ASTM D304-11(2019)

Standard Specification for <emph type="bdit">n</emph>-Butyl Alcohol (Butanol)

ABSTRACT
This specification covers n-butyl alcohol (butanol). The apparent specific gravity, color, distillation range, non-volatile matter, water properties, and acidity shall be tested to meet the requirements prescribed.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers n-butyl alcohol (butanol).  
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 The following applies to all specified limits in this standard: for purposes of determining conformance with this standard, an observed value or a calculated value shall be rounded off “to the nearest unit” in the last right-hand digit used in expressing the specification limit, in accordance with the rounding-off method of Practice E29.  
1.4 For hazard information and guidance, see the supplier's Material Safety Data Sheets.  
1.5 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-Mar-2019
• ICS: 71.080.60 - Alcohols. Ethers
• Technical Committee: D01 - Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications
• Drafting Committee: D01.35 - Solvents, Plasticizers, and Chemical Intermediates

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D304-11 - Standard Specification for <span class="italic">n</span>-Butyl Alcohol (Butanol)
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2019
• Refers: ASTM D1613-06(2012) - Standard Test Method for Acidity in Volatile Solvents and Chemical Intermediates Used in Paint, Varnish, Lacquer, and Related Products
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2012
• Refers: ASTM D1078-11 - Standard Test Method for Distillation Range of Volatile Organic Liquids
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2011
• Refers: ASTM D5386-10 - Standard Test Method for Color of Liquids Using Tristimulus Colorimetry
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2010
• Refers: ASTM D1353-09 - Standard Test Method for Nonvolatile Matter in Volatile Solvents for Use in Paint, Varnish, Lacquer, and Related Products
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2009
• Refers: ASTM D891-09 - Standard Test Methods for Specific Gravity, Apparent, of Liquid Industrial Chemicals (Withdrawn 2018)
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2009
• Refers: ASTM E29-08 - Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2008
• Refers: ASTM D268-01(2007) - Standard Guide for Sampling and Testing Volatile Solvents and Chemical Intermediates for Use in Paint and Related Coatings and Material
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2007
• Refers: ASTM D1476-02(2007) - Standard Test Method for Heptane Miscibility of Lacquer Solvents
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2007
• Refers: ASTM D1364-02(2007) - Standard Test Method for Water in Volatile Solvents (Karl Fischer Reagent Titration Method)
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2007
• Refers: ASTM E29-06b - Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2006
• Refers: ASTM E29-06a - Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
• Effective Date: 15-Sep-2006
• Refers: ASTM E29-06 - Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
• Effective Date: 01-May-2006
• Refers: ASTM D1613-06 - Standard Test Method for Acidity in Volatile Solvents and Chemical Intermediates Used in Paint, Varnish, Lacquer, and Related Products
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2006
• Refers: ASTM D5386-05 - Standard Test Method for Color of Liquids Using Tristimulus Colorimetry
• Effective Date: 15-Oct-2005

Overview

ASTM D304-11(2019): Standard Specification for n-Butyl Alcohol (Butanol) establishes internationally recognized requirements for n-butyl alcohol (also known as 1-butanol or propyl carbinol). This specification provides criteria and testing standards for assessing the quality and purity of n-butyl alcohol, focusing on key properties such as specific gravity, color, distillation range, non-volatile content, water content, and acidity. It is widely utilized in chemical, manufacturing, and industrial applications where quality and purity are critical.

Key Topics

• Scope and Units: This standard covers n-butyl alcohol and specifies that values are presented in SI units only, ensuring global consistency.
• Physical and Chemical Properties: Defines limits for:
  • Apparent specific gravity
  • Color (Pt-Co scale)
  • Distillation range
  • Maximum allowable non-volatile matter
  • Water content
  • Acidity (as acetic acid)
• Test Methods: Specifies ASTM standard test methods for accurate evaluation, including:
  • Specific gravity: ASTM D891, D4052
  • Color: ASTM D1209, D5386
  • Distillation range: ASTM D1078
  • Non-volatile matter: ASTM D1353
  • Water content: ASTM D1364, D1476
  • Acidity: ASTM D1613
• Sampling and Packaging: Provides requirements for representative sampling (ASTM E300) and mandates compliance with relevant packaging regulations, including carrier rules and applicable federal specifications.
• Conformance and Rounding: Outlines rules for rounding test data per ASTM E29, ensuring uniformity in reporting.

