ASTM D5232-19

Standard Practice for Determining the Stability and Miscibility of a Solid, Semi-Solid, or Liquid Waste Material

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This practice will identify waste materials that are potentially unstable when they come in contact with other materials at a waste treatment or disposal site.  
5.2 This practice will serve to determine the miscibility of waste materials with various media, including other wastes.  
5.3 This practice may not be applicable to all wastes. The appropriateness of these tests depends upon the proposed management of the waste.  
5.4 Since the initiation of some chemical reactions are slow to take place, the user may wish to establish reagent-to-waste contact times prior to observing the mixes for any reactions.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice is designed to determine whether a waste material reacts when it is mixed with air, water, strong acid, strong base, an oil/solvent mixture, other waste mixtures, or solid media such as a geological formation or solidification agents.  
1.2 The miscibility of the waste material with the above media can also be defined.  
Note 1: The following ASTM standards provide supplemental information: Test Methods D4978, D4980, D4982, D5049, and D5057 and Practices D4979, D4981, and D5058.  
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. For specific hazard statements, see Section 8.  
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: 31-Aug-2019
• ICS: 13.030.10 - Solid wastes
• Technical Committee: D34 - Waste Management
• Drafting Committee: D34.01.06 - Analytical Methods

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D5232-13 - Standard Test Method for Determining the Stability and Miscibility of a Solid, Semi-Solid, or Liquid Waste Material
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2019
• Refers: ASTM D5049-23 - Standard Practice for Screening of Cyanides in Waste
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM D5681-23 - Standard Terminology for Waste and Waste Management
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM D5058-12(2020) - Standard Practices for Compatibility of Screening Analysis of Waste
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2020
• Refers: ASTM D4981-19 - Standard Practice for Screening of Oxidizers in Waste
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2019
• Refers: ASTM D4979-19 - Standard Practice for Physical Description Screening Analysis in Waste
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2019
• Refers: ASTM D5681-18 - Standard Terminology for Waste and Waste Management
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2018
• Refers: ASTM D5681-17 - Standard Terminology for Waste and Waste Management
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2017
• Refers: ASTM D5057-17 - Standard Test Method for Screening Apparent Specific Gravity and Bulk Density of Waste
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2017
• Refers: ASTM D5681-16a - Standard Terminology for Waste and Waste Management
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2016
• Refers: ASTM D5681-16 - Standard Terminology for Waste and Waste Management
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2016
• Refers: ASTM D5681-13 - Standard Terminology for Waste and Waste Management
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2013
• Refers: ASTM D4981-12 - Standard Test Method for Screening of Oxidizers in Waste
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2012
• Refers: ASTM D4979-12 - Standard Test Method for Physical Description Screening Analysis in Waste
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2012
• Refers: ASTM D5058-12 - Standard Practices for Compatibility of Screening Analysis of Waste
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2012

Overview

ASTM D5232-19: Standard Practice for Determining the Stability and Miscibility of a Solid, Semi-Solid, or Liquid Waste Material is a widely recognized method for assessing how waste materials behave when they interact with various substances and environmental media. Developed by ASTM International, this practice is essential for waste management professionals handling hazardous or non-hazardous wastes in solid, semi-solid, or liquid forms. The standard establishes procedures to identify waste materials that may be unstable when exposed to air, water, acids, bases, oil/solvent mixtures, or other waste streams, and helps determine their miscibility, thereby supporting the safe treatment, disposal, and storage of waste.

Key Topics

• Stability Assessment: The standard provides detailed methods for observing whether a waste material exhibits chemical reactivity (e.g., heat, gas evolution) when mixed with:

  • Air
  • Water
  • Strong acids (such as hydrochloric acid)
  • Strong bases (such as sodium hydroxide)
  • Oil and solvent mixtures
  • Other waste streams
  • Solid media, like geological formations or solidification agents

• Miscibility Testing: Establishes procedures to evaluate the degree to which a waste is miscible (able to blend) with various liquids or solids, which informs decisions on waste processing and co-disposal.

