ASTM D6902-04(2023)

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: D6902 − 04 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Test Method for
Laboratory Measurement of Formaldehyde Evolved During
the Curing of Melamine-Formaldehyde-Based Coatings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6902; 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 D1979 Test Method for Free Formaldehyde Content of
Amino Resins (Withdrawn 2006)
1.1 This test method is for the determination of formalde-
D6191 Test Method for Measurement of Evolved Formalde-
hyde evolved from melamine-formaldehyde-based coatings
hyde from Water Reducible Air-Dry Coatings
during the cure step. The results may be used to determine the
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
“cure formaldehyde” evolved from a sample under controlled
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
laboratory conditions.
3. Terminology
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
only.
3.1.1 cure formaldehyde, n—the formaldehyde generated as
the result of a chemical reaction during coating curing.
1.3 This test method is capable of measuring from 500 μg/g
to 22 000 μg formaldehyde/g dry coating under the test
3.1.2 free formaldehyde, n—the residual formaldehyde in a
conditions specified (3 000 ml/min total flow, 50 ml/min
coating due to the raw materials.
DNPH tube flow). The ratio of total flow to DNPH tube flow
4. Summary of Test Method
could be adjusted to extend the range of the method.
4.1 Approximately 0.2 g of coating formulation is placed in
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
an aluminum foil pan, dried in a vacuum oven at 40 °C (to
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
remove free formaldehyde and solvents) and then baked at the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
optimum process cure temperature for 30 min. Formaldehyde
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
emissions are collected from the cure chamber on a DNPH/
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Silica tube, which is then extracted and the extract analyzed by
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
HPLC/UV. The amount of formaldehyde evolved from the
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
coating during the cure step is calculated on both a wet-weight
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
and dry-weight basis. The test is run in triplicate plus a blank
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
and system standard.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This test method measures the amount of formaldehyde
2. Referenced Documents
that is evolved from a coating containing melamine-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
formaldehyde resin(s) during cure at elevated temperature.
D362 Specification for Industrial Grade Toluene (Withdrawn
Cure formaldehyde results from a side-reaction during cross-
1989)
linking of functionalized polymers with melamine-
formaldehyde resins. Cure formaldehyde is evolved in the final
bake or cure oven, when the coating temperature is high
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint
enough to initiate cross-linking. Formaldehyde can be released
and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D01.21 on Chemical Analysis of Paints and Paint Materials.
from a coating during application, solvent flash-off and cure.
Current edition approved July 1, 2023. Published August 2023. Originally
Free formaldehyde is primarily evolved during coating appli-
approved in 2003. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as D6902 – 04 (2017).
cation and solvent flash-off. Test Method D1979 measures
DOI: 10.1520/D6902-04R23.
“free formaldehyde” in amino resins and Test Method D6191
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
measures formaldehyde evolved from coatings at ambient
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
temperature. This method measures only the formaldehyde
the ASTM website.
released during heat cure, which is primarily “cure formalde-
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
www.astm.org. hyde.”
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D6902 − 04 (2023)
5.2 This test method is not intended to duplicate the evolved 6.15 Water Trap, 1000 mL vacuum flask with stopper.
formaldehyde from an industrial process, but serves as a
6.16 Thermometer, thermocouple with temperature readout
reproducible comparative laboratory evaluation.
calibrated in range of 50 °F to 400 °F.
5.3 This test method has not been evaluated with catalyzed
7. Reagents and Materials
coating systems that cure at or below 40 °C, such as those used
by the wood-finishing industry, and would likely require
7.1 Purity of Reagents—Use reagent grade chemicals in all
special adaptation for this application.
tests, unless otherwise specified. Other grades may be used,
provided it is first ascertained that the reagent is sufficiently
6. Apparatus
high purity to permit its use without lessening the accuracy of
6.1 High Pressure Liquid Chromatograph (HPLC), either a
the determination.
gradient or isocratic system. A gradient system is preferred
7.2 Toluene, technical grade, Specification D362.
when other aldehydes or ketones are present.
7.3 Tetrahydrofuran, HPLC Grade.
NOTE 1—The system shall be equipped with a temperature-controlled
column oven. A liquid autosampler is optional.
7.4 Water, HPLC Grade.
6.2 Column, a C ODS packed with 5 μm pellicular beads
18 7.5 Acetonitrile, HPLC Grade.
with the dimensions of approximately 4 mm by 75 mm or 150
7.6 DNPH-Silica Cartridge, Waters Sep-Pak Cartridges,
mm. A 2 cm guard column packed with the same material is
Part # WAT037500.
recommended to protect the analytical column.
7.7 Formaldehyde/2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone (DNPH)
6.3 Detector, UV/VIS detector capable of measuring absor-
Complex, may be purchased or prepared in the laboratory.
bance at 360 nm.
7.8 Calcium Nitrate Tetrahydrate, reagent grade.
6.4 Integrator, peak integration system.
7.9 Paraformaldehyde, reagent grade.
6.5 Air Sampling Pump, an air sampling pump with the
capability of maintaining a constant flow rate between 3 L ⁄min
8. Hazards
and 4 L/min. Both an inlet and outlet port must be available for
8.1 Check the supplier’s Safety Data Sheet (SDS) on all
measuring flow. An SKC AirCheck Sampler Model 224-
chemicals before use.
