ASTM E1116-98(2019)

Standard Test Method for Emulsification Characteristics of Pesticide Emulsifiable Concentrates

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method provides a guide for evaluating emulsification characteristics of pesticide emulsifiable concentrates. It defines the stability of emulsified particles in water. Although not absolute, the test method is a measure of expected emulsion stability in agricultural application equipment.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method describes a general procedure for the determination of emulsification spontaneity and the emulsion stability characteristics of pesticide emulsifiable concentrates when diluted with water.  
1.2 Proper safety and hygiene precautions must be taken when working with pesticide formulations to prevent skin or eye contact, vapor inhalation, and environmental contamination. Read and follow all handling instructions for the specific formulation and conduct the test in accordance with good laboratory practice.  
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 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: 30-Sep-2019
• ICS: 65.100.01 - Pesticides and other agrochemicals in general
• Technical Committee: E35 - Pesticides, Antimicrobials, and Alternative Control Agents
• Drafting Committee: E35.22 - Pesticide Formulations and Delivery Systems

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E1116-98(2014) - Standard Test Method for Emulsification Characteristics of Pesticide Emulsifiable Concentrates
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2019
• Refers: ASTM D1126-12 - Standard Test Method for Hardness in Water
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2012
• Refers: ASTM D1126-02(2007)e1 - Standard Test Method for Hardness in Water
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2007
• Refers: ASTM D1193-06 - Standard Specification for Reagent Water
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2006
• Refers: ASTM D1126-02 - Standard Test Method for Hardness in Water
• Effective Date: 10-May-2002
• Refers: ASTM D1193-99e1 - Standard Specification for Reagent Water
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-1999
• Refers: ASTM D1193-99 - Standard Specification for Reagent Water
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-1999
• Referred By: ASTM E2408-04(2023) - Standard Test Method for Relative Extensional Viscosity of Agricultural Spray Tank Mixes
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2019
• Referred By: ASTM E2407-04(2015) - Standard Test Method for Effectiveness of Defoaming Agents (Withdrawn 2024)
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2019

Overview

ASTM E1116-98(2019) is the internationally recognized standard test method for evaluating the emulsification characteristics of pesticide emulsifiable concentrates. Developed by ASTM International, this standard guides laboratories and manufacturers in determining how well pesticide emulsifiable concentrates form and maintain emulsions when diluted with water. This is a key measure of product quality and performance, directly affecting the stability and efficacy of pesticides used in agricultural applications.

The test method measures both the spontaneity of emulsification-how quickly an emulsion forms-and the stability of the resulting emulsion, including the extent of cream or oil separation over time. While results may not be absolute predictors of in-field performance, they provide a useful metric for formulation development, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance.

Key Topics

• Emulsification Spontaneity: Assesses the rapidity and uniformity of emulsion formation when pesticide concentrates are added to water under controlled laboratory conditions.
• Emulsion Stability: Evaluates the persistence of a homogeneous emulsion over time, monitoring for the development of cream or oil separation at defined intervals (such as 15 minutes, 1 hour, up to 24 hours).
• Subjective Evaluation Criteria: Emulsions are rated for quality on a scale from excellent (homogeneous) to poor (nonhomogeneous), taking into account visible separation and appearance.
• Water Hardness Impact: The standard provides methods for preparing soft, hard, and extra-hard water solutions, acknowledging that water hardness affects emulsification properties.
• Safety and Environmental Practices: Emphasizes the importance of appropriate safety, health, and environmental measures when handling pesticide formulations, including personal protective equipment and adherence to good laboratory practices.

Applications

• Pesticide Formulation Development: Used extensively by formulation chemists to screen and refine pesticide emulsifiable concentrates, ensuring optimal mixing and stability in a variety of water conditions commonly found in agricultural settings.
• Quality Control in Manufacturing: Provides manufacturers with repeatable, standardized procedures to verify batch consistency and compliance with product specifications before release to market.
• Regulatory Submissions: The method supports regulatory requirements for product registration by supplying objective, documented evidence of formulation performance and stability.
• Agricultural Equipment Compatibility: Predicts how well a pesticide will remain emulsified in actual application equipment, reducing clogging, uneven spray patterns, and loss of active ingredient effectiveness.
• Environmental Safety Evaluations: Assists in evaluating the environmental stability of pesticide products upon dilution, supporting stewardship and responsible pesticide use.

Related Standards

For those involved in pesticide formulation and testing, these referenced or related standards enhance understanding and complement ASTM E1116:

• ASTM D1126 - Test Method for Hardness in Water
• ASTM D1193 - Specification for Reagent Water
• WHO-M-13.R2 - World Health Organization method for preparation of water with specified hardness
• Other ASTM Pesticide Standards: Covering areas such as physical property testing, container compatibility, and performance measurement.

