ASTM D5606-19

Standard Specification for Toluene for Toluene Diisocyanate (TDI) Feedstock

ABSTRACT
This specification covers toluene for toluene diisocyanate (TDI) feedstock. The purity, acid wash color, benzene, nanoromatics, ethylbenzene, xylenes, and appearance of toluene shall be tested to meet the requirements prescribed.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers toluene for toluene diisocyanate (TDI) feedstock.  
1.2 The following applies to all specified limits in this specification: for purposes of determining conformance with this specification, 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.  
1.3 Consult OSHA regulations and supplier’s Safety Data Sheets for all materials used in this specification.  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
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-Oct-2019
• ICS: 71.080.15 - Aromatic hydrocarbons
• Technical Committee: D16 - Aromatic, Industrial, Specialty and Related Chemicals
• Drafting Committee: D16.01 - Benzene, Toluene, Xylenes, Cyclohexane and Their Derivatives

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D5606-17 - Standard Specification for Toluene for Toluene Diisocyanate (TDI) Feedstock
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2019
• Refers: ASTM E2680-23 - Standard Test Method for Appearance of Clear, Transparent Liquids (Visual Inspection Procedure)
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM D7504-17a - Standard Test Method for Trace Impurities in Monocyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Gas Chromatography and Effective Carbon Number
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2017
• Refers: ASTM D7504-17 - Standard Test Method for Trace Impurities in Monocyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Gas Chromatography and Effective Carbon Number
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2017
• Refers: ASTM D7504-15e1 - Standard Test Method for Trace Impurities in Monocyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Gas Chromatography and Effective Carbon Number
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2015
• Refers: ASTM D7504-15 - Standard Test Method for Trace Impurities in Monocyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Gas Chromatography and Effective Carbon Number
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2015
• Refers: ASTM E2680-09(2015)e1 - Standard Test Method for Appearance of Clear, Transparent Liquids (Visual Inspection Procedure)
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2015
• Refers: ASTM D8005-15 - Standard Test Method for Color of Clear Liquids (Platinum-Cobalt Scale)
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2015
• Refers: ASTM D848-14 - Standard Test Method for Acid Wash Color of Industrial Aromatic Hydrocarbons
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2014
• Refers: ASTM D7504-11 - Standard Test Method for Trace Impurities in Monocyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Gas Chromatography and Effective Carbon Number
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Refers: ASTM D3437-11 - Standard Practice for Sampling and Handling Liquid Cyclic Products
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2011
• Refers: ASTM D7504-10 - Standard Test Method for Trace Impurities in Monocyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Gas Chromatography and Effective Carbon Number
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2010
• Refers: ASTM D3437-10 - Standard Practice for Sampling and Handling Liquid Cyclic Products
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2010
• Refers: ASTM D5386-10 - Standard Test Method for Color of Liquids Using Tristimulus Colorimetry
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2010
• Refers: ASTM D848-09 - Standard Test Method for Acid Wash Color of Industrial Aromatic Hydrocarbons
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2009

Overview

ASTM D5606-19 is the standard specification developed by ASTM International for toluene used as feedstock in the production of toluene diisocyanate (TDI). Toluene diisocyanate is a crucial intermediate in the manufacturing of polyurethanes, widely employed in foam, coating, adhesive, and elastomer applications. This specification ensures that toluene supplied for TDI production meets required purity and quality parameters, enhancing safety, efficiency, and product performance in downstream industrial processes.

Key Topics

• Purity Requirements: The specification defines minimum purity of toluene at 99.9% by weight, ensuring a highly controlled chemical composition necessary for TDI synthesis.
• Impurity Limits: Maximum allowable concentrations are set for significant impurities, including:
  • Benzene: max 300 mg/kg
  • Ethylbenzene: max 300 mg/kg
  • Xylenes: max 500 mg/kg
  • Nonaromatics: max 0.1%
• Color and Appearance: Toluene must pass specific color (Pt-Co scale ≤10) and acid wash color tests, and appear free of haze, particulates, or suspended matter.
• Testing Methodologies: The document references multiple established ASTM test methods, such as those for acid wash color (D848), color (D5386, D8005), impurities (D2360, D7504), and appearance (E2680).
• Conformance and Reporting: All test results must adhere to rounding practices per ASTM E29, ensuring consistency in quality assessment.
• Health and Safety: The specification requires compliance with applicable OSHA regulations and consultation of supplier Safety Data Sheets.

Applications

ASTM D5606-19 is essential across industries that require toluene as a feedstock for toluene diisocyanate production. Key application areas include:

• Polyurethane Manufacturing: Ensures raw toluene meets stringent purity and impurity thresholds, preventing contamination or inefficiencies in TDI and subsequent polyurethane processes.
• Quality Control in Chemical Supply: Chemical manufacturers and suppliers employ this standard to certify their toluene products, enhancing trust and transparency with buyers.
• Regulatory Compliance: Meeting the requirements supports industry conformance with international trade and health and safety regulations, especially in environments governed by OSHA and WTO-TBT principles.
• Analytical Laboratories: Offers clear guidelines for analytical test methods, streamlining quality control and reporting for industrial laboratories.

