ASTM F331-13(2020)

Standard Test Method for Nonvolatile Residue of Solvent Extract from Aerospace Components (Using Flash Evaporator)

ABSTRACT
This test method covers the determination of non-volatile matter, that is, residue on evaporation, in solvent extract from aerospace components, using a rotary flash evaporator. The summary of the test method, the apparatus for testing, reagents and materials for testing, and procedure for testing are all presented in details.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of nonvolatile matter, that is, residue on evaporation, in solvent extract from aerospace components, using a rotary flash evaporator.  
1.2 The procedure for extraction from components is described in practices such as Practice F303. Before subjecting the extract to the following method, it should be processed to remove the insoluble particulate in accordance with Practice F311 (Note 1). Particle count analysis of the removed particulate may then be performed in accordance with Test Method F312. If particulate is not removed from the extract prior to performing this method, this should be noted on the test report.
Note 1: Membrane filters with a maximum extractable content of 0.5 weight % should be used on samples to be processed by this test method. Conventional membranes contain 5 to 10 % extractables. For obtaining very low background levels, consideration should be given to using membranes without grid marks.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard.  
1.4 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.  
1.5 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-2020
• ICS: 49.035 - Components for aerospace construction
• Technical Committee: E21 - Space Simulation and Applications of Space Technology
• Drafting Committee: E21.05 - Contamination

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F331-13 - Standard Test Method for Nonvolatile Residue of Solvent Extract from Aerospace Components (Using Flash Evaporator)
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2020
• Refers: ASTM F311-08(2020) - Standard Practice for Processing Aerospace Liquid Samples for Particulate Contamination Analysis Using Membrane Filters
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2020
• Refers: ASTM F311-08(2013) - Standard Practice for Processing Aerospace Liquid Samples for Particulate Contamination Analysis Using Membrane Filters
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2013
• Refers: ASTM F303-08 - Standard Practices for Sampling for Particles in Aerospace Fluids and Components
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Refers: ASTM F312-08 - Standard Test Methods for Microscopical Sizing and Counting Particles from Aerospace Fluids on Membrane Filters
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Refers: ASTM F311-08 - Standard Practice for Processing Aerospace Liquid Samples for Particulate Contamination Analysis Using Membrane Filters
• Effective Date: 01-May-2008
• Refers: ASTM D1193-06 - Standard Specification for Reagent Water
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2006
• Refers: ASTM F303-02 - Standard Practices for Sampling for Particles in Aerospace Fluids and Components
• Effective Date: 10-Oct-2002
• Refers: ASTM D1193-99 - Standard Specification for Reagent Water
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-1999
• Refers: ASTM D1193-99e1 - Standard Specification for Reagent Water
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-1999
• Refers: ASTM F312-97(2003) - Standard Test Methods for Microscopical Sizing and Counting Particles from Aerospace Fluids on Membrane Filters
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1997
• Refers: ASTM F311-97(2002) - Standard Practice for Processing Aerospace Liquid Samples for Particulate Contamination Analysis Using Membrane Filters
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1997
• Refers: ASTM F312-97 - Standard Test Methods for Microscopical Sizing and Counting Particles from Aerospace Fluids on Membrane Filters
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-1997
• Refers: ASTM F303-78(1996) - Standard Practices for Sampling Aerospace Fluids from Components
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-1996
• Refers: ASTM F311-97 - Standard Practice for Processing Aerospace Liquid Samples for Particulate Contamination Analysis Using Membrane Filters
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-1992

Overview

ASTM F331-13(2020) - Standard Test Method for Nonvolatile Residue of Solvent Extract from Aerospace Components (Using Flash Evaporator) establishes a reliable procedure for determining nonvolatile residue (NVR)-the material remaining after evaporation-found in solvent extracts taken from aerospace components. Utilizing a rotary flash evaporator, this method ensures precision in cleanliness evaluation critical to aerospace system reliability. The document includes comprehensive guidelines covering apparatus preparation, reagent purity, extraction procedures, calculation, and reporting requirements.

NVR testing is essential for detecting molecular contamination that could interfere with aerospace hardware operation, performance, and life expectancy. By following this international standard, laboratories and manufacturers can measure, control, and document cleanliness levels for a broad range of aerospace components.

Key Topics

• Nonvolatile Residue Measurement: Defines procedures for quantifying residues left after solvent evaporation, helping to assess the molecular contamination on aerospace parts.
• Sample Preparation: Outlines extraction techniques-referencing related practices (such as ASTM F303 and ASTM F311)-ensuring particulate contaminants are removed or accounted for.
• Apparatus and Materials: Specifies the use of rotary flash evaporators, ovens, analytical balances, desiccators, appropriate weighing vessels (typically foil dishes), and pressure sources for accurate solvent evaporation and residue analysis.
• Reagent Purity: Emphasizes the use of high-purity reagents and water (per ASTM D1193) to avoid skewed results, and includes instructions for solvent baseline NVR assessment.
• Calculation and Reporting: Provides formulas for calculating NVR per unit sample and details strict reporting requirements, including solvent type, hardware surface area sampled, and whether particulates were removed.
• Quality Control: Describes validation checks-such as blank assessment and retesting if contamination limits are exceeded-for method reliability and repeatability.

