ASTM D2439-20

Standard Specification for Refined Phenol

ABSTRACT
This specification covers refined phenol. The refined phenol shall conform to the required water content, solidification point, appearance and molten color when sampled and tested.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers refined phenol.  
1.2 The following applies to all specified limits in this specification: for purposes of determining conformance with this specification, an observed value or a calculated value shall be rounded off “to the nearest unit” in the last right-hand digit used in expressing the specification limit, in accordance with the rounding-off method of Practice E29.  
1.3 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.4 Consult current OSHA regulations and supplier’s Safety Data Sheets, and local regulations for all materials listed in this specification.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.6 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-Mar-2020
• ICS: 71.080.90 - Phenols
• Technical Committee: D16 - Aromatic, Industrial, Specialty and Related Chemicals
• Drafting Committee: D16.02 - Oxygenated Aromatics

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D2439-16 - Standard Specification for Refined Phenol
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2020
• Refers: ASTM D3852-20 - Standard Practice for Sampling and Handling Phenol, Cresols, and Cresylic Acid
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2020
• Refers: ASTM D1631-10(2018)e1 - Standard Test Method for Water in Phenol and Related Materials by the Iodine Reagent Method
• Effective Date: 15-Feb-2018
• Refers: ASTM D3852-16 - Standard Practice for Sampling and Handling Phenol, Cresols, and Cresylic Acid
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2016
• Refers: ASTM D3852-07(2012) - Standard Practice for Sampling and Handling Phenol, Cresols, and Cresylic Acid
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2012
• Refers: ASTM D1631-10 - Standard Test Method for Water in Phenol and Related Materials by the Iodine Reagent Method
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2010
• Refers: ASTM D1686-10 - Standard Test Method for Color of Solid Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Related Materials in the Molten State (Platinum-Cobalt Scale)
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2010
• Refers: ASTM D6875-08 - Standard Test Method for Solidification Point of Industrial Organic Chemicals by Thermistor
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2008
• Refers: ASTM E29-08 - Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2008
• Refers: ASTM D3852-07 - Standard Practice for Sampling and Handling Phenol, Cresols, and Cresylic Acid
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2007
• Refers: ASTM E29-06b - Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2006
• Refers: ASTM E29-06a - Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
• Effective Date: 15-Sep-2006
• Refers: ASTM D3852-06 - Standard Practice for Sampling and Handling Phenol, Cresols, and Cresylic Acid
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2006
• Refers: ASTM E29-06 - Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
• Effective Date: 01-May-2006
• Refers: ASTM E29-04 - Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2004

Overview

ASTM D2439-20: Standard Specification for Refined Phenol establishes the requirements for the properties and quality of refined phenol used in industrial and commercial applications. Developed by ASTM International, this specification sets strict criteria for water content, solidification point, appearance, and optional molten color, ensuring a consistent level of purity and performance in refined phenol products. The standard also outlines appropriate sampling and testing procedures and emphasizes compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations.

Key Topics

• Scope of Application: Defines refined phenol specifications suitable for various industrial uses, focusing on important physical and chemical properties.
• Quality Characteristics:
  • Water Content: Limits the maximum water content, ensuring product purity.
  • Solidification Point: Specifies the minimum acceptable value to confirm consistency in material properties.
  • Appearance: Requires phenol to be a molten liquid or crystalline solid, free from sediment and haze.
  • Molten Color: Color specification available upon purchaser request, recognizing phenol’s tendency to discolor upon exposure.
• Sampling Procedures: Describes recommended practices for sampling (ASTM D3852) to prevent contamination or alteration of refined phenol during analysis.
• Safety and Regulatory Compliance: Advises users to consult OSHA regulations, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and local requirements, as well as to implement appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices.

Applications

Specification ASTM D2439-20 for refined phenol is critical in industries where high-purity phenol is required as a feedstock, intermediate, or final product. Practical applications include:

• Chemical Manufacturing: Used in the synthesis of resins, plastics, and polymers, particularly bisphenol A, phenolic resins, and caprolactam.
• Pharmaceuticals: Acts as an intermediate in the production of active ingredients or excipients.
• Agrochemicals: Integral for producing certain herbicides and pesticides.
• Dye and Pigment Industry: Provides a base for synthesizing colorants.
• Laboratory Use: Ensures consistent, reliable results in analytical and research environments.

Maintaining rigorous control over water content, solidification point, and appearance guarantees batch-to-batch uniformity and safe handling in sensitive industrial and scientific processes.

