ASTM D4903-99(2020)

Standard Test Method for Total Solids and Water in Vegetable Tanning Material Extracts

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This test method is useful in determining the total solids and water in analytical solutions.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method is intended for use in determining the total solids and water in extracts of vegetable tanning materials. The test method is applicable to solutions of liquid, solid, pasty, and powdered extracts, and to extracts of raw or spent materials.  
1.2 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.  
1.3 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-2020
• ICS: 59.140.10 - Processes and auxiliary materials
• Technical Committee: D31 - Leather
• Drafting Committee: D31.01 - Vegetable Leather

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D6404-99(2009) - Standard Practice for Sampling Vegetable Materials Containing Tannin
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2009
• Refers: ASTM D4902-99(2009) - Standard Test Method for Evaporation and Drying of Analytical Solutions
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2009
• Refers: ASTM D4901-99(2009) - Standard Practice for Preparation of Solution of Liquid Vegetable Tannin Extracts
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2009
• Refers: ASTM D6402-99(2009) - Standard Test Method for Determing Soluble Solids and Insolubles in Extracts of Vegetable Tanning Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2009
• Refers: ASTM D6401-99(2009) - Standard Test Method for Determining Non-Tannins and Tannin in Extracts of Vegetable Tanning Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2009
• Refers: ASTM D6405-99(2009) - Standard Practice for Extraction of Tannins from Raw and Spent Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2009
• Refers: ASTM D4905-99(2009) - Standard Practice for Preparation of Solution of Solid, Pasty and Powdered Vegetable Tannin Extracts
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2009
• Refers: ASTM D6401-99(2004) - Standard Test Method for Determining Non-Tannins and Tannin in Extracts of Vegetable Tanning Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004
• Refers: ASTM D4901-99(2004) - Standard Practice for Preparation of Solution of Liquid Vegetable Tannin Extracts
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004
• Refers: ASTM D4905-99(2004) - Standard Practice for Preparation of Solution of Solid, Pasty and Powdered Vegetable Tannin Extracts
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004
• Refers: ASTM D6405-99(2004) - Standard Practice for Extraction of Tannins from Raw and Spent Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004
• Refers: ASTM D6404-99(2004) - Standard Practice for Sampling Vegetable Materials Containing Tannin
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004
• Refers: ASTM D6402-99(2004) - Standard Test Method for Determing Soluble Solids and Insolubles in Extracts of Vegetable Tanning Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004
• Refers: ASTM D4902-99(2004) - Standard Test Method for Evaporation and Drying of Analytical Solutions
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004
• Refers: ASTM D6404-99 - Standard Practice for Sampling Vegetable Materials Containing Tannin
• Effective Date: 10-May-1999

Overview

ASTM D4903-99(2020) - Standard Test Method for Total Solids and Water in Vegetable Tanning Material Extracts provides a standardized procedure for determining the total solids and water content in extracts derived from vegetable tanning materials. This test method is essential in the leather tanning industry and analytical laboratories, ensuring consistency and quality in the analysis of both raw and spent vegetable tanning extracts, regardless of whether they are in liquid, solid, pasty, or powdered form.

By following this ASTM standard, organizations can accurately assess the composition of vegetable tanning materials, supporting quality control and process optimization across supply chains and manufacturing processes.

Key Topics

• Total solids determination: The method outlines a process for measuring the mass of dried residue obtained from an analytical solution, representing the total solids present in the sample.
• Water content calculation: The water percentage in the sample is determined indirectly by subtracting the total solids percentage from 100%.
• Applicability: Suitable for a wide range of sample forms, including liquid, solid, pasty, and powdered extracts, as well as extracts from raw or spent materials.
• Analytical procedure: The process involves pipetting an aliquot of the solution, evaporating it to dryness in a controlled oven, and weighing the residue to determine solids content.
• Quality Assurance: The use of duplicate specimens ensures reliability, with results considered acceptable if they differ by no more than 0.2% solids.
• International harmonization: The standard adheres to the internationally recognized principles developed by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee, supporting global consistency.

Applications

ASTM D4903-99(2020) is widely applied in the following contexts:

• Leather tanning industry: Used by tanneries and suppliers of vegetable tanning agents to verify the concentration of solids and water in extracts, ensuring process consistency and product performance.
• Quality control laboratories: Employed for routine analysis of both raw materials and finished products, supporting compliance with industry standards and regulations.
• Research and development: Supports the assessment of new tanning materials or formulations by providing reliable data on their solid and water content.
• Supplier assessment: Useful for verifying the quality and consistency of vegetable tanning extracts supplied from different sources, promoting fairness in commercial transactions.
• Environmental compliance: Contributes to the efficient management of spent tanning materials by accurately characterizing their remaining solids and water content.

