81 FR 10590 - Service Life Prediction Methodologies and Metrologies for Commercial Polymers Consortium
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Institute of Standards and Technology Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 40 (March 1, 2016)
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 40 (March 1, 2016)
| Page Range | 10590-10591 | |
| FR Document | 2016-04385 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 1, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 10590-10591] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-04385] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Institute of Standards and Technology Service Life Prediction Methodologies and Metrologies for Commercial Polymers Consortium AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Commerce. ACTION: Notice; request for information. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is establishing the Service Life Prediction Methodologies and Metrologies for Commercial Polymers Consortium (Consortium) and invites organizations to join the Consortium. The Consortium will develop the science necessary to support the modification of standards for the testing and the certification of commercial polymeric materials. This notice is the initial step for the Consortium in collaborating with organizations to develop reliability-based service life prediction methodology for commercial polymers. The prediction methods will be used to update testing standards for polymeric materials in order to better assess the level of protection for the consumer while reducing the time for evaluation and certification of polymeric materials. Participation in the Consortium is open to all eligible organizations as described below. DATES: NIST will begin accepting responses from interested parties on March 1, 2016. The collaborative activities under this Consortium will begin on March 20, 2016. ADDRESSES: Information in response to this notice and request for additional information can be directed to NIST's Consortium Manager, Christopher C. White, NIST's Engineering Laboratory, Polymeric Materials Group. Information may be sent by mail to 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 8615, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, or by electronic mail to [email protected]. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information about partnership opportunities or about terms and conditions of NIST's Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA), please contact NIST's CRADA and License Officer, Honeyeh Zube, Technology Partnerships Office, by mail to 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 2200, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, or by electronic mail to [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The objective of this Consortium is to develop the science necessary to support the modification of UL Standards for testing and certification of polymeric materials (UL Standard Subject Numbers 746A-F), which are under the direction of the Standard Technical Panel (STP). More information about UL Standards is available at http://ulstandards.ul.com. The activities of NIST's Consortium will align the latest knowledge on polymer science with the UL Standards that relate to the retention of performance properties after long term thermal aging (UL 746B, Safety of Polymeric Materials-- Long Term Property Evaluations) and after exposure to ultraviolet radiation and moisture (UL 746C, Standard for Polymeric Materials--Use in Electrical Equipment Evaluations). By working with industry, and leveraging NIST's existing reliability-based service life prediction methodology for commercial polymers, the UL Standards for polymeric materials can provide better assessment of the level of protection for the consumer and potentially reduce the time for evaluation and certification. A better understanding of the effect of thermal, radiation, and humidity exposures on polymeric material will allow a more expedited process for standards updating, ensure that the standards remain current with the advancement of polymers, and drive innovation in applications where such environmental conditions exist. The STP for UL 746 will have the ultimate responsibility to modify UL Standards and introduce new test methods in the polymeric materials standards. Long-term Thermal Aging: Thermal Indices (TIs) and/or Relative Thermal Indices (RTIs): The UL certification program for polymeric materials has been very successful at increasing the safety of plastic products. The UL certification program relating to thermal performance of polymeric materials is based on Dr. Thomas Dakin's proposal in 1948 to treat electrical insulation deterioration as a chemical rate phenomenon. This resulted in the Arrhenius analysis of data from the degradation of polymeric materials exposed to multiple temperatures and extrapolation to obtain an estimated use temperature. This method, while increasing the safety, has also required significant investment of time and other resources. For example, a simple formulation change to a polymeric compound may require up to eighteen months for recertification. This Consortium's first goal is to identify and provide the latest available scientific knowledge for methods that reduce the time required to obtain a temperature rating while maintaining the highest level of safety. Exposure to Ultraviolet Radiation and Moisture: UV and Humidity Ratings (f1 and f2): This Consortium's second goal is to evaluate polymeric materials when simultaneously exposed to UV radiation and humidity. Such evaluation techniques attempt to simulate the outdoor conditions where these polymeric materials could be used. Currently, exposure of polymeric materials to UV and humidity are evaluated separately by introducing specimens in a xenon chamber and in a water bath to determine the permanence of certain properties (typically mechanical and flammability) after these exposures. The specimens are not exposed