FORD LABORATORY TEST METHOD

BP 153-01
STAINING OF SURFACES BY POLYMERS AND ELASTOMERS

Application

This test method is used to determine the types of stain or discoloration that polymers and elastomers may
cause to painted surfaces and other materials.

Procedure A: Determination of contact and migration stains.

Procedure B: Determination of staining by water-extractable ingredients.

Apparatus and Materials Required

Fluorescent Sunlight Cabinet

Modified oven equipped with four Westinghouse No. FS 20T-12 fluorescent sunlamps.

Oven
Approximate internal dimensions: 725 mm wide, 610 mm deep, and 520 mm high. Capable of
maintaining a temperature of 60 +/- 2 °C. A Grieves-Henry oven, Model PL-1 or equivalent, is suitable.

Sunlamp Fixture
To be completely installed in the cabinet. A 20 gauge steel box with screw cover; one 20 watt high
power-factor ballast for two lamps; four fluorescent starter assemblies; covered 20 gauge steel holders;
four Westinghouse FS 20T-12 fluorescent sunlamps. (Note: Safety precautions for ultraviolet exposure
- avoid looking directly at the light source.)

Source: Ster-L-Ray Sales and Service

5803 Elizabeth
Allen Park, Michigan 48101 U.S.A.

Mechanical Convection Oven

Capable of maintaining 80 +/- 2 °C, according to ASTM E 145, Type II-A and aging materials according
to ASTM D 573.

AATC-Chromatic Transference Scale

Source: American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists
P.O. Box 12215
Research Triangle Park
Durham, NC 27709 U.S.A.

Date Action Revisions

2006 06 02 Revised Typographical Correction in Sunlamp Fixture paragraph
2001 09 25 Revised Editorial – no technical change A. Cockman
1991 08 27
Printed copies are uncontrolled Copyright © 2006, Ford Global Technologies, LLC Page 1 of 4
 FORD LABORATORY TEST METHOD

BP 153-01
Painted Panels
The painted panels shall be prepared as described in FLTM BI 103-02, Method C, using white or light-
gray production enamel. The painted panels shall be aged 16 h at 45 +/- 2 °C, or 72 h at 23 +/- 2 °C
before the test and must be used within 60 days after aging. Store unused panels in a cool, dark place
packaged in plain wrapping paper until ready to use.

Soap Solution - 5%
A mixture of 95:5 by volume of distilled water and soap solution (S-M1B4 or ESB-M1B9-A).

Water - Distilled or Deionized

20 micromhos/cm at 25 °C maximum conductivity (ASTM D 1125).

Cotton Thread - undyed and unimpregnated.

Filter Paper

Conditioning and Test Conditions

All test values indicated herein are based on material conditioned in a controlled atmosphere of 23 +/- 2 °C and
50 +/- 5% relative humidity for not less than 24 h prior to testing and tested under the same conditions unless
otherwise specified.

Procedure

Method A - Determination of Contact and Migration Stains

1. Place two test specimens from the material to be tested (minimum 1 x 2 cm in size and of uniform
thickness) on the painted panel. Load with 150 g/cm2 by means of a second panel (or glass plate) and
a top weight. Other substrates such as plastic may be used instead of the painted panel, if specified in
the relevant Engineering Materials Specification.

Specimens shall be cut from the finished part or test slab and shall be tested as received. Avoid
contamination of the surface by handling with clean hands or laboratory gloves.

2. Place the assembly into the oven for 72 h at 80 +/- 2 °C.

3. After aging, remove the assembly from the oven and separate the specimen from the painted panel.

4. Expose the painted panel (that was in contact with the specimen) in the fluorescent sunlamp cabinet for
24 h at 60 +/- 2 °C, and 300 mm from the light source.

5. Remove the painted panel from the sunlamp cabinet, cool to 23 +/- 2 °C and wash the surface with the
soap solution.

Printed copies are uncontrolled Copyright © 2006, Ford Global Technologies, LLC Page 2 of 4
 FORD LABORATORY TEST METHOD

BP 153-01
Evaluation
Examine after four h exposure (Step 4) and, again, after 24 h (Step 5) and report any contact or
migration staining as required by the Engineering Material Specification, using the AATCC scale where
specified.

Any staining of the area that was in contact with the specimen shall be considered "contact stain", and
any staining beyond the area that was in contact with the specimen shall be considered "migration
stain".

Note: It is recommended that a control panel without the test specimen should be tested
simultaneously to check the effect of the test conditions on the finish of the painted panel
itself. No test panel shall be tested more than once.

Method B - Determination of Staining by Water-extractable Ingredients

1. Cut a section 200 mm in length from the finished part of slab stock and mount, trough-like, as shown in
Figure 1.

2. Boil approximately a 200 mm length of the cotton thread in distilled water. Rinse in distilled water at 23
+/- 2 °C.

3. Cut a triangular piece of 50 mm edge length from the filter paper and place together with the cotton
thread on the painted panel as shown in Figure 1.

4. Use a 1 liter separatory funnel as the water reservoir (Figure 1). Adjust the outflow of distilled water to
the rate of 1 liter in 24 +/- 1 hour. Fill the separatory funnel with 1 liter of distilled water and allow to drip
until the funnel is empty.

5. Separate the cotton thread, filter paper, and polymeric specimen from the painted panel and place the
panel in the fluorescent sunlamp cabinet for 24 hours at 60 +/- 2 °C, and 300 mm from the light source.

6. Remove from the sunlamp cabinet, cool to 23 +/- 2 °C, and wash with the soap solution.

Evaluation
Examine the painted panel for evidence of staining and determine as required by the Engineering
Materials Specification, using the AATCC scale where specified.

Note: The cotton thread, filter paper, and painted panel shall be used only once.

Chemicals, materials, parts, and equipment referenced in this document must be used and handled properly.
Each party is responsible for determining proper use and handling in its facilities.

Printed copies are uncontrolled Copyright © 2006, Ford Global Technologies, LLC Page 3 of 4
 FORD LABORATORY TEST METHOD

BP 153-01
STAINING OF SURFACES BY POLYMERS AND ELASTOMERS

1. Water reservoir with distilled water (separating funnel and capillary tube)
2. Specimen
3. Filter paper
4. Painted panel
5. Cotton thread
6. Drip cup
7. Polyethylene tube

Figure 1

Printed copies are uncontrolled Copyright © 2006, Ford Global Technologies, LLC Page 4 of 4