Related Standards

Several other ASTM and industry standards complement or relate to ASTM D4903-99(2020), including:

• ASTM D4901: Practice for Preparation of Solution of Liquid Vegetable Tannin Extracts
• ASTM D4902: Test Method for Evaporation and Drying of Analytical Solutions
• ASTM D4905: Practice for Preparation of Solution of Solid, Pasty, and Powdered Vegetable Tannin Extracts
• ASTM D6401: Test Method for Determining Non-Tannins and Tannin in Extracts of Vegetable Tanning Materials
• ASTM D6402: Test Method for Determining Soluble Solids and Insolubles in Extracts of Vegetable Tanning Materials
• ASTM D6404: Practice for Sampling Vegetable Materials Containing Tannin
• ASTM D6405: Practice for Extraction of Tannins from Raw and Spent Materials
• ALCA Method A20: Official method for total solids and water, referenced historically in the leather industry

Conclusion

The ASTM D4903-99(2020) standard plays a vital role in the accurate measurement of total solids and water in vegetable tanning material extracts, facilitating quality assurance, process optimization, and international trade within the leather and tannin industries. Its adoption ensures consistent and reliable analytical results, supporting both commercial and research objectives across the globe.

Keywords: total solids, water content, vegetable tanning material, tannin analysis, leather industry, analytical methods, ASTM D4903, standard test method, quality control, extract analysis

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: D4903 − 99 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Test Method for
Total Solids and Water in Vegetable Tanning Material
Extracts
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4903; 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 D6405 Practice for Extraction of Tannins from Raw and
Spent Materials
1.1 This test method is intended for use in determining the
2.2 ALCA Methods:
total solids and water in extracts of vegetable tanning materi-
A20 Total Solids and Water
als. The test method is applicable to solutions of liquid, solid,
pasty, and powdered extracts, and to extracts of raw or spent
3. Summary of Test Method
materials.
3.1 An aliquot of the prepared analytical solution is pipetted
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
into an evaporating dish and evaporated to dryness in a forced
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
air oven.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
4. Significance and Use
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.1 This test method is useful in determining the total solids
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
and water in analytical solutions.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
5. Apparatus
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
5.1 Tannin Dish—Crystallizing dish, borosilicate glass, 50
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
mm tall, 70 mm outside diameter. The bottom corner shall be
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
rounded to a radius of 6 mm, the bottom shall be flat and not
2. Referenced Documents cupped in the center, and the top edge shall be rounded and
2 polished.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D4901 Practice for Preparation of Solution of Liquid Veg- 5.2 Pipet, 100-mL capacity, preferably with a wide orifice
approximately 2.4 mm ( ⁄32 in.) diameter and 15 to 25-s
etable Tannin Extracts
D4902 Test Method for Evaporation and Drying of Analyti- delivery time.
cal Solutions
5.3 Drying Oven—A forced-air convection oven (or
D4905 Practice for Preparation of Solution of Solid, Pasty
mechanical-convection draft oven) capable of maintaining a
and Powdered Vegetable Tannin Extracts
temperature of 100 6 2.0 °C.
D6401 Test Method for Determining Non-Tannins and Tan-
5.4 Thermometer—Accurate to 62.0 °C, used to check and
nin in Extracts of Vegetable Tanning Materials
monitor the oven set point.
D6402 Test Method for Determining Soluble Solids and
Insolubles in Extracts of Vegetable Tanning Materials 5.5 Dessicator—Any convenient form or size.
D6404 Practice for Sampling Vegetable Materials Contain-
6. Test Specimen
ing Tannin
6.1 The specimen shall consist of 100 mL of a solution
prepared as described in Practices D4901, D4905, and D6405.
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D31 on Leather
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D31.01 on Vegetable Leather. This
7. Procedure
test method has been adapted from, and is a replacement for, Method A20 of the
Official Methods of the American Leather Chemists Association.
7.1 Thoroughly mix the solution, prepared as described in
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2020. Published December 2020. Originally
Practices D4901, D4905, and D6405, by inverting and shaking
approved in 1989. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as D4903–99 (2016).
DOI: 10.1520/D4903-99R20.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Official Methods of the American Leather Chemists Association. Available
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on from the American Leather Chemists Association, University of Cincinnati, P.O.
the ASTM website. Box 210014, Cincinnati, OH 45221.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D4903 − 99 (2020)
8 to 10 times, taking care to ensure that all insoluble matter is 8.2 Since two specimens of each sample were taken in
uniformly dispersed and none is left adhering to the wa
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