ASTM D3960-05(2018)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D3960 − 05 (Reapproved 2018)
Standard Practice for
Determining Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Content of
Paints and Related Coatings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3960; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope 1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.1 This practice measures the volatile organic compound
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
(VOC) content of solventborne and waterborne paints and
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
related coatings as determined from the quantity of material
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
released from a sample under specified bake conditions and
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
subtracting exempt volatile compounds and water if present.
NOTE 1—The regulatory definition, under the control of the U.S. EPA, 2. Referenced Documents
can change. To ensure currency, contact the local air pollution control
2.1 ASTM Standards:
agency.
D1475Test Method for Density of Liquid Coatings, Inks,
1.2 This practice provides a guide to the selection of
and Related Products
appropriateASTM test methods for the determination of VOC
D2369Test Method for Volatile Content of Coatings
content.
D2697Test Method for Volume Nonvolatile Matter in Clear
1.3 Certain organic compounds that may be released under
or Pigmented Coatings
the specified bake conditions are not counted toward coating
D2832GuideforDeterminingVolatileandNonvolatileCon-
VOC content because they do not participate appreciably in
tent of Paint and Related Coatings
atmospheric photochemical reactions. Such negligibly photo-
D3792TestMethodforWaterContentofCoatingsbyDirect
chemically reactive compounds are referred to, as exempt
Injection Into a Gas Chromatograph
volatile compounds in this practice.
D3925Practice for Sampling Liquid Paints and Related
Pigmented Coatings
NOTE2—InformationontheUSEPAdefinitionofVOCandalistofthe
D4017Test Method for Water in Paints and Paint Materials
current US EPA approved exempt volatile compounds which have been
by Karl Fischer Method
used in coatings, are provided in Appendix X3.
D4457Test Method for Determination of Dichloromethane
1.4 VOC content is calculated as a function of (1) the
and 1,1,1-Trichloroethane in Paints and Coatings by
volume of coating less water and exempt volatile compounds,
Direct Injection into a Gas Chromatograph
and (2) the volume of coating solids, and (3) the weight of
D5095Test Method for Determination of the Nonvolatile
coating solids.
Content in Silanes, Siloxanes and Silane-Siloxane Blends
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
Used in Masonry Water Repellent Treatments
standard.
D5201Practice for Calculating Formulation Physical Con-
stants of Paints and Coatings
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
D5403Test Methods for Volatile Content of Radiation Cur-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- able Materials
D6093Test Method for Percent Volume Nonvolatile Matter
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. in Clear or Pigmented Coatings Using a Helium Gas
Pycnometer
D6133Test Method for Acetone, p-Chlorobenzotrifluoride,
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint and
Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D01.21 on Chemical Analysis of Paints and Paint Materials. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved June 1, 2018. Published June 2018. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1981. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D3960–05 (2013). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/D3960-05R18. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D3960 − 05 (2018)
Methyl Acetate or t-Butyl Acetate Content of Solvent- 4.2 The volatile content, density, water content, volume
borne and Waterborne Paints, Coatings, Resins, and Raw solids and exempt solvent content of the coating are deter-
Materials by Direct Injection Into a Gas Chromatograph minedinaccordancewithdesignatedmethodsandinstructions.
D6419Test Method for Volatile Content of Sheet-Fed and For multicomponent coatings, the components are first mixed
Coldset Web Offset Printing Inks in the appropriate ratios and the applicable values determined
D6438Test Method for Acetone, Methyl Acetate, and on the mixture. These values are combined using specified
Parachlorobenzotrifluoride Content of Paints, and Coat- equations to calculate the VOC content of the coating.
ings by Solid Phase Microextraction-Gas Chromatogra-
NOTE 3—In Reference Method24 the U.S. EPA defines a waterborne
phy
coating as any coating with more than 5% water by weight in its volatile
D6886TestMethodforDeterminationoftheWeightPercent
fraction, and requires/allows water determination for waterborne coatings
only.
Individual Volatile Organic Compounds in Waterborne
Air-Dry Coatings by Gas Chromatography
5. Significance and Use
E180Practice for Determining the Precision of ASTM
Methods for Analysis and Testing of Industrial and Spe-
5.1 This practice discusses applicable ASTM test methods
cialty Chemicals (Withdrawn 2009)
used in the determination of the VOC content of paints and
2.2 Other Documents:
related coatings and provides equations for calculating the
EPAFederalReferenceMethod24DeterminationofVolatile VOC content expressed as the mass of VOC: (1) per unit
Matter Content, Density, Volume Solids, and Weight
volume of coating less water and exempt volatile compounds,
Solids of Surface Coatings and (2) per unit volume of coating solids and (3) per unit mass
EPA 450/3-84-019U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
of coating solids.
Procedures for Certifying Quantity of Organic Compound
5.2 Volatile organic compound content is used to compare
Emitted by Paint, Ink, and Other Coatings
the amount of VOC released from different coatings used for
the same application, that is, to coat the same area to the same
3. Terminology
dry film thickness (assuming the same application efficiency).
3.1 Definitions:
5.3 VOC content data are required by various regulatory
3.1.1 exempt volatile compound, n—organic compounds
agencies.
thatdonotparticipatesignificantlyinatmosphericphotochemi-
cal reactions. 5.4 OnlytheexpressionofVOCcontentasafunctionofthe
volume of coating solids gives a linear measure of the
3.1.2 nonvolatile material, n—the solid material remaining
differenceinVOCreleasedfromdifferentcoatingsusedforthe
after volatiles have been removed from a coating under
same application.
specified test conditions.
