M0133_2018-N

Nissan Engineering Standard

TESTING METHODS OF CHEMICAL RESISTANCE

NES FOR PLASTIC PARTS
1. SCOPE
This Standard specifies test methods for chemical resistance of plastic parts (hereinafter referred to as "test
methods") used for automobile parts. The purpose of the tests is to determine whether chemicals which may be used
at dealers, as well as during the vehicle and part assembly process, cause abnormalities of automotive plastic parts.
Such abnormalities include dissolving, cloudiness, stains, discoloration, deformation, cracks, breaks, thinning,
softening, hardening, swelling, stickiness, etc., which are caused by direct part contact with chemicals or caused by
chemicals in adjacent parts. As for plastic materials used for automobiles, this Standard also specifies the evaluation
method of aging deterioration by chemical change caused by coming into contact with chemicals constantly.

2. TEST METHOD CLASSIFICATION

Test methods are classified into 7 types as shown in Table 1, depending on the location and type of exposure of the
part. Multiple test methods must be conducted, as applicable, depending on the part
location. In selecting chemicals to be tested, environments in which each part will be used shall be fully considered
(there is no need to test all of the chemicals specified in this Standard).

Table 1 Test method classification

Test method Application Test type Required chemical resistance

Parts used as containers or
Type 1 All chemicals used in containers
equivalent
Method 1 Immersion (1)
Parts normally exposed to All chemicals that come into contact with the
Type 2
chemicals part
Artificial perspiration (4), detergent, insect
Method 2 Interior parts Wiping (2) repellent (4) sun tan oil, sun screening
cream(4), liquid paraffin (5) and others (6)
Gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, engine oil,
Method 3 Exterior parts acid, wax, windshield washer fluid,
Dripping (3) detergent, undercoat, etc.
Gasoline, diesel fuel, engine oil, kerosene,
Parts inside engine acid, brake fluid, anti-freeze, windshield
Method 4
compartment washer fluid, anti-corrosive, calcium chloride,
etc.
- Interior parts Application All chemicals that are used in the part
- Exterior parts assembly process, vehicle assembly
Normal process or handling process at dealers, such
- Parts made of the following application state as grease, lubrication oil, metal cutting oil,
materials: on an actual press machine oil, anticorrosive, silicone oil
ABS, PMMA, PC, PPE and vehicle (including emulsion types), paint protective
Method 5
PAT agent, paint remover, mold release,
detergent, etc. Artificial perspiration (7).
Parts adjacent to
the component
Plasticizer (vinyl chloride, rubber materials)
containing a
plasticizer
Method 6 Separately for portions that
Application or Chemicals with which applicable portions are
(environmental load are or that may be coming
immersion or may be coming into contact
input test method) into contact with chemicals.
Method 7 - Interior parts Exposure Amine resistance

Notes (1) The condition where the test piece is: 1) a part and is filled with the chemical or 2) immersed in a container filled with the
chemical.
(2) The condition where the test piece is rubbed gently (2 to 3 times) with gauze moistened with the chemical.
(3) The condition where approximately 0.3 to 0.5 ml of the chemical is placed onto the test piece, using a syringe, etc.
(4) For artificial perspiration resistance, only portions that humans will touch frequently shall be tested after consultation
between the parties concerned.
(5) Only TPO facing materials that are used in North America shall be tested after consultation between the parties
concerned.
(6) As for other chemicals, evaluate the gasoline resistance, light oil resistance and oil resistance (engine oil, gear oil,
automatic transmission fluid, grease and kerosene) only when they may come into contact with the parts mounted in the
car compartment, by the consultation between the concerning departments.
(7) Only decorating parts shall be tested after consultation between the parties concerned.

Normative References: See page 8.

1/13
 M0133_2018-N

3. TEST LOCATION CONDITION

(1) Room temperature condition

The room temperature and humidity for the test location shall be maintained per JIS Z 8703 (Standard
atmospheric conditions for testing) Class 5 (Temperature 20  5C) and class 20 (Relative humidity
65  20%), respectively.
(2) Standard condition
The standard temperature and humidity condition for the test location shall be maintained per JIS Z
8703 (Standard atmospheric conditions for testing) Class 2 (Temperature 20  2C) and Class 10
(Humidity 65  10%), respectively.

