ISO 846:2019
Plastics — Evaluation of the action of microorganisms
This document specifies methods for determining the deterioration of plastics due to the action of fungi and bacteria and soil microorganisms. The aim is not to determine the biodegradability of plastics or the deterioration of natural fibre composites.
The type and extent of deterioration can be determined by
a) visual examination and/or
b) changes in mass and/or
c) changes in other physical properties.
The tests are applicable to all plastics that have an even surface and that can thus be easily cleaned. The exceptions are porous materials, such as plastic foams.
This document uses the same test fungi as IEC 60068-2-10. The IEC method, which uses so-called "assembled specimens", calls for inoculation of the specimens with a spore suspension, incubation of the inoculated specimens and assessment of the fungal growth as well as any physical attack on the specimens.
The volume of testing and the test strains used depend on the application envisaged for the plastic.
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Foreword
Introduction
1 Scope
2 Normative references
3 Terms and definitions
4 Principle
4.1 General
4.2 Resistance to fungi
4.2.1 Method A: Fungal-growth test
4.2.2 Method B: Determination of fungistatic effects
4.3 Method C: Resistance to bacteria
4.4 Method D: Resistance to microbially active soil (soil-burial test)
4.5 Choice of properties for assessment of biodeterioration
5 Apparatus and materials
5.1 For all tests
5.2 For tests with fungi
5.3 For tests with bacteria
5.4 For soil-burial tests
6 Test specimens
6.1 Shape and dimensions
6.2 Specimen test series and numbers in each test series
6.2.1 Specimen test series
6.2.2 Numbers in each test series
7 Preparation of specimens
7.1 Cleaning
7.2 Labelling and storage
7.3 Conditioning and weighing
8 Procedures
8.1 Test temperature
8.2 Test methods
8.2.1 General
8.2.2 Fungal-growth test (method A)
8.2.3 Determination of fungistatic effect (method B)
8.2.4 Procedure with bacteria (method C)
8.2.5 Soil-burial test (method D)
9 Assessment
9.1 Assessment of fungal growth on the specimens by visual examination (methods A, B and D)
9.2 Evaluation of the test specimens for the determination of changes in mass and/or in other physical properties
9.2.1 Cleaning
9.2.2 Change in mass
9.2.3 Determination of changes in other physical properties
10 Expression of results
10.1 General
10.2 Visual assessment
10.3 Change in mass
10.4 Changes in other physical properties
11 Accuracy of the measurements
12 Test report
Annex A (normative) Determination of the water content and water holding capacity of a soil
Annex B (normative) Negative control for Test A
Annex C (normative) Grid for evaluation of fungal surface growth (Test A)
Annex D (informative) Information on test fungi
Bibliography
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Foreword
Introduction
1 Scope
2 Normative references
3 Terms and definitions
4 Principle
4.1 General
4.2 Resistance to fungi
4.2.1 Method A: Fungal-growth test
4.2.2 Method B: Determination of fungistatic effects
4.3 Method C: Resistance to bacteria
4.4 Method D: Resistance to microbially active soil (soil-burial test)
4.5 Choice of properties for assessment of biodeterioration
5 Apparatus and materials
5.1 For all tests
5.2 For tests with fungi
5.3 For tests with bacteria
5.4 For soil-burial tests
6 Test specimens
6.1 Shape and dimensions
6.2 Specimen test series and numbers in each test series
6.2.1 Specimen test series
6.2.2 Numbers in each test series
7 Preparation of specimens
7.1 Cleaning
7.2 Labelling and storage
7.3 Conditioning and weighing
8 Procedures
8.1 Test temperature
8.2 Test methods
8.2.1 General
8.2.2 Fungal-growth test (method A)
8.2.3 Determination of fungistatic effect (method B)
8.2.4 Procedure with bacteria (method C)
8.2.5 Soil-burial test (method D)
9 Assessment
9.1 Assessment of fungal growth on the specimens by visual examination (methods A, B and D)
9.2 Evaluation of the test specimens for the determination of changes in mass and/or in other physical properties
9.2.1 Cleaning
9.2.2 Change in mass
9.2.3 Determination of changes in other physical properties
10 Expression of results
10.1 General
10.2 Visual assessment
10.3 Change in mass
10.4 Changes in other physical properties
11 Accuracy of the measurements
12 Test report
Annex A (normative) Determination of the water content and water holding capacity of a soil
Annex B (normative) Negative control for Test A
Annex C (normative) Grid for evaluation of fungal surface growth (Test A)
Annex D (informative) Information on test fungi
Bibliography