ASTM D4139-04(2020)

Standard Guide for Determining Volatile and Nonvolatile Content of Pigments

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 The nonvolatile content of raw materials may be used to determine the total nonvolatile content (solids) of paint and related coatings. Such information may be useful to coatings producers and users for the determination of the total solids available for film formation and for the estimation of the volatile organic content.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide is intended to aid in the selection of the proper ASTM test method for determining the volatile and nonvolatile content of pigments.  
Note 1: Test methods for determining the composition of the volatile fraction are not covered by this guide.  
1.2 The standards included are as follows:    
Standard  
Section  
ASTM Designation  
Inert or low hiding pigments  
4.1  
D280  
White pigments  
4.2  
D280    
Black pigments  
4.3  
D280  
D1509  
Aluminum and zinc pigments  
4.4  
D280    
D480  
Blue pigments  
4.5  
D280    
D1135  
Green pigments  
4.6  
D280    
Yellow, orange, brown pigments  
4.7  
D280  
D3724    
Red pigments  
4.8  
D280  
Miscellaneous  
4.9  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
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-May-2020
• ICS: 87.060.10 - Pigments and extenders
• Technical Committee: D01 - Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications
• Drafting Committee: D01.31 - Pigment Specifications

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D4139-04(2014) - Standard Guide for Determining Volatile and Nonvolatile Content of Pigments
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2020
• Refers: ASTM D1135-86(2020) - Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Blue Pigments
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2020
• Refers: ASTM D480-88(2020) - Standard Test Methods for Sampling and Testing of Flaked Aluminum Powders and Pastes
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2020
• Refers: ASTM D3724-01(2019) - Standard Specification for Synthetic Brown Iron Oxide Pigment
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2019
• Refers: ASTM D1509-15 - Standard Test Methods for Carbon Black—Heating Loss
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2015
• Refers: ASTM D480-88(2014) - Standard Test Methods for Sampling and Testing of Flaked Aluminum Powders and Pastes
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2014
• Refers: ASTM D1135-86(2014) - Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Blue Pigments
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2014
• Refers: ASTM D3724-01(2012) - Standard Specification for Synthetic Brown Iron Oxide Pigment
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Refers: ASTM D280-01(2012) - Standard Test Methods for Hygroscopic Moisture (and Other Matter Volatile Under the Test Conditions) in Pigments
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Refers: ASTM D1509-95(2012) - Standard Test Methods for Carbon Black—Heating Loss
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2012
• Refers: ASTM D1135-86(2009) - Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Blue Pigments
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2009
• Refers: ASTM D480-88(2008) - Standard Test Methods for Sampling and Testing of Flaked Aluminum Powders and Pastes
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2008
• Refers: ASTM D3724-01(2007) - Standard Specification for Synthetic Brown Iron Oxide Pigment
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2007
• Refers: ASTM D1509-95(2007) - Standard Test Methods for Carbon Black-Heating Loss
• Effective Date: 01-May-2007
• Refers: ASTM D280-01(2007) - Standard Test Methods for Hygroscopic Moisture (and Other Matter Volatile Under the Test Conditions) in Pigments
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2007

Overview

ASTM D4139-04(2020) is a standard guide developed by ASTM International to assist users in selecting the appropriate ASTM test methods for determining the volatile and nonvolatile content of pigment materials. Understanding the volatile and nonvolatile fractions in pigments is crucial for producers and users of paints, coatings, and related products. This guide supports accurate evaluation of raw materials, ensuring optimized formulations, regulatory compliance, and predictable performance of finished coatings.

This document was created in accordance with recognized international standardization principles and aligns with guidelines established by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Key Topics

• Purpose and Scope

  • Provides guidance on choosing relevant ASTM test methods for assessing volatile and nonvolatile content of pigments.
  • Applicable across a broad spectrum of pigment types, including inert, colored, metallic, and specialty pigments.
  • Does not cover methods for determining the detailed composition of the volatile fraction.
  • Values are presented exclusively in SI units.

• Significance and Use

  • The nonvolatile (solids) content of raw materials helps determine the total solids in paints and coatings.
  • This information aids manufacturers and end-users in:
    • Evaluating the solids available for film formation.
    • Estimating volatile organic content (VOC).
    • Enhancing product formulation and quality assurance.

