ASTM D1722-09(2023)

Standard Test Method for Water Miscibility of Water-Soluble Solvents

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Water-insoluble materials present in a solvent expected to be completely water miscible may interfere with many uses of the solvent. This test method provides a measure of the miscibility of water-soluble solvents with a polar medium-water. It also provides a qualitative indication of the presence or absence of water-immiscible contaminants.  
4.2 The results of this test method may be used in assessing compliance with a specification. Prior to agreeing to this test method as the basis of a specification requirement, it may be desirable that the interpretation of what constitutes cloudiness or turbidity be agreed upon between the supplier and the purchaser.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the miscibility of water-soluble solvents with water. While written specifically for testing acetone, isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol), and methyl alcohol (methanol), the method is suitable for testing most water-soluble solvents.  
1.2 This test method serves to detect water-immiscible contaminants qualitatively; the level of detection of these impurities varies widely with both the type of solvent and the type of impurity.  
1.3 The level of detection of water-insoluble materials depends upon the solvent tested and the type of impurity or impurities present, that is paraffin, olefin, aromatic, high molecular weight alcohol, or ketone, etc. There is, therefore, no specific level of impurity detected by this procedure.  
Note 1: This test method is normally performed at ambient, but other temperatures may be used as specified by the consumer and supplier.  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.5 For specific hazard information and guidance, consult the supplier’s Safety Data Sheet for materials listed in this test method.  
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.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Jun-2023
• ICS: 71.080.01 - Organic chemicals in general
• Technical Committee: D01 - Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications
• Drafting Committee: D01.35 - Solvents, Plasticizers, and Chemical Intermediates

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D1193-06 - Standard Specification for Reagent Water
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2006
• Refers: ASTM D1193-99e1 - Standard Specification for Reagent Water
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-1999
• Refers: ASTM D1193-99 - Standard Specification for Reagent Water
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-1999

Overview

ASTM D1722-09(2023) - Standard Test Method for Water Miscibility of Water-Soluble Solvents provides a practical approach for determining the miscibility of water-soluble solvents with water. Developed by ASTM International, this test method is essential in assessing whether solvents such as acetone, isopropyl alcohol, and methyl alcohol are completely miscible with water, or if water-insoluble contaminants are present.

This standard is especially significant for industries requiring high-purity solvents, as the presence of water-immiscible materials can compromise solvent effectiveness across various applications. It is recognized by international organizations and is developed under globally accepted principles for standardization.

Key Topics

• Purpose of the Test Method:
  To evaluate the miscibility of water-soluble solvents with water and to provide a qualitative indication of water-immiscible contaminants.

• Scope of Application:
  While primarily intended for acetone, isopropyl alcohol, and methyl alcohol, the method is suitable for a broad range of water-soluble solvents.

• Detection of Contaminants:
  The method serves as a qualitative test for identifying the presence of water-insoluble impurities, such as paraffins, olefins, aromatics, or high molecular weight alcohols and ketones. The test result is reported as pass or fail based on the presence of cloudiness or turbidity after mixing the solvent with water.

• Procedure Synopsis:

  1. Mix the solvent specimen with water at a standard ratio.
  2. Compare the mixture against a water blank by observing for cloudiness or turbidity.
  3. Results are qualitative, indicating either the absence (pass) or presence (fail) of water-insoluble materials.

• Result Interpretation:
  The definition of cloudiness or turbidity, as a basis for pass or fail, should be agreed upon between supplier and purchaser for specification purposes.

• Conditions:
  Typically performed at ambient temperature, but other temperatures may be applied if agreed upon by stakeholders.

• Units and Safety:
  Results are stated in SI units. Safety and regulatory practices must be observed, referencing Safety Data Sheets for relevant materials.

Applications

• Solvent Quality Control:
  Ensures that solvents used in pharmaceutical, paint, chemical processing, and laboratory settings are free from undesired water-insoluble contaminants that could interfere with end use.

• Specification Compliance:
  Used as a benchmark for solvent suppliers and purchasers to agree on product quality and purity requirements.

• Troubleshooting and Purity Assurance:
  Applied to identify sources of contamination that may affect product quality, reliability, or compliance in manufacturing and laboratory environments.

• Process Optimization:
  Enables process engineers and formulators to select and verify solvents that are completely miscible with water, optimizing formulations and preventing performance issues due to contaminants.

Related Standards

• ASTM D1193 - Specification for Reagent Water:
  Defines the quality requirements for water used in the test procedure.

• Other ASTM Solvent Standards:
  This method complements other test methods and specifications developed under the ASTM Committee D01 (Paints and Related Coatings) and Subcommittee D01.35 (Solvents, Plasticizers, and Chemical Intermediates).

• International Standardization Principles:
  This test method is aligned with WTO TBT Committee decisions on international standards development, ensuring broad global applicability.

Keywords: water miscibility, water-soluble solvents, ASTM D1722, solvent purity, contamination detection, quality control, chemical standards, test method, water-insoluble impurities.

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: D1722 − 09 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Test Method for
Water Miscibility of Water-Soluble Solvents
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1722; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the misci- 2.1 ASTM Standards:
bility of water-soluble solvents with water. While written D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
specifically for testing acetone, isopropyl alcohol
3. Summary of Method
(isopropanol), and methyl alcohol (methanol), the method is
suitable for testing most water-soluble solvents.
3.1 The specimen is diluted to 10 volumes with water and
the resulting mixture examined for cloudiness or turbidity.
1.2 This test method serves to detect water-immiscible
contaminants qualitatively; the level of detection of these
4. Significance and Use
impurities varies widely with both the type of solvent and the
4.1 Water-insoluble materials present in a solvent expected
type of impurity.
to be completely water miscible may interfere with many uses
1.3 The level of detection of water-insoluble materials
of the solvent. This test method provides a measure of the
depends upon the solvent tested and the type of impurity or
miscibility of water-soluble solvents with a polar medium-
impurities present, that is paraffin, olefin, aromatic, high
water. It also provides a qualitative indication of the presence
molecular weight alcohol, or ketone, etc. There is, therefore, no
or absence of water-immiscible contaminants.
specific level of impurity detected by this procedure.
4.2 The results of this test method may be used in assessing
NOTE 1—This test method is normally performed at ambient, but other
compliance with a specification. Prior to agreeing to this test
temperatures may be used as specified by the consumer and supplier.
method as the basis of a specification requirement, it may be
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
desirable that the interpretation of what constitutes cloudiness
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
or turbidity be agreed upon between the supplier and the
standard.
purchaser.
1.5 For specific hazard information and guidance, consult
5. Apparatus
the supplier’s Safety Data Sheet for materials listed in this test
method. 5.1 Cylinder, graduated, glass-stoppered, 250 mL.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
6. Reagent
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
6.1 Water—References to water shall be understood to mean
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
reagent water conforming to Type IV or better of Specification
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
D1193.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
7. Procedure
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
7.1 Transfer 2
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