4. EQUIPMENT

(1) Temperature controlled chamber: Temperature controlled within 2C

(2) Wide mouthed bottle: Made of a material unaffected by chemicals
(3) Reflux condenser
(4) Chemical balance: Accuracy to 0.1 mg
(5) Syringe: Made of material unaffected by chemicals
(6) Gauze: Material sold for medical use (Density: 34.3 g/m2)
(7) Tensile tester: Units specified by NES M 8020 Para. 5.3.

Remark: Temperature controlled chamber shall be used for high temperature testing and drying the test
specimen. Reflux condenser shall be used only for high temperature testing.

5. TEST PIECES

5.1 Test pieces for methods 1 to 5 and method 7

Basically the test piece shall be made from the finished products (8). It shall be free of dust, etc. that
may affect the test results. The test piece shall have been stored for at least 24 hours at standard
temperature as specified in Item 3(2), after being in an actual installed condition, unless otherwise
specified. Further details shall be subject to agreement between concerned parties.

Note (8): The finished product is a complete molded part which may be secondarily processed (coating, hot stamping,
etc.) or may be combined with other parts. The test piece may be cut if its shape or size is inappropriate for
the test. (Attention shall be paid to the cutting area and mounting (installation) condition. If stress occurs
during actual vehicle installation, an equivalent load shall be applied for the test.)

5.2 Test piece of method 6

5.2.1 Dimensions
Test pieces are the following three types with different shapes and dimensions. They are shown on
Table 2.
Thicknesses of No.1, No.2 and No.3 test pieces are preferable values.

5.2.2 Making method

1) Thermal hardening plastics or flat molding parts should be cut out by machine processing, and the
cut out portions should be reported.
Thermoplastic parts can be made with an injection molding machine. However, mechanical strength
may differ by the molding conditions. So, the molding conditions should be set carefully, and they
should be reported.
2) If around a test piece is scratched, a notch effect occurs and normal test values may not be shown.
So, it is necessary to finish smoothly around a test piece with fine sand paper.

5.2.3 Number of test pieces

1) As a rule, use five test pieces for a condition.

2) When testing a plate material with anisotropy characteristic, test five test pieces each for mutually
vertical directions of the plate.

2
 M0133_2018-N

Table 2 Shapes and dimensions of test pieces

Unit: mm
Classification Shapes and dimensions

No. 1 test piece

E: Radius of shoulder roundness 60

A: Overall length 175
(minimum)
B: Width of each end 20  0.5 F: Thickness 3  0.1
C: Length of parallel part 60  0.5 G: Distance between bench marks 50  0.5
D: Width of parallel portion 10  0.5 H: Length of holding part 115  5

No. 2 test piece

E: Radius of shoulder roundness 76

A: Overall length 165
(minimum)
B: Width of each end 19  0.5 F: Thickness 3  0.1
C: Length of parallel part 57  0.5 G: Distance between bench marks 50  0.5
D: Width of parallel portion 13  0.5 H: Length of holding part 115  5

L
No. 3 test piece

A: Overall length 115 F: Large radius 25  2

B: Width of each end 25  1 G: Distance between bench marks 25  1
C: Length of parallel part 33  2 H: Length of holding part 80  5
D: Width of parallel portion 6  0.4 L: Thickness 3.2  0.1
E: Small radius 14  1
L0
L2
L1

ISO TYPE A
(Multipurpose test
piece) L0: Overall length 150 or more
L1: Length of narrow parallel portion 80  2
L2: Length of wide parallel portion 104 to 113(9)
r : Radius 20 to 25
b1: Width of narrow portion 10.0  0.2
b2: Width at each end 20.0  0.2
h : Thickness 4.0  0.2
(9): Determined with the values L1, r, b1 and b2.

