46 C.F.R. Subpart 164.015—Plastic Foam, Unicellular, Buoyant, Sheet and Molded Shape
Title 46 - Shipping
Source: CGFR 65–37, 30 FR 11593, Sept. 10, 1965 unless otherwise noted.
(a) Specifications. The following specification and standard, of the issue in effect on the date the plastic foam material is manufactured, form a part of this subpart: (1) Military specification:
MIL-F-859—Fuel Oil, Boiler. (2) Federal specification:
C-C-91—Candle illuminating. (3) Federal standard:
Standard 601—Rubber: Sampling and Testing. (4) ASTM
D4986–98, Standard Test Method for Horizontal Burning Characteristics of Cellular Polymeric Materials. (b) Copies on file. Copies of the specifications and standards referred to in this section shall be kept on file by the plastic foam manufacturer with this subpart. (1) The Federal Specification and the Federal Standard may be purchased from the Business Service Center, General Services Administration, Washington, DC, 20407. (2) The Military Specification may be obtained from the Commanding Officer, Naval Supply Depot, 5801 Tabor Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 19120. (3) The A.S.T.M. Standard may be purchased from the American Society for Testing Materials, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428–2959. [CGFR 65–37, 30 FR 11593, Sept. 10, 1965, as amended by CGFR 65–64, 31 FR 563 Jan. 18, 1966; USCG–1999–5151, 64 FR 67186, Dec. 1, 1999] (a) Unicellular expanded polyvinyl chloride-acetate copolymer or synthetic rubber modified polyvinyl chloride, polymer or copolymer plastic foam shall be of three types as follows:
Type A—for life preservers, buoyant vests or buoyant cushions. Type B—for buoyant vests or buoyant cushions. Type C—for ring life buoys. (b) [Reserved] (a) The unicellular plastic foam shall be all new material complying with the requirements of this specification. The results of the tests described in §164.015–4 shall yield property values within the limits shown in Table 164.015–4(a). (b) The unicellular plastic foam shall be produced in sheet stock or molded shapes. (a) General. Unicellular plastic foam to be used in a finished product subject to inspection by the Coast Guard also shall be subject to inspection at the plant where the foam is manufactured. The manufacturer of the foam has primary responsibility for quality control over the production of the foam. A marine inspector shall be admitted to any place in the factory where production or partial processing of the foam takes place, and he may take samples of the foam or other materials for further inspections or tests. The manufacturer shall provide a suitable place and the apparatus necessary for the performance of certain tests to be witnessed by the marine inspector, the results of which shall comply with Table 164.015–4(a). Unless otherwise specified, all tests shall be conducted at a temperature of 21° ±3 °C. (70° ±5 °F.) The properties listed in Table 164.015–4(a) shall be determined on specimens of sheet foam or molded shapes. (b) Density. The density of the material shall be determined by dividing the weight of the material by its volume and shall be expressed in pounds per cubic foot. The volume shall be determined by measuring the volume of water displaced by the material or by direct measurement of the specimen using vernier calipers reading to 0.001 inch A sheet specimen 4&inch;×4&inch;×thickness furnished shall be used unless the foam is molded shape, then the largest single piece so molded shall be used. (c) Buoyancy in fresh water—(1) Specimens. The buoyancy test shall be made with a sample of the sheet material measuring 12&inch;×12&inch;×thickness of material furnished or with the largest molded shape furnished. (2) Procedure. Securely attach a spring scale in a position directly over a test tank. Suspend a weighted wire basket from the scale in such a manner that the basket can be weighed while completely submerged in water. Proceed as follows: (i) Weigh the empty basket under water. (ii) Place the sample inside the basket and submerge it so that the top of the basket is at least 2 inches below the surface of the water. Allow the samples to remain submerged for 24 hours. (iii) After 24 hours submergence period, weigh the wire basket with the sample inside while both are still under water. (iv) The buoyancy is computed as paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section minus (c)(2)(iii) of this section. The resulting value is divided by the volume of the polyvinyl chloride foam expressed in cubic feet. The final result is in lbs./cu. ft. (d) Volume loss on heat aging—(1) Specimen. Test specimens shall consist of pieces 4&inch;×4&inch;×the thickness of the material furnished. Where the foam is an object of molded shape, the largest single piece so molded shall be used for this test. (2) Procedure. Volume before and after the heat aging test shall be determined by measuring the volume of water displaced by the material. The specimens shall be placed in an oven maintained at 140° ±2 °F., for a period of one week. At the end of that period the specimens shall be removed from the oven and allowed to recover in the open for 5 hours at 70° ±2 °F. before the measurement of final volume is made. The test shall be run in triplicate, the results averaged and the percentage of volume loss calculated. (e) Compression deflection. Compression deflection shall be determined in accordance with method 12151 of Federal Standard 601, except that the deflection shall be maintained at 25 percent with automatic or manual control, and the load observed and recorded 60 seconds after the 25 percent deflection is reached. (f) Compression set—(1) Specimens. The specimens shall have parallel top and bottom surfaces which shall be at right angles to the side surfaces. The specimen may be cylindrical or rectangular. The minimum dimension across the top shall be at least 1.0 times the thickness and the top a minimum of 1 square inch in area, and a maximum of 16 square inches in area. (2) Apparatus. The apparatus shall consist of a compression device with two parallel plates, between which the test specimen shall be compressed by means of four studs and nuts. The plates may be steel, aluminum or any rigid smooth metal of sufficient thickness to withstand the required compression stresses without bending. The surfaces against which the test specimens are held shall be smooth and shall be thoroughly cleaned and wiped dry before each test. Metal shims inserted between the plates shall be used to limit the compression of the specimen. (3) Procedure. Thickness, before and after the compression set test shall be measured as specified in paragraph (h)(1) of this section. The test specimens shall be compressed 25% of the original thickness for 22 hours. At the end of that period, the test specimens shall be removed from the set apparatus and allowed to rest for 24 hours before measurement of final thickness is made. The compression set shall be calculated by means of the following formula: Compression set (percent) = [(ho − hi) ÷ (ho − hs)]×100 (1)