• Applicability: The procedures are applicable to a broad range of waste types but may not be suitable for every kind of waste. The appropriateness of these tests should be determined based on intended waste management practices.

• Safety Considerations: Emphasizes the importance of following standard laboratory safety and environmental practices. Users must assess and address potential hazards due to the possibility of violent chemical reactions or toxic emissions during testing.

• Quality Control: Laboratories should apply quality control measures, including replicate evaluations, to ensure reliable results.

Applications

ASTM D5232-19 supports critical waste management operations by enabling organizations to:

• Characterize Waste: Determine chemical stability and miscibility with likely contact media during storage, transportation, treatment, or disposal.
• Prevent Incidents: Identify incompatible waste streams that could react dangerously, helping prevent fires, explosions, toxic releases, or other incidents at waste facilities.
• Support Regulatory Compliance: Meet environmental and safety regulations governing waste management through scientifically robust analysis of reactivity and compatibility.
• Inform Treatment Decisions: Guide blending, neutralization, or solidification processes by understanding how wastes will interact with common reagents or other waste components.
• Optimize Disposal Strategies: Choose suitable containment, treatment, and disposal options based on demonstrated compatibility with site-specific geological or engineered materials.

This standard is used by environmental consultants, waste management companies, industrial sites, chemical plants, and regulatory agencies to ensure waste is handled safely and efficiently.

Related Standards

Several other ASTM standards provide complementary methods and terminology relevant to waste stability and compatibility testing, including:

• ASTM D4978: Test Methods for Screening of Reactive Sulfides in Waste
• ASTM D4979: Practice for Physical Description Screening Analysis in Waste
• ASTM D4981: Practice for Screening of Oxidizers in Waste
• ASTM D4982: Test Methods for Flammability Potential Screening Analysis of Waste
• ASTM D5049: Test Method for Screening Cyanides in Waste
• ASTM D5057: Test Method for Screening Apparent Specific Gravity and Bulk Density of Waste
• ASTM D5058: Practices for Compatibility of Screening Analysis of Waste
• ASTM D5681: Terminology for Waste and Waste Management

Adopting ASTM D5232-19 as part of a comprehensive waste analysis program ensures safer and more effective management decisions across the waste lifecycle. For further information or to obtain the official standard, visit the ASTM International website.