3
 M0133_2018-N

6. CHEMICALS AND CONCENTRATION

The chemical and concentration used for the test shall be as specified in Table 3.
Table 3
Concentration
Chemical classification and description
(wt%)
Gasoline Unleaded regular, as specified in NES M 5052 (Motor Gasoline)
Diesel fuel As specified in NES M 5058 (Factory-filled Diesel Fuel Oils)
As specified in NES M 5051 (Lubricating Oil for Automobile Gasoline
Engine oil
Engine)
Gear oil MP90, as specified in NES M 5054 (Automotive Gear Oil) 100

Automatic transmission fluid ATF-D, as specified in NES M 5078 (Automatic Transmission Oil)
Grease NWB-2, as specified in NES M 5065 (Automotive Lubricating Grease)
Kerosene No. 2, as specified in JIS K 2203 (Kerosene)
Acid solution Guaranteed reagent as specified in JIS K 8951 (Sulfuric acid reagent) 25 or 3 (10)
NR3, as specified in NES M 5055 (Non-Petroleum Base Motor Vehicle
Brake fluid
Brake Fluids)
100
Artificial perspiration 1: Artificial perspiration liquid as specified in Item
6 of JIS L 0848 (Testing method for color fastness to perspiration)
Artificial perspiration Artificial perspiration 2: Higher fatty acid (oleic acid) 10 or 100 (11)
Artificial perspiration 3: Lactic acid 10
Paint protective agent Subject to agreement between concerned parties
Anti-freeze LLC, as specified in NES M 5059 (Engine Antifreeze)
Wax Subject to agreement between concerned parties 100
Windshield washer liquid, as specified in NES M 5069 (WiNDShield
Washer Liquid for Automobiles)
Windshield washer fluid
Selection of Grade 1 through Grade 3 shall be subject to agreement
between concerned parties.
Liquid paraffin First class chemical grade Density 0.87 g/cm3 100 (12)
Neutral or alkaline type. Details are subject to agreement between
Detergent 5
concerned parties
Undercoat
Subject to agreement between concerned parties 100
Anti-corrosive
Plasticizer
Wax remover
Calcium chloride
Lubrication oil
Subject to
Metal cutting oil
agreement
Subject to agreement between concerned parties
Press machine oil between
concerned parties
Silicone oil
Mold release
Sun tan oil, sun screening
cream
Insect repellent
0.00022
Amine solution Triethylenediamine solution
(2.2 PPM)

Note (10) 25% concentration is based on the assumption that acid is battery fluid. Acid used in other than batteries may have 3%
concentration.
(11) Basically, higher fatty acid is diluted with cyclohexane for use. If the test piece is corroded by cyclohexane, use a diluent
that does not corrode the test piece. In addition, only TPO facing materials that are used in North America shall be 100%
tested after consultation between the parties concerned.
(12) Only TPO facing materials that are used in North America shall be tested after consultation between the parties
concerned.

4
 M0133_2018-N

7. TEST CONDITIONS
The test conditions shall be as specified in Table 4.

Table 4
Exposure
Test method Temperature Remarks
time (h)
Type 1 Use a reflux condenser when evaporation of the
Method 1 168
Type 2 chemical is expected.
Room temperature and the
maximum temperatures (as
Method 2 24 Wipe back and forth 2 to 3 times
specified in NES M 0131
Method 3 and NES M 0132)
24 Drip volume 0.3 to 0.5 mℓ
Method 4
Chemical application areas and volume must be
similar to an on-vehicle installation condition.
Details are subject to agreement between
Room temperature and concerned parties.
Method 5 168
60C If the actual part contacts the adjacent part
which contains plasticizer or has chemicals on
the contact surface, install the two parts in the
same condition as located in an actual vehicle.
Method 6 Conditions specified by each evaluation standard for each plastic material
Impregnate a piece of gauze with amine solution
Method 7 80C 400
of 5.8 g and enclose the gauze in a bag.

Remark: The gauze used for the wiping test shall absorb 2 to 2.5 g of the chemical for each gram of gauze.

8. TEST PROCEDURE

8.1 Method 1 (Immersion)

(1) Fill the test part (13) (which is a container) or a wide-mouthed bottle with the chemical to be evaluated.
Expose or immerse test piece in the chemical at the specified temperature for the time specified in
Table 3.
(2) Remove the test piece from the bottle or remove chemical from container. Wash the test piece with
running water until all traces of the chemical are removed. However, if it is impossible to remove all
traces of the chemical with water, wash with a chemical (such as alcohol, etc.) which will not affect the
test piece.
(3) Dry the test piece, at room temperature or in a temperature controlled chamber, at a temperature that
will not affect the test piece.
(4) Examine the test piece for surface abnormalities listed under "9. EVALUATION ITEMS."

