Standard Practice for Determining Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Content of Paints and Related Coatings

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This practice discusses applicable ASTM test methods used in the determination of the VOC content of paints and related coatings and provides equations for calculating the VOC content expressed as the mass of VOC: (1) per unit volume of coating less water and exempt volatile compounds, and (2) per unit volume of coating solids and (3) per unit mass of coating solids.  
5.2 Volatile organic compound content is used to compare the amount of VOC released from different coatings used for the same application, that is, to coat the same area to the same dry film thickness (assuming the same application efficiency).  
5.3 VOC content data are required by various regulatory agencies.  
5.4 Only the expression of VOC content as a function of the volume of coating solids gives a linear measure of the difference in VOC released from different coatings used for the same application.
Note 4: Thus assuming the same transfer efficiency, a coating with VOC content of 3 lb of VOC/gal of solids would release 1/2 the VOC that would a coating with 6 lb of VOC/gal of solids.  
5.5 When VOC content is expressed as a function of the volume of coating less water and exempt solvents, the values obtained do not account for differences in the volume solids content of the coatings being compared: this expression, therefore, does not provide a linear measure of the difference in VOC emitted from different coatings used for the same application.
Note 5: Thus, a coating with VOC content of 3 lb of VOC/gal less water and exempt volatile compounds would release about 85 % less VOC than a coating with 6 lb of VOC/gal less water and exempt volatile compounds.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice measures the volatile organic compound (VOC) content of solventborne and waterborne paints and related coatings as determined from the quantity of material released from a sample under specified bake conditions and subtracting exempt volatile compounds and water if present.
Note 1: The regulatory definition, under the control of the U.S. EPA, can change. To ensure currency, contact the local air pollution control agency.  
1.2 This practice provides a guide to the selection of appropriate ASTM test methods for the determination of VOC content.  
1.3 Certain organic compounds that may be released under the specified bake conditions are not counted toward coating VOC content because they do not participate appreciably in atmospheric photochemical reactions. Such negligibly photochemically reactive compounds are referred to, as exempt volatile compounds in this practice.
Note 2: Information on the US EPA definition of VOC and a list of the current US EPA approved exempt volatile compounds which have been used in coatings, are provided in Appendix X3.  
1.4 VOC content is calculated as a function of (1) the volume of coating less water and exempt volatile compounds, and (2) the volume of coating solids, and (3) the weight of coating solids.  
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard.  
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.7 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.

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Publication Date
31-May-2018
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ASTM D3960-05(2018) - Standard Practice for Determining Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Content of Paints and Related Coatings
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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
1
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
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,
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint and
Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of
2
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
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D3960 − 05 (2018)
Methyl Acetate or t-Butyl Acetate Content of Solvent- 4.2 The volatile conten
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