ASTM D2866-11(2018)

Standard Test Method for Total Ash Content of Activated Carbon

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 In specific end uses, the amount and composition of the ash may influence the capabilities and certain desired properties of activated carbon.  
4.2 Other automated methods for determination of ash content, such as combusting the carbon in a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) in flowing air or oxygen, can be used in place of this test method. A suitable method is described in Test Methods D7582. For determination of the ash content of activated carbon, follow the procedure in 13.5.3 of Test Methods D7582, with the exception that the furnace temperature in 13.4.3 shall be 650 ± 25 °C. The muffle furnace method shall be considered the reference test method.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method describes a procedure for the determination of total ash content of activated carbon.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.3 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.  
1.4 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-2018
• ICS: 71.040.30 - Chemical reagents
• Technical Committee: D28 - Activated Carbon
• Drafting Committee: D28.04 - Gas Phase Evaluation Tests

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D2866-11 - Standard Test Method for Total Ash Content of Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2018
• Refers: ASTM D7582-24 - Standard Test Methods for Proximate Analysis of Coal and Coke by Macro Thermogravimetric Analysis
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2024
• Refers: ASTM D7582-15(2023) - Standard Test Methods for Proximate Analysis of Coal and Coke by Macro Thermogravimetric Analysis
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2023
• Refers: ASTM E177-14 - Standard Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
• Effective Date: 01-May-2014
• Refers: ASTM E177-13 - Standard Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
• Effective Date: 01-May-2013
• Refers: ASTM E691-13 - Standard Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
• Effective Date: 01-May-2013
• Refers: ASTM E691-11 - Standard Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2011
• Refers: ASTM E177-10 - Standard Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2010
• Refers: ASTM D7582-10e1 - Standard Test Methods for Proximate Analysis of Coal and Coke by Macro Thermogravimetric Analysis
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2010
• Refers: ASTM D7582-10 - Standard Test Methods for Proximate Analysis of Coal and Coke by Macro Thermogravimetric Analysis
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2010
• Refers: ASTM D2867-09 - Standard Test Methods for Moisture in Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2009
• Refers: ASTM D7582-09 - Standard Test Methods for Proximate Analysis of Coal and Coke by Macro Thermogravimetric Analysis
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2009
• Refers: ASTM E691-08 - Standard Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2008
• Refers: ASTM E177-08 - Standard Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2008
• Refers: ASTM E177-06b - Standard Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2006

Overview

ASTM D2866-11(2018): Standard Test Method for Total Ash Content of Activated Carbon establishes a reliable procedure for determining the total ash content in activated carbon samples using a reference muffle furnace method. This standard, developed by ASTM International, is widely recognized in the activated carbon and filtration industries for its role in assessing product purity and quality. Ash content is a critical parameter, as it can impact the effectiveness and properties of activated carbon in its various applications.

This method is developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles, including those of the WTO Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee, ensuring broad compatibility with global trade and regulatory frameworks.

Key Topics

• Scope of the Standard: Applies to all forms of activated carbon, specifying the procedure for measuring total ash content by weight after combustion.
• Significance of Ash Content: The amount and composition of ash residue influence key characteristics of activated carbon, such as adsorption capacity and chemical stability.
• Reference and Alternate Methods: The muffle furnace method (with an ashing temperature of 650 ± 25 °C) is the reference method. Automated alternatives such as thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) are acceptable, provided they follow referenced procedures.
• Units of Measurement: All test results and calculations are specified in SI units for consistency and international relevance.
• Precision and Repeatability: The standard includes guidelines on conducting interlaboratory studies and prescribes practices for reproducible and accurate results.
• Safety and Compliance: Users are responsible for evaluating safety, health, and environmental concerns and for complying with relevant regulations.

