A M E R I C A N A R C H I T E C T U R A L

AAMA 303-05
Voluntary Specification
for Rigid Poly
(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC)
Exterior Profiles

M A N U F A C T U R E R S A S S O C I A T I O N
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface...................................................................................1

1.0 Scope ...............................................................................1

2.0 Referenced Standards..........................................................2

3.0 Requirements.....................................................................2

4.0 In-process Quality Control ...................................................3

Appendix A -
Adhesive Bond Strength Test For Laminated Profiles ...............4

Figure 1 - Static Mass Method....................................................5

Figure 2 - Tensile Test Method ...................................................6

Figure 3 - Preparation Of Test Specimens.....................................7

Appendix B.............................................................................8

AAMA. The Source of Performance Standards, Product Certification and

Educational Programs for the Fenestration Industry.

This voluntary specification was developed by representative members of AAMA

as advisory information and published as a public service. AAMA disclaims all
liability for the use, application or adaptation of materials published herein.

© 2005
American Architectural Manufacturers Association
1827 Walden Office Square, Suite 550, Schaumburg, IL 60173
PHONE (847)303-5664 FAX (847)303-5774
EMAIL webmaster@aamanet.org WEBSITE www.aamanet.org

All AAMA documents may be ordered at our web site in the “Publications Store”.