Note (13): If the test part is a container filled with the chemical, it shall be tested in an actual installed condition as much
as possible.

8.2 Method 2 (Wiping)

(1) Saturate a piece of gauze with the chemical (2 to 2.5 g for each gram of gauze).
(2) Wipe the gauze back and forth, 2 or 3 times, pressing lightly so that the surface of the test piece
becomes wet.
(3) Expose the test piece to the chemical at the specified temperature for the time specified in Table 3.
(4) Wipe the surface of the test piece using a new piece of gauze. Examine the test piece for surface
abnormalities listed under "9. EVALUATION ITEMS."

8.3 Methods 3 and 4 (Dripping)

(1) Place 0.3 to 0.5 ml of the chemical, with a syringe, onto the surface of the test piece. Expose the test
piece to the chemical at the specified temperature for the time specified in Table 3.
(2) Wipe the surface of the test piece using a new piece of gauze. Examine the test piece for surface
abnormalities listed under "9. EVALUATION ITEMS".

5
 M0133_2018-N

8.4 Method 5

(1) Select the test piece that has the most residual stress within the allowable molding and secondary operation
ranges, then perform the test.
(2) When a test piece is held in an actual installed condition, select the highest installation stress condition of the test
piece.
(3) a) Apply chemical to the part which is expected to come in contact with the chemical during vehicle assembly
process, or handling at the dealers.
Allow the part to stand at the specified temperature for the time specified in Table 3.
b) When the test part contacts an adjacent part, which contains plasticizer or has chemicals on the contact
surface, test setup of the parts shall be the same as vehicle installed condition. Allow the parts to stand at the
specified temperature for the time specified in Table 3.
(4) Examine the test piece for surface abnormalities listed under "9. EVALUATION ITEMS".

8.5 Method 6

(1) Grease application test

1. Apply grease on a test piece and wrap up the entire test piece with
aluminum foil. In doing this, apply grease to the application portion in
sufficient quantity so as not to expose the surface of test piece. The
application portion should be four sides of the holding part of the test
piece.
(Refer to the right figure.)
2. Set the test piece wrapped up with aluminum foil in a constant Grease
temperature tank being adjusted to the specified test temperature by application portion
a proper method. Heat the test piece for the specified time.
3. Take out the test piece at every specified time, and wipe out grease
completely with an unused gauze. Rest the test piece for 48 hours or
more at 23  2C and 50  5% RH, and make evaluation.

(2) Chemical immersion test

1. Prepare the target chemical in a vessel for about 80% of the capacity. Immerse a test piece completely in the
chemical liquid using a proper method.
2. The vessel should be such that can be closed completely and is made of a material that does not contaminate
the test liquid by reacting and mixing with each test liquid.
The vessel should be held upright in a constant temperature tank being set to the immersion temperature.
3. Take out the test piece at every specified time, and wipe out the attached test liquid by a proper method using
an unused gauze. Rest the test piece for 48 hours or more at 23  2C and 50  5% RH, and make evaluation.

8.6 Method 7
(1) Evenly impregnate a piece of gauze (5 g) with amine solution (2.2 PPM) of 5.8 g specified in Table 3, using a
micropipette.
(2) Enclose the test pieces and the gauze impregnated in (1) into a heat-resistant transparent sampling bag (20 L),
and fill it with air of 16 L.
During this operation, be careful that the gauze and parts do not come into contact.
(Use the Tedlar bag manufactured by DuPont or an equivalent sampling bag that is heat resistant and
chemical resistant.)
(3) Apply a load for 400 hours at 80°C ± 2°C in a thermostat chamber.
(4) Take out the test pieces after 400 hours.

