ASTM D4948-89(2022)

Standard Test Method for Determination of the Upper Layer Separated from a Viscous Liquid

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The United Nations Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods in their recommended regulations place materials having a flash point below 23 °C (73.5 °F) in Packing Group II. However, if viscous substances such as paint and related coatings, adhesives, polishes, etc., meet certain requirements, they can be placed in Group III along with materials having a flash point between 23 °C and 60.5 °C (73.5 °F and 140 °F). One of the requirements is that less than 3 % of clear liquid separates from the bulk of the material when subjected to this test method.  
4.2 At the present time most international regulatory bodies such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) use the U.N. Recommendations. It is anticipated that most national transportation regulatory bodies will adopt the U.N. Recommendations as their regulations for control of transportation of hazardous materials. At present the United States permits the transshipment of hazardous materials through the United States to other countries under regulations of the IMO and ICAO.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the amount of liquid separated as an upper layer in a 24-h period from viscous solutions or dispersions that contain dispersed solids such as paints, enamels, pigmented lacquers, adhesives, polishes, and other similar materials.  
Note 1: The amount of clear liquid that separates during this test is one of the criteria in the United Nations Recommendations on the Transportation of Dangerous Goods2 for the placement of flammable viscous liquids into packing groups related to flash points (See 4.1).  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
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: 30-Nov-2022
• ICS: 07.030 - Physics. Chemistry
• Technical Committee: D01 - Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications
• Drafting Committee: D01.21 - Chemical Analysis of Paints and Paint Materials

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D3925-02(2010) - Standard Practice for Sampling Liquid Paints and Related Pigmented Coatings
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2010
• Refers: ASTM D3925-02 - Standard Practice for Sampling Liquid Paints and Related Pigmented Coatings
• Effective Date: 10-Aug-2002
• Refers: ASTM D3925-91(1996) - Standard Practice for Sampling Liquid Paints and Related Pigmented Coatings
• Effective Date: 15-Sep-1991

Overview

ASTM D4948-89(2022), Standard Test Method for Determination of the Upper Layer Separated from a Viscous Liquid, is a widely recognized testing procedure established by ASTM International. This standard outlines the method for determining the volume of clear upper liquid layer separated from viscous solutions and dispersions-such as paints, adhesives, polishes, and enamels-when left to stand undisturbed for 24 hours. The test plays a key role in classifying materials for transportation, especially in the context of hazardous goods regulations.

Regulatory bodies such as the United Nations, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and International Maritime Organization (IMO) reference this method. Correct classification helps ensure safe transport and compliance with national and international regulations regarding hazardous materials.

Key Topics

• Purpose and Significance
  This test method measures how much clear liquid separates from the top of viscous materials over a 24-hour period. The result is expressed as a volume percent and is a critical factor in the classification of flammable viscous liquids for transport.

• Regulatory Context
  According to the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, materials with a flash point below 23 °C are typically placed in Packing Group II. However, viscous materials like paints and adhesives may be reclassified into Packing Group III-if less than 3% clear liquid separates-allowing for different handling and transport requirements.

• Test Procedure Highlights

  • Sampling of a uniform portion following standard sampling practices.
  • Controlled storage at 23 °C ± 2 °C before testing.
  • Measurement of 100 mL of material, placed in a graduated cylinder, left undisturbed for 24 hours.
  • Calculation and reporting of the separated upper layer as a volume percentage.

• Safety and Compliance
  Users of this standard are responsible for adhering to appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices as well as determining regulatory limitations before use.

Applications

ASTM D4948-89(2022) is a crucial tool for manufacturers, shippers, and regulatory agencies handling viscous and potentially hazardous materials. Typical applications include:

• Classification for Transport
  Ensuring viscous liquids such as paints, pigmented lacquers, adhesives, and polishes are accurately classified in line with dangerous goods regulations for air, sea, and land transport.

• Product Quality Assessment
  Evaluating the stability and homogeneity of products, where excessive separation may indicate formulation issues impacting product performance and safety.

• Regulatory Compliance
  Supporting compliance with both international and national transportation standards, minimizing the risk of misclassification and associated legal or safety issues.

• Industry Sectors
  Relevant industries include chemical manufacturing, coatings, adhesives, packaging, and logistics companies specializing in hazardous materials.

Related Standards

For best practices and compliance, several related standards and documents should be considered alongside ASTM D4948-89(2022):

• UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods
  Core regulatory framework for global transport classification.

• ASTM D3925
  Practice for Sampling Liquid Paints and Related Pigmented Coatings, referenced for obtaining uniform test samples.

• ICAO and IMO Regulations
  International guidelines for the air and maritime transport of hazardous substances.

• World Trade Organization TBT Agreement
  Principles on standardization and technical barriers to trade, underpinning the development of ASTM D4948-89(2022).

By implementing ASTM D4948-89(2022), organizations can ensure consistency in testing, support legal compliance, and contribute to the safe and efficient movement of viscous liquid materials worldwide.

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: D4948 − 89 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Test Method for
Determination of the Upper Layer Separated from a Viscous
Liquid
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4948; 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 3. Summary of Test Method
3.1 Ameasuredamountofthematerialtobetestedisplaced
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the amount
in a graduated cylinder and allowed to stand undisturbed for
of liquid separated as an upper layer in a 24-h period from
24 h. The volume percent of the separated top layer is then
viscous solutions or dispersions that contain dispersed solids
determined.
such as paints, enamels, pigmented lacquers, adhesives,
polishes, and other similar materials.
4. Significance and Use
NOTE 1—The amount of clear liquid that separates during this test is
4.1 The United Nations Committee of Experts on the
one of the criteria in the United Nations Recommendations on the
2 Transport of Dangerous Goods in their recommended regula-
Transportation of Dangerous Goods for the placement of flammable
tionsplacematerialshavingaflashpointbelow23 °C(73.5 °F)
viscous liquids into packing groups related to flash points (See 4.1).
in Packing Group II. However, if viscous substances such as
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
paint and related coatings, adhesives, polishes, etc., meet
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
certain requirements, they can be placed in Group III along
only.
with materials having a flash point between 23 °C and 60.5 °C
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the (73.5 °F and 140 °F). One of the requirements is that less than
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3 % of clear liquid separates from the bulk of the material
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- when subjected to this test method.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
4.2 At the present time most international regulatory bodies
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) use the
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
U.N. Recommendations. It is anticipated that most national
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
transportation regulatory bodies will adopt the U.N. Recom-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations as their regulations for control of transportation of
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
hazardous materials. At present the United States permits the
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
transshipmentofhazardousmaterialsthroughtheUnitedStates
to other countries under regulations of the IMO and ICAO.
2. Referenced Documents
5. Apparatus
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5.1 Graduated Cylinder, 100-mL, TC, glass-stoppered,
D3925 Practice for Sampling Liquid Paints and Related
295-mm total height and 29-mm inside diameter.
Pigmented Coatings
5.2 Constant Temperature Cabinet or Room, at 23 °C 6
2 °C (73.5 °F 6 3.5 °F).
This test method is under the jurisdict
...