ISO 3617:1994

INTERNATIONAL
ISO
STANDARD
3617
Second edition
1994-12-15
Photography - Processing chemicals -
Specifications for sodium hydroxide
Photographie - Produits chimiques de traitemen t - Spkifica tions pour
I’hydroxyde de sodium
Reference number
ISO 3617:1994(E)

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ISO 3617:1994(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide
federation of national Standards bodies (ISO member bodies) . The work of
preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
ject for which
technical committees. Esch member body interested in a sub
a technicai committee has been established has the right to be
represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental
and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO
collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission
(IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
Draft International Standards adopted by the technical committees are
circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an International
Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting
a vote.
International Standard ISO 3617 was prepared by Technical Committee
ISO/TC 42, Photography.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 3617:1976),
which has been technically revised.
Annex A of this International Standard is for information only.
0 ISO 1994
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced
or utilized in any form or by any means, electronie or mechanical, including photocopying and
mrcrofilm, without Permission in writing from the publisher.
International Organization for Standardization
Case postale 56 l CH-l 211 Geneve 20 l Swit
Printed in Switzerland

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0 ISO ISO 3617:1994(E)
Introduction
0.1 This International Standard is one of a series that establishes criteria
of purity for chemicals used in processing photographic materials. General
test methods and procedures cited in this International Standard are
compiled in Parts 1, 5, 6 and 7 of ISO 10349.
This International Standard is intended for use by individuals with a
working knowledge of analytical techniques which may not always be the
case. Some of the procedures utilize caustic, toxic or otherwise hazardous
chemicals. Safe laboratory practice for the handling of chemicals requires
the use of safety glasses or goggles, rubber gloves and other protective
apparel such as face masks or aprons where appropriate. Normal pre-
cautions required in the Performance of any Chemical procedure are to be
exercised at all times but care has been taken to provide warnings for
hazardous materials. Hazard warnings designated by a letter enclosed in
angle brackets, c>, are used as a reminder in those Steps detailing
handling operations and are defined in ISO 10349-1. More detailed
information regarding hazards, handling and use of these chemicals may
be available from the manufacturer.
0.2 This International Standard provides Chemical and physical require-
ments for the suitability of a photographit-grade Chemical. The tests
correlate with undesirable photographic effects. Purity requirements are
set as low as possible consistent with these photographic effects. These
criteria are considered the minimum requirements necessary to assure
sufficient purity for use in photographic processing solutions, except that if
the purity of a commonly available grade of Chemical exceeds photographic
processing requirements and if there is no economic penalty in its use, the
purity requirements have been set to take advantage of the availability of
the higher-quality material. Every effort has been made to keep the
number of requirements to a minimum. Inert impurities are limited to
amounts which will not unduly reduce the assay. All tests are performed
on samples “as received” to reflect the condition of materials furnished for
use. Although the ultimate criterion for suitability of such a Chemical is its
successful Performance in an appropriate use test, the shorter, more
economical test methods described in this International Standard are
generally adequate.
Assay procedures have been included in all cases where a satisfactory
method is available. An effective assay requirement serves not only as a
safeguard of Chemical purity but also as a valuable complement to the
identity test. Identity tests have been included whenever a possibility
exists that another Chemical or mixture of chemicals could pass the other
tests.
All requirements listed in clause 4 are mandatory. The physical appearance
of the material and any footnotes are for general Information only and are
not part 0% the requirements.

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ISO 3617:1994(E)
0 ISO
0.3 Efforts have been made to employ tests which are capable of being
run in any normally equipped laboratory and, wherever possible, to avoid
tests which require highly specialized equipment or techniques.
Instrumental methods have been specified only as alternative methods or
alone in those cases where no other satisfactory method is available.
Over the past few years, great improvements have been made in
instrumentation for various analyses. Where such techniques have
equivalent or greater precision, they may be used in place of the tests
described in this International Standard. Correlation of such alternative
procedures with the given method is the responsibility of the User. In case
of disagreement in results, the method called for in the specification shall
prevail. Where a requirement states “to pass test ”, however, alternative
methods shall not be used.