where: ho=the original thickness. hi=the thickness 24 hours after removal from apparatus. hs=the test compression thickness. (g) Fire retardance—(1) Types A and C foams. The test specimens shall be (2) Type B foam. The test specimens shall be (h) Tensile strength and the ultimate elongation—(1) Specimens. The test specimens shall be dumbbell shaped, conforming in shape to die I of method 4111 of Standard FED-STD-601. The thickness of the specimen shall be (2) Procedure. (i) The tensile strength of the specimens shall be determined in a standard tensile testing machine with a rate of separation of jaws set at 2 inches per minute. The bench marks shall be followed with a suitable pair of dividers until the specimen ruptures. A minimum of 4 specimens shall be tested and if any specimen breaks at the clamp or any specimen exhibits any obvious defects, the results obtained therewith shall be discarded. A new similar specimen shall then be prepared and tested. The tensile strength shall be calculated by dividing the breaking load (to the nearest 0.1 pound) by the original area of the cross section of the specimen in square inches and the result shall be expressed in pounds per square inch. The percent ultimate elongation shall be calculated as follows: D1 − D ÷ D × 100 (2)
where: D = distance between knife edges of bench marker. D1 = distance between bench marks at moment of rupture to the nearest (3) Averaging determinations. The tensile strength in pounds per square inch and percent ultimate elongation of four determinations shall be averaged for each sample. (i) Water absorption—(1) Specimens. Test specimens shall be 4&inch;×4&inch; square and approximately 1&inch; in thickness. The specimen may have the natural skin on the top and bottom surfaces. (2) Procedure. The specimens shall be weighed and submerged in water under a 10-foot head of water (equal to 4.35 psi) at room temperature (65°–95 °F.) for 48 hours. The specimens shall then be placed in a stream of air for the minimum time required to remove visible water from the surface, and reweighed. The results shall be calculated in terms of pounds of water gain per square foot of total exposed surface. (j) Flexibility—(1) The size of the specimen shall be approximately 1′×8′ with a thickness of (k) Oil resistance—(1) Specimens. The test specimens shall be a disk approximately 1&inch; in diameter and 1&inch; (approximately) in thickness. (2) Procedure. The specimen shall be immersed in fuel oil conforming to Navy special grade of Specification MIL-F-859 for 70 hours. The specimen shall then be removed, dipped in alcohol and blotted with filter paper. The specimen shall then be compared to an untreated specimen of similar size for apparent softness and visible swelling. (l) Odor. The odor of unicellular polyvinyl chloride foam shall be determined by sniffing. [CGFR 65–37, 30 FR 11593, Sept. 10, 1965, as amended by CGFR 65–64, 31 FR 563, Jan. 18, 1966] (a) Unicellular plastic foam is not subject to formal approval, but will be accepted by the Coast Guard on the basis of this subpart for use in the manufacture of lifesaving equipment utilizing it. (b) Upon receipt of an application requesting acceptance, the Commander of the Coast Guard District will detail a marine inspector to the factory to observe the production facilities and manufacturing methods and to select from foam already manufactured sufficient sample material for testing for compliance with the requirements of this specification. A copy of the marine inspector's report, together with the sample material and one copy of an independent laboratory test report will be forwarded to the Commandant and if satisfactory notice of acceptance will be given to the manufacturer. (c) Acceptance of unicellular plastic foam prior to being incorporated into finished products, or during the course of manufacture, shall in no case be construed as a guarantee of the acceptance of the finished products. (d) The manufacturer of the foam shall provide the manufacturer of the lifesaving equipment with an affidavit certifying that the foam conforms to all of the requirements of this subpart.
Title 46: Shipping
PART 164—MATERIALS
Subpart 164.015—Plastic Foam, Unicellular, Buoyant, Sheet and Molded Shape
§ 164.015-1 Applicable specifications and standards.
§ 164.015-2 Types.
§ 164.015-3 Material and workmanship.
§ 164.015-4 Inspections and tests.
Table 164.015-4(a)---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Properties Test method Units Type A Type B Type C----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Density (maximum) 164.015-4(b) Pounds/feet\3\ 5.0 5.0 8.5----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Buoyancy in fresh water (minimum) 164.015-4(c) Pounds/feet\3\ 54.0 54.0 52.0----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Volume loss on heat aging 164.015-4(d) Percent 5.0 5.0 4.0 (maximum).----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Compression deflection at 25 164.015-4(e) P.s.i. 3.0 3.0 7.0 percent. max. max. min.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Compression set (maximum) 164.015-4(f) Percent 24 24 20----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Fire retardance (maximum) 164.015-4(g)(1) Seconds 2 ....... 30 ---------------------------------------------------- ........................ Inches 1 ....... 3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 164.015-4(g)(2) Inches per minute ....... 4 .......----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Tensile strength (minimum) 164.015-4(h) P.s.i. 30 20 60----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Ultimate elongation (minimum) 164.015-4(h) Percent 75 75 .......----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Water absorption (maximum) 164.015-4(i) Pounds/feet \2\ .06 .06 .06----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Flexibility at 0 ±2F164.015-4(j)No crackingNo cracking----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Oil resistance 164.015-4(k) ........................ (\1\) (\1\) (\1\)----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Odor 164.015-4(l) ........................ (\2\) (\2\) (\2\)---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ No softening or swelling. \2\ Not objectionable.
§ 164.015-5 Procedure for acceptance.
