ASTM E1518-05(2019)

Standard Practice for Evaluation of Physical Compatibility of Pesticides in Aqueous Tank Mixtures by the Dynamic Shaker Method

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This practice is designed for researchers, applicators, and end users of pesticides where one or more ingredients are being mixed into an aqueous spray system. The practice is useful in determining physical compatibility of aqueous spray mixtures of pesticides and/or fertilizers.  
4.2 The practice is not designed to determine physical compatibility of non-aqueous based spray mixtures.  
4.3 The results or the testing should be used to determine the compatibility of the mixture ingredients in dynamic applications. Interpolation of static results to the expectations of the results of this test is not encouraged.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes the method for the evaluation of the physical compatibility and stability of pesticide tank mixtures diluted for aqueous application. This practice may also be adapted to use with liquid fertilizers in replacement of the water diluent.  
1.2 Tank mix compatibility can be affected by many variables. Care should be taken to duplicate test conditions. This practice addresses the standard variables such as time, temperature, water hardness, method of agitation, and degree of agitation.  
1.3 Compatibility is complex and can be affected by other variables such as order of addition, pH of the dilution water, pumping shear, etc. Under the parameters of this practice, the results will define whether the pesticide mixture is or is not compatible in the laboratory. Compatibility or incompatibility should be confirmed under field spray conditions.  
1.4 Proper safety and hygiene precautions must be taken when working with pesticide formulations to prevent skin or eye contact, vapor inhalation, and environmental contamination.  
1.5 Read and follow all handling instructions for the specific formulation and conduct the test in accordance with good laboratory practice.  
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.7 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.  
1.8 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 E1518-05(2012) - Standard Practice for Evaluation of Physical Compatibility of Pesticides in Aqueous Tank Mixtures by the Dynamic Shaker Method
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2019
• Refers: ASTM D1193-06 - Standard Specification for Reagent Water
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2006
• 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

Overview

ASTM E1518-05(2019): Standard Practice for Evaluation of Physical Compatibility of Pesticides in Aqueous Tank Mixtures by the Dynamic Shaker Method provides a systematic approach to determine the physical compatibility and stability of pesticide mixtures in aqueous solutions. Developed by ASTM International, this standard is vital for researchers, pesticide applicators, and end users who need to evaluate the effectiveness of mixing pesticides, and in some cases, fertilizers, in water-based spray systems.

This practice outlines a laboratory method using the dynamic shaker technique. It assesses whether different pesticide formulations, when combined for application, remain stable, well-dispersed, and free of residues that could cause spray equipment blockage or affect application performance. While primarily intended for aqueous mixtures, the procedure can also be adapted for tank mixes involving liquid fertilizers.

Key Topics

• Physical Compatibility Assessment: Focuses on laboratory evaluation of physical stability in pesticide tank mixes with water or liquid fertilizers.
• Dynamic Shaker Method: Utilizes mechanical agitation to simulate field mixing conditions and assesses mixture performance by examining dispersion, residue, and separation.
• Critical Variables: Addresses key factors impacting compatibility, such as:
  • Time and temperature
  • Water hardness
  • Method and degree of agitation
  • Order of chemical addition
  • pH of dilution water
  • Pumping/shear effects
• Limitations: Not applicable for non-aqueous spray mixtures and static laboratory results should not be directly extrapolated to field performance without further field validation.
• Safety Practices: Emphasizes the need for appropriate handling, personal protective equipment, and environmental precautions when working with pesticide formulations.

Applications

The ASTM E1518-05(2019) standard has practical value in multiple areas where tank mix compatibility is essential:

• Pesticide Research and Development: Used in laboratories to screen new pesticide formulations for tank mix compatibility before recommending them for use with other products.
• Agricultural Spraying Operations: Helps applicators ensure that combined pesticides and fertilizers in tank mixes are physically compatible, reducing risks of clogged spray equipment, poor spray coverage, or product separation.
• Product Label Guidance: Supports manufacturers and regulatory bodies in generating compatibility data for product labeling, minimizing misuse or hazardous mixtures.
• Quality Control: Laboratories and companies can use the method for routine quality checks on commercial formulations.

By following this ASTM practice, users can determine if mixtures meet compatibility criteria, enabling efficient and safe pesticide application with minimized equipment downtime.

Related Standards

The ASTM E1518-05(2019) standard is often used alongside or references the following related standards and guidelines:

• ASTM D1193: Specification for Reagent Water, important for water quality during testing.
• CIPAC MT-73: Methods for analyzing calcium and magnesium content in water (important for assessing water hardness).
• Relevant Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) Guidelines: For the safe and responsible handling of chemicals and pesticide formulations.

