ASTM D6094-97(2004)
Standard Guide to Assess the Compostability of Environmentally Degradable Nonwoven Fabrics

Standard No.

ASTM D6094-97(2004)

Release Date

1997

Published By

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Status

Withdraw 2008-10

Latest

ASTM D6094-97(2004)

Scope

The nonwoven fabric or product can be formed from a combination of materials (natural or manufactured fibers, continuous or staple fibers, film laminate, binder resins, etc.). Each material may be comprised of more than a single component, for example, natural or synthetic polymers, dyes or pigments, surfactants, and other additives. All components and materials which are organic in nature must be evaluated and determined to be biodegradable and to cause no toxic or negative effect in the compost medium. Inorganic fillers or additives (except for heavy metal salts, which are separately regulated) are assumed to be neutral to the composting process. Biodegradation of the materials is demonstrated only through carbon dioxide evolution tests and is considered to be the first and one of the most important steps in establishing the ultimate compostability of the nonwoven.

Nonwoven fabrics and products that are designed to degrade after use have been developed. These nonwovens are intended to enhance existing solid waste landfill diversion programs by allowing difficult to recycle materials to be collected and processed in alternative solid waste disposal systems. Biological waste management, such as composting, has emerged as a viable approach to process these compostable nonwovens along with the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (MSW). A comprehensive testing program is needed to establish the compostability (for example, fragmentation rate, biodegradation rate and safety) of these materials.

Each tier in this guide includes objectives and a summary which presents potential test methods, method principles, test duration, implication of results and recommended priority.

This guide can be adapted to generate product specific evidence for substantiation of compostable claims and obtaining classification as a compostable product. State and local regulations should also be considered.

1.1 This guide covers suggested criteria, procedures, and a general approach to establish the compostability of environmentally degradable nonwoven fabrics and products.

Note 18212The assessment of degradable plastics and nonwoven fabrics or products is considered similar. Consequently, this guide contains only minor changes in technical content from this guide developed by Subcommittee D20.96 on Environmentally Degradable Plastics of Committee D-20 on Plastics.

1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are for information only.

1.3 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.

ASTM D6094-97(2004) Referenced Document

• ASTM D123 Standard Terminology Relating to Textiles*， 2023-09-14 Update
• ASTM D1776 Standard Practice for Conditioning and Testing Textiles*， 1998-04-19 Update
• ASTM D3593 Test Method for Molecular Weight Averages and Molecular Weight Distribution of Certain Polymers by Liquid Size-Exclusion Chromatography (Gel Permeation Chromatography GPC) Using Universal Calibration
• ASTM D3776 Standard Test Methods for Mass Per Unit Area (Weight) of Fabric
• ASTM D3786 Standard Test Method for Bursting Strength of Textile Fabricsx2014;Diaphragm Bursting Strength Tester Method*， 2024-04-19 Update
• ASTM D5034 Standard Test Method for Breaking Strength and Elongation of Textile Fabrics (Grab Test)
• ASTM D5152 Practice for Water Extraction of Residual Solids from Degraded Plastics for Toxicity Testing
• ASTM D5209 Standard Test Method for Determining the Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in the Presence of Municipal Sewage Sludge
• ASTM D5247 Standard Test Method for Determining the Aerobic Biodegradability of Degradable Plastics by Specific Microorganisms
• ASTM D5338 Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under Controlled Composting Conditions*， 1998-07-10 Update
• ASTM D5509 Standard Practice for Exposing Plastics to a Simulated Compost Environment
• ASTM D5512 Standard Practice for Exposing Plastics to a Simulated Compost Environment Using an Externally Heated Reactor
• ASTM D5734 Standard Test Method for Tearing Strength of Nonwoven Fabrics by Falling-Pendulum (Elmendorf) Apparatus
• ASTM D5951 Standard Practice for Preparing Residual Solids Obtained After Biodegradability Standard Methods for Plastics in Solid Waste for Toxicity and Compost Quality Testing
• ASTM D5988 Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation in Soil of Plastic Materials or Residual Plastic Materials After Composting
• ASTM D6002 Standard Guide for Assessing the Compostability of Environmentally Degradable Plastics
• ASTM D883 Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics*， 2024-02-01 Update
• ASTM E1440 Standard Guide for Acute Toxicity Test with the Rotifer Brachionus
• ASTM E1720 Standard Test Method for Determining Ready, Ultimate, Biodegradability of Organic Chemicals in a Sealed Vessel CO₂ Production Test
• ASTM G22 Standard Practice for Determining Resistance of Plastics to Bacteria (Withdrawn 2002)

ASTM D6094-97(2004) history

• 1997 ASTM D6094-97(2004) Standard Guide to Assess the Compostability of Environmentally Degradable Nonwoven Fabrics
• 1997 ASTM D6094-97 Standard Guide to Assess the Compostability of Environmentally Degradable Nonwoven Fabrics