ASTM D5991-15

Standard Practice for Separation and Identification of Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Contamination in Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) (PET) Flake

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Presence of even low concentrations of PVC in recycled PET flakes results in equipment corrosion problems during processing. The PVC contamination leve shall dictate the market for use of the recycled polymer in secondary products. Procedures presented in this practice are used to identify the PVC contamination in recycled PET flakes.
Note 4: These procedures may also be used to estimate the concentration of PVC contamination.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers four procedures for separation and qualitative identification of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) contamination in poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) flakes.  
Note 1: Although not presented as a quantitative method, procedures presented in this practice may be used to provide quantitative results at the discretion of the user. The user assumes the responsibility to verify the reproducibility of quantitative results. Data from an independent source suggest a PVC detection level of 200 ppm (w/w) based on an original sample weight of 454 g.  
1.2 Procedure A is based on different fluorescence of PVC and PET when these polymers are exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light.  
1.3 Procedure B is an oven test based upon the charring of PVC when it is heated in air at 235°C.  
1.4 Procedures C and D are dye tests based on differential staining of PVC and PET.  
Note 2: Other polymers (for example, PETG) also absorb the stain or brightener. Such interferences will result in false positive identification of PVC as the contaminant.  
1.5 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazards see Section 8.  
Note 3: There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2015
• ICS: 83.080.10 - Thermosetting materials
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.95 - Recycled Plastics

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D5991-09 - Standard Practice for Separation and Identification of Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Contamination in Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) (PET) Flake
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2015
• Referred By: ASTM D6288-23 - Standard Practice for Separation and Washing of Recycled Plastics Prior to Testing
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2015

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:D5991 −15
Standard Practice for
Separation and Identification of Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC)
1
Contamination in Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) (PET) Flake
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5991; 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* D7209 Guide for Waste Reduction, Resource Recovery, and
Use of Recycled Polymeric Materials and Products (With-
1.1 This practice covers four procedures for separation and
3
drawn 2015)
qualitative identification of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) con-
IEEE/ASTM SI-10 American National Standard for Use of
tamination in poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) flakes.
theInternationalSystemofUnits(SI):TheModernMetric
NOTE 1—Although not presented as a quantitative method, procedures
System
presentedinthispracticemaybeusedtoprovidequantitativeresultsatthe
discretion of the user. The user assumes the responsibility to verify the
3. Terminology
reproducibility of quantitative results. Data from an independent source
suggest a PVC detection level of 200 ppm (w/w) based on an original
3.1 The terminology used in this practice is in accordance
sample weight of 454 g.
withTerminologyD1600andGuideD7209.Unitsandsymbols
1.2 Procedure A is based on different fluorescence of PVC are in accordance with IEEE/ASTM SI-10.
and PET when these polymers are exposed to ultraviolet (UV)
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
light.
3.2.1 light material, n—paper, polymers such as polyethyl-
1.3 Procedure B is an oven test based upon the charring of
ene and polypropylene, and other materials with densities less
3
PVC when it is heated in air at 235°C. than 1.00 g/cm .
1.4 Procedures C and D are dye tests based on differential
4. Summary of Practice
staining of PVC and PET.
4.1 For the Beilstein Test, chlorine-containing materials
NOTE 2—Other polymers (for example, PETG) also absorb the stain or
heated in a flame in contact with a copper wire produce a
brightener. Such interferences will result in false positive identification of
characteristic green flame.
PVC as the contaminant.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.2 With Procedure A, a known amount of PET flakes is
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the exposed to ultraviolet radiation. PET normally fluoresces with
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
a blue or violet color. Flakes fluorescing with different colors
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- are removed, weighed, and identified as PVC if they burn with
bilityofregulatorylimitationspriortouse.Forspecifichazards
a bright green flame when heated on a copper wire.
see Section 8.
4.3 With Procedure B, PET flakes are heated in an oven
NOTE 3—There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard. maintained at 235 6 5°C. After a minimum of 45 min, the
flakes are visually examined with removal and subsequent
2. Referenced Documents
weighing of black, charred pieces. Pieces are confirmed as
2
PVC using the same flame test mentioned in 4.1.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1600 Terminology forAbbreviatedTerms Relating to Plas-
4.4 With Procedure C, PET flakes are soaked in a blue
tics
acetone dye solution that preferentially stains any PVC flakes.
These flakes are visually identified and subsequently removed,
and weighed. The identification of PVC flakes is confirmed
1
ThispracticeisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD20onPlasticsand
with the flame test.
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.95 on Recycled Plastics.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2015. Published October 2015. Originally 4.5 With Procedure D, PET flakes are heated with an
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as D5991 - 09. DOI:
aqueous solution containing an optical brightener that also
10.1520/D5991-15.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
the ASTM website. www.astm.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D5991−15
preferentiallystainsthePVCflakes.Theflakesaresortedunder 8.3 Acetone used to prepare the dye solution for Procedure
UV light in a dark room with removal and subsequent C is flammable. Use this reagent only in a well ventilat
...

