New standard practices and specifications developed by ASTM International’s plastic piping systems committee (F17) establish requirements and test methods for polyamide-12 (PA12) materials, pipe, and fittings. 

PA12 line pipe is made using polyamide-12, a specialty type of nylon plastic with exceptional strength and durability compared to other plastics used in pressure piping systems. 

A new standard developed by ASTM International’s building and environmental acoustics committee (E33) establishes an evaluation metric for low-frequency impact noise. Specifically, it allows for evaluation of thudding from footfalls in buildings. 

A proposed ASTM International standard will establish the first test method for determining humus generation during biodegradation. ASTM International’s plastics committee (D20) is developing the proposed standard. 

A proposed ASTM International standard test method will cover the determination of maturity, fineness, ribbon width, and specific surface area (micronaire) of cotton fibers. ASTM International’s textiles committee (D13) is developing the proposed standard. 

Global standards organization ASTM International announced a broadened scope of its robotics, automation, and autonomous systems committee (F45). The committee was previously known as the driverless automatic guided industrial vehicles committee.

The updated committee scope will now address standards development for automatic, automated, and autonomous vehicles, robotic arms and manipulators, and sensors used in these systems, for smart infrastructures, advanced manufacturing, logistics, and other automation.

An ASTM International standard test method seeks to evaluate antimicrobial catheters to prevent bacterial colonization. ASTM International’s pesticides, antimicrobials, and alternative control agents committee (E35) is developing the proposed standard.

A proposed ASTM International standard would address requirements to evaluate small aircraft components as low stress structures. ASTM’s general aviation aircraft committee (F44) is developing the proposed standard. 

ASTM International’s commercial spaceflight committee (F47) is developing new practices for the design of orbital and suborbital space vehicles. The proposed standards will address suggested best practices associated with the design of these vehicles including how well the vehicle accommodates and protects the crew and space flight participants during launch, flight, and return.

A new ASTM International standard will support the characterization of engineered gold nanoparticles used in advanced technologies, including biomedical applications. ASTM’s nanotechnology committee (E56) developed the new standard (E3269).

Gold nanoparticles are being used in electronics, catalysis, and advanced coatings, but the largest application has been for biomedical purposes. These include imaging, diagnostics, photothermal therapy and targeted drug delivery.

A proposed ASTM International standard will establish best practices for retail dispensary businesses to protect critical database information covering inventory and patient and customer personal information. ASTM International’s cannabis committee (D37) is developing the proposed standard.