WHAT IS ASTM F964-13?
Scope
ASTM F964-13 is considered the “end all, beat all” testing specification for vinyl fence. The purpose of this specification is to establish a recognized standard of quality for exterior vinyl profiles for use in assembling agricultural, commercial, and residential fencing and railing. This specification covers Illusions Vinyl Fence sections and the EverStrong Profiles® used to fabricate them.
Materials
Illusions Vinyl Fence Products are manufactured using Rigid Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) compounds for exterior-profile extrusions that meet the requirements of ASTM Specification D4216.
Manufacture
Illusions Vinyl Fence Products are manufactured to meet cell Class 3–30233–23 as defined in Specification D4216. Illusions compounds have higher cell classification because one or more properties are superior to those used in standard acceptable compounds.
Color/Consistency Testing
The PVC compound in extruded section shall maintain uniform color and be free of any visual surface or structural changes, such as peeling, chipping, cracking, flaking, or pitting after weathering at intervals of six months and one year for white and for six months, one year, and two years for all other colors in hot, dry climate such as Phoenix, AZ; a hot humid climate, such as Miami, FL; and a temperate northern climate, when tested in accordance with ASTM Performance Weathering Requirements (TABLE 1).
Weathering Testing
The PVC compound shall have a minimum impact resistance of 0.6 in.-lb/mil (2670 J/m) after weathering six months and one year in a hot, dry climate such as Phoenix, AZ; a hot, humid climate, such as Miami, FL; and a temperate northern climate, when tested in accordance with ASTM Perfor- mance Weathering Requirements. The PVC compound shall have successfully met the weathering requirements prescribed for six months at each climatic testing site prior to use in production of exterior-profile extrusions, when tested in accordance with ASTM Performance Weathering Requirements (TABLE 1).
Quality Assurance
Illusions Vinyl Fence Products are run through dimensional tests at the startup of a production run and every two hours thereafter including flattening, extrusion quality, impact resistance, warp, color comparison with standard color samples, capstock thickness, and bond testing will be done at the startup of a production and once per shift thereafter with a minimum of two tests per 24 hours of production.