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: D5991 − 09 D5991 − 15
Standard Practice for
Separation and Identification of Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC)
1
Contamination in Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) (PET) Flake
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5991; 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 practice covers four procedures for separation and qualitative identification of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)
contamination in poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) flakes.
NOTE 1—Although not presented as a quantitative method, procedures presented in this practice may be used to provide quantitative results at the
discretion of the user. The user assumes the responsibility to verify the reproducibility of quantitative results. Data from an independent source suggest
a PVC detection level of 200 ppm (w/w) based on an original sample weight of 454 g.
1.2 Procedure A is based on different fluorescence of PVC and PET when these polymers are exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light.
1.3 Procedure B is an oven test based upon the charring of PVC when it is heated in air at 235°C.
1.4 Procedures C and D are dye tests based on differential staining of PVC and PET.
NOTE 2—Other polymers (for example, PETG) also absorb the stain or brightener. Such interferences will result in false positive identification of PVC
as the contaminant.
1.5 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use. For specific hazards see Section 8.
NOTE 3—There is no known ISO equivalent to this practice.standard.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1600 Terminology for Abbreviated Terms Relating to Plastics
D7209 Guide for Waste Reduction, Resource Recovery, and Use of Recycled Polymeric Materials and Products (Withdrawn
3
2015)
IEEE/ASTM SI-10 American National Standard for Use of the International System of Units (SI): The Modern Metric System
3. Terminology
3.1 The terminology used in this practice is in accordance with Terminology D1600 and Guide D7209. Units and symbols are
in accordance with IEEE/ASTM SI-10.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 light material, n—paper, polymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene, and other materials with densities less than
3
1.00 g/cm .
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 For the Beilstein Test, chlorine-containing materials heated in a flame in contact with a copper wire produce a characteristic
green flame.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.95 on Recycled Plastics.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2009Oct. 1, 2015. Published February 2009October 2015. Originally approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 20022009 as
D5991 - 96D5991 - 09.(2002). DOI: 10.1520/D5991-09.10.1520/D5991-15.
2
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
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D5991 − 15
4.2 With Procedure A, a known amount of PET flakes is exposed to ultraviolet radiation. PET normally fluoresces with a blue
or violet color. Flakes fluorescing with different colors are removed, weighed, and identified as PVC if they burn with a bright
green flame when heated on a copper wire.
4.3 With Procedure B, PET flakes are heated in an oven maintained at 235 6 5°C. After a minimum of 45 min, the flakes are
visually examined with removal and subsequent weighing of black, charred pieces. Pieces are confirmed as PVC using the same
flame test mentioned in 4.1.
4.4 With Procedure C, PET flakes are soaked in a blue acetone dye solution that preferentially stains any PVC flakes. These
flakes are visually identified and subsequently removed, and
...