Practical Value

Complying with ASTM E1116 ensures that pesticide emulsifiable concentrates deliver reliable field performance, supporting crop protection and environmental safety. Adherence to this standardized method also fosters product consistency, regulatory compliance, and credibility in global markets-vital for manufacturers, quality assurance teams, and agricultural professionals.

Keywords: emulsification characteristics, pesticide emulsifiable concentrates, ASTM E1116-98(2019), emulsion stability, formulation testing, emulsion spontaneity, agricultural application, water hardness, quality control, pesticide regulation

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: E1116 −98 (Reapproved 2019)
Standard Test Method for
Emulsification Characteristics of Pesticide Emulsifiable
Concentrates
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1116; 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. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
1.1 This test method describes a general procedure for the
3.1.1 emulsification spontaneity—the rapid formation of an
determination of emulsification spontaneity and the emulsion
emulsion in the test water from agitation provided only by the
stability characteristics of pesticide emulsifiable concentrates
gravity addition of the product.
when diluted with water.
3.1.1.1 Discussion—For products of density greater than the
1.2 Proper safety and hygiene precautions must be taken
water used, an excellent spontaneity rating is assigned when
when working with pesticide formulations to prevent skin or
the emulsion bloom (billowing) extends downward to near the
eye contact, vapor inhalation, and environmental contamina-
bottom of the water, with no visible oil or cream droplets
tion. Read and follow all handling instructions for the specific
reachingthebottomofthetestcylinder.Forproductsofdensity
formulation and conduct the test in accordance with good
less than the water used, a rating of excellent is given if bloom
laboratory practice.
occurs near the top of the water and no free oil is present.
Spontaneity descriptions between excellent and nil (no emul-
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
sion formed, only free oil) are assigned very-good, fair, and
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
poor on a subjective basis.
standard.
3.1.2 emulsion quality—a subjective evaluation of the emul-
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
sion appearance. A rating of excellent (homogeneous), very
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
good, good, fair, and poor (nonhomogeneous) is assigned.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1.2.1 Discussion—Cream and oil separation may coexist.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
Normally, oil is located at either the extreme top or bottom of
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
the liquid with cream between it and the rest of the emulsion.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
On rare occasions, separation occurs at both top and bottom of
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
the liquid (because of partition and solubility properties) and
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
care must be taken to so note and record.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.2 Separation:
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. 3.2.1 separation, cream—a discrete, opaque layer of con-
centrated emulsion occurring at either the top or the bottom of
2. Referenced Documents the liquid.
3.2.2 separation, oil—a discrete layer of nonemulsified
2.1 ASTM Standards:
liquid occurring at either the top or the bottom of the liquid.
D1126 Test Method for Hardness in Water
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 In this test method, emulsifiable pesticide concentrates
are added to water of a given hardness and at a specified
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E35 on
temperature to form an oil-in-water emulsion. Performance of
Pesticides, Antimicrobials, and Alternative Control Agentsand is the direct respon-
the formulation is measured in terms of emulsion spontaneity,
sibility of Subcommittee E35.22 on Pesticide Formulations and Delivery Systems.
emulsion stability under static conditions, and re-
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2019. Published November 2019. Originally
approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as E1116 – 98(2014).
emulsification of the coalesced phase.
DOI: 10.1520/E1116-98R19.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or 5. Significance and Use
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
5.1 This test method provides a guide for evaluating emul-
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. sification characteristics of pesticide emulsifiable concentrates.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E1116 − 98 (2019)
accordance with Test Method MT-73, CIPAC F, EDTA titration. An
Itdefinesthestabilityofemulsifiedparticlesinwater.Although
alternate method is provided in Test Method D1126 where the value is
notabsolute,thetestmethodisameasureofexpectedemulsion
represented as CaCO . A value within 65 % of the nominal hardness
stability in agricultural application equipment.
value is acceptable.
7.3.2 Hard Water, equivalent to a total hardness of 342 ppm
6. Apparatus
as calcium carbonate (CaCO ). Transfer 26.0 mL of synthetic
6.1 Analytical Balance, accurate to 0.01 g.
hard water stock by buret to a 1000-mL volumetric flask and
6.2 Burets, 50 and 100 mL capacity.
dilute to volume with water at 20 °C. Mix this solution
thoroughly (Note 2).
6.3 Graduated Cylinders, flat bottom, 100- mL capacity,
7.3.3 Extra-hard Water, equivalent to a total hardness of
glass stoppered, volume divisions from 1 to 100 mL in 1-mL
1000 ppm as calcium carbonate (CaCO ). Transfer 73.0 mL of
increments, having an overall length of 300 6 15 mm and a
synthetic hard water stock by buret to a 1000-mL volumetric
head space between 50 and 75 mm.
flask and dilute to volume with water at 20 °C. Mix this
6.4 Pipets, graduated serological, var
...