Originally Published: 1991

Preceeding Document: 303-04
Revised: 6/2005
Published: 7/2005
PREFACE
This American Architectural Manufacturers Association
specification establishes the minimum requirements for
poly vinyl chloride (PVC) exterior profiles used in
windows, doors and skylights. It consists of three sections:
Section 1 covers the scope and lists the basic performance
requirements.
Section 2 lists the standards that are referenced in the
document.
Section 3 provides minimum performance requirements.
The minimum performance requirements established in this
specification are based on the experience, and many years
of research and testing by the vinyl window industry. The
vinyl window industry is comprised of compound
suppliers, additive producers, profile manufacturers and
window fabricators and is represented by the Vinyl
Materials Council of AAMA.
Windows made with profiles that meet the requirements
of this specification are expected to perform well in actual
use, assuming adequate product design. The requirements
include dimensional stability, dropped dart impact
resistance, weatherability, heat resistance, weight
tolerance, heat build-up, and lead content:
DIMENSIONAL STABILITY
Establishes a percent of linear shrinkage at elevated
temperature. Dimensional stability is an excellent indicator
of any internal or residual stresses in the profile that may
have resulted from the extrusion process.
DROPPED DART IMPACT RESISTANCE
Measures the resistance of the profile to cracking or
breaking during the fabrication processes, such as sawing,
routing and punching. Impact resistance also indicates
resistance to general abuse during transportation, storage
and installation.
WEATHERABILITY
Requirements include the retention of color and impact
resistance for varying climatic regions in North America.
Color hold guidelines were established by the vinyl
window industry based on extensive outdoor weathering
studies and independent visual ratings of color change and
tolerance. The criteria discriminate between weatherable
and non-weatherable materials and insure acceptable
weathering resistance of the window, door and skylight
frames in actual use.
AAMA 303-05
HEAT RESISTANCE
Measures the resistance to surface degradation such as
blistering, cracking or delamination. The profile is exposed
to a 149°C (300°F) temperature well above the material’s
heat distortion temperature in order to predict or accelerate
potential surface imperfections that would not be evident
otherwise.
WEIGHT TOLERANCE
Insures that the finished profiles conform to the design
weight.
HEAT BUILD-UP
Is a temperature rise above ambient air temperature
caused by absorption of the sun’s energy. Heat build-up
is one of the factors in dimensional stability of the
window assembly. Some other variables effecting
dimensional stability are profile design and geometry,
wall thickness, reinforcement, installation method,
glazing method and exposure direction.
LEAD CONTENT
Insures that compounds do not contain lead in excess of
United States safety Standards.
1.0 SCOPE
This voluntary specification establishes the minimum
requirements for dimensional stability, impact resistance,
weatherability, heat resistance, weight tolerance, heat build-
up and lead content of Rigid Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC)
exterior profiles used in windows, doors and skylights.
These include:
a) Rigid PVC profiles used as frames, sash and all
structural profiles related to glass retention and/or
profiles that structurally divide lights within a common
master frame of all vinyl products.
b) Rigid PVC profiles, as described in section a, but used
in composite structures, where PVC is combined with
other materials, such as wood, aluminum, steel,
reinforced thermosets and reinforced thermoplastics.
c) Rigid PVC profiles used as cladding over wood,
aluminum, steel, reinforced thermosets and reinforced
thermaplastics.
These profiles include, but are not limited to, those with
decorative finishes such as paint, laminates and co-
extrusions.
Page 1
2.0 REFERENCED STANDARDS
AMERICAN ARCHITECTURAL
MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION (AAMA)
AAMA 109-04, AAMA PVC Extrusion Certification
Program Procedural Guide for Rigid Poly (Vinyl Chloride)
(PVC) Extrusions
AAMA 613-02, Voluntary Performance Requirements and
Test Procedures for Organic Coatings on Plastic Substrates
AAMA 614-02, Voluntary Specification, Performance
Requirements and Test Procedures for High Performance
Organic Coatings on Plastic Profiles
AAMA 615-02, Voluntary Specification, Performance
Requirements and Test Procedures for Superior Performing
Organic Coatings on Plastic Profiles
AAMA 1506-04, Voluntary test Method for Laboratory
Heat Build-Up Effects on Fenestration Products
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND
MATERIALS (ASTM)
ASTM D 1042-01a, Standard Test Method for Linear
Dimensional Changes of Plastics Under Accelerated
Service Conditions
ASTM E 1753-04, Standard Practice for Use of Qualitative
Chemical Spot Test Kits for Detection of Lead in Dry Paint
Films
ASTM D 4726-02, Standard Specification for Rigid Poly
(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Exterior-Profile Extrusions Used
for Assembled Windows and Doors
ASTM D 4803-97 (2002) e1, Standard Test Method for
Predicting Heat Buildup in PVC Building Products
CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COUNCIL
15 U.S.C. § 1261, Federal Hazardous Substances Act
(FHSA)
16 C.F.R 1303, Ban of Lead-Containing Paint and Certain
Consumer Products Bearing Lead-Containing Paint
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Proposition 65, Safe Drinking Water and Toxic
Enforcement Act of 1986
AAMA 303-05
3.0 REQUIREMENTS
3.1 Dimensional Stability, Impact Resistance and
Weatherability
Profiles shall meet all requirements of ASTM D 4726
except that the initial minimum brittle impact failure in
Section 6.3 shall be at least 5340 J/m (1.2 in-lb/mil) and
exposure time for white profiles in Table 1 shall be 6, 12
and 24 months.
3.1.1 Light green and dark green colors, as defined in
sections 3.1.1.1 and 3.1.1.2, shall meet the color hold
guidelines in Appendix B, when tested in accordance with
ASTM D 4726.
3.1.1.1 Light green profile – a profile, the color of which
is defined by the color space falling within the parameters
LH = 45 to 80.5; aH = -25 to –3; bH = 1 to 14.
3.1.1.2 Dark green profile – a profile, the color of which is
defined by the color space falling within the parameters
LH = 20 to 40; aH = -20 to –2; bH = -2 to 4.
3.1.2 As an alternative to plotting the color change data on
the color hold guideline ellipses, the equations for the
corresponding guideline ellipses may be used. The
calculations are done by inserting the DL, Da, Db values
into the equation and calculating the value of the left side
of the equation. In order to meet the color hold guidelines
the left side of the equation shall be less than or equal to 1.
3.1.3 For hot and dry (desert) climates, such as Arizona,
color measurements shall be measured within 8 hours of
removal from the exposure rack.
3.2 Heat Resistance
After conditioning for a minimum of four hours, the profiles
shall be exposed in a forced draft oven at 149°C + 3°C
(300°F + 5°F) for 30 minutes. After removal, there shall be
no evidence of blistering, cracking, flaking, or delamination
when inspected by the eye.
3.3 Weight Tolerances
Profile weight shall not deviate more than 10% from the
specified nominal profile weight indicated on the drawings.
3.4 Heat Build-Up
3.4.1 A single sample of each non-white profile
representing specific material colors and/or pigment