3.1.3 volatile organic compound (VOC), n—any organic NOTE 4—Thus assuming the same transfer efficiency, a coating with
VOC content of 3 lb of VOC/gal of solids would release ⁄2 the VOC that
compound that participates in atmospheric photochemical
would a coating with 6 lb of VOC/gal of solids.
reactions.
5.5 When VOC content is expressed as a function of the
3.1.3.1 Discussion—Information on the US EPA definition
volume of coating less water and exempt solvents, the values
ofVOC and a list of the current US EPAand approved exempt
obtained do not account for differences in the volume solids
volatile compounds which have been used in coatings, are
content of the coatings being compared: this expression,
provided in Appendix X3.
therefore,doesnotprovidealinearmeasureofthedifferencein
3.1.4 volatile organic compound content (VOC content),
VOC emitted from different coatings used for the same
n—the mass of VOC released from a coating under specified
application.
test conditions.
3.1.4.1 Discussion—VOC content is expressed in this prac-
NOTE 5—Thus, a coating with VOC content of 3 lb of VOC/gal less
tice as a function of: (1) the coating volume less water and
waterandexemptvolatilecompoundswouldreleaseabout85%lessVOC
than a coating with 6 lb of VOC/gal less water and exempt volatile
exempt volatile compounds, and (2) the volume of coating
compounds.
solids and (3) the weight of coating solids.
6. Nonvolatile and Volatile Content
4. Summary of Practice
6.1 Guide D2832 includes suggested time/temperature dry-
4.1 Take a representative sample of the liquid coating in
ing schedules for the determination of the nonvolatile and
accordancewithPracticeD3925.Mixthoroughlybeforetaking
volatile content of various types of coatings.
specimens for individual tests. If air bubbles become
entrapped, stir by hand until the air has been removed.
NOTE 6—For regulatory compliance testing, follow the method and
conditions specified in the applicable regulation. Federal Reference
Method24 specifies the use of Test Method D2369.
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
6.2 Test Method D2369 includes a specific drying schedule
www.astm.org.
and sample weight, and heating1hat110 6 5°C for the
AvailablefromU.S.GovernmentPrintingOfficeSuperintendentofDocuments,
determinationoftheweightpercentvolatilecontentofsolvent-
732 N. Capitol St., NW, Mail Stop: SDE, Washington, DC 20401, http://
www.access.gpo.gov. borne and waterborne coatings.
D3960 − 05 (2018)
6.2.1 For multicomponent coatings, Test Method D2369 7.1.2.1 A specimen is dissolved in pyridine or another
specifies the components should be mixed first, then the suitable solvent and titrated in the presence of a buffer, 1-ethyl
volatile content should be determined on the mixture. Test piperidine. The use of newer non-pyridine titration reagents is
specimensareheldinthealuminumdishforatleast1hbefore also allowed.
baking. 7.1.2.2 The water in a latex paint is first extracted into
anhydrous methanol, then an aliquot of the methanol extract is
NOTE 7—Other induction periods are used. See U.S. EPA Reference
titrated with non-pyridine reagent in methanol solvent (see
Method 24.
Appendix X1 of Test Method D4017).
6.2.2 The nonvolatile content of silanes, siloxanes, and
7.1.2.3 Thespecimenisdispersedinmethanolsolventusing
silane/siloxane blends used in masonry water repellent treat-
a homogenizer accessory, then directly titrated with non-
ments is defined using Test Method D5095. In this standard,
pyridine reagent (see Appendix X2 of Test Method D4017).
applicable to both solvent and water reducible materials, the
7.1.3 With multicomponent coatings, the components are
testspecimen,containinganaddedcatalyst,isallowedtostand
first mixed in the appropriate ratios, then water content is
at room temperature for 1 h prior to heating in an oven at 110°
determined using Test Methods D3792 or D4017.
6 5°C for 60 min.
8. Density
NOTE 8—In VOC determinations, for 6.2.2 only, the density and water
content(ifapplicable)aremeasuredonthetestmaterialwithouttheadded
8.1 Thedensityofthepaintorcoatingat25°Cisdetermined
catalyst.
in accordance with Test Method D1475. Although both the
6.2.3 The nonvolatile content of radiation curable coatings,
pycnometer and weight-per-gallon cup are covered by the test
inks, and adhesives is defined using Test Methods D5403.
method, and the former is more accurate and precise, the
These materials contain volatile reactive components that
weight-per-gallon cup is recommended because of its speed
become nonvolatile after radiation curing. Test Method A is
and ease of use.
applicable to radiation curable materials that are essentially
8.2 With multicomponent coatings, first mix the compo-
100% reactive but may contain traces (no more than 3%) of
nents in appropriate ratios in sufficient quantity to determine
volatile materials as impurities or introduced by the inclusion
the weight-per-gallon using Test Method D1475.
of various additives. Test Method B is applicable to all
radiation curable materials but must be used for materials that
9. Exempt Volatile Compounds
contain volatile solvents intentionally introduced to control
9.1 InTestMethodD4457aninternalstandard(1-propanol)
application viscosity and that are intended to be removed from
isaddedtothetestspecimen,andthenthespecimenisinjected
the material to cure.
directly into a gas chromatograph.
6.2.4 The volatile content of sheet-fed and coldset web
9.2 In Test Method D6133 an internal standard is added to
offset printing inks is defined using Test Method D6419. This
the whole paint, and the mixture injected directly into the gas
standard is based on Test Method D2369, but has tighter
chromatograph.
controls for specimen weight and oven temperature. Interlabo-
ratory studies have shown this necessary to improve the
9.3 In Test Method D6438 an internal standard is added to
precision of test results for these inks. It also allows the use of
whole paint, followed by solid phase microextractio
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