuring that the bitumen film is not damaged.
platen of the press. Normally, it is necessary to use 76 to 127 Remove the masking tape and the kraft paper. If dextrin-coated
µm (0.003 to 0.005 in.) of added spacer thickness to compen- paper is used, place the panel into the water bath after
sate for the contraction of the asphalt when it cools. removing it from the press. After the release paper floats free,
remove the panel from the bath and wash thoroughly. Then
9. Procedure
strip the masking tape from the edges, remove the kraft paper,
9.1 Before using, place the mounted panel in the oven or on and dry the panel in air at room temperature.
the hot plate. Maintain the oven or hot plate at 93 to 149°C
(200 to 300°F) and heat the panel for a period of time sufficient 9.8 Measure the thickness of the dry bitumen panel at six
to bring the panel to the desired temperature only, as prolonged representative spots. Bitumen films of all thicknesses shall
heating may harm the masking tape and make it difficult to conform to a tolerance of 651 µm (60.002 in.) or be rejected.
remove. Remove the panel from the oven or hot plate and place Slight adjustments may be made in the pouring temperature,
on a flat surface. handling time, or spacer thickness if the coating is not of the
9.2 Immediately, pour approximately 1.25 times the bitu- correct thickness.
men needed onto the masked panel. 9.9 Do not treat the bitumen on the panels after calipering.
9.3 Tap the area around the panel to remove any air bubbles Warming on a hot plate or in an oven and flaming are
that may be present. considered objectionable. Discard the panels that show marked
9.4 Then cover the bitumen surface with a sheet of release nonuniformity of surfaces.
paper. 9.10 Place the coated panels under test within 48 h after
9.5 Place the panel in the press in such a manner that the preparation.
spacers are not under the panel or masking tape. The spacers,
however, must be under the kraft and dextrin-coated papers.
10. Keywords
9.6 Immediately close the press with a thrust of 1600 to
4500 kg (3 500 to 10 000 lb). 10.1 accelerated weathering; bituminous coatings; outdoor
NOTE 1—This thrust is taken up by the spacers and is this high only to
weathering; test panels
ensure the leveling of the bitumen before it has reached its solidifying
point.

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