in a manner that simulates simultaneous exposure to thermal, radiation and humidity. This Consortium will bring together expertise and experimental capabilities to evaluate the practicality of existing methods in determining the (f1) and (f2) ratings. NIST intends to work with participants of the Consortium in several stages: The first stage will focus on thermal-only exposures to support TI and/or RTI testing and round robin evaluation of accelerated techniques; the second stage will focus on UV and humidity exposures to support (f1) and (f2) ratings; and the third stage will [[Page 10591]] include simultaneous exposure to UV light, temperature, and humidity. To accomplish these stages, NIST and participants intend to perform the following tasks: 1. Identify critical polymeric materials and important chemistries; 2. Establish the characterization methods for performance tracking; 3. Generate thermal decomposition data and weathering data indoor and outdoor; 4. Develop thermal decomposition models; and 5. Develop weathering models based on the indoor data and validate the model against the outdoor data. Leveraging previous accelerated weathering efforts at NIST allows for the use of standardized characterization methods for photo- oxidation and mechanical performance. Performance characterization methods that will be used in this Consortium will be selected based on consultation with the participants. The most time consuming aspect of this project is generating the validation data from outdoor exposures. Outdoor exposure of polymeric materials will occur as soon the materials are identified. NIST's Consortium Manager will work with the Consortium Members to select outdoor locations. A larger number of exposure sites increases the validation of the model predictions for the entire United States. The indoor exposure testing using NIST's existing weathering devices (i.e., SPHERE) will continue throughout the life of the project. Participation Process: NIST is soliciting responses from all sources, including State or local governments, industrial organizations (including corporations, partnerships, and limited partnerships, and industrial development organizations), public and private foundations, and nonprofit organizations (including universities). Interested parties should provide the following information to the NIST Consortium Manager: (1) What is your opinion about the objectives of the Consortium and the proposed involvement of your organization in this Consortium? (2) Will your organization be capable of contributing the polymeric materials necessary to accomplish the research anticipated by this Consortium? (3) What is your opinion on the needs and interest of your organization in participating in this Consortium? (4) What technical expertise is your organization capable of providing to the research anticipated by this Consortium (i.e., what are the technical capabilities of the individuals on your organization's project team)? A responding organization should not include any confidential information in its response to this request for information. NIST will not treat any such information as proprietary. Based on the response received, NIST will decide whether the responding organization is eligible to participate in this Consortium. The eligibility to participate will be based on the following criteria: (1) The rationality and feasibility of the responding organization's proposed involvement in this Consortium; (2) the extent to which the responding organization is capable of contributing its polymer materials and other contributions needed from each member of this Consortium; and (3) the extent to which the responding organization has personnel that has adequate expertise and technical merit to contribute expertise to this Consortium. NIST has the sole discretion to determine the eligibility of a responding organization to participate in this Consortium. Any responding organization that is debarred from working with the U.S. Government will not be eligible to participate in this Consortium. NIST may contact the responding organization for additional information to determine eligibility. NIST's Technology Partnerships Office will provide eligible parties with the Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) for this Consortium. Each eligible party will be required to execute the Consortium's CRADA prior to participation. Each CRADA will have terms that are identical to the terms of other participants' CRADAs for this Consortium. NIST will require each participant to contribute $15,000 in annual membership fees for funding the activities under this Consortium. NIST intends to establish the Consortium for a five (5) year period. The terms of the CRADA shall be consistent with the requirements of Title 15, United States Code, Chapter 63, Section 3710a (Cooperative Research and Development Agreements). Although NIST does not guarantee participation in this Consortium or future collaboration, any member of the public is welcome to contact the Technology Partnerships Office with information about NIST-led Consortia or other potential collaborations. Kevin A. Kimball, Chief of Staff. [FR Doc. 2016-04385 Filed 2-29-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-13-P
![10590 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 40 / Tuesday, March 1, 2016 / Notices
and customs purposes, the written and certification of polymeric materials. advancement of polymers, and drive
description of the scope of this investigation Participation in the Consortium is open innovation in applications where such
is dispositive. to all eligible organizations as described environmental conditions exist. The
Appendix II below. STP for UL 746 will have the ultimate
DATES: NIST will begin accepting responsibility to modify UL Standards
List of Topics Discussed in the Preliminary and introduce new test methods in the
Decision Memorandum
responses from interested parties on
March 1, 2016. The collaborative polymeric materials standards.