systems, organic coating colors and/or pigment systems
and laminate types and colors shall be measured for heat
build-up in accordance with ASTM D 4803. Temperatures
shall be recorded in both degrees C and degrees F.
3.4.1.1 Any profile with a vertical heat build-up
measurement of 33°C (60°F) or greater shall also be tested
to AAMA 1506-04. There shall be no permanent
deformation (bowing) of any exterior profile listed in
Sections 1a, 1b and 1c in excess of 0.4% of its span.
Page 2
3.5 Laminated PVC Profiles
3.5.1 This standard covers laminated profiles where film is
applied both on external and internal surfaces.
3.5.2 Preparation and cleaning of the vinyl profiles prior to
laminate application shall be conducted as specified by the
adhesive and laminate film manufacturers.
3.5.3 The repair of minor scratches and the finishing of
welded corner joints on windows, doors and skylights shall
be achieved with a suitable touch-up paint formulation
maintaining a performance compatible with the laminate or
foil wrapped surface.
NOTE: The size and number of touch-up repairs shall be
kept to a minimum.
3.5.4 Substrate Performance
Vinyl profile substrates prior to application of decorative
laminates shall meet the requirements of AAMA 303 and
the AAMA PVC Extrusion Certification Program, as
outlined in AAMA 109.
3.5.5 Requirements
3.5.5.1 Laminated vinyl profiles shall meet performance
requirements set forth in Sections 3.1, 3.3 and 3.4.
3.5.5.2 The adhesive bond strength test shall be conducted
on laminated profiles according to instructions listed in
Appendix A. Degradation of bond strength shall not be
evident below the minimum standard force of 2 N/mm (11
lbs/in).
3.5.5.3 The boil test shall be performed on 31 cm (12 in)
laminated profile deposited vertically in a glass container
filled with 20 cm (8 in) of distilled water. Boiling time is 60
minutes. Inspection of the profile shall be performed after it
cools to room temperature. Upon inspection, the laminated
profile shall be free of:
a) blisters and film degradation
b) diminished bond integrity
c) veneer or film layer separation
3.6 Organically Coated PVC Profiles
3.6.1 Organic coatings applied to exterior profiles shall
comply with all requirements of AAMA 613, AAMA 614
or AAMA 615 specifications.
3.6.2 Substrate Performance
Vinyl profile substrates prior to application of organic
coatings shall meet the requirements of AAMA 303 and the
AAMA PVC Extrusion Certification Program.
AAMA 303-05
3.6.3 Requirements
3.6.3.1 Organically coated exterior vinyl profiles shall meet
all performance requirements set forth in Sections 3.1
through 3.4.
3.7 Lead Content
3.7.1 Profiles seeking conformance to this standard shall
not have lead added to the PVC compound, organic coating
or laminate.
3.7.2 Samples of all profiles shall be tested at least once
every 6 months for lead content by conducting a chemical
spot test according to ASTM E 1753, (i.e., Lead Check
Swabs).
3.7.3 Requirements
The lead content of all profiles shall be less than 0.02% by
weight for the substrate or any surface treatment. Trace
amounts of lead from external sources* shall be less than
0.02% by weight for the substrate or any surface treatment.
*NOTE: Examples may include automobile exhaust,
batteries or airborne dust.
4.0 IN-PROCESS QUALITY CONTROL
4.1 PVC Profiles
Samples shall be selected from each extrusion machine on
a regular basis but at least every 12 hours. Samples
selected shall be tested after conditioning not less than 4
hours but not more than 96 hours after their collection to
determine their compliance with the specification
requirements for:
a) Impact Resistance (AAMA 303, Section 3.1)
b) Dimensional Stability (ASTM D 4726, except that a
hot-air oven may be used instead of a heated water
bath)
c) Heat Resistance (AAMA 303, Section 3.2)
d) Weight Tolerance (AAMA 303, Section 3.3)
4.2 Laminated Profiles
In order to establish compliance for laminated profiles, test
samples are to be obtained from the profile available from
each laminating process or type.
4.2.1 The frequency of sampling exterior laminated profiles
shall be determined by the following timing criteria:
a) Beginning of production run (when marketable
product is produced)
b) Every 8 hours or per shift or production run
c) End of run
Page 3
4.2.2 These laminated profile samples are used to APPENDIX A - ADHESIVE BOND
determine compliance with the following AAMA 303
specification requirements:
STRENGTH TEST FOR LAMINATED
PROFILES
a) Impact Resistance (AAMA 303, Section 3.1)
b) Dimensional Stability (ASTM D 4726, except that a A.1 Apparatus
hot-air oven may be used instead of a heated water Equipment, to provide a means of applying a
bath) predetermined load to a tear strip on a laminated profile test
c) Pull Test (Adhesive Bond Strength Test) (Section specimen by either static masses or by tension is shown in
3.5.5.2 and Appendix A) Figures 1 and 2.
d) Boil Test (Section 3.5.5.3)
A.2 Preparation of Test Specimens
4.3 Organically Coated Profiles Lay self-adhesive masking tape across the face side of the
In order to establish compliance for profiles with organic profile length to be laminated at convenient intervals
coatings, a minimum of three 31 cm (12 in) sample lengths approximately 400 mm (16 in) in order to provide a leading
are to be obtained from the profiles available for each paint edge of sufficient length to suit the test rig (see Figure 3)
type and color. and then cover the profile with laminated film in the normal
manner. Cut the test specimens from the profile length by
4.3.1 The frequency of sampling coated profiles shall be approximately centering the masking tape between adjacent
determined by the following timing criteria for each saw cuts. Make parallel straight cuts (using for example a
individual profile: steel ruler and a scalpel) at least 50 mm (2 in) beyond the
edge of the masking tape to create a tear strip.
a) One per batch, with a minimum of one sample for
every 305 m (1,000 ft). NOTE 1: The 25 mm (1 in) wide tear strip shown in
Figure 3 is convenient for testing mainframe profiles. A
4.3.2 These coated profile samples are used to determine narrower tear strip may be required for smaller profiles.
compliance with the following AAMA 303 specification
requirements: A.3 Conditioning
After lamination, the test specimens shall be conditioned at
a) Impact Resistance (Section 3.1) 20°C to 24°C (68°F to 75°F) for at least 26 hours prior to
b) Heat Resistance (Section 3.2) testing to permit adhesive to initiate the cross-linking
process, or according to the adhesive manufacturer's
4.3.3 These coated profile samples are used to determine recommendations.
compliance with the following AAMA 613, AAMA 614
or AAMA 615 test requirements: A.4 Procedure
Support the test piece B on the free running rollers located
a) Color Uniformity (Section 6.1) in the support cage A and feed the free end of the laminate
b) Gloss (Section 6.2) between the rollers and clamp in vice C (see Figures 1 and
c) Dry Film Thickness (Section 4.3) 2). Apply a pre-determined force equal to 2 N/mm (11
d) Dry Film Hardness (Section 6.3) lbs/in) on 25 mm (1 in) wide tear strip without shock for
e) Dry Adhesion (Section 6.4) one minute to the laminate between the moving vice C and
f) Wet Adhesion (Section 6.4) the fixed support or vice.
g) Direct Impact (Section 6.5)
h) Detergent Resistance (Section 6.7) NOTE 2: The force may be applied by slowly releasing a
pre-determined weight as shown in Figure 1 or by
4.4 Records of quality control tests shall be made and gradually applying the equivalent force with a tensile
kept on file for a period of one year. testing machine as shown in Figure 2.

