Klass.-Nr.

55 34 1 August 2000
The English translation is believed to be accurate. In case
of discrepancies the German version shall govern.
Components in Passenger Compartment PV
Odor Test 3900
Konzernnorm
Descriptors: Odor, Temperature Exposure, Climate Exposure

Preface
This test method provides a way to determine the odor impression made by a material used in the
passenger compartment.
The results that can be obtained using this method are not suitable
─ to make any statement regarding the quantity of organic substances emitted from such a mate-
rial
─ to make ongoing assessments as to any type of evaluation of health effects of the odor
─ to serve in any form as the basis for an assessment of the odor impression that can occur in the
passenger compartment of a complete vehicle.

Changes
The following changes have been made as compared to the January 1993 issue:
─ In section 4.3 information on Variant C added
─ Preface added
─ Standard restructured

Previous Issues
First issue: 1971-01 Last change: 1993-01

1 Scope
This standard describes a test to assess odor characteristics with exposure to temperature and
climate. The test is performed on materials of the passenger compartment and on parts that come
into contact with the air flow supply to the passenger compartment.

2 Definitions

2.1 Odor Characteristics

Odor characteristics refers to the tendency of materials to give off volatile components with a dis-
cernable odor after temperature and environmental aging.
Form FE 41 - 10.99

Continued on pages 2 to 4
Fachverantwortung/Responsibility Normung/Standards (EZTN, 1733)
K-GQ-31 Daßler Tel:-2 30 76 Dr.Bembenek Wiesner Tel: +49-5361-929064 Sobanski
Vertraulich. Alle Rechte vorbehalten. Weitergabe oder Vervielfältigung ohne vorherige schriftl. Zustimmung der Volkswagen AG, EZTN, nicht gestattet.
Vertragspartner erhalten die Norm nur über die zuständige Beschaffungsabteilung.
Confidential. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be transmitted or reproduced without the prior written permission of the Volkswagen Group, EZTN, Standard Department.
Parties to a contract can only obtain this standard via the responsible procurement department.
 VOLKSWAGEN AG
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3 Designation

3.1 Sample Designation of a Test Result

Odor test PV 3900 - A1 - Grade 3.0

3.2 Sample Designation of a Specified Desired Value in a TL, Drawing, ...

Odor test PV 3900 – B2 – Grade < 2.5

3.3 Designation Structure

See Figure 1.
Odor test PV 3900 – A 1 – Grade 3.0

Designation

Test specification

Specimen variant

Aging conditions variant

Grading
Figure 1:

4 Test

4.1 Test Equipment

a) Desiccator with circulated air per DIN 50 011-12, precision class 2.
b) The test containers used are 1 l bowls with odor-neutral sealing and covers. For example,
bowls by Leifheit, model “Einkochspaß”, which are available in housewares stores, can be
used. The 1 l bowl was selected for ease in testing. For repeat measurements (section 4.4.1, f),
3 l bowls are recommended. The test containers must be washed prior to each test sequence
(e.g., with a laboratory glassware washer) and must be clean and odor-neutral.

4.2 Specimen Pretreatment

Specimen pretreatment is only performed on special materials according to specification. Other-
wise the test is performed in as-received condition.

4.3 Specimens
The specimen quantity is specified in 3 increments (see Table 1). Specimens are assigned to vari-
ants A, B and C based on the proportion of the material used in the passenger compartment by
quantity.
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Table 1: Specimen quantity variant

Variant Examples of Applications Specimen Quantity for the
1 l bowl 3 l bowl
A Clips, plugs, grommets and other small parts (10 ± 1) g (30 ± 3) g
B Armrests, ashtrays, grab handles, gearshift lever (20 ± 2) g (60 ± 6) g
bellows and other medium-sized components
C Insulation materials, films, leather, covering mate- (50 ± 5) cm³ (150 ± 15) cm³
rials, foams, carpets and other large surface area
materials
If the thickness of Variant C material is less than 3 mm, a specimen quantity of (200 ± 20) cm² is
used for the 1 l bowl and (600 ± 60) cm² for the 3 l bowl. If the thickness of a homogeneous mate-
rial is greater than 20 mm, the specimen should be cut down to a thickness of 20 mm. Sandwich
components should be tested as complete composites. It may be necessary to use multiple small
parts to obtain the required specimen quantity.

4.4 Procedure
There are three aging conditions (see Table 2) from which to choose. See the specification or
drawing, etc., for which variant to use.
Table 2: Aging conditions variants
Variant Temperature Aging Duration Applicable Notes on Testing
1 (23 ± 2)° C (24 ± 1) h a, b, c, d, f
2 (40 ± 2)° C (24 ± 1) h a, b, c, d, f
3 (80 ± 2)° C 2 h ± 10 min. a, c, e, f

4.4.1 Notes on Testing

a) For variants 1 and 2, the 1 l test bowl should be filled with 50 ml of de-ionized water, and the 3 l
test bowl with 150 ml. No water is added to the test bowl in Variant 3.
b) The specimen(s) is/are to be placed in the test bowl so that they do not come into direct con-
tact with the water.
c) The test container is closed tightly and aged in the preheated desiccator.
d) In Variants 1 and 2, the evaluation must be made immediately after removing the test container
from the desiccator.
e) In Variant 3, the test container must be cooled to a test room temperature of (60 ± 5)° C prior to
evaluation. After the evaluation by three examiners, the container must be aged again for 30
minutes at (80 ± 2)° C in the desiccator prior to evaluation by other examiners.
f) The evaluation must be performed by a minimum of five examiners. If the grades of the individ-
ual evaluations differ by more than two points, the measurement must be repeated with at least
five examiners.
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4.5 Evaluation
The odor is evaluated using the evaluation scale (see Table 3) with grades 1 to 6, with half-steps
allowed, for all possible variants.
Table 3: Evaluation scale
Grade Evaluation
1 not perceptible
2 perceptible, not offensive
3 clearly perceptible, but not yet offensive
4 offensive
5 strongly offensive
6 unbearable
The odor characteristics are indicated with reference to the test method and the variant used as an
arithmetic mean value of the individual grades, rounding the mean values to the nearest half grade.

5 Referenced Standards
DIN 50 011-12 Climates and their Technical Application, Climate Testing Devices; Climatic
Variables; Air Temperature