Western Australian Consolidated Regulations

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (FIBRE REINFORCED PLASTICS) REGULATIONS 1998 - SCHEDULE 1

[Regulation 4]

Test procedure to determine styrene emission rates

Aim

This test method gives an indication of the rate of styrene loss from a typical Chopped Strand Mat (CSM) contact moulded laminate, with a surface open to the atmosphere.

Theory

A single layer of CSM is impregnated with the uncatalysed resin and supported on an accurate direct reading top pan balance in a draught‑free room at 23°C. The loss in weight in grams per square metre is recorded against time.

Apparatus

1.         Direct reading top pan balance accurate to 0.01 g.

2.         Polyethylene terephthalate film (Melinex).

3.         Glass fibre chopped strand mat — emulsion bound — 450 g/m ² .

4.         A draught‑free room of 50 cubic metres minimum volume, controlled at 23°C ± 1°C.

5.         Optional shielding as shown in Figure 1.

6.         Suitable support platen 300 mm x 300 mm.

7.         Glass beaker.

Method

1.         Set up apparatus in the draught‑free room.

2.         Cut and weigh a 250 mm x 250 mm section of CSM.

3.         Cut a 300 mm x 300 mm square of Melinex film and mark an area of 250 mm x 250 mm on the back of the film with a marker pen.

4.         Adjust the resin temperature to 23°C.

5.         Place the Melinex film on the support platen. Pour a quantity of resin equal to 2.0 times the weight of the CSM from the glass beaker onto the film and spread evenly over the marked area.

6.         Place the CSM sample into the resin and quickly ensure complete impregnation of the mat by gently pressing with the edge of a spatula. Within one minute, place the lay‑up and the support platen on the balance and note the reading.

7.         Record the weight at 2 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes and thereafter at 10 minute intervals for one hour, or longer as required.

8.         Repeat the procedure from 2 to 7 twice.

9.         From the results, plot a graph of mean cumulative loss in weight against time.

Items to be reported

1.         Resin identification.

2.         CSM identification.

3.         Actual atmospheric temperature.

4.         Relative humidity.

5.         Atmospheric pressure.

6.         The amount of styrene (g/m ² ) emitted during 60 minutes.

Figure 1