GB/T 22936-2008Phenolic floral foam (English PDF)

Foreword

This standard was proposed by the China National Light Industry Council.

This standard is under the jurisdiction of the National Technical Committee on Plastic Products of Standardization Administration of China.

The drafting organisations of this standard are the Changshu Plastics Factory and Changshu Lvzhou Floral Foam Co., Ltd.

1 Scope

China's national standard for the phenolic foam block used by florists - the green brick that a flower arrangement is stuck into. Its job is unusual for a foam: it has to drink up water almost instantly, hold several times its own volume of it against gravity for days, and stay firm enough that a cut stem pushed into it stays where it is put and can still draw water through the cut. Those requirements pull against each other, which is why the properties controlled here are saturation time, water absorption, water-keeping and compression strength in both the rise direction and across it, and why the pH of the leachate is controlled as well: water too acid or too alkaline shortens the life of the cut flowers the block is meant to keep. The standard specifies the terms and definitions, the product classification, the requirements, the test methods, the inspection rules and the marking, packaging, transport and storage of the material, and applies to the phenolic foam made from liquid phenolic resin for flower arranging and for keeping cut flowers fresh. Products are classified by production method into mould-foamed and continuously foamed, and by strength into general purpose and reinforced grades.

This standard specifies the terms and definitions, the product classification, the requirements, the test methods and the inspection rules for phenolic foam for flowers (hereinafter referred to as floral foam), together with its marking, packaging, transport and storage.

This standard applies to the phenolic foam made from liquid phenolic resin and used for flower arranging and for keeping cut flowers fresh.

2 Normative references

The clauses of the following documents become clauses of this standard through reference in this standard. For dated references, all subsequent amendments (excluding corrigenda) or revisions do not apply to this standard; however, parties to agreements based on this standard are encouraged to investigate whether the latest editions of these documents may be used. For undated references, the latest edition applies to this standard.

GB/T 6342-1996 Cellular plastics and rubbers - Determination of linear dimensions.

GB/T 6343-1995 Cellular plastics and rubbers - Determination of apparent (bulk) density.

3 Terms and definitions

The following terms and definitions apply to this standard.

3.1 Saturation time: the time required for the floral foam to be completely saturated in water.

3.2 Water absorption: the ratio of the mass of water absorbed by the floral foam after saturation to its volume.

3.3 Water-keeping: the ratio of the mass of water contained in the floral foam after it has been saturated and then left on a rack for a specified time, to the mass of water contained before it was left.

3.4 Top compression: the compression strength in the direction of the rise of the foam.

3.5 Side compression: the compression strength in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the rise of the foam.

3.6 Mould foaming: foaming carried out in a mould.

3.7 Continue foaming: continuous foaming.

4 Product classification

According to the method of production the products are divided into mould-foamed and continuously foamed; according to strength they are further divided into two grades, the general purpose type and the reinforced type.

6 Test methods

6.1 Test piece: the samples are cut after the skin has been removed from the product.

6.2 Conditioning and test environment: 6.2.1 the test pieces are conditioned for at least 24 h at a specified temperature and relative humidity; 6.2.2 the tests are carried out under the same conditions of temperature and relative humidity.

6.3 Specification dimensions: measured by the method specified in GB/T 6342-1996, using a vernier caliper.

6.4 Appearance: examined visually in natural light.

6.5 Apparent density: the apparent core density is measured as specified in GB/T 6343-1995, on three test pieces of the standard specification.

6.6 Saturation time and water absorption; 6.7 and 6.8 cover the further immersion properties; 6.9 covers the compression strength, and specifies the compression testing machine, the size of the test piece, the test procedure and the calculation of the result from the maximum force and the area of the movable plate.

8 Marking, packaging, transport and storage

8.1 The product packing case shall carry a marking stating the name of the manufacturer, the address of the works, the product name, the specification, the date of production, the batch number, the quantity and the standard number, among other particulars.

8.2 The product shall be packed in cardboard cases, or as required by the user; the packaging shall meet the relevant requirements for transport and protection.

8.3 During transport the product shall not be heavily loaded, thrown down or knocked against sharp objects, and shall be protected from rain.

8.4 The product shall be stored indoors in a dry, ventilated place, and should not be exposed to the sun.