57-3.02A General
Plastic lumber must:
1. Be produced continuously and homogeneously without joints
2. Be straight and true and free from twist, curvature, bulging, or other deformations
3. Have a smooth outer layer with no visible voids
4. Not vary from the dimensions shown by more than 1/2 inch for cross-sectional dimensions or 1 inch for the length
5. Have total resistance to marine borers and dry rot
6. Not swell, shrink, or crack
7. Comply with the requirements shown in the following table:
Quality characteristic
|
Test method
|
Requirement
|
Density (kg/m3, min)
|
ASTM D792,
Test Method A
|
Skin: 880
Core: 680
|
Water absorption
(weight increase, percent, max)
|
ASTM D570
|
1.0 at 2 hours;
3.0 at 24 hours
|
Brittleness, (at -40 °C)
|
ASTM D746
|
Skin: No break
|
Hardness
|
ASTM D2240, Type D
|
Skin: 45–75
|
UV deterioration (hardness change, percent after 500 hours of exposure, max)
|
ASTM D4587a
ASTM D2240, Type D
|
Skin: 10
|
Abrasion
|
ASTM D4060:
Cycles: 10,000
Wheel: CS17
Load: 1 kg
|
Skin:
Weight loss: < 500 mg
Wear index: 2.5–3.0
|
Chemical resistance
(weight increase, percent)
|
ASTM D543:
Practice A,
Procedure 1
|
Sea water: < 1.5
Gasoline: < 7.5
No. 2 diesel: < 6.0
|
Coefficient of thermal expansion (per degree C, max)
|
ASTM D696
|
0.00009
|
Ignition temperature (°C)
|
ASTM D1929
|
> 340
|
aASTM D4329 using UVA 340 bulbs operating at a UV intensity of 0.77 W/m2/nm measured at 340 nm. The exposure cycle must be 4 hours of ultraviolet (UV) exposure at 60 °C and 4 hours of condensate (CON) exposure at 40 °C.
|
Stiffness and yield stress in bending of plastic lumber must have at least the values shown in the following table:
Cross section size
(inches)
|
Stiffness EI
(kip-sq ft)
|
Yield stress in bending
(psi)
|
8 x 10
|
932
|
4,650
|
8 x 12
|
883
|
3,775
|
10 x 10
|
1,764
|
3,900
|
10 x 12
|
1,830
|
3,625
|
12 x 12
|
2,892
|
3,050
|
NOTE: These values are for the weak axis of rectangular sections.
|
For the exterior voids at each exposed end of plastic lumber:
1. Maximum dimension of any void must not exceed 1 inch.
2. Total number of voids with a maximum dimension greater than 1/4 inch must not exceed 4.
For the interior voids in the cut sections of each segment of plastic lumber:
1. Maximum dimension of any void in a cut section must not exceed 1/2 inch.
2. Total area of voids in a cut section must not exceed 5 percent of the total cross-sectional area.
Permanently mark each piece of plastic lumber with the manufacturer's name.
Ship and store plastic lumber in a way that minimizes scratching or damage to the outer surfaces.
57-3.02B Reinforced Recycled Plastic Lumber
Reinforced RPL must consist of recycled plastic reinforced with fiberglass reinforcing bar elements, fiberglass filaments, or a combination of both.
Reinforced RPL must be a recycled product.
Fabricate reinforced RPL from one or more of the following thermoplastics:
1. High-density polyethylene
2. Medium-density polyethylene
3. Low-density polyethylene
4. High-density polypropylene
Reinforced RPL must have a dense outer skin at least 3/16 inch thick surrounding a less dense core. The plastic for the outer skin must be mixed with colorants to match color no. 37030 or 30097 of FED-STD-595 and must contain a UV inhibitor and antioxidants.
Fiberglass reinforcing bar elements must comply with the requirements shown in the following table:
Quality characteristic
|
Test method
|
Requirement
|
Flexural strength (psi, min)
|
ASTM D790
|
70,000
|
Compression modulus (psi, min)
|
ASTM D695
|
40,000
|
Tensile strength (psi, min)
|
ASTM D638
|
70,000
|
Fiberglass filaments must comply with the requirements shown in the following table:
Quality characteristic
|
Test method
|
Requirement
|
Density (kg/m3)
|
ASTM D792
|
2,560–2,592
|
Mechanical, single filament tensile strength (MPa)
|
ASTM D3822
|
3,450–3,790
|
Tensile modulus of elasticity (MPa)
|
ASTM D3822
|
69–72
|
All reinforced RPL must contain the same type of reinforcement.
CPL may be substituted for reinforced RPL.
Fabricate the shell for CPL from polyester or epoxy resin reinforced with E-glass and mixed with colorants, UV inhibitors, and antioxidants. The CPL coating must match color no. 37030 or 30097 of FED-STD-595.
The core material for CPL must be lightweight aggregate polymer concrete.
CPL must comply with the physical quality characteristics specified for reinforced RPL and the requirements shown in the following table:
Quality characteristic
|
Test method
|
Requirement
|
Density of concrete core
(kg/m3, min)
|
ASTM D792
|
1,762
|
28-day compressive strength of concrete core (psi, min)
|
ASTM C579
|
5,000
|
Structural strength of shell:
Tensile strength, tensile modulus (percent loss)
Flexural strength, flexural modulus (percent loss)
|
ASTM D638
ASTM D790
|
Less than 10 after UV deterioration test specified for plastic lumber
|
Dry film thickness of coating
(mils, min)
|
--
|
15
|
Color change of coating
|
ASTM D4587,
Test Cycle 2
|
No visible color change when tested for 800 hours
|
Initial adhesion of coating (psi, min)
|
ASTM D4541
|
150
|
Decrease in initial adhesion of coating, decrease (percent)
|
ASTM D4541
ASTM D1183,
Test Condition Da
|
No more than 10 following 2 exposure cycles
|
aUse a low temperature phase at 4 ± 5 °F and high temperature phase at 140 ± 5 °F.
|
Seal the cut ends of CPL with a cap securely held in place with an adhesive recommended by the manufacturer. The adhesive must show no more than a 10 percent decrease in strength when tested under ASTM D3164 following 2 cycles of exposure under ASTM D1183, Test Condition D, with a low temperature phase of -16 ± 3 degrees C and a high temperature phase of 60 ± 3 degrees C.
57-3.02D Unreinforced Recycled Plastic Lumber
Unreinforced RPL may be substituted for reinforced RPL for chocks, filler blocks, and other nonstructural members shown. Unreinforced RPL must comply with the specifications for reinforced RPL, except fiberglass reinforcement is not required and stiffness tests do not apply.
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