3.1 Resilient floor covering is made by fusing polymer materials under heat or pressure, or both, in various manufacturing and decorating processes. The polymer material may be compounded with plasticizers, stabilizers, fillers, and other ingredients for processibility and product performance characteristics. The formulation of the compound can be varied considerably depending on the desired performance characteristics and methods of processing. See Practice D794 for additional significance and use information.

3.1.1 Heat stability, which is resistance to discoloration from heat, is a basic requirement for processing and functional use.

3.1.2 This test method provides a means of measuring the amount of color change in flooring products when subjected to elevated temperatures over a period of time (functional use of the flooring product).

3.2 This test method is not intended to be a means of predicting the amount of color change that occurs during processing (manufacture).

3.3 This test method specifies that a sample is subjected to 158°F ± 2°F (70°C ± 1°C) for 7 days, and the color difference is measured by a spectrophotometer and expressed as ΔE* units.

Note 1-It is the intent that this test method be used for testing heat stability performance properties to be referenced in resilient flooring specifications.