Applications

n-Butyl alcohol produced and verified according to ASTM D304-11(2019) is used in a variety of industrial and commercial applications, including:

• Solvent in Paints and Coatings: Ensures consistent evaporation rates and solvent power in the manufacture of paints, varnishes, lacquers, and related products.
• Chemical Intermediates: Acts as a raw material for plasticizers, pharmaceuticals, and specialty chemicals.
• Quality Control: Provides manufacturers and suppliers with a standardized method for verifying material properties, supporting regulatory compliance and customer assurance.
• Packaging and Distribution: Ensures that n-butyl alcohol meets purity requirements for safe transport and end use.
• Health and Safety: References Material Safety Data Sheets for hazard identification and safe handling.

By adopting ASTM D304-11(2019), organizations benefit from harmonized quality specifications, facilitating international trade and compliance with technical barriers to trade (TBT) principles established by the World Trade Organization.

Related Standards

Several ASTM and industry standards are referenced in support of ASTM D304-11(2019):

• ASTM D891 - Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Liquid Industrial Chemicals
• ASTM D1078 - Test Method for Distillation Range of Volatile Organic Liquids
• ASTM D1209 / D5386 - Test Methods for Color of Liquids
• ASTM D1353 - Test Method for Nonvolatile Matter in Volatile Solvents
• ASTM D1364 / D1476 - Test Methods for Water in Volatile Solvents
• ASTM D1613 - Test Method for Acidity in Volatile Solvents
• ASTM D4052 - Test Method for Density by Digital Density Meter
• ASTM E29 - Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data
• ASTM E300 - Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals
• PPP-C-2020 (U.S. Fed. Spec.) - Chemicals Packaging Specification

For industries where n-butyl alcohol quality is mission-critical, adherence to ASTM D304-11(2019) ensures reliability, safety, and regulatory acceptance worldwide.

Keywords: n-butyl alcohol, butanol, ASTM D304, solvent quality standard, industrial chemicals specification, quality control, chemical intermediates, international standards, ASTM International

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: D304 −11 (Reapproved 2019)
Standard Specification for
n-Butyl Alcohol (Butanol)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D304; 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 D1353 Test Method for Nonvolatile Matter in Volatile Sol-
vents for Use in Paint, Varnish, Lacquer, and Related
1.1 This specification covers n-butyl alcohol (butanol).
Products
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
D1364 Test Method for Water in Volatile Solvents (Karl
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
Fischer Reagent Titration Method)
standard.
D1476 Test Method for Heptane Miscibility of Lacquer
1.3 The following applies to all specified limits in this Solvents
D1613 Test Method for Acidity in Volatile Solvents and
standard: for purposes of determining conformance with this
standard, an observed value or a calculated value shall be Chemical Intermediates Used in Paint, Varnish, Lacquer,
and Related Products
rounded off “to the nearest unit” in the last right-hand digit
used in expressing the specification limit, in accordance with D4052 Test Method for Density, Relative Density, and API
Gravity of Liquids by Digital Density Meter
the rounding-off method of Practice E29.
D5386 Test Method for Color of Liquids Using Tristimulus
1.4 For hazard information and guidance, see the supplier’s
Colorimetry
Material Safety Data Sheets.
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
Determine Conformance with Specifications
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
E300 Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
2.2 U.S. Federal Specification:
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
PPP-C-2020 Chemicals, Liquid, Dry, and Paste: Packaging
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
of
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3. Properties
2. Referenced Documents
2 3.1 n-butyl alcohol (butanol) shall conform to the following
2.1 ASTM Standards:
requirements:
D268 Guide for Sampling and Testing Volatile Solvents and
Apparent specific gravity:
Chemical Intermediates for Use in Paint and Related
20/20 °C 0.810 to 0.813
Coatings and Material
or
D891 TestMethodsforSpecificGravity,Apparent,ofLiquid
25/25 °C 0.807 to 0.810
A
Color, Pt-Co scale, max 10
Industrial Chemicals
B
Distillation range, 760 mmHg
D1078 Test Method for Distillation Range of Volatile Or-
Nonvolatile matter, max, mg/100 mL 5
C
ganic Liquids
Water, max, weight % 0.1
D
Acidity, as acetic acid, max, weight % 0.005
D1209 Test Method for Color of Clear Liquids (Platinum-
______________
Cobalt Scale)
A
Instrumental Pt-Co color determined by Test Method D5386 has been shown to
have no statistically significant difference from Pt-Co color determined by Test
This specification is under the jurisdiction of the ASTM Committee D01 on
Method D1209. However, it is not known whether n-butyl alcohol was part of the
Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct respons
...