9. EVALUATION ITEMS

9.1 No. 1 to 5 methods Evaluate the test piece for abnormalities listed below.

(1) Dissolving (10) Glossiness

(2) Cloudiness (11) Cracking
(3) Stains (12) Breakage
(4) Discoloration (13) Softening
(5) Deformation (14) Hardening
(6) Uneven surfaces (15) Swelling
(7) Blooming (16) Thinning
(8) Sticky surfaces (17) Shrinkage
(9) Contamination

6
 M0133_2018-N

9.2 Method 6
Refer to Table 5 for the evaluation items.

Table 5

Classification Evaluation item

Physical property Tensile yield strength, tensile breaking elongation

Evaluation of physical property

Evaluate physical property in accordance with NES M 8020 Para. 5.5.
In this case, when the test piece is distorted by pulling, the test piece shows different S-S curves by the type
of plastic as shown in Figure 1. Where, tensile strength is defined as yield point stress when there is a yield
point or as rupture point stress when there is no yield point. Tensile elongation should be the elongation ratio
to the initial length when reaching the rupture point.

Nylon, polypropylene, etc. Polyacetal, etc. Glass containing nylon, etc.

Yield point Yield point

Stress

Stress
Stress

Rupture point

Rupture point
Rupture point

Distortion Distortion Distortion

Figure 1 Difference of S-S curves by plastics

9.3 Method 7
Wipe with a piece of unused gauze to check for surface stickiness.

10. REPORT
(1) Report any changes in appearance, shape, weight, etc. with details supported by photographs or
samples of actual test pieces.
(2) Report dimensional changes in mm and mass changes in mg. Round the values of the changes to
one decimal place. Report if the chemical was affected by exposure to the test piece.

11. EVALUATION
The test pieces shall be free of abnormalities as a result of tests. Details on test areas and test parts
are subject to agreement between concerned parties.

7
 M0133_2018-N

Normative References: NES M 5052─2006 Motor Gasoline

NES M 5058─2006 Diesel Fuel Oils
NES M 5051─2006 Lubricating Oil for Automotive Gasoline Engines
NES M 5054─2002 Manual Transmission Oil
NES M 5078─1993 Automatic Transmission Fluid
NES M 5065─1994 Lubricating-Automotive Grease
NES M 5055─2002 Brake Fluid, Non-Petroleum Base-Automotive
NES M 5059─1997 Engine Antifreeze
NES M 0131─2002 Methods of High Temperature Test for Passenger
Compartment Synthetic Plastic Parts
NES M 0132─1994 Thermal Cycle Test Methods for Plastic Parts
NES M 8020─2006 Testing Methods of Physical Property for Injection
Molding Thermoplastic Resin Materials
NES M 5069─2010 Windshield Washer Liquid for Automobiles
JIS Z 8703─1983 Standard atmospheric conditions for testing
JIS K 2203─1996 Kerosiene
JIS K 8951─2006 Sulfuric acid
JIS L 0848─2004 Test method for colour fastness to perspiration

8
 M0133_2018-N

ANNEX
Details of the revision in July 2018
1. Revision objectives and revision points
The parts manufactured by PC in vehicles stocked for an extended period of time were hydrolyzed by the amine in the
cabin, causing stickiness. To prevent recurrence of this problem, Method 7 (Amine resistance test) was added.

Details of the revision in June 2010

1. Revision objectives
Isopropanol-based WWL prevailing in the Russian and Ukraine markets has been added to NES M5069 [2010-N]
(WiNDShield Washer Liquid for Automobiles). According to the revision of NES M5069 [2010-N], this Standard has
been revised so that the isopropanol-based WWL can be referred to.
2. Major revision points
The types of windshield washer fluids described in "6. CHEMICALS AND CONCENTRATION" have been changed. It
has been determined that the windshield washer fluid in accordance with NES M5069 (WiNDShield Washer Liquid for
Automobiles) standards shall be selected.

