ASTM D841-19

Standard Specification for Nitration Grade Toluene

ABSTRACT
This specification covers the standard requirements for nitration grade toluene. The material shall be tested and sampled in accordance with standard test methods and practices and shall conform to the following requirements: volume of non-aromatic hydrocarbons; acid wash color; copper strip corrosion; appearance which shall be a clear liquid, free of sediment and haze; color in the platinum-cobalt scale; and distillation range.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers nitration grade toluene.  
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 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.4 Consult current OSHA regulations, supplier’s Safety Data Sheets, and local regulations for all materials used in this specification.  
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: 14-Nov-2019
• ICS: 71.080.15 - Aromatic hydrocarbons
• ICS: 87.060.30 - Solvents
• Technical Committee: D16 - Aromatic, Industrial, Specialty and Related Chemicals
• Drafting Committee: D16.01 - Benzene, Toluene, Xylenes, Cyclohexane and Their Derivatives

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D841-17a - Standard Specification for Nitration Grade Toluene
• Effective Date: 15-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 D849-15(2019)e1 - Standard Test Method for Copper Strip Corrosion by Industrial Aromatic Hydrocarbons
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2019
• 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 D849-15 - Standard Test Method for Copper Strip Corrosion by Industrial Aromatic Hydrocarbons
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2015
• 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 D849-11 - Standard Test Method for Copper Strip Corrosion by Industrial Aromatic Hydrocarbons
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-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

Overview

ASTM D841-19: Standard Specification for Nitration Grade Toluene establishes requirements for the quality and purity of nitration grade toluene, a key chemical used in industrial and chemical manufacturing processes. Published by ASTM International, this specification provides standardized criteria for properties such as purity, appearance, acid wash color, copper strip corrosion, and color on the platinum-cobalt scale. Adhering to this standard ensures consistent quality and safety, facilitating trade and regulatory compliance for suppliers and users of nitration grade toluene.

Key Topics

• Scope and Purpose

  • Covers nitration grade toluene used in industrial and chemical processes.
  • Specifies requirements for testing, sampling, packaging, and labeling.
  • Strictly recognizes SI units as the standard for measurement.

• Quality and Purity Requirements

  • Minimum purity: 98.8% by weight.
  • Maximum non-aromatic hydrocarbons: 1.5% by volume.
  • Acid wash color must pass specified tests.
  • Must pass copper strip corrosion testing (class 1A or 1B).
  • Appearance: clear liquid, free of sediment, haze, and suspended matter.
  • Color: maximum 20 on the platinum-cobalt (Pt/Co) scale.

• Testing and Compliance

  • References standard ASTM test methods for each required property.
  • Sampling follows ASTM D3437 to ensure representative quality.
  • Conformance evaluated according to rounding-off practices specified in ASTM E29.

• Safety and Regulatory Considerations

  • Requires consultation of OSHA regulations and Safety Data Sheets.
  • Packaging and labeling must comply with relevant federal specifications for U.S. government procurements.

Applications

Nitration grade toluene, conforming to ASTM D841-19, is a crucial chemical in several sectors. Practical uses include:

• Chemical Manufacturing: Serves as a feedstock for synthesis of explosives (e.g., trinitrotoluene or TNT) and intermediates for dyes, pharmaceuticals, and agrochemicals.
• Paints and Coatings: Used as a solvent due to its high purity and controlled chemical properties.
• Laboratory Testing and Research: Ensures consistency and reliability in analytical procedures and pilot plant operations.
• Industrial Processes: Used in the manufacture of benzoic acid, benzaldehyde, and other aromatic compounds requiring high-purity toluene.

Meeting ASTM D841-19 guidelines ensures that nitration grade toluene meets performance, safety, and regulatory expectations, reducing risks of contamination or process failures.

