ASTM D2378-22
(Specification)Standard Specification for Formaldehyde 50 % Grade Uninhibited and 37 % Grade Inhibited and Uninhibited
Standard Specification for Formaldehyde 50 % Grade Uninhibited and 37 % Grade Inhibited and Uninhibited
ABSTRACT
This specification covers the properties and requirements for 50 % uninhibited formaldehyde and 37 % uninhibited and inhibited formaldehyde. Specimens shall be suitably sampled and tested, and shall meet the specified values of the following properties: apparent specific gravity; formaldehyde content; acidity; color (Pt-Co scale); iron content; methanol content; and appearance.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers 50 % uninhibited formaldehyde and 37 % uninhibited and inhibited formaldehyde.
1.2 The following applies to all specified limits in this standard; for purposes of determining conformance with this standard, an observed value or a calculated value shall be rounded off “to the nearest unit” in the last right-hand digit used in expressing the specification limit, in accordance with the rounding-off method of Practice E29.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.4 For specific hazard information and guidance, see the supplier's Material Safety Data Sheet for materials listed in this specification.
1.5 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.
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 31-Dec-2021
- Technical Committee
- D01 - Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications
- Drafting Committee
- D01.35 - Solvents, Plasticizers, and Chemical Intermediates
Relations
- Effective Date
- 01-Apr-2019
- Effective Date
- 01-Feb-2011
- Effective Date
- 01-Jan-2010
- Effective Date
- 01-Jun-2009
- Effective Date
- 01-Apr-2009
- Effective Date
- 01-Oct-2008
- Effective Date
- 01-Jun-2007
- Effective Date
- 15-Nov-2006
- Effective Date
- 15-Sep-2006
- Effective Date
- 01-May-2006
- Effective Date
- 01-Apr-2006
- Effective Date
- 15-Oct-2005
- Effective Date
- 15-May-2005
- Effective Date
- 15-May-2005
- Effective Date
- 01-Dec-2004
Overview
ASTM D2378-22 is the internationally recognized standard specification for formaldehyde in two primary concentrations: 50% grade uninhibited and 37% grade inhibited and uninhibited solutions. Developed and maintained by ASTM International, this standard defines the essential physical and chemical properties, test methods, and quality assurance requirements for formaldehyde used in industrial and commercial applications. It ensures that formaldehyde solutions consistently meet specified performance and safety criteria, facilitating reliable sourcing, processing, and use throughout various industries.
Key Topics
Grades Covered:
- 50% uninhibited formaldehyde
- 37% inhibited and uninhibited formaldehyde
Physical and Chemical Properties:
Standardized requirements include:- Apparent specific gravity at 25°C
- Formaldehyde content by weight percentage
- Acidity levels, measured as formic acid
- Color specification on the Platinum-Cobalt (Pt-Co) scale
- Iron content, measured in ppm
- Maximum allowed methanol content
- Visual appearance (clear, free of suspended matter)
Testing and Sampling:
- Specific ASTM test methods for the evaluation of each parameter
- Sampling practices to ensure representative and accurate quality assessment
- Determination of conformance using significant digits as specified in ASTM E29
Packaging and Marking:
- Packaging requirements in compliance with carrier rules, regulations, and Federal Specification PPP-C-2020 where specified
- Package size and marking to be agreed upon between purchaser and supplier
Safety and Hazard Information:
- Formaldehyde’s inherent toxicity and the need for thorough risk management
- Reference to Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for handling and exposure guidance
Applications
Formaldehyde specified under ASTM D2378-22 is critical for a variety of industrial and commercial operations, including:
- Chemical Manufacturing:
Used as an intermediate in the production of resins, plastics, and industrial chemicals. - Textile and Paper Industries:
Applied for treating fabrics and paper products to enhance properties. - Laboratory Reagents:
Utilized for analytical and experimental purposes where specific purity and stability are required. - Agricultural and Disinfection Uses:
Employed in various formulations where high-concentration, quality-controlled formaldehyde is necessary.
This standard supports quality control and regulatory compliance for procurement teams, manufacturers, laboratory managers, and health and safety professionals involved in the handling and use of formaldehyde solutions.
Related Standards
- ASTM D891 - Test Methods for Apparent Specific Gravity of Liquid Industrial Chemicals
- ASTM D1209 - Test Method for Color of Clear Liquids (Pt-Co Scale)
- ASTM D2379 - Test Method for Acidity of Formaldehyde Solutions
- ASTM D2380 - Test Method for Methanol Content of Formaldehyde Solutions
- ASTM E29 - Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
- ASTM E300 - Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals
- Federal Specification PPP-C-2020 - Packaging of Chemicals, Liquid, Dry, and Paste
These referenced standards and methods support the accurate and uniform assessment of formaldehyde's quality and compliance, as set out in ASTM D2378-22.