ANNEX in 2006
1. Purpose of revision
Because 4 years have passed since the revision in 2002, regular maintenance of the contents was performed.
Provisions required for the trend toward the international unification of test standards, especially toward the unification
of standards into ISO, as well as chemicals that were not covered by the previous standard have been incorporated
into this Standard.
2. Main revision contents
2.1 Test piece
ISO Type A test piece that is referred to as a multipurpose test piece has been added to tests pieces used for tests of
method 6 to keep in line with ISO-compliant JIS standards (new JIS). It has been stated, however, that conventional
test pieces may also be used, because their shapes are considered not to have influence on test results.
2.2 Chemicals
Lactic acid, liquid paraffin, suntan oil, and sun screening cream have been added.
Lactic acid is incorporated into NES M0141 "Methods of Test for Coating of Synthetic Resin," because a matter that
occurred with coating on cluster panels is reproduced with lactic acid as well. In addition to this, it is a known fact that
lactic acid causes swelling of acrylic resin. Therefore, in order to bring this Standard in line with NES M0141, lactic
acid has been added to chemicals to be tested by methods 2 and 5.
Liquid paraffin is contained in lipsticks, cleansing cream, skin ointment, etc, and therefore it is likely to come into
contact with plastic parts, even if vehicles are used normally. Also, it acts on rubber components of TPO facing
materials and causes them to swell and undulate. Moreover, it is used by some suppliers as standard inside of
supplier. For these reasons, liquid paraffin has also been added to chemicals to be tested by method 2 specified in
this Standard.
Because sun tan oil, sun screening cream and insect repellent are commonly used in Europe and North
America, there is a concern that it may affect interior trim parts. Therefore, sun tan oil, sun screening cream
and insect repellent have been added to chemicals to be tested by method 2 specified in this Standard.

ANNEX
1. Purpose of revision
As 7 years have passed since the revision in 1994, the contents of the Standard were verified and reviewed in view of
the trends of other vehicle manufacturers and the latest market requirements for the chemical resistance of interior
parts. The provisions concerning the chemical resistance of parts specified in NES M 0165 "Combined Environmental
Load Tests for Injection Molded Plastic Materials" have been incorporated into this Standard.
2. Main revision contents
2.1 Reduction in the number of chemicals for interior parts
Regarding chemicals for interior parts, it has been specified that "gasoline", "light oil" and "grease" which are not
likely to come into contact with these parts under normal conditions may not be tested basically, unless otherwise
decided between the parties concerned.
2.2 Addition of higher fatty acid for interior parts
Regarding chemicals for interior parts, higher fatty acid (typically oleic acid), which is the main component of the
sweat of humans who often touch these parts with their hands and cosmetics and skin lotion on their skin, may affect
plastic parts in some cases. However, artificial sweat currently used for tests does not contain any higher fatty acid,
and therefore it has not been determined what influence higher fatty acid has on these parts. In the background to
the influence of higher fatty acid, there are matters that occurred on the market in the warm climate zone of North
America, that is, the wrinkling of door trim synthetic leather and TPO in cases where drivers put on their arms on the
door armrests usually and repeatedly during driving, and the peeling of matter printed with liquid ink in the portion
where P/W SW FIN often comes into contact with the occupant’s knee. (These matters occur only in the warm
climate zone of North America, but not in any other zone.) For this reason, it has been specified that resistance to
oleic acid, which is a higher fatty acid contained in sweat etc, shall also be tested as required. Moreover, it has been
specified that the concentration of oleic acid shall be 10% of that reproduced with liquid ink printed matter and

9
 M0133_2018-N

cyclohexane shall be used as the diluting solvent. Although the higher fatty acid concentration of actual human sweat
is less than 1%, it has been set to a maximum of 10%, because it is after being accumulated in plastic materials that
it exerts influence on them. Cyclohexane was selected as the solvent based on the understanding that it has little
influence on plastic materials, but if it has significant influence, a study shall be made to determine whether to use
another solvent.

2.3 Incorporation of the provisions concerning the chemical resistance of parts specified in NES M0165
"Combined Environmental Load Tests for Injection Molded Plastic Materials".
Since NES M0165 is to be abolished, the test method for evaluating the chemical resistance of parts specified in it
has been incorporated into this Standard as Method 6.
3. Revision history and Annex of NES M0165
The Annexes of conventional standards are shown below to make clear changes to them and the purposes of
establishment. Also, Annex contents of NES M0165 implemented at this Standard are shown below.