1. Summary activities under this Consortium will Long-term Thermal Aging: Thermal
2. Background Indices (TIs) and/or Relative Thermal
begin on March 20, 2016.
3. Period of Investigation Indices (RTIs): The UL certification
4. Postponement of Final Determination and ADDRESSES: Information in response to
this notice and request for additional program for polymeric materials has
Extension of Provisional Measures
5. Scope Comments information can be directed to NIST’s been very successful at increasing the
6. Discussion of Methodology Consortium Manager, Christopher C. safety of plastic products. The UL
a. Determination of the Comparison White, NIST’s Engineering Laboratory, certification program relating to thermal
Method Polymeric Materials Group. Information performance of polymeric materials is
b. Results of the Differential Pricing may be sent by mail to 100 Bureau based on Dr. Thomas Dakin’s proposal
Analysis Drive, Mail Stop 8615, Gaithersburg, in 1948 to treat electrical insulation
7. Date of Sale deterioration as a chemical rate
8. Product Comparisons
Maryland 20899, or by electronic mail
to christopher.white@nist.gov. phenomenon. This resulted in the
9. Export Price/Constructed Export Price Arrhenius analysis of data from the
10. Normal Value FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
degradation of polymeric materials
a. Home Market Viability further information about partnership
b. Affiliated Party Transactions and Arm’s- exposed to multiple temperatures and
opportunities or about terms and
Length Test extrapolation to obtain an estimated use
conditions of NIST’s Cooperative
c. Level of Trade temperature. This method, while
Research and Development Agreement
d. Cost of Production (COP) Analysis increasing the safety, has also required
(CRADA), please contact NIST’s CRADA
1. Calculation of COP significant investment of time and other
and License Officer, Honeyeh Zube,
2. Test of Comparison Market Sales Prices resources. For example, a simple
3. Results of the COP Test Technology Partnerships Office, by mail
formulation change to a polymeric
e. Calculation of NV Based on Comparison to 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 2200,
compound may require up to eighteen
Market Prices Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, or by
months for recertification. This
11. Currency Conversion electronic mail to honeyeh.zube@
Consortium’s first goal is to identify and
12. Conclusion nist.gov.
provide the latest available scientific
[FR Doc. 2016–04511 Filed 2–29–16; 8:45 am] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The knowledge for methods that reduce the
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P objective of this Consortium is to time required to obtain a temperature
develop the science necessary to rating while maintaining the highest
support the modification of UL level of safety.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Standards for testing and certification of Exposure to Ultraviolet Radiation and
polymeric materials (UL Standard Moisture: UV and Humidity Ratings (f1
National Institute of Standards and Subject Numbers 746A–F), which are and f2): This Consortium’s second goal
Technology under the direction of the Standard is to evaluate polymeric materials when
Technical Panel (STP). More simultaneously exposed to UV radiation
Service Life Prediction Methodologies
information about UL Standards is and humidity. Such evaluation
and Metrologies for Commercial
available at http://ulstandards.ul.com. techniques attempt to simulate the
Polymers Consortium
The activities of NIST’s Consortium will outdoor conditions where these
AGENCY: National Institute of Standards align the latest knowledge on polymer polymeric materials could be used.