Related Standards

ASTM D841-19 references several key standards that support the accurate determination of compliance and safe handling:

• ASTM D848: Test Method for Acid Wash Color of Industrial Aromatic Hydrocarbons
• ASTM D849: Test Method for Copper Strip Corrosion by Industrial Aromatic Hydrocarbons
• ASTM D3437: Practice for Sampling and Handling Liquid Cyclic Products
• ASTM D5386 & D8005: Color determination methods for clear liquids
• ASTM D7504: Trace impurities in monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
• ASTM E29: Rounding-off of numerical values for specification limits
• ASTM E2680: Visual inspection procedures for appearance of clear, transparent liquids
• Federal Specification PPP–C–2020: Packaging of chemicals for government procurements
• OSHA Regulations (29 CFR 1910.1000 & 1910.1200): Occupational safety and hazard communication

By aligning with these established standards, organizations can ensure interoperability, regulatory compliance, and optimal safety across their supply chains when sourcing or producing nitration grade toluene.

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: D841 −19
Standard Specification for
Nitration Grade Toluene
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D841; 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 Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Gas Chromatography and
Effective Carbon Number
1.1 This specification covers nitration grade toluene.
D8005 Test Method for Color of Clear Liquids (Platinum-
1.2 The following applies to all specified limits in this
Cobalt Scale)
specification: for purposes of determining conformance with
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
this specification, an observed value or a calculated value shall
Determine Conformance with Specifications
be rounded off “to the nearest unit” in the last right-hand digit
E2680 Test Method for Appearance of Clear, Transparent
used in expressing the specification limit, in accordance with
Liquids (Visual Inspection Procedure)
the rounding-off method of Practice E29.
2.2 Federal Specification:
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
PPP-C-2020 Packaging of Chemicals, Liquid, Dry, and
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
Paste
standard.
2.3 Other Document:
1.4 Consult current OSHA regulations, supplier’s Safety
OSHA Regulations, 29 CFR paragraphs 1910.1000 and
Data Sheets, and local regulations for all materials used in this
1910.1200
specification.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
3. Properties
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.1 Nitration Grade Toluene shall conform to the following
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
requirements:
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
ASTM Test
Property Specification
A
Method
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Purity, min, mass % 98.8 D7504
Nonaromatic hydrocarbons, max, volume % 1.5 (1.2) D7504
2. Referenced Documents
(mass %)
2 Acid wash color, max pass with 2 D848
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Copper corrosion pass (1A or 1B) D849
D848 Test Method for Acid Wash Color of Industrial Aro-
Appearance, free of haze, particulates pass E2680
or suspended matter particles
matic Hydrocarbons
Color, Pt/Co scale, max D5386 or
D849 Test Method for Copper Strip Corrosion by Industrial 20
D8005
Aromatic Hydrocarbons
A
D3437 Practice for Sampling and Handling Liquid Cyclic
If more than one method is listed, the producer and user should agree on the
referee method.
Products
D5386 Test Method for Color of Liquids Using Tristimulus
3.2 See Section 6 for non-mandatory supplementary re-
Colorimetry
quirements.
D7504 Test Method for Trace Impurities in Monocyclic
4.
...

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: D841 − 17a D841 − 19
Standard Specification for
Nitration Grade Toluene
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D841; 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 nitration grade toluene.
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 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.4 Consult current OSHA regulations, supplier’s Safety Data Sheets, and local regulations for all materials used in this
specification.
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
D849 Test Method for Copper Strip Corrosion by Industrial Aromatic Hydrocarbons
D3437 Practice for Sampling and Handling Liquid Cyclic Products
D5386 Test Method for Color of Liquids Using Tristimulus Colorimetry
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 Federal Specification:
PPP-C-2020 Packaging of Chemicals, Liquid, Dry, and PastePaste
2.3 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 July 1, 2017Nov. 15, 2019. Published September 2017November 2019. Originally approved in 1945. Last previous edition approved in 2017
as D841 – 17.D841 – 17a. DOI: 10.1520/D0841-17a.10.1520/D0841-19.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
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