Annex of NES M0165

1. Purpose of establishment
This Standard specifies test methods for evaluating the environmental load resistance of synthetic resin parts. Although there
have been standards for weatherability and light resistance of synthetic resin parts, methods for evaluating their
environmental load resistance have not been specified in them. Moreover, methods for evaluating the influence of
environmental loads on mechanical strength have not been established either.
In view of this, methods for quantitatively evaluating the deterioration of mechanical properties of various resin materials due
to environmental loads have been set and described in this Standard.

2. Environmental load test methods

Included among loads that are imposed on automobiles used under normal environmental conditions are temperature,
humidity, light, chemicals, ozone, etc. Considering the influence of these environmental loads on resin materials, heat aging,
weatherability, light resistance and chemical resistance test methods have been set.

3. Classification of applications of tests by category

The four environmental load test methods established this time are classified by applicable portion, as listed in the table
below.

Test items Heat aging Weatherability Light resistance Chemical resistance

Portions All portions Exterior Interior *
* For portions that are always in contact with a chemical agent or that may come into contact with it, tests shall be conducted on a
case-by-case basis.

For chemical resistance tests, temperature conditions need to be set with special care, because the properties of chemicals
themselves may change with temperature.
* When grease is used, the test temperature shall not be set 100C or more.

4. Test equipment
Considering the correlation with market environments, the use of a ventilated thermostatic chamber is specified to ensure that
air is always fed into it. It has also been stated that the tensile test equipment and accelerated weatherability (light resistance)
test equipment specified in conventional NES shall be used.

5. Physical properties evaluation method

Generally, the intermolecular forces of attraction of resin materials decrease with deterioration because of the breakage of
molecular chains. The tensile test method is a test method in which measurement results vary most greatly as intermolecular
force decreases, and it is a convenient and commonly used method. For these reasons, the tensile test method is specified in
this Standard as a method for evaluating the deterioration of materials over time.

6. Exterior appearance evaluation method

It has been specified that exterior appearance shall be evaluated by color difference, as stated in NES M0135.

Annex on the revision in 1994

1. Purpose of revision
This Standard was established in 1973 to specify tests methods for determining whether plastic parts are compatible with
chemicals used for automobiles and environments in which they are used, and was revised in 1979 and 1988.
This Standard was established originally for the purpose of evaluating the influence of chemicals on plastic parts, but in reality
it has been used under somewhat different understandings except for method 1.
To be more specific, methods 2 through 5 have been used in most cases to evaluate the changes in the physical properties of
part surfaces by dripping or wiping with chemical solution, and in extreme cases, even in order to determine the presence or
absence of stains, swells, etc by taking samples from products and wiping them with each applicable chemical solution or
dripping on them.
Naturally, it is still in the future to evaluate the above-mentioned surface properties, but it is also an important purpose of the
Standard to determine the possibility of "parts cracking due to environmental stress," which could occur for some
combinations of factors such as materials, temperature, stress and chemicals.
For example, method 5 was added at the time of the previous revision in 1988 to evaluate the possibility of environmental

10
 M0133_2018-N

stress cracking due to plasticizer contained in adjacent parts, but as already described above, it is hard to say that the
purpose of method 5 has been well understood by the test departments concerned.
In view of these circumstances, this revision was made chiefly to ensure that tests shall be conducted to evaluate the
possibility of environmental stress cracking, which may occur as a result of contact of a chemical with portions where stress is
produced by molding or assembly.

2. Main revision contents

(1) Scope
Since test purposes were not clearly defined in the previous standards, they have been made clear.

(2) Types of test methods

It has been stated that method 5, which is originally designed for tests of parts mounted in the close vicinity of parts
containing plasticizer, applies to parts to be mounted both inside and outside the vehicle (inside and outside the
passenger compartment) and to 5 materials that may crack because of environmental stress: ABS, PMMA, PC, PPE and
PAT (polyarirate).
In addition, the condition of test has been changed this time from wiping to coating state normally on the actual vehicle.
For evaluations of required chemical resistance, chemicals that may adhere to parts in the part or vehicle assembly
process, at the dealer’s workshop, etc and cause them to crack.
The test of method 5 needs to be conducted along with the tests of method 1 through 4, because they have different
purposes, as described in the above "Purpose of revision" section.