Related Standards

The proper implementation of ASTM D5606-19 is supported by a number of other ASTM standards and safety regulations, including:

• ASTM D848: Test Method for Acid Wash Color of Industrial Aromatic Hydrocarbons
• ASTM D2360: Test Method for Trace Impurities in Monocyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Gas Chromatography
• ASTM D3437: Practice for Sampling and Handling Liquid Cyclic Products
• ASTM D5386 / D8005: Test Methods for Color of Liquids
• ASTM D7504: Test Method for Trace Impurities in Monocyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Gas Chromatography
• ASTM E29: Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
• ASTM E2680: Test Method for Appearance of Clear, Transparent Liquids
• OSHA Regulations (29 CFR 1910.1000 and 1910.1200): Worker safety protocols relevant to handling and exposure

Adopting ASTM D5606-19 in industrial chemical practices ensures high-quality toluene feedstock, protects downstream manufacturing processes, and supports regulatory compliance in global markets.

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: D5606 −19
Standard Specification for
Toluene for Toluene Diisocyanate (TDI) Feedstock
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5606; 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 D5386 Test Method for Color of Liquids Using Tristimulus
Colorimetry
1.1 This specification covers toluene for toluene diisocya-
D7504 Test Method for Trace Impurities in Monocyclic
nate (TDI) feedstock.
Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Gas Chromatography and
1.2 The following applies to all specified limits in this
Effective Carbon Number
specification: for purposes of determining conformance with
D8005 Test Method for Color of Clear Liquids (Platinum-
this specification, an observed value or a calculated value shall
Cobalt Scale)
be rounded off to the nearest unit in the last right-hand digit
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
used in expressing the specification limit, in accordance with
Determine Conformance with Specifications
the rounding-off method of Practice E29.
E2680 Test Method for Appearance of Clear, Transparent
1.3 Consult OSHA regulations and supplier’s Safety Data Liquids (Visual Inspection Procedure)
2.2 Other Document:
Sheets for all materials used in this specification.
OSHA Regulations, 29 CFR paragraphs 1910.1000 and
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
1910.1200
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
only.
3. Properties
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.1 Toluene for TDI feedstock shall conform to the follow-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ing requirements:
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
A
Property Specification ASTM Test Method
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
Purity, min, mass % 99.9 D7504
Acid wash color, max pass with 2 D848
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Benzene, max, mg/kg 300 D7504
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Nonaromatics, max, mass % 0.1 D7504
Ethylbenzene, max, mg/kg 300 D7504
2. Referenced Documents
Xylenes, max, mg/kg 500 D7504
Appearance, free of haze, pass E2680
2.1 ASTM Standards:
particulates or suspended matter
D848 Test Method for Acid Wash Color of Industrial Aro- particles
Color, max, Pt–Co scale 10 D5386 or D8005
matic Hydr
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D5606 − 17 D5606 − 19
Standard Specification for
Toluene for Toluene Diisocyanate (TDI) Feedstock
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5606; 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
1.1 This specification covers toluene for toluene diisocyanate (TDI) feedstock.
1.2 The following applies to all specified limits in this specification: for purposes of determining conformance with this
specification, 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.
1.3 Consult OSHA regulations and supplier’s Safety Data Sheets for all materials used in this specification.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D848 Test Method for Acid Wash Color of Industrial Aromatic Hydrocarbons
D2360 Test Method for Trace Impurities in Monocyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Gas Chromatography (Withdrawn 2016)
D3437 Practice for Sampling and Handling Liquid Cyclic Products
D5386 Test Method for Color of Liquids Using Tristimulus Colorimetry
D6526 Test Method for Analysis of Toluene by Capillary Column Gas Chromatography (Withdrawn 2018)
D7504 Test Method for Trace Impurities in Monocyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Gas Chromatography and Effective Carbon
Number
D8005 Test Method for Color of Clear Liquids (Platinum-Cobalt Scale)
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
E2680 Test Method for Appearance of Clear, Transparent Liquids (Visual Inspection Procedure)
2.2 Other Document:
OSHA Regulations, 29 CFR paragraphs 1910.1000 and 1910.1200
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D16 on Aromatic, Industrial, Specialty and Related Chemicals and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D16.01 on Benzene, Toluene, Xylenes, Cyclohexane and Their Derivatives.
Current edition approved June 1, 2017Nov. 1, 2019. Published June 2017November 2019. Originally approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 20162017 as
D5606D5606 – 17. –
...