PCXR8 has been found suitable.
6.6 Flow Meters—An in-line mass flow meter or flow
9. Preparation of Apparatus
sensor capable of measuring 30 mL ⁄min to 120 mL/min with at
9.1 Install the column in the chromatograph following the
least 3 % accuracy. A flow meter or bubble meter capable of
manufacturer’s directions and establish the operating condi-
measuring 3 L ⁄min to 4 L/min with at least 5 % accuracy.
tions required to give the desired separation (see Table 1).
6.7 Glass Purge Chamber—A glass purge chamber with a
Allow sufficient time for the instrument to reach equilibrium as
mouth at least 60 mm wide and a lid with an air-tight gasket
indicated by a stable baseline.
seal. One liter reaction flask, reaction flask head with two
9.2 Purge Chamber Set Up:
threads, two 5029 tetrafluorethylene polymer bushings and
9.2.1 Assemble apparatus (empty purge chamber, impinger,
FETFE O-Ring and 124 mm anodized 2 piece clamp, Ace
pump, flow meters and valving) as shown in Fig. 1 with a
Glass part numbers 6511-53, 6513-SP, and 6508-6.
DNPH cartridge in line (use two DNPH cartridges for water-
6.8 Valves—Two metering valves to adjust split flow rate.
borne coatings and paraformaldehyde calibration check).
One valve must be constructed of stainless steel. A Swagelok
9.2.2 Add 500 g of calcium nitrate tetrahydrate to 250 mL of
506-1-316 has been found suitable.
reagent grade water to form a near saturated solution. Place this
6.9 Aluminum Foil Dishes, 58 mm in diameter by 18 mm
mixture in the constant humidity Insert the Sherer Impinger so
high with a smooth (planar) bottom surface.
6.10 Forced Draft Oven, oven, capable of maintaining
160 °C (320 °F), of adequate size to accommodate one or more
TABLE 1 Instrument Conditions
purge chambers.
Detector UV/VIS Absorbance 360 nm
Column (Isocratic) C ODS 4 mm by 75 mm
6.11 Vacuum Oven, capable of maintaining 40 °C and a
Mobile Phase (Isocratic) Water/Acetonitrile/Tetrahydrofuran
vacuum of 0.1 Barr to 0.2 Barr (~100 mm Hg). 65/30/5 volume/volume
Column (Gradient) C ODS 4 mm by 150 mm
6.12 Volumetric Glassware, various volumetric flasks and
Mobile Phase (Gradient) Water/Acetonitrile/Tetrahydrofuran
A: 65/30/10 volume/volume
pipettes for preparation of calibration standards. Also, 5 mL
B: 40/60/0 volume/volume
volumetric flasks for sample elution.
100 % A for 1 min then linear gradient
to 100 % B in 10 min
6.13 Analytical Balance—Four-place analytical balance ca-
Flow Rate 1.5 mL/min
pable of measuring to 60.1 mg (0.0001 g).
Column Temperature 40 °C
Run Time (Isocratic) 10 min
6.14 Sherer Impinger Diffuser, A 25 mm dia, 275 mL with
Run Time (Gradient) 15 min
impinger stopper, Ace Glass part number 7538-29 has been
Injection Volume 10 μL to 20 μL
found suitable.
D6902 − 04 (2023)
FIG. 1 Page Chamber Set-Up
that the solution is 8 in. above the bottom of the impinger tip. the following procedure. It is good practice to determine the
Mark the solution level on the impinger. relative retention time daily or with each series of determina-
tions.
NOTE 2—This calcium nitrate tetrahydrate solution ensures a constant
10.2.1 Prepare a minimum four-point standard curve of
humidity of 55 %. Add water when the solution level falls below the mark.
Formaldehyde-DNPH derivative in acetonitrile, ranging from
9.2.3 Adjust the forced draft oven so that the pan tempera-
0.1 μg ⁄mL to 10 μg ⁄mL as formaldehyde. Recommended curve
ture is set at the coating manufacturers recommended optimum
0.1 μg ⁄mL, 1.0 μg ⁄mL, 5.0 μg ⁄mL and 10 μg ⁄mL.
process cure temperature 62 °F (usually with the range of
10.2.2 Inject a 10 μL to 20 μL aliquot of the standard
260 °F to 310 °F for automotive coatings). Use a thermocouple
mixture into the HPLC. At the end of the chromatographic run,
taped to the bottom of the pan to measure pan temperature.
calibrate the integrator by following the manufacturer’s proce-
9.2.4 Adjust pump flow rate to 3.0 L ⁄min to 3.5 L ⁄min.
dure for external standard calibration. If this capability is not
9.2.5 Adjust valves A and B until the DNPH Cartridge has
available, refer to the following calculations. See Figs. 2 and 3
a flow of 50 mL/min.
for typical chromatograms using the three listed columns.
9.2.6 Check pump flow rate to ensure it is still in the proper
range. Recommended starting flows; Pump 3.0 L/min, DNPH
10.2.3 The response factor of each analyte
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