(3) Types and concentrations of chemicals

Although the criteria for selecting an acid solution were described in the Annex section, they have been specified under
Note (6) in the text, because they were not clear enough.

(4) Test conditions

4.1) Test temperature

In the previous Standard, it was specified that tests by methods 1 through 4 shall be conducted at room temperature and
the temperatures specified in NES M0131.
As NES M0131 was revised this year only for interior parts and NES M0132 was revised for exterior parts and parts inside
engine compartment, it has been specified that interior parts shall tested at the temperature specified in NES M0131 and
exterior parts and parts to be mounted in the engine compartment shall be tested at the temperature specified in NES
M0132.
For the test by method 5, the most suitable temperature at high temperature side is 60C, considering stress relaxation that
occurs at the maximum temperatures specified in NES M0131 and NES M0132 (see Annex figure 1) and making the test
conditions too loose, and also the infiltration velocity, evaporation velocity, etc of chemicals, and it has been specified that
the test temperature shall be measured along with the room temperature.

4.2) Test time

It has been determined that an test time of 168 hours is sufficient, as with the test of type 1 of method 1, partly because the
critical strain can be determined in a cantilever test conducted with test pieces at room temperature for 20 hours (see
Annex figure 2), and also because stress relaxation occurs after 10 hours or so in a stress relaxation test, although the time
varies depending on the initial stress.

4.3) Portion and quantity of application of chemical

It has been specified that chemical shall be applied basically to portions that are expected to come into contact with
chemical in part or vehicle assembly process or at the dealer’s workshop and details shall be agreed upon between the
parties concerned.
It has also been stated that the influence of plasticizer that can move from adjacent parts shall be determined if so agreed
upon between the parties concerned.

11
 M0133_2018-N

Annex figure 1 Stress relaxation rate of ABS

<Initial stress: 15.7 MPa>

Stress relaxation rate (%)

Elapsing time (H)

Annex figure 2 Critical strain of ABS in contact with silicon oil (emulsion types)
Critical strain (%)

Elapsing time (H)

(5) Operation
For the test by method 5 in which the level of stress produced needs to be determined, it has been specified that molding
and machining conditions under which the maximum allowable stress is expected to be produced shall be selected and
the same is true for conditions for mounting on the body.

(6) Evaluation items

The previous test standard specified that the presence or absence of abnormalities shall be evaluated during testing. It
also defined abnormalities as swelling, discoloration, thickness reduction, softening, hardening, etc, so that these
abnormalities are clearly defined in this Standard.

(7) Judgement criterion

As the judgement criterion, it has been specified that no abnormality shall be found in any item evaluated.

(8) Quality verification procedure

If a matter such as cracking occurs during testing by method 5 revised this time, verification shall be performed, following
the flowchart shown below, and the part shall be developed so that the stress produced in it does not reach a critical level.
The procedure above is efficient.

12
 M0133_2018-N

Start

Conduct a test by method 5.

Abnormality found

NES M xxxx
Determine the stress in Cantilever type environmental
the part. Measure the critical stress cracking test method for
stress, using test plastic parts
pieces.
- A strain gauge is usually used.
- For ABS, acetic acid immersion
method may be used.
Acquisition of a critical strain-time diagram

Critical strain
Time

Change into a critical

stress-time diagram.

Critical stress

Critical stress
Critical strain
Flexural elastic
Determine if the stress in the
Time modulus
part is smaller than the value Determination of
determined by multiplying its stress in part
critical stress by a safety factor.
Stress

* Determination of safety factor

Critical stress
Although the safety factor shall Safety
be determined by consultation factor *
between the parties Stress in part
concerned, it is preferable to
set it to 1.2 or more under Time
normal conditions.
Check to make
sure there is (1) Discontinue (2) Change (3) Reduce (4) Change
(*1) use of the the stress in the material.
nothing omitted. the chemical.
chemical. the part.

No matter

(Note 1) If a part cracks when it is tested by method 5, even if the relationship shown in the above Figure holds between its actual
stress and critical stress, it is conceivable that cracking is caused by any factor other than the chemical, therefore in that
case, a check shall be performed so that the matter can be solved by another method.

13