SEDL / STP / STP1386-EB / STP14458S

History of Chemical Permeation Test Cells

Henry, NW
Senior Research Chemist and Industrial Hygienist, DuPont Company, Stine-Haskell Research Center, Newark, DE

Pages: 12    Published: Jan 2000

Download this paper for $25 PDF (388K)          View License Agreement
Abstract

A number of different degradation, penetration and permeation test cells have been considered and used in the development of chemical protective clothing test methods for nearly 30 years. Many of these cells were used in test methods developed by ASTM Committee F-23 on Protective Clothing. One of the first test cells developed was a permeation test cell for standard test method F-739, Standard Test Method for Resistance of Protective Clothing Materials to Permeation by Liquids or Gases Under Conditions of Continuous Contact. This test cell was designed after considerable discussion, review and evaluation of existing cells published in the literature. Finally, after almost three years of inter-laboratory testing and balloting a glass two-inch permeation test cell consisting of two chambers was adopted as the standard cell. This paper discusses the history of the development of this test cell and other test cells that have played a significant role in providing permeation data on the barrier properties of protective clothing.