Applications

ASTM D2866-11(2018) is essential for:

• Quality Assurance: Producers and users of activated carbon leverage this standard to ensure consistent quality and compliance with industry specifications.
• Product Development: R&D and technical teams use ash content data to develop new grades of activated carbon optimized for specific end uses, such as water treatment or air purification.
• Process Control: Regular ash content testing helps monitor production processes, reduce impurities, and improve product effectiveness.
• Supplier Evaluation: Buyers and regulatory agencies use ash content results to assess material quality and supplier reliability.
• Method Validation: Laboratories employ this method as a benchmark to validate alternative or automated analysis techniques.
• Trade and Regulatory Compliance: Ensures products meet international standards, supporting cross-border commerce and adherence to technical barrier requirements.

Related Standards

For comprehensive analysis and broader testing, the following ASTM standards are commonly referenced alongside ASTM D2866-11(2018):

• ASTM D2867: Test Methods for Moisture in Activated Carbon - used to correct ash results based on moisture content.
• ASTM D7582: Test Methods for Proximate Analysis of Coal and Coke by Macro Thermogravimetric Analysis - provides an alternative, automated approach for ash content determination at the specified methodology.
• ASTM E177: Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods - referenced for statistical quality and repeatability.
• ASTM E691: Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method - used for establishing consistency across multiple laboratories.

ASTM D2866-11(2018) remains a vital tool for laboratories, manufacturers, and regulatory entities ensuring activated carbon meets stringent quality criteria and performs optimally in its intended applications.

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: D2866 − 11 (Reapproved 2018)
Standard Test Method for
Total Ash Content of Activated Carbon
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2866; 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 peratureinadesiccatorandreweighed.Theweightoftheashed
carbon is expressed as a percentage of the weight of the
1.1 This test method describes a procedure for the determi-
original carbon sample.
nation of total ash content of activated carbon.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
4. Significance and Use
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
4.1 In specific end uses, the amount and composition of the
standard.
ash may influence the capabilities and certain desired proper-
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
ties of activated carbon.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.2 Other automated methods for determination of ash
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
content, such as combusting the carbon in a thermogravimetric
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
analyzer (TGA) in flowing air or oxygen, can be used in place
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
of this test method. A suitable method is described in Test
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
Methods D7582. For determination of the ash content of
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
activated carbon, follow the procedure in 13.5.3 of Test
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Methods D7582, with the exception that the furnace tempera-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
turein13.4.3shallbe650 625 °C.Themufflefurnacemethod
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
shall be considered the reference test method.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
5. Apparatus
2. Referenced Documents
5.1 Muffle Furnace, having air circulation, capable of tem-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
perature regulation of 625 °C at 650 °C.
D2867 Test Methods for Moisture in Activated Carbon
D7582 Test Methods for Proximate Analysis of Coal and
5.2 High-Temperature Crucible, high-form.
Coke by Macro Thermogravimetric Analysis
5.3 Analytical Balance, having a sensitivity of 0.1 mg.
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
5.4 Desiccator.
ASTM Test Methods
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
5.5 Oven, forced-air circulation, capable of temperature
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
regulation between 145 and 155 °C.
3. Summary of Test Method
6. Procedure
3.1 An accurately weighed sample of dried activated carbon
6.1 Ignite the crucible in the muffle furnace at 650 6 25 °C
is placed in a controlled-temperature muffle furnace for a
for 1 h. Place the crucible in the desiccator. Cool to room
period of several hours. When constant weight has been
temperature and weigh to the nearest 0.1 mg.
achieved (60.5 mg), the crucible is cooled to ambient tem-
6.2 Dry an adequate sample of activated carbon to constant
weight (60.5 mg) at 150 6 5 °C (3 h is usually sufficient).
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D28 on
NOTE 1—Some carbons can ignite spontaneously at 150 °C. In this
Activated Carbon and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D28.04 on Gas
case, moist carbon should be used with a correction for moisture (in
Phase Evaluation Tests.
accordance with Test Methods D2867) applied in the calculations. In this
Current edition approved June 1, 2018. Published June 2018. Originally
case, the a
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