NOTE 3: If the width of the specimen is 25 mm (1 in),

apply a force of 2 N/mm (11 lbs/in). If the width is other
than 25 mm (1 in), pre-calculate a force proportional to
the width. In all cases, use a force no less than the pre-
calculated force.

AAMA 303-05 Page 4

 FIGURE 1 - STATIC MASS METHOD

AAMA 303-05 Page 5

 FIGURE 2 - TENSILE TEST METHOD

AAMA 303-05 Page 6

 FIGURE 3 - PREPARATION OF TEST SPECIMENS

AAMA 303-05 Page 7

 APPENDIX B

8
7
∆ aH
6
5
4
3
2
1 ∆ bH
0
-8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
-2 8
∆ aH
-3 7
-4 6
-5 5
-6 4
-7 3
-8 2
1 ∆ LH
6(a) (∆ aH - ∆ bH) 0
0
-7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
-2
-3
-4
8
∆ bH -5
7
-6
6
-7
5
-8
4
3 6(b) (∆ aH - ∆ LH)
2
1 ∆ LH
0
0
-8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
-7
-8

6(c) (∆ bH - ∆ LH)

Light Green Color-Hold Guidelines

AAMA 303-05 Page 8

 8
∆ aH
7
6
5
4
3
2
1 ∆ bH
0
0
-8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
-2
-3
-4
-5 8
∆ aH
-6 7
-7 6
-8 5
4
3
7(a) (∆ aH - ∆ bH)
2
1
∆ LH
0
-8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1011
-2
-3
8 -4
∆ bH
7 -5
6 -6
5
-7
4
-8
3
2
1
7(b) (∆ aH - ∆ LH)
∆ LH
0
0
-8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
-7
-8

7(c) (∆ bH - ∆ LH)

Dark Green Color Hold Guidelines

AAMA 303-05 Page 9

 APPENDIX B (CONTINUED)

Equations for Light Green and Dark Green Color-Hold Guidelines

Light Green

(DL – 2.05)2 + (Da – 0.89)2 + (Db + 0.29)2 = 1

(7.05) 2 (4.70) 2 (5.14) 2

Dark Green

(DL – 2.05)2 + (Da – 1.00)2 + (Db – 0.35)2 = 1

(8.55) 2 (4.10) 2 (5.05) 2

AAMA 303-05 Page 10

American Architectural Manufacturers Association
1827 Walden Office Square, Suite 550
Schaumburg, IL 60173
PHONE (847)303-5664 FAX (847)303-5774
EMAIL webmaster@aamanet.org
WEBSITE www.aamanet.org