and Technology, Commerce. science with the UL Standards that Currently, exposure of polymeric
ACTION: Notice; request for information. relate to the retention of performance materials to UV and humidity are
properties after long term thermal aging evaluated separately by introducing
SUMMARY: The National Institute of (UL 746B, Safety of Polymeric specimens in a xenon chamber and in
Standards and Technology (NIST) is Materials—Long Term Property a water bath to determine the
establishing the Service Life Prediction Evaluations) and after exposure to permanence of certain properties
Methodologies and Metrologies for ultraviolet radiation and moisture (UL (typically mechanical and flammability)
Commercial Polymers Consortium 746C, Standard for Polymeric after these exposures. The specimens
(Consortium) and invites organizations Materials—Use in Electrical Equipment are not exposed in a manner that
to join the Consortium. The Consortium Evaluations). By working with industry, simulates simultaneous exposure to
will develop the science necessary to and leveraging NIST’s existing thermal, radiation and humidity. This
support the modification of standards reliability-based service life prediction Consortium will bring together expertise
for the testing and the certification of methodology for commercial polymers, and experimental capabilities to
commercial polymeric materials. This the UL Standards for polymeric evaluate the practicality of existing
notice is the initial step for the materials can provide better assessment methods in determining the (f1) and (f2)
Consortium in collaborating with of the level of protection for the ratings. NIST intends to work with
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
organizations to develop reliability- consumer and potentially reduce the participants of the Consortium in
based service life prediction time for evaluation and certification. A several stages: The first stage will focus
methodology for commercial polymers. better understanding of the effect of on thermal-only exposures to support TI
The prediction methods will be used to thermal, radiation, and humidity and/or RTI testing and round robin
update testing standards for polymeric exposures on polymeric material will evaluation of accelerated techniques;
materials in order to better assess the allow a more expedited process for the second stage will focus on UV and
level of protection for the consumer standards updating, ensure that the humidity exposures to support (f1) and
while reducing the time for evaluation standards remain current with the (f2) ratings; and the third stage will
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![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 40 / Tuesday, March 1, 2016 / Notices 10591
include simultaneous exposure to UV A responding organization should not DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
light, temperature, and humidity. To include any confidential information in
accomplish these stages, NIST and its response to this request for National Oceanic and Atmospheric
participants intend to perform the information. NIST will not treat any Administration
following tasks: such information as proprietary. Based RIN 0648–XE458
1. Identify critical polymeric materials on the response received, NIST will
and important chemistries; decide whether the responding Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
2. Establish the characterization organization is eligible to participate in Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish of the
methods for performance tracking; Gulf of Alaska; Central Gulf of Alaska
this Consortium. The eligibility to
3. Generate thermal decomposition Rockfish Program
data and weathering data indoor and participate will be based on the
outdoor; following criteria: (1) The rationality AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
4. Develop thermal decomposition and feasibility of the responding Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
models; and organization’s proposed involvement in Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
5. Develop weathering models based this Consortium; (2) the extent to which Commerce.
on the indoor data and validate the the responding organization is capable ACTION: Notification of standard prices
model against the outdoor data. of contributing its polymer materials and fee percentage.
Leveraging previous accelerated and other contributions needed from
weathering efforts at NIST allows for the each member of this Consortium; and SUMMARY: NMFS publishes the standard
use of standardized characterization (3) the extent to which the responding ex-vessel prices and fee percentage for
methods for photo-oxidation and organization has personnel that has cost recovery under the Central Gulf of
mechanical performance. Performance adequate expertise and technical merit Alaska Rockfish Program. This action is
characterization methods that will be to contribute expertise to this intended to provide participants in a
used in this Consortium will be selected Consortium. rockfish cooperative with the standard
based on consultation with the prices and fee percentage for the 2015
NIST has the sole discretion to
participants. The most time consuming fishing year, which was authorized from
determine the eligibility of a responding
aspect of this project is generating the May 1 through November 15. The fee
validation data from outdoor exposures. organization to participate in this
percentage is 3.0 percent. The fee
Outdoor exposure of polymeric Consortium. Any responding
liability payments were due from each
materials will occur as soon the organization that is debarred from rockfish cooperative by February 15,
materials are identified. NIST’s working with the U.S. Government will 2016.
