ASTM D4701-00(2020)

Standard Specification for Technical Grade Methylene Chloride

ABSTRACT
This specification covers technical grade methylene chloride. Technical grade methylene chloride shall conform to the requirements prescribed. Tests shall be performed to determine the property requirements of the material in accordance to the following test methods: appearance; color; specific gravity; distillating range; nonvolatile residue; acidity; water; and free halogens.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers technical grade methylene chloride.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.3 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.
Note 1: See Guide D3844, Practice D4276, and STP 403A2 for additional important information on solvent handling and solvent properties.  
1.4 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-2019
• ICS: 71.080.20 - Halogenated hydrocarbons
• Technical Committee: D26 - Halogenated Organic Solvents and Fire Extinguishing Agents
• Drafting Committee: D26.03 - Cold Cleaning

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D4701-00(2015) - Standard Specification for Technical Grade Methylene Chloride
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2020
• Refers: ASTM D2111-10(2020) - Standard Test Methods for Specific Gravity and Density of Halogenated Organic Solvents and Their Admixtures
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2020
• Refers: ASTM D3741-00(2020) - Standard Test Methods for Appearance of Admixtures Containing Halogenated Organic Solvents
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2020
• Refers: ASTM D4755-95(2020) - Standard Test Method for Free Halogens in Halogenated Organic Solvents and Their Admixtures
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2020
• Refers: ASTM D2108-10(2020) - Standard Test Method for Color of Halogenated Organic Solvents and Their Admixtures (Platinum-Cobalt Scale)
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2020
• Refers: ASTM D4276-02(2020) - Standard Practice for Confined Area Entry
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2020
• Refers: ASTM D4755-95(2015)e1 - Standard Test Method for Free Halogens in Halogenated Organic Solvents and Their Admixtures
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2015
• Refers: ASTM D3741-00(2015)e1 - Standard Test Methods for Appearance of Admixtures Containing Halogenated Organic Solvents
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2015
• Refers: ASTM D2111-10(2015) - Standard Test Methods for Specific Gravity and Density of Halogenated Organic Solvents and Their Admixtures
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2015
• Refers: ASTM D2108-10(2015) - Standard Test Method for Color of Halogenated Organic Solvents and Their Admixtures (Platinum-Cobalt Scale)
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2015
• Refers: ASTM D4276-02(2012) - Standard Practice for Confined Area Entry
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2012
• Refers: ASTM D3401-97(2012) - Standard Test Methods for Water in Halogenated Organic Solvents and Their Admixtures
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2012
• Refers: ASTM D2989-01(2011) - Standard Test Method for Acidity-Alkalinity of Halogenated Organic Solvents and Their Admixtures
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2011
• Refers: ASTM D2109-01(2011) - Standard Test Methods for Nonvolatile Matter in Halogenated Organic<br> Solvents and Their Admixtures
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2011
• Refers: ASTM D2108-10 - Standard Test Method for Color of Halogenated Organic Solvents and Their Admixtures (Platinum-Cobalt Scale)
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2010

Overview

ASTM D4701-00(2020): Standard Specification for Technical Grade Methylene Chloride establishes comprehensive requirements for technical grade methylene chloride (dichloromethane). Developed by ASTM International, this standard ensures consistent product quality by specifying methods for testing and verifying properties such as appearance, color, specific gravity, distillation range, acidity, water content, nonvolatile residue, and the presence of free halogens.

Focusing solely on SI units, this international standard aligns with World Trade Organization (WTO) principles, supporting harmonized practices in the global trade of methylene chloride. Adherence to ASTM D4701 promotes product reliability, regulatory compliance, and safety in industrial and commercial applications.

