ASTM E3191-18

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation:E3191 −18
Standard Specification for
Permanent Foaming Fixatives Used to Mitigate Spread of
Radioactive Contamination
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E3191; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.1.2 contamination, n—radioactive material in an un-
wanted location.
1.1 This specification is intended to provide a basis for
identification of non-removable permanent foaming fixatives 3.1.3 environmental conditions, n—external factors that
as a long-term measure used to immobilize or isolate radioac-
maycontributetotheperformanceofthecoatingincluding,but
tive contamination, or both, minimize worker exposure, and to not limited to, temperature, humidity, and ventilation.
protect uncontaminated areas against the spread of radioactive
3.1.4 incremental pouring, n—pouring of fresh material
contamination.
onto a previously applied cured layer of the same material.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
3.1.5 long-term measure, n—greater than six months.
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
3.1.6 lower flammability limit (LFL), n—the lower end of
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
the concentration range over which a flammable mixture of gas
and are not considered standard.
or vapor in air can be ignited at a given temperature and
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
pressure.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1.7 mechanical deterioration, n—breakdown of the mate-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
rials mechanical attributes to the point that it is no longer able
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
to retain >95 % of fixated or isolated contamination, or both.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.1.8 permanent foaming fixative, n—a non-removable, du-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
rable foaming product capable of filling variable sized regular
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
and irregular 3-dimensional void spaces used to physically
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
isolate or chemically hold or bind radioactive particulate.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3.1.9 waste acceptance criteria (WAC), n—thecriteriathata
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
material must meet for acceptance in a waste disposal site;
these criteria may vary per disposal site.
2. Referenced Documents
3.1.10 working time, n—the time period between the open-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
ing of the material storage container or mixing of components
E3105 Specification for Permanent Coatings Used to Miti-
until the prepared material can no longer be successfully
gate Spread of Radioactive Contamination
applied to a surface.
E2420 Guide for Post-Deactivation Surveillance and Main-
tenance of Radiologically Contaminated Facilities
4. Significance and Use
3. Terminology
4.1 This specification establishes performance specifica-
3.1 Definitions:
tions for permanent foaming fixatives that are intended to
3.1.1 complete pouring, n—pouring of a sufficient volume
immobilize or isolate, or both, dispersible contamination de-
of a foaming fixative to entirely fill a desired 3-dimensional
posited within a void space as might result from anticipated to
void space.
unanticipated events to include normal operating conditions,
decommissioning, and radiological release.
4.2 The foaming fixative is intended to be a permanent,
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E10 on Nuclear
Technology and Applications and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
non-removable, long-term material used for decommissioning
E10.03 on Radiological Protection for Decontamination and Decommissioning of
and operations. It is intended to isolate the contamination from
Nuclear Facilities and Components.
active working areas. It may also enable reduction in building
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2018. Published December 2018. DOI:
10.1520/E3191-18. requirements such as induced airflow or negative air pressure.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E3191−18
4.3 The foaming fixative is intended to be used for filling 6.9 The foaming fixative shall be chemically non-
contaminated 3-dimensional void spaces of various volumes harzardous after curing as defined by the U.S. Environmental
that would be difficult to otherwise coat with conventional Protection Agency (EPA).
2-dimensional fixatives.
7. Performance Requirements
4.4 The foaming fixative can be applied to both porous and
7.1 Shelf Life—The foaming fixative shall have a shelf life
nonporous materials such as concrete, wood, metal, ceramics,
in accordance with 8.1.
and plastics.
7.2 Working Time—The foaming fixative shall exhibit a
4.5 Someofthesespecificationsmayprovedifficulttomeet.
working time sufficient to meet a realistic application rate.
A product that meets some, but not all, of the performance
Working time is heavily dependent on the method of applica-
specifications herein may have value, and this specification
tion. The application method is purposely left unconstrained
may be used as a guide by which to evaluate such products.
and is up to the manufacturer to prescribe.
7.3 Cured Volume—The foaming fixative upon curing shall
5. Mechanical Properties
form a fixating volume that meets the physical, mechanical,
5.1 The foaming fixative shall be compatible with at least
and other requirements listed in Sections 4 through 8 of this
one of the following conventional or remote application
specification.
systems:
7.4 The foaming fixative shall prevent >95 % release of
5.1.1 spraying,
radioactive particles from the isolated volume.
5.1.2 c
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