1.1 This practice is intended to define the exposure conditions for testing the resistance of plastics to oxidation or other degradation when exposed solely to hot air for extended periods of time. Only the procedure for heat exposure is specified, not the test method or specimen. The effect of heat on any particular property may be determined by selection of the appropriate test method and specimen.

1.2 This practice should be used as a guide to compare thermal aging characteristics of materials as measured by the change in some property of interest. This practice recommends procedures for comparing the thermal aging characteristics of materials at a single temperature. Recommended procedures for determining the thermal aging characteristics of a material at a series of temperatures for the purpose of estimating time to a defined property change at some lower temperature are also described.

1.3 This practice does not predict thermal aging characteristics where interactions between stress, environment, temperature, and time control failure occurs.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

Note 1—ISO-2578 is considered to be technically equivalent to this practice.