Key Topics

• Product Purity and Identification

  • Ensures methylene chloride is clear and free from suspended matter
  • Limits color (max 20 Pt-Co units), nonvolatile residue, acidity, and water content
  • Requires absence of detectable free halogens

• Physical and Chemical Properties

  • Sets strict ranges for specific gravity (1.318–1.323 at 25°C)
  • Defines distillation range with minimum initial and maximum dry points for quality control

• Testing and Verification Methods

  • References standardized test methods for measuring appearance, color, specific gravity, distillation characteristics, residues, acidity, water, and halogens
  • Calls for proper sampling protocols in accordance with industry guidelines

• Regulatory and Safety Compliance

  • Mandates labeling and packaging according to US Department of Transportation (DOT) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements
  • Stresses the user’s responsibility for safety, environmental, and regulatory considerations

Applications

Technical grade methylene chloride, as outlined in ASTM D4701, is widely used in various industries due to its effective solvent properties and purity standards. Key application areas include:

• Chemical Processing and Manufacturing

  • Acts as a solvent in the formulation of adhesives, paints, coatings, pharmaceuticals, and chemical synthesis

• Laboratory and Analytical Uses

  • Used as a reagent and extraction solvent in research and quality control laboratories

• Industrial Cleaning and Degreasing

  • Serves as a constituent in cold cleaning applications for metal parts and machinery

• Plastics and Polymer Industry

  • Functions in the production and processing of polymers and plastics due to its controlled evaporation and solvency

Compliance with ASTM D4701 ensures users obtain methylene chloride that meets strict quality criteria, improving operational efficiency and product safety.

Related Standards

For comprehensive management of technical grade methylene chloride, the following ASTM standards and regulatory resources are referenced within ASTM D4701:

• ASTM D2108 - Test Method for Color of Halogenated Organic Solvents
• ASTM D2109 - Test Methods for Nonvolatile Matter in Halogenated Organic Solvents
• ASTM D2111 - Test Methods for Specific Gravity and Density of Halogenated Organic Solvents
• ASTM D2989 - Test Method for Acidity-Alkalinity of Halogenated Organic Solvents
• ASTM D3401 - Test Methods for Water in Halogenated Organic Solvents
• ASTM D3741 - Test Methods for Appearance of Admixtures Containing Halogenated Organic Solvents
• ASTM D4755 - Test Method for Free Halogens in Halogenated Organic Solvents
• ASTM E300 - Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals
• US DOT (49 CFR 100-199) - Packaging and Transport of Hazardous Materials
• OSHA (29 CFR 1910.1200) - Hazard Communication Regulations

Environmental, health, and safety practices should always be informed by relevant regulatory guidelines, including those referenced in this ASTM standard, to ensure safe handling, transportation, and storage of methylene chloride.

---

Keywords: ASTM D4701, methylene chloride, technical grade dichloromethane, solvent standards, chemical quality specification, industrial methylene chloride, ASTM International, solvent testing methods, safety compliance

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:D4701 −00 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Specification for
Technical Grade Methylene Chloride
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4701; 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 D2989 Test Method for Acidity-Alkalinity of Halogenated
Organic Solvents and Their Admixtures
1.1 This specification covers technical grade methylene
D3401 Test Methods for Water in Halogenated Organic
chloride.
Solvents and Their Admixtures
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
D3741 Test Methods for Appearance of Admixtures Con-
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
taining Halogenated Organic Solvents
standard.
D3844 Guide for Labeling Chlorinated Hydrocarbon Sol-
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the vent Containers (Withdrawn 2013)
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
D4276 Practice for Confined Area Entry
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- D4755 Test Method for Free Halogens in Halogenated
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
Organic Solvents and Their Admixtures
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. E300 Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals
2.2 Code of Federal Regulations:
NOTE 1—See Guide D3844, Practice D4276, and STP 403A for
29 CFR, Section 1910.1200 Department of Labor, OSHA
additional important information on solvent handling and solvent proper-
ties.
Regulations on Hazard Communication
49 CFR, Sections 100 to 199 Department of Transportation
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- Hazardous Materials Regulations
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3. Chemical Properties
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3.1 Technical grade methylene chloride shall conform to the
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
requirements prescribed in Table 1.
2. Referenced Documents
4. Sampling
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.1 Conduct sampling by any of the appropriate procedures
D2108 Test Method for Color of Halogenated Organic
for simple liquids as specified in Practice E300.
Solvents and Their Admixtures (Platinum-Cobalt Scale)
D2109 Test Methods for Nonvolatile Matter in Halogenated
5. Packaging and Package Marking
Organic Solvents and Their Admixtures
5.1 Package and label industrial or commercial quantities in
D2111 Test Methods for Specific Gravity and Density of
accordance with DOT regulations in 49 CFR 100 to 199, in
Halogenated Organic Solvents and Their Admixtures
accordance with s
...