Consortium Manager will work with the not be eligible to participate in this
Consortium. NIST may contact the DATES: Effective March 1, 2016.
Consortium Members to select outdoor
responding organization for additional FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
locations. A larger number of exposure
sites increases the validation of the information to determine eligibility. Keeley Kent, 907–586–7228.
model predictions for the entire United NIST’s Technology Partnerships Office SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
States. The indoor exposure testing will provide eligible parties with the
Background
using NIST’s existing weathering Cooperative Research and Development
devices (i.e., SPHERE) will continue Agreement (CRADA) for this The rockfish fisheries are conducted
throughout the life of the project. Consortium. Each eligible party will be in Federal waters near Kodiak, AK, by
Participation Process: NIST is required to execute the Consortium’s trawl and longline vessels. Regulations
soliciting responses from all sources, CRADA prior to participation. Each implementing the Central Gulf of Alaska
including State or local governments, CRADA will have terms that are (GOA) Rockfish Program (Rockfish
industrial organizations (including identical to the terms of other Program) are set forth at 50 CFR part
corporations, partnerships, and limited participants’ CRADAs for this 679. Exclusive harvesting privileges are
partnerships, and industrial Consortium. NIST will require each allocated as quota share under the
development organizations), public and participant to contribute $15,000 in Rockfish Program for rockfish primary
private foundations, and nonprofit and secondary species. The rockfish
annual membership fees for funding the
organizations (including universities). primary species are northern rockfish,
activities under this Consortium. NIST
Interested parties should provide the Pacific ocean perch, and dusky rockfish.
intends to establish the Consortium for
following information to the NIST In 2012, dusky rockfish replaced the
a five (5) year period. The terms of the pelagic shelf rockfish species group in
Consortium Manager: CRADA shall be consistent with the
(1) What is your opinion about the the GOA Groundfish Harvest
requirements of Title 15, United States Specifications (77 FR 15194, March 14,
objectives of the Consortium and the
Code, Chapter 63, Section 3710a 2012). The rockfish secondary species
proposed involvement of your
(Cooperative Research and Development include Pacific cod, rougheye rockfish,
organization in this Consortium?
(2) Will your organization be capable Agreements). Although NIST does not shortraker rockfish, sablefish, and
of contributing the polymeric materials guarantee participation in this thornyhead rockfish. Rockfish
necessary to accomplish the research Consortium or future collaboration, any cooperatives began fishing under the
anticipated by this Consortium? member of the public is welcome to Rockfish Program on May 1, 2012.
(3) What is your opinion on the needs contact the Technology Partnerships The Rockfish Program is a limited
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
and interest of your organization in Office with information about NIST-led access privilege program established
participating in this Consortium? Consortia or other potential under the provisions of section 303A of
(4) What technical expertise is your collaborations. the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
organization capable of providing to the Conservation and Management Act
Kevin A. Kimball,
research anticipated by this Consortium (MSA). Sections 303A and 304(d) of the
(i.e., what are the technical capabilities Chief of Staff. MSA require NMFS to collect fees to
of the individuals on your [FR Doc. 2016–04385 Filed 2–29–16; 8:45 am] recover the actual costs directly related
organization’s project team)? BILLING CODE 3510–13–P to the management, data collection and
VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:18 Feb 29, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\01MRN1.SGM 01MRN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/81_FR_10630/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2018-02-02 15:00:23
Document Modified: 2018-02-02 15:00:23
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice; request for information. | |
| Dates | NIST will begin accepting responses from interested parties on March 1, 2016. The collaborative activities under this Consortium will begin on March 20, 2016. | |
| Contact | For further information about partnership opportunities or about terms and conditions of NIST's Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA), please contact NIST's CRADA and License Officer, Honeyeh Zube, Technology Partnerships Office, by mail to 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 2200, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, or by electronic mail to [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 10590 |
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