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ISO 3617:1994(E)
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD o ISO
Specifications for
Photography - Processing chemicals -
sodium hydroxide
3.2 Hazardous properties
1 Scope
Sodium hydroxide is corrosive (DANGER:<>).
This International Standard establishes criteria for the
Avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothing. Avoid
purity of photographit-grade sodium hydroxide
breathing dust. Refer to the manufacturer ’s Material
(DANGER: <>)l) and specifies the tests to be
Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for additional information.
used to determine the purity.
3.3 Handling and storage
2 Normative references
Sodium hydroxide shall be stored in a properly labelled
and tightly sealed plastic Container. Sodium hydroxide
The following Standards contain provisions which,
readily absorbs moisture with the liberation of heat
through reference in this text, constitute provisions of
and reacts violently with acids.
this International Standard. At the time of publication,
the editions indicated were valid. All Standards are
subject to revision, and Parties to agreements based
4 Requirements
on this International Standard are encouraged to
investigate the possibility of applying the most recent
A summary of the requirements is shown in table 1.
editions of the Standards indicated below. Members
of IEC and ISO maintain registers of currently valid
International Standards.
5 Reagents and glassware
ISO 10349-1: 1992, Photography - Photographic-
All reagents, materials and glassware shall conform to
grade chemicals - Test methods - Part 1: General.
the requirements specified in ISO 10349-1 unless
otherwise noted. The hazard warning Symbols used
ISO 10349-5: 1992, Photography - Photographic-
as a reminder in those Steps detailing handling oper-
grade chemicals - Test methods - Part 5: Determi-
ations are defined in ISO 10349-1. These Symbols are
nation of heavy metals and iron content.
used to provide information to the user and are not
meant to provide conformance with hazardous
ISO 10349-6: 1992, Photography - Photographic-
labelling requirements as these vary from country to
grade chemicals - Test methods - Part 6: Determi-
country.
nation of halide con tent.
ISO 10349-7: 1992, Photography - Photographic-
6 Sampling
grade chemicals - Test methods - Part 7: Determi-
nation of alkalinity or acidity.
See ISO 10349-1.
7 Test methods
3 General
7.1 Assay
3.1 Physical properties
Sodium hydroxide, NaOH, exists in the form of white
7.1.1 Specification
sticks, pellets, flakes, granules or powder. lt has a
) min
relative molecular mass of 40,OO. Content of NaOH sha II be 95,0 % (m/m
1) Hazard warning Codes are defined in ISO 10349-1:1992, clause 4.

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ISO 3617:1994(E) 0 ISO
Table 1
- Summary of requirements
International Standard in
Test Limit Subclause
which test method is given
Assay (as NaOH) 7.1
95,0 % (~IZ/ITZ) min. ISO 3617
Heavy metals (as Pb) 7.2 ISO 10349-5
0,003 % (172/m) max.
Iran (Fe) 0,002 % (m/m) max. 7.3 ISO 10349-5
7.4
Halides (as Cl-) 0,3 % (m/m) max. ISO 10349-6
2,5 % (m/m) max. 7.5 ISO 3617
Carbonate (as Na&Os)
Calcium and magnesium (as Mg) 0,06 % (m/m) max. 7.6 ISO 3617
Appearance of Solution Clear and free from insoluble matter 7.7 ISO 3617
except for a slight flocculence
NOTE - m/m = mass/mass
7.1.2 Reagents 7.1.3.3 Pipette, of 50 ml capacity.
7.1.2.1 Hydrochlorit acid, HCI, Standard volumetric
7.1.4 Procedure
Solution of 1,O mol/1 (36,46 g/l)*) 3).
Weigh, to the nearest 0,Ol g, a test Portion of 19 g to
7.1.2.2 Phenolphthalein indicator, 5 g/l.
21 g and transfer it to a beaker containing 250 ml of
carbon-dioxide-free water (7.1.2.3). Allow to cool to
Dissolve 0,5 g of phenolphthalein in 50 ml of methanol
room temperature. Analytically transfer the contents
or ethanol, then dilute to 100 ml with water. Filter if
to a 500 ml volumetric flask (7.1.3.1) and then dilute
necessary.
to the mark with the water (7.1.2.3). Transfer a 50 ml
aliquot of the Sample Solution, using the pipette
7.1.2.3 Carbon-dioxide-free water.
(7.1.3.3), to a 500 ml glass stoppered conical flask and
dilute to about 200 ml with the water (7.1.2.3). Add
Prepare carbon-dioxide-free water in accordance with
5 ml of barium chloride (7.1.2.5). Stopper the flask and
ISO 10349-7.
Shake. Allow the mixture to stand for 5 min. Add three
drops of phenolphthalein indicator (7.1.2.2) and titrate
7.1.2.4 Sodium hydroxide, NaOH, Standard volu-
with hydrochloric acid (7.1.2.1) to the first
metric Solution of 0,lO mol/1 (4,0 g/l)*) 4).
disappearance of the pink colour. Retain this Solution
for use in the carbonate test (7.5).
Use analytical grade sodium hydroxide for this
Solution, not the material under test.
7.1.5 Express
...