Applications

• Aerospace Hardware Qualification: Ensures that components such as valves, filters, and hydraulic system parts meet stringent cleanliness standards required for spacecraft, aircraft, and satellite assemblies.
• Quality Assurance in Manufacturing: Supports contamination control programs for manufacturers and suppliers in the aerospace industry by enabling consistent, auditable cleanliness evaluation.
• Contamination Monitoring and Control: Assists in ongoing maintenance and inspection by validating cleaning processes, monitoring residue levels, and identifying trends in contamination sources.
• Support for Advanced Cleaning Processes: Offers a benchmark for qualifying and improving solvent cleaning methods used in precision manufacturing environments.
• Regulatory and Contractual Compliance: Provides documented evidence for meeting national and international cleanliness requirements, aiding compliance with procurement specifications and quality contracts.

Related Standards

• ASTM F303: Practices for sampling particles in aerospace fluids and components.
• ASTM F311: Practice for processing aerospace liquid samples for particulate contamination analysis.
• ASTM F312: Test methods for microscopical sizing and counting of particles from aerospace fluids.
• IEST-STD-1246D: Product cleanliness levels and contamination control program.
• ASTM D1193: Specification for reagent water.

These related standards collectively support a holistic approach to cleanliness testing and contamination control within the aerospace sector.

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Keywords: nonvolatile residue, NVR, solvent extract, aerospace components, flash evaporator, ASTM F331-13(2020), cleanliness testing, contamination control, molecular contamination, aerospace industry standards.

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: F331 − 13 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Test Method for
Nonvolatile Residue of Solvent Extract from Aerospace
Components (Using Flash Evaporator)
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationF331;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginal
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 Thistestmethodcoversthedeterminationofnonvolatile 2.1 ASTM Standards:
matter, that is, residue on evaporation, in solvent extract from D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
aerospace components, using a rotary flash evaporator. F303 Practices for Sampling for Particles in Aerospace
Fluids and Components
1.2 The procedure for extraction from components is de-
F311 Practice for Processing Aerospace Liquid Samples for
scribed in practices such as Practice F303. Before subjecting
Particulate Contamination Analysis Using Membrane Fil-
the extract to the following method, it should be processed to
ters
remove the insoluble particulate in accordance with Practice
F312 Test Methods for Microscopical Sizing and Counting
F311 (Note 1). Particle count analysis of the removed particu-
Particles from Aerospace Fluids on Membrane Filters
late may then be performed in accordance with Test Method
2.2 IEST Standard:
F312. If particulate is not removed from the extract prior to
IEST-STD-1246D Product Cleanliness Levels and Contami-
performing this method, this should be noted on the test report.
nation Control Program
NOTE 1—Membrane filters with a maximum extractable content of 0.5
weight % should be used on samples to be processed by this test method.
3. Summary of Test Method
Conventional membranes contain 5 to 10 % extractables. For obtaining
3.1 A sample of fluid or the filtrate (Note 1) from a sample
very low background levels, consideration should be given to using
of extract from components is evaporated as necessary to
membranes without grid marks.
approximately 20 mLin a flash evaporator. The residue is then
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
transferred to a foil dish and the evaporation completed by
standard.
heating to a constant weight.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4. Apparatus
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.1 Oven, gravity convection provided with suitable ther-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mometer and a temperature range suitable for the solvent being
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
evaporated.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
4.2 Analytical Balance, single pan or magnetically damped
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
double pan.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
NOTE 2—Sensitivity shall be suitable to obtain the required precision
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
noted in 10.1.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
4.3 Evaporator, flash, batch-type.
1 2
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E21 on Space For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Simulation andApplications of Space Technology and is the direct responsibility of contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Subcommittee E21.05 on Contamination. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved April 1, 2020. Published April 2020. Originally the ASTM website.
approved in 1970. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as F331 – 13. DOI: Available from Standardization Document Order Desk, Bldg. 4 Section D, 700
10.1520/F0331-13R20. Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F331 − 13 (2020)
4.4 Graduated Cylinder. 7. Procedure
4.5 Tongs or forceps, laboratory, for manipulating weighing 7.1 Determine sample volume (Note 4) using a clean
foil dishes. graduated cylinder. Transfer (Note 5) the sample to a clean
flashevaporatorflask.Assembletheapparatus.(Warning—Do
4.6 Desiccator, balance, to be placed in balance case.
NOT use stopcock grease on the glass joints of the evaporator
4.7 Desiccator, cooling with plate.
flask.) Fill the evaporation pan with water, turn on the
immersion heater, and adjust the temperature to approximately
4.8 Weighing Vessels,aluminumfoilweighingdishes.These
may be purchased pre-formed dishes or may be constructed 50 °C (Note 6). Turn on the cold water supply and adjust the
feed so that running water covers the entire outer surface of the
from clean aluminum foil.
cooling flask (Note 7). Start the flash evaporator motor and
4.9 Pressure Source, capable of providing 85 KPa (25-in.
operate at a pressure of 35 to 80 KPa (vacuum of 10- to 24-in.
Hg) for short interval.
Hg)(Note8).Continueuntilvolumeisreducedto10to20mL.
4.10 Distillation Apparatus, laboratory, all glass (required
NOTE 4—The solvent used for testing should be recorded with the
where solvents with sufficiently low residue are not available).
collected data for each sample.
Do not use grease or oil to lubricate glass joints.
NOTE 5—All transfers should be accomplished with a double-rinse,
usingthreealiquotsofatotalvolumeof20to25mL,whichistobeadded
5. Reagents and Materials
to the sample.
NOTE 6—Use a temperature that is appropriate for the solvent used, but
5.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals shall be
do not exceed the weighing vessel drying temperature in 6.2.
used in all tests. Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that
NOTE7—Insomemodelsofflashevaporatorsawater-cooledcondenser
all reagents shall conform to the specifications of the Commit-
is used instead of the cooling flask.
tee on Analytical Reagents of the American Chemical Society
NOTE 8—Lower pressure ranges
...