Keywords: ASTM D2378-22, formaldehyde specification, industrial formaldehyde, formaldehyde testing, formaldehyde packaging, chemical standards, formaldehyde content, safety data, quality assurance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
ASTM D2378-22 is a technical specification published by ASTM International. Its full title is "Standard Specification for Formaldehyde 50 % Grade Uninhibited and 37 % Grade Inhibited and Uninhibited". This standard covers: ABSTRACT This specification covers the properties and requirements for 50 % uninhibited formaldehyde and 37 % uninhibited and inhibited formaldehyde. Specimens shall be suitably sampled and tested, and shall meet the specified values of the following properties: apparent specific gravity; formaldehyde content; acidity; color (Pt-Co scale); iron content; methanol content; and appearance. SCOPE 1.1 This specification covers 50 % uninhibited formaldehyde and 37 % uninhibited and inhibited formaldehyde. 1.2 The following applies to all specified limits in this standard; for purposes of determining conformance with this standard, an observed value or a calculated value shall be rounded off “to the nearest unit” in the last right-hand digit used in expressing the specification limit, in accordance with the rounding-off method of Practice E29. 1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard. 1.4 For specific hazard information and guidance, see the supplier's Material Safety Data Sheet for materials listed in this specification. 1.5 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.
ABSTRACT This specification covers the properties and requirements for 50 % uninhibited formaldehyde and 37 % uninhibited and inhibited formaldehyde. Specimens shall be suitably sampled and tested, and shall meet the specified values of the following properties: apparent specific gravity; formaldehyde content; acidity; color (Pt-Co scale); iron content; methanol content; and appearance. SCOPE 1.1 This specification covers 50 % uninhibited formaldehyde and 37 % uninhibited and inhibited formaldehyde. 1.2 The following applies to all specified limits in this standard; for purposes of determining conformance with this standard, an observed value or a calculated value shall be rounded off “to the nearest unit” in the last right-hand digit used in expressing the specification limit, in accordance with the rounding-off method of Practice E29. 1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard. 1.4 For specific hazard information and guidance, see the supplier's Material Safety Data Sheet for materials listed in this specification. 1.5 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.
ASTM D2378-22 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 71.080.80 - Aldehydes and ketones. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
ASTM D2378-22 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ASTM D2380-04(2019), ASTM D2380-04(2011), ASTM D5386-10, ASTM D2379-09, ASTM D891-09, ASTM E29-08, ASTM D2194-02(2007), ASTM E29-06b, ASTM E29-06a, ASTM E29-06, ASTM D2087-06, ASTM D5386-05, ASTM D1209-05e1, ASTM D1209-05, ASTM E29-04. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
ASTM D2378-22 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
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:D2378 −22
Standard Specification for
Formaldehyde 50% Grade Uninhibited and 37% Grade
Inhibited and Uninhibited
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2378; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope D2087 Test Method for Iron in Formaldehyde Solutions
(Withdrawn 2021)
1.1 This specification covers 50 % uninhibited formalde-
D2194 Test Method for Concentration of Formaldehyde
hyde and 37 % uninhibited and inhibited formaldehyde. 3
Solutions (Withdrawn 2021)
D2379 Test Method for Acidity of Formaldehyde Solutions
1.2 The following applies to all specified limits in this
D2380 Test Method for Methanol Content of Formaldehyde
standard; for purposes of determining conformance with this
Solutions
standard, an observed value or a calculated value shall be
D5386 Test Method for Color of Liquids Using Tristimulus
rounded off “to the nearest unit” in the last right-hand digit
Colorimetry
used in expressing the specification limit, in accordance with
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
the rounding-off method of Practice E29.
Determine Conformance with Specifications
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
E300 Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
2.2 U.S. Federal Standard:
standard.
PPP-C-2020 Federal Specification For Packaging of
1.4 For specific hazard information and guidance, see the Chemicals, Liquid, Dry, and Paste
supplier’sMaterialSafetyDataSheetformaterialslistedinthis
3. Properties
specification.
3.1 The physical and chemical properties of formaldehyde,
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
50 % uninhibited and 37 % uninhibited and inhibited, shall
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
conform to the requirements specified in Table 1.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
NOTE 1—Instrumental Pt-Co color determined by Test Method D5386
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
has been shown to have no statistically significant difference from Pt-Co
color determined by Test Method D1209. However, it is not known
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
whether formaldehyde was part of the sample set included in the
interlaboratory study.
2. Referenced Documents
4. Sampling
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D891 TestMethodsforSpecificGravity,Apparent,ofLiquid
4.1 The material shall be sampled in accordance with
Industrial Chemicals
Practice E300.
D1209 Test Method for Color of Clear Liquids (Platinum-
Cobalt Scale)
5. Hazards
5.1 Formaldehyde and formaldehyde solutions are toxic and
exposure to them should be minimized to avoid acute effects
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint
and possible sensitizing. Consult the supplier’s Material Safety
and Related Coatings, Materials, andApplications and is the direct responsibility of
Data Sheet for specific hazard information.
Subcommittee D01.35 on Solvents, Plasticizers, and Chemical Intermediates
...
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