Additionally, users may consult national and international regulations and other pesticide tank mix compatibility standards to ensure comprehensive compliance and best practices.

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Keywords: tank mix compatibility, pesticide spray mixtures, spray mixture stability, aqueous spray, compatibility testing, ASTM E1518, dynamic shaker method, pesticide formulation, agricultural spraying, physical compatibility.

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: E1518 − 05 (Reapproved 2019)
Standard Practice for
Evaluation of Physical Compatibility of Pesticides in
Aqueous Tank Mixtures by the Dynamic Shaker Method
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1518; 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 ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.1 This practice describes the method for the evaluation of
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
the physical compatibility and stability of pesticide tank
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
mixtures diluted for aqueous application. This practice may
also be adapted to use with liquid fertilizers in replacement of
2. Referenced Documents
the water diluent.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.2 Tank mix compatibility can be affected by many vari-
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
ables. Care should be taken to duplicate test conditions. This
practice addresses the standard variables such as time,
3. Summary of Practice
temperature, water hardness, method of agitation, and degree
of agitation. 3.1 In this practice, pesticides are diluted in water and tank
mixed at specific application rates. Evaluations are conducted
1.3 Compatibility is complex and can be affected by other
under dynamic conditions. Pesticides are mixed and kept under
variables such as order of addition, pH of the dilution water,
agitation by a mechanical shaker. Evaluations are conducted at
pumping shear, etc. Under the parameters of this practice, the
chosen water hardnesses and temperatures. Compatibility is
results will define whether the pesticide mixture is or is not
measured in terms of the dispersion stability and screen
compatible in the laboratory. Compatibility or incompatibility
residue.
should be confirmed under field spray conditions.
3.2 Pesticides being examined for mixing compatibility
1.4 Proper safety and hygiene precautions must be taken
should be evaluated individually as controls.
when working with pesticide formulations to prevent skin or
eye contact, vapor inhalation, and environmental contamina-
3.3 Order of Addition—Pesticides should be tank mixed as
tion.
recommended on the product label. If the order of the addition
is not specified, then all possible orders of addition should be
1.5 Readandfollowallhandlinginstructionsforthespecific
tested. The following is a general guide: (1) waster soluble
formulation and conduct the test in accordance with good
concentrates, (2)waterdispersiblegranules(dryflowables), (3)
laboratory practice.
wettable powders, (4) liquid flowables, and (5) emulsifiable
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
concentrates.
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
4. Significance and Use
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.1 This practice is designed for researchers, applicators,
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
and end users of pesticides where one or more ingredients are
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
being mixed into an aqueous spray system. The practice is
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
useful in determining physical compatibility of aqueous spray
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
mixtures of pesticides and/or fertilizers.
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
4.2 The practice is not designed to determine physical
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
compatibility of non-aqueous based spray mixtures.
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E35 on Pesticides,
Antimicrobials, and Alternative Control Agents and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee E35.22 on Pesticide Formulations and Delivery Systems. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2019. Published October 2019. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as E1508 – 05(2012). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/E1518-05R19. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E1518 − 05 (2019)
4.3 The results or the testing should be used to determine 7. Procedure
the compatibility of the mixture ingredients in dynamic appli-
7.1 Dynamic Shaker Method:
cations. Interpolation of static results to the expectations of the
7.1.1 Transfer into a 4 oz jar, 100 mL of water of desired
results of this test is not encouraged.
hardness less the total amount of pesticide specified in 7.1.2
and 7.1.4.
5. Apparatus
NOTE 4—Maintain a 25 6 2 °C temperature throughout the test.
5.1 Graduated Cylinder, 100 mL, glass-stoppered.
NOTE 5—Various water hardnesses and temperatures may be examined
5.2 Pipets, graduated, wide tip, serological, various delivery
as defined by field-use applications.
volumes.
7.1.2 Addaspecifiedamount,accordingtotheproductlabel
5.3 Balance, accurate to 0.1 g.
directions, of the first pesticide to the jar. Deliver liquid
pesticides with a pipet or weigh in solid pesticides.
5.4 Sieve, US Standard, 50 mesh (300 microns), 3 in.
7.1.3 Swirl the jar to ensure that the first pesticide is well
diameter.
NOTE 1—Other sieve mesh sizes may be used as defined by field-use disper
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