504.3-1 GASOLINE FUELS AND MINERAL/SYNTHETIC OILS
- a. Open burning will produce environmental pollution.
- b. Contact with the skin will promote de-fatting.
- (1) Ignition under certain circumstances will cause explosion.
- (2) Low flash point of gasoline (piston engine): -40 °C (-40 °F).
- (3) Spillage can cause contamination of waterways and underground water supplies. Three hundred liters of gasoline has the capacity to produce a surface film over one square kilometer of still water.
- (4) Carcinogenic chemicals such as benzene are present in fuels; oils often contain other toxic ingredients.
- (5) Tri alkyl phosphate is a typical synthetic hydraulic oil. Spillage can cause toxic pollution of waterways and underground water supplies.
1.1 Purpose
Use contamination by fluids tests to determine if materiel (or material samples) is affected by temporary exposure to contaminating fluids (liquids) such as may be encountered and applied during its life cycle, either occasionally¹/, intermittently²/, or over extended periods³/.
1.2 Application
The procedure described in this Method is used when there is a high probability of fluid contamination during the life cycle of the materiel. Contamination may arise from exposure to, but not limited to fuels, hydraulic fluids, lubricating oils, solvents and cleaning fluids, de-icing and anti-freeze fluids, runway deicers, insecticides, disinfectants, coolant dielectric fluid, and fire extinguishants.
WARNING: THIS METHOD REQUIRES THE USE OF SUBSTANCES AND/OR TEST PROCEDURES THAT MAY HAVE AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OR BE INJURIOUS TO HEALTH, IF ADEQUATE PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS PROVIDED IN ANNEX A. REFER TO THE SUPPLIER'S SAFETY DATA SHEET (SDS) OR EQUIVALENT FOR CHEMICAL COMPATABILITY AND HEALTH HAZARD DATA ON THE VARIOUS CHEMICALS USED, AND COORDINATE WITH LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORITIES. ENSURE ALL POST-TEST MATERIALS ARE DISPOSED OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL REGULATIONS.
1.3 Limitations
This test is not intended to demonstrate the suitability of materiel to perform during continuous contact with a fluid; e.g., an immersed fuel pump, nor should it be used to demonstrate resistance to electrolytic corrosion or corrosion due to human perspiration.