KORKAP'S PERFORMANCE STANDARDS/DESCRIPTIONS

Exterior PVC and interior urethane coating performance shall
be confirmed by the characteristics and tests listed below. Test samples shall be selected at random.

FLAMMABILITY
The PVC coating will burn if subjected to sustained flame or heat above 400°F, however, it will self extinguish upon removal of the heat source or flame.

TOXICITY
Prolonged exposure to heat greater than 200°F or exposure
to fire may cause the PVC coating to release harmful emissions which could pose a potential health hazard. Therefore, PVC use is not recommended in areas exposed to sustained temperatures above 200°F. If exposed to fire, particularly in closed areas, users should be aware and observe proper caution.

BOIL TEST
Acceptable conduit coating bonds shall be confirmed if there is no disbondment after a minimum average of 200 hours in boiling water or exposure to steam vapor at one atmosphere. The periodic increments between bond tests shall not exceed 5 hours for the first 25 hours, then it may be lengthened by mutual consent. The RN1 Bond Test and the Standard Method for Measuring Adhesion by Tape Test shall be utilized.

Exterior Adhesion
A 6" length of conduit test specimen shall be placed in boiling water. The specimen shall be periodically removed, cooled to ambient temperature and immediately tested according to the bond test (RN1). When the PVC coating separates from the substrate, the boil time to failure in hours shall be recorded. ASTM D870 describes this test method for accelerated testing of coating adhesive bonds.

Interior Adhesion
A 6" conduit test specimen shall be cut in half longitudinally and placed in boiling water or directly above boiling water with the urethane surface facing down. The specimen shall be periodically removed, cooled to ambient temperature and tested in accordance with the Standard Method of Adhesion by Tape Test (ASTM D3359). When the coating disbonds, the time to failure in hours shall be recorded.

HEAT/HUMIDITY TEST
Acceptable conduit coating bonds shall be confirmed by a minimum average of 30 days in the Heat and Humidity Test. The periodic increment between bond tests shall not exceed 5 days for the first 30 days, then may be lengthened by mutual consent. The RN1 Bond Test and the Standard Method for Measuring Adhesion by Tape Test shall be utilized.

Exterior Adhesion
Conduit specimens shall be placed in a heat and humidity environment where the temperature is maintained at 150°F (66°C) and 95% relative humidity. The specimens shall be periodically removed and a bond test (RN1) performed. When the PVC coating separates from the substrate, the exposure time to failure in days shall be recorded. ASTM D1151, D1735, D2247 AND D4585 are the basis for this accelerated method of evaluating adhesive bonding.

Interior Adhesion
The conditions for interior adhesion testing of conduit specimens are the same as those for external adhesion.
ASTM D3359 is used to determine adhesive failure.

CHEMICAL RESISTANCE TEST
No trace of the internal coating shall be visible on a white
cloth following six wipes over the coating which has been
wetted with acetone (ASTM D1308).

POLYURETHANE
The supplier shall confirm that the internal coating which meets the above condition is a polyurethane.

KorKap™ has used the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards to provide comparable and consistent test data. A list of ASTM standards referenced in the KorKap Coated Conduit Specification appears below.

ASTM D149
Test Methods for Dielectric Breakdown Voltage and Dielectric Strength of Solid Electrical Insulating Materials at Commercial Power Frequencies

ASTM D638
Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics

ASTM D746
Test Method for Brittleness Temperature of Plastics and Elastomers by Impact

ASTM D870
Method for Water Immersion Test of Organic Coatings on Steel

ASTM D1151
Test Method for Effect of Moisture and Temperature on Adhesive Bonds

ASTM D1735
Method for Water Fog Testing of Organic Coatings

ASTM D2240
Test Method for Rubber Property-Durometer Hardness

ASTM D2247
Method of Testing Coated Metal Specimens at 100% Relative Humidity

ASTM D3359
Method for Measuring Adhesion by Tape Test

ASTM D4585
Testing Water Resistance of Coatings Using Controlled Condensation

ASTM G23
Recommended Practice for Operating Light-and-Water-Exposure Apparatus (Carbon-Arc Type) for Exposure of Non-Metallic Materials

ASTM D1308
Effect of Chemicals on Clear and Pigmented Organic Finishes