FORD LABORATORY TEST METHOD

BO 131-03

INTERIOR ODOR TEST

Application

This test method is used to determine the odor originating from interior trim materials/components/assemblies in
the passenger or luggage compartment or from parts or ducting that convey air into the passenger
compartment.

Apparatus and Materials Required

Mechanical Convection Ovens

Capable of maintaining a temperature of 80 +/- 2 °C.

3-Litre Odorless Preserving Jar with Lid

Dimensions of jar: approximately 250mm high x 125 mm diameter; neck 100mm diameter. The jar and
any seals it may employ must be odorless. A suitable odorless material for the jar seals is Polyethylene
closed cell foam 3mm thick of 45kg/m3 density

Suitable suppliers for jars of this type are:

VMC French Flint and Ormco Ltd.

505 E. Main Street 61 St Thomas Street
Carnegie, PA 15106 London
TEL: +1 412 279 3145 SE1 3QX
FAX: +1 412 279 3910 TEL: +44 (0)207 403 1733
FAX: +44 (0)207 407 5877

Suitable supplier of material for making jar seals is:

RS Components Ltd
Birchington Road,
Corby, Northants, NN17 9RS, UK
TEL: +44 (0)1536 201201
FAX: +44 (0)1536 201501
(order stock number 303 2274)

Stainless Steel Wire Ring/Support Frame

The above material is available from any reputable laboratory equipment supply house.

Distilled or Deionized Water

20 microohms/cm at 25 °C maximum conductivity (ASTM D 1125)

Sample Preparation

The volume and number of samples is determined using Table 1 below. The choice of variants A, B or C is
based upon the volume content of each material used in the vehicle interior.

Date Action Revisions

2009 02 03 Revised J Williams, FOE

2007 06 07 Activated --`,,,`,,``,,`,,``,,,`,`````,,,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
J.Williams
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 FORD LABORATORY TEST METHOD

BO 131-03

TABLE 1

Variant Application Sample Volume/Size

A Clips, plugs, covers and other (30 +/- 3) g
small parts
B Armrests, ashtrays, door (60 +/- 6) cm3
handles, shift lever gaiters, sun
visors, door/window seals and
other medium-size parts
C Seat/roof covers, sound- 3 each of 90mm X 200mm
deadeners, foils, leather, foam (in same jar)
materials, carpets, ducting and
other large surface materials

Note: For material testing, select variant per intended part application. For materials used in several
applications, test to largest application variant.

If the material thickness of a homogeneous material is more than 20 mm, then the sample is to be prepared for
a 20 mm thickness. Sandwich materials must be tested in their compound state. If the parts are small, use
several pieces to satisfy the specified sample volume or weight requirements.

Conditioning of Materials and Test Conditions

All test values indicated herein are based on material conditioned in a controlled atmosphere of 23 +/- 2 °C and
50+/-5% relative humidity, for not less than 24 hours prior to testing, and tested under the same conditions
unless otherwise specified.

All samples must be tested between 14-28 days of part manufacture.

Procedure

1. Clean the jars, lids (using laboratory washing machines) and seals (hand wash) before each use. They
must be clean and odorless.

2. Add 50 ml of distilled or deionized water (required for conditions 1 &2) to the jar. Take a stainless steel

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wire ring or support, suspend or stand the samples, to be tested, in the jar.

Note:
 Sample contact should be minimized.
 Avoid wetting the samples.
 Samples must not touch the water.

3. The jars containing the samples should be conditioned and assessed at three different temperatures as
shown in table 2.

TABLE 2: Summary of Test Conditions

Condition* Temperature Test Time

1 23 +/- 2 °C 24 h +/- 1 h
2 40 +/- 2 °C 24 h +/- 1 h
3 80 +/- 2 °C 2 h +/- 10min
*All 3 conditions are required, using a separate specimen and jar for each.

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 FORD LABORATORY TEST METHOD

BO 131-03

Condition 1:

 Add 50ml of distilled or deionized water is to the jar.

 The samples is/are placed into the jar in such a way that to prevent contact with the water.

 Allow samples to condition in jar for 24 h +/- 1 hr at 23 +/- 2 oC.

 The evaluation is made immediately after the removal of the lid from the jar

Condition 2:

 Add 50ml of distilled or deionized water is to the jar.

 The samples is/are placed into the jar in such a way that to prevent contact with the water

 The jar is closed and stored in the pre-heated oven for 24 h +/- 1 hr at 40 +/- 2 oC.

 The evaluation is made immediately after removal of the jar from the oven. Place jars in the
oven for 15 minutes between odor assessments.

Condition 3:

 Place samples in the jar.

 The jar is closed and stored in the pre-heated oven for 2 h +/- 10 min at 80 +/- 2 oC .

 The jar is removed from the oven and is placed in a second pre-heated oven for 30 minutes at
60 +/- 5 °C prior to the evaluation. Return the jars to the original pre-heated oven at 80 +/- 2 oC
for 15 minutes between odor assessments.

4. The assessors should be selected from staff who do not work in the production facility. Heavy smokers,
users of strong aromatic perfumes or people with sinus problems are not suitable. Acceptance tests shall
be made by at least three assessors. The measurement shall be repeated by at least five assessors if the
rating of individual tests differs by more than two points.

a. The lid should be removed (samples remain in jar) and the first assessor's nose should be
positioned about 2 - 3 cm from the jar.

b. The assessor should slowly inhale.

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c. Record the appropriate rating (refer to "Odor Rating" on Page 3).

d. The lid should not be off the jar longer than 5 seconds.

e. The test must be conducted in an environment free from drafts and contaminant odors.

5. Repeat Step 4 for each sample.

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 FORD LABORATORY TEST METHOD

BO 131-03

6. The odor rating is indicated by the arithmetic mean of all the assessors individual rating, the value being
rounded to the nearest half point.

For all the variants and conditions, the odor evaluation uses the rating of 1 to 6, with half-point ratings,
as follows:

Rating Scale

Rating 1 not perceptible

Rating 1.5
Rating 2 perceptible, not disturbing
Rating 2.5
Rating 3 clearly perceptible but not disturbing
----------------------------------------------------
Rating 3.5
Rating 4 disturbing

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Rating 4.5
Rating 5 strongly disturbing
Rating 5.5
Rating 6 extremely disturbing

7. A rating of 3 or less for all test conditions in Table 2 is acceptable. The test report shall include:

f. A reference to this standard.

g. All necessary details for identifying the test samples.
h. Material variant classification (A, B or C) from Table 1.
i. Test condition.
j. Names of assessors and their ratings for each test condition in table 2.
k. Special characteristics of the test samples and their condition.
l. Date of manufacture of the samples and the date of the test.

Example of the test result designation:

Designation Test Method Test Variant Test Condition Rating

Odor Test FLTM BO131-03 B 2 3

Chemicals, materials, parts, and equipment referenced in this document must be used and handled properly.
Each party is responsible for determining proper use and handling in its facilities.

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