• Referenced Methods by Pigment Type

  • Inert or Low Hiding Pigments: ASTM D280
  • White Pigments: ASTM D280
  • Black Pigments: ASTM D280, ASTM D1509
  • Aluminum and Zinc Pigments: ASTM D280, ASTM D480
  • Blue Pigments: ASTM D280, ASTM D1135
  • Green Pigments: ASTM D280
  • Yellow, Orange, Brown Pigments: ASTM D280, ASTM D3724
  • Red Pigments: ASTM D280

• Procedural Guidance

  • Test selection depends on pigment chemical composition and behavior under specific test conditions.
  • Method selection is specified for each major pigment group, promoting consistent and reliable results.

Applications

• Paint and Coating Industry

  • Accurate pigment volatile and nonvolatile content supports the formulation of high-performance coatings.
  • Ensures consistency in manufacturing, reducing batch variation and performance discrepancies.
  • Facilitates compliance with regulations related to volatile organic compounds (VOC).

• Quality Control and Raw Material Assessment

  • Enables manufacturers and laboratories to validate pigment quality upon receipt and before use.
  • Assists in troubleshooting raw materials and finished product inconsistencies.

• Research and Development

  • Used in developing new pigment compositions and innovative coating solutions.
  • Supports benchmarking and comparative testing during product development or sourcing.

• Supplier and User Agreements

  • When pigments are not specifically listed in the guide, suitable determination methods should be agreed upon between producers and users.

Related Standards

For determining the volatile and nonvolatile content of specific pigment types, refer to these relevant ASTM standards:

• ASTM D280 - Test Methods for Hygroscopic Moisture (and Other Matter Volatile Under the Test Conditions) in Pigments
• ASTM D1509 - Test Methods for Carbon Black-Heating Loss
• ASTM D480 - Test Methods for Sampling and Testing of Flaked Aluminum Powders and Pastes
• ASTM D1135 - Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Blue Pigments
• ASTM D3724 - Specification for Synthetic Brown Iron Oxide Pigment

These related documents offer detailed procedures for laboratory analysis, further supporting thorough and standardized pigment evaluation.

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Keywords: ASTM D4139, volatile content, nonvolatile content, pigment testing, paint and coatings standards, solids determination, quality control, VOC estimation

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: D4139 − 04 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Guide for
Determining Volatile and Nonvolatile Content of Pigments
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4139; 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 Aluminum Powders and Pastes
D1135 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Blue Pig-
1.1 This guide is intended to aid in the selection of the
ments
proper ASTM test method for determining the volatile and
D1509 Test Methods for Carbon Black—Heating Loss
nonvolatile content of pigments.
D3724 Specification for Synthetic Brown Iron Oxide Pig-
NOTE 1—Test methods for determining the composition of the volatile
ment
fraction are not covered by this guide.
1.2 The standards included are as follows:
3. Significance and Use
Standard Section ASTM Designation
3.1 The nonvolatile content of raw materials may be used to
Inert or low hiding pigments 4.1 D280
determine the total nonvolatile content (solids) of paint and
White pigments 4.2 D280
Black pigments 4.3 D280
related coatings. Such information may be useful to coatings
D1509
producers and users for the determination of the total solids
Aluminum and zinc pigments 4.4 D280
available for film formation and for the estimation of the
D480
Blue pigments 4.5 D280
volatile organic content.
D1135
Green pigments 4.6 D280
4. Procedure
Yellow, orange, brown pigments 4.7 D280
D3724
4.1 Inert or Low Hiding Pigments:
Red pigments 4.8 D280
Miscellaneous 4.9 4.1.1 Test Methods D280 contain Method A for pigments
that do not decompose at 110°C, using a time of2hat105to
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
110°C, and Method B for pigments that decompose at 110°C,
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
using vacuum to remove the volatile material.
standard.
4.1.1.1 Test Methods D280 are applicable to anhydrous and
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
hydrous aluminum silicate, barium sulfate, calcium,
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
borosilicate, calcium carbonate, diatomaceous silica, magne-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
sium silicate, pumice, and wet ground mica pigments for
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
determination of hygroscopic moisture and other matter vola-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
tile under the test conditions.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
4.2 White Pigments—Test Methods D280 are applicable to
2. Referenced Documents
titanium dioxide, white lead, and zinc sulfide pigments.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.3 Black Pigments:
D280 Test Methods for Hygroscopic Moisture (and Other
4.3.1 Test Methods D280 are applicable to synthetic black
Matter Volatile Under the Test Conditions) in Pigments
iron oxide pigment.
D480 Test Methods for Sampling and Testing of Flaked
4.3.2 Test Methods D1509 is used to determine heating loss
in carbon black pigment.
4.4 Aluminum and Zinc Pigments:
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint and
4.4.1 Test Methods D480 include the determination of
Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D01.31 on Pigment Specifications.
nonvolat
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