Related Standards

ASTM D2439-20 references and complements a suite of associated standards to support accurate testing, safe handling, and regulatory compliance:

• ASTM D1631 - Test Method for Water in Phenol and Related Materials by the Iodine Reagent Method
• ASTM D1686 - Test Method for Color of Solid Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Related Materials in the Molten State (Platinum-Cobalt Scale)
• ASTM D3852 - Practice for Sampling and Handling Phenol, Cresols, and Cresylic Acid
• ASTM D6875 - Test Method for Solidification Point of Industrial Organic Chemicals by Thermistor
• ASTM E29 - Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications

The standard also directs users to relevant OSHA guidelines concerning occupational exposure and chemical safety (e.g., 29 CFR 1910.1000 and 1910.1200).

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By adhering to ASTM D2439-20, manufacturers and users of refined phenol ensure product quality, facilitate international trade, and sustain high safety and compliance standards in a range of demanding 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: D2439 −20
Standard Specification for
Refined Phenol
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2439; 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* D1686 Test Method for Color of Solid Aromatic Hydrocar-
bons and Related Materials in the Molten State (Platinum-
1.1 This specification covers refined phenol.
Cobalt Scale)
1.2 The following applies to all specified limits in this
D3852 Practice for Sampling and Handling Phenol, Cresols,
specification: for purposes of determining conformance with
and Cresylic Acid
this specification, an observed value or a calculated value shall
D6875 Test Method for Solidification Point of Industrial
be rounded off “to the nearest unit” in the last right-hand digit
Organic Chemicals by Thermistor
used in expressing the specification limit, in accordance with
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
the rounding-off method of Practice E29.
Determine Conformance with Specifications
2.2 Other Document:
1.3 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this OSHA Regulations, 29 CFR paragraphs 1910.1000 and
1910.1200
standard.
1.4 Consult current OSHAregulations and supplier’s Safety
3. Properties
Data Sheets, and local regulations for all materials listed in this
3.1 Refined phenol shall conform to the following require-
specification.
ments when sampled and tested as described:
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Property Specification ASTM Test method
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Water content, max, mass % 0.10 D1631
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Solidification point, min, °C 40.6 D6875
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
A
Appearance
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor- A
Molten liquid or crystalline solid, free of sediment and haze.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.2 See Section S1.1 for non-mandatory supplemental re-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
quirements.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical 4. Sampling
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
4.1 The material shall be sampled and the properties enu-
merated in this specification shall be determined in accordance
2. Referenced Documents
with the following ASTM methods:
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.1.1 The specimens shall be placed only in a clean and dry
D1631 Test Method for Water in Phenol and Related Mate-
glass container sealed with a screw cap fitted with a polyeth-
rials by the Iodine Reagent Method
ylene liner. Rubber, cork, or coated paper closures or liners
shall not be used. Special care shall be taken to avoid contact
with iron, dirt or moisture. Sampling shall be carried out in
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D16 on
accordance with Practic
...

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: D2439 − 16 D2439 − 20
Standard Specification for
Refined Phenol
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2439; 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 specification covers refined phenol.
1.2 The following applies to all specified limits in this specification: for purposes of determining conformance with this
specification, an observed value or a calculated value shall be rounded off “to the nearest unit” in the last right-hand digit used
in expressing the specification limit, in accordance with the rounding-off method of Practice E29.
1.3 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
1.4 Consult current OSHA regulations and supplier’s Safety Data Sheets, and local regulations for all materials listed in this
specification.
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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1631 Test Method for Water in Phenol and Related Materials by the Iodine Reagent Method
D1686 Test Method for Color of Solid Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Related Materials in the Molten State (Platinum-Cobalt
Scale)
D3852 Practice for Sampling and Handling Phenol, Cresols, and Cresylic Acid
D6875 Test Method for Solidification Point of Industrial Organic Chemicals by Thermistor
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
2.2 Other Document:
OSHA Regulations, 29 CFR paragraphs 1910.1000 and 1910.1200
3. Properties
3.1 Refined phenol shall conform to the following requirements when sampled and tested as described:
Property Specification ASTM Test method
Water content, max, weight % 0.10 D1631
Water content, max, mass % 0.10 D1631
Solidification point, min, °C 40.6 D6875
A
Appearance
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D16 on Aromatic Hydrocarbons Aromatic, Industrial, Specialty and Related Chemicals and is the direct
responsibility of Subcommittee D16.02 on Oxygenated Aromatics.
Current edition approved June 1, 2016April 1, 2020. Published June 2016April 2020. Originally approved in 1965. Last previous edition approved in 20122016 as
D2439 – 12.D2439 – 16. DOI: 10.1520/D2439-16.10.1520/D2439-20.
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.
Available from U.S. Government Printing Office Superintendent of Documents, 732 N. Capitol St., NW, Mail Stop: SDE, Washington, DC 20401, http://
www.access.gpo.gov.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
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