Purpose:

This Standard is intended to establish a test procedure utilizing metal pressure vessels, for the evaluation of materials for use in refrigerant systems. The use of metal vessels will allow for the testing of a variety of materials, regulating the pressure of the test, utilization of a realistic sample size to oil/refrigerant ratio and other analytical tests, such as, extraction.

Scope:

This Standard describes the preparation of metal pressure vessels, and the procedure for charging them with refrigerant and with the materials to be tested. A procedure for heating the metal vessel and regulating the pressure is described. Posttest evaluations can be done quantitatively and/or qualitatively by observing the metal vessel contents to yield information for determining the compatibility, suitability or chemical stability of materials in the refrigerant environment.

The technique described can be used for evaluating many different types of materials. Therefore, the Standard does not describe the detailed preparation of the materials to be tested prior to placing them in the metal vessel. Except for some general observations, this is left to the discretion of the experimenter. The metal vessels can be aged over a broad range of temperatures and pressures, which fall within the safety limits of the material of construction used in the metal vessel fabrication.

Detailed safety precautions are included. Properly performing this test requires careful attention to the detailed experimental technique, and careful adherence to the safety procedures recommended.