ASTM D3960-98
(Practice)Standard Practice for Determining Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Content of Paints and Related Coatings
Standard Practice for Determining Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Content of Paints and Related Coatings
SCOPE
1.1 This practice measures the volatile organic compound (VOC) content of solventborne and waterborne paints and related coatings as determined from the quantity of material released from a sample under specified bake conditions and subtracting exempt volatile compounds and water if present.
Note 1—The regulatory definition, under the control of the U.S. EPA, can change. To ensure currency, contact the local air pollution control agency.
1.2 This practice provides a guide to the selection of appropriate ASTM test methods for the determination of VOC content.
1.3 Certain organic compounds that may be released under the specified bake conditions are not classified as VOC as they do not participate in atmospheric photochemical reactions. Such nonphotochemically reactive compounds are referred to as exempt volatile compounds in this practice.
Note 2—A list of the current US EPA approved exempt volatile compounds is found in Appendix Appendix X3, paragraph X3.1.1.
1.4 VOC content is calculated as a function of (1) the volume of coating less water and exempt volatile compounds, and (2) the volume of coating solids, and (3) the weight of coating solids.
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or
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Designation: D 3960 – 98
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Practice for
Determining Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Content of
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Paints and Related Coatings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3960; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
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1. Scope by Karl Fischer Method
D 4457 Test Method for Determination of Dichloromethane
1.1 This practice measures the volatile organic compound
and 1,1,1-Trichloroethane in Paints and Coatings by Direct
(VOC) content of solventborne and waterborne paints and
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Injection into a Gas Chromatograph
related coatings as determined from the quantity of material
D 5095 Test Method for Determination of the Nonvolatile
released from a sample under specified bake conditions and
Content in Silanes, Siloxanes and Silane-Siloxane Blends
subtracting exempt volatile compounds and water if present.
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Used in Masonry Water Repellent Treatments
NOTE 1—The regulatory definition, under the control of the U.S. EPA,
D 5201 Practice for Calculating Formulation Physical Con-
can change. To ensure currency, contact the local air pollution control
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stants of Liquid Paints and Coatings
agency.
D 5403 Test Methods for Volatile Content of Radiation
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1.2 This practice provides a guide to the selection of
Curable Materials
appropriate ASTM test methods for the determination of VOC
D 6093 Test Method for Percent Volume Nonvolatile Matter
content.
in Clear or Pigmented Coatings Using a Helium Gas
1.3 Certain organic compounds that may be released under 2
Pycnometer
the specified bake conditions are not classified as VOC as they
D 6133 Test Method for Acetone Content of Solvent-
do not participate in atmospheric photochemical reactions.
Reducible and Water-Reducible Paints, Coatings, Resins,
Such nonphotochemically reactive compounds are referred to
and Raw Materials by Direct Injection into a Gas Chro-
as exempt volatile compounds in this practice. 2
matograph
1.4 VOC content is calculated as a function of (1) the
E 180 Practice for Determining the Precision of ASTM
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volume of coating less water and exempt volatile compounds,
Methods for Analysis and Testing of Industrial Chemicals
and (2) the volume of coating solids, and (3) the weight of
2.2 Other Documents:
coating solids.
EPA Federal Reference Method 24—Determination of
Volatile Matter Content, Density, Volume Solids, and
2. Referenced Documents
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Weight Solids of Surface Coatings
2.1 ASTM Standards:
EPA 450/3-84-019, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
D 1475 Test Method for Density of Paint, Varnish, Lacquer,
Procedures for Certifying Quantity of Organic Compound
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and Related Products 5
Emitted by Paint, Ink, and Other Coatings
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D 2369 Test Method for Volatile Content of Coatings
EPA 450/3-83-013R, U.S. Environmental Protection
D 2697 Test Method for Volume Nonvolatile Matter in
Agency Glossary for Air Pollution Control of Industrial
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Clear or Pigmented Coatings 5
Coatings Operations
D 2832 Guide for Determining Volatile and Nonvolatile
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Content of Paint and Related Coatings 3. Terminology
D 3792 Test Method for Water Content of Water Reducible
3.1 Definitions:
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Paints by Direct Injection into a Gas Chromatograph
3.1.1 exempt volatile compound—organic compounds that
D 3925 Practice for Sampling Liquid Paints and Related
do not participate significantly in atmospheric photochemical
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Pigmented Coatings
reactions.
D 4017 Test Method for Water in Paints and Paint Materials
3.1.2 nonvolatile material—the solid material remaining
after volatiles have been removed from a coating under
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This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-1 on Paint and
Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of
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Subcommittee D01.21 on Chemical Analysis of Paints and Paint Materials. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 06.02.
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Current edition approved Nov. 10, 1998. Published January 1999. Originally Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.05.
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published as D 3960 – 81. Last previous edition D 3960 – 96. Available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
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Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 06.01. Office, Washington, DC 20402.
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D 3960
specified test conditions. VOC emitted from different coatings used for the same
3.1.3 volatile organic compound (VOC)—any organic com- application.
pound that part
...
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