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: D5232 − 19
Standard Practice for
Determining the Stability and Miscibility of a Solid, Semi-
Solid, or Liquid Waste Material
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5232; 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 D4979 Practice for Physical Description ScreeningAnalysis
in Waste
1.1 This practice is designed to determine whether a waste
D4980 Test Methods for Screening of pH in Waste (With-
material reacts when it is mixed with air, water, strong acid,
drawn 2009)
strong base, an oil/solvent mixture, other waste mixtures, or
D4981 Practice for Screening of Oxidizers in Waste
solid media such as a geological formation or solidification
D4982 Test Methods for Flammability Potential Screening
agents.
Analysis of Waste
1.2 The miscibility of the waste material with the above
D5049 Test Method for Screening Cyanides InWaste (With-
media can also be defined. 3
drawn 1999)
D5057 TestMethodforScreeningApparentSpecificGravity
NOTE 1—The following ASTM standards provide supplemental infor-
mation: Test Methods D4978, D4980, D4982, D5049, and D5057 and
and Bulk Density of Waste
Practices D4979, D4981, and D5058.
D5058 Practices for Compatibility of Screening Analysis of
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as Waste
D5681 Terminology for Waste and Waste Management
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
3. Terminology
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1 Definitions of terms in this practice appear in Terminol-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
ogy D5681.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- 4. Summary of Practice
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.1 The stability and miscibility of a waste material are
For specific hazard statements, see Section 8.
observed when the waste is mixed with various media.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
5. Significance and Use
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
5.1 This practice will identify waste materials that are
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
potentially unstable when they come in contact with other
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
materials at a waste treatment or disposal site.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
5.2 This practice will serve to determine the miscibility of
waste materials with various media, including other wastes.
2. Referenced Documents
2 5.3 This practice may not be applicable to all wastes. The
2.1 ASTM Standards:
appropriateness of these tests depends upon the proposed
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
management of the waste.
D4978 Test Methods for Screening of Reactive Sulfides in
5.4 Since the initiation of some chemical reactions are slow
Waste
to take place, the user may wish to establish reagent-to-waste
contact times prior to observing the mixes for any reactions.
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D34 on Waste
Management and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D34.01.06 on
6. Apparatus and Materials
Analytical Methods.
6.1 Disposable Cups, minimum 40-mL total volume. Select
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2019. Published September 2019. Originally
approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D5232 – 13. DOI:
plastics or other materials compatible with the reagents in-
10.1520/D5232-19.
volved.
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 last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
the ASTM website. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D5232 − 19
6.2 Stirring Rods, Spatulas, Disposal Droppers, Watch 9.3.1 Mix liquid waste sample thoroughly, and place a
Glasses, and so forth. 10-mL aliquot of the sample in a 40-mL plastic cup. For dry
waste or sludges, add enough sample to fill the cup to the
6.3 Other waste materials to be evaluated with the test
10-mL mark.
sample.
9.3.2 Pour 10 mL of water slowly and carefully over the
6.4 Solid Media, to be evaluated with the test sample.
sample and observe any reaction. If no reaction is observed
immediately, then mix the sample and water and note any
7. Reagents
reaction. Also estimate the volume percent solubility of the
sample in water. If the waste appears to be water reactive, it is
7.1 Purity of Water—The deionized water used to prepare
suggested that the appropriateness of the following steps be
the aqueous test solutions should conform to the conductivity
reviewed.
specifications ofASTMType II water as found in Specification
D1193. 9.4 Stability with Acid:
9.4.1 Take a 10-mL aliquot of the well-mixed liquid waste
7.2 Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) Test Solution—Carefully mix
sample and place it in a 40-mL plastic cup. For dry waste or
100 g of reagent-grade hydrochloric acid (;36 %) with 900 g
sludges, fill to the 10-mL mark.
of deionized water.
9.4.2 Slowly and carefully add 10 mL of the HCl test
7.3 Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) Test Solution—Carefully
solution or up to 10 mL until a reaction is observed. If no
mix 200 g of reagent-grade sodium hydroxide solution reaction is observed after the addition of 10 mL, t
...

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: D5232 − 13 D5232 − 19
Standard Test Method Practice for
Determining the Stability and Miscibility of a Solid, Semi-
Solid, or Liquid Waste Material
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5232; 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 test method is designed to determine whether a waste material reacts when it is mixed with air, water, strong acid,
strong base, an oil/solvent mixture, other waste mixtures, or solid media such as a geological formation or solidification agents.
1.2 The miscibility of the waste material with the above media can also be defined.
NOTE 1—The following ASTM standards provide supplemental information: Test Methods D4978, D4979, D4980, D4981, D4982, D5049, D5057, and
D5058.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statements, see Section 8.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D4978 Test Methods for Screening of Reactive Sulfides in Waste
D4979 Practice for Physical Description Screening Analysis in Waste
D4980 Test Methods for Screening of pH in Waste (Withdrawn 2009)
D4981 Practice for Screening of Oxidizers in Waste
D4982 Test Methods for Flammability Potential Screening Analysis of Waste
D5049 Test Method for Screening Cyanides In Waste (Withdrawn 1999)
D5057 Test Method for Screening Apparent Specific Gravity and Bulk Density of Waste
D5058 Practices for Compatibility of Screening Analysis of Waste
D5681 Terminology for Waste and Waste Management
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of terms in this test method appear in Terminology D5681.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 The stability and miscibility of a waste material are observed when the waste is mixed with various media.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This test method will identify waste materials that are potentially unstable when they come in contact with other materials
at a waste treatment or disposal site.
5.2 This test method will serve to determine the miscibility of waste materials with various media, including other wastes.
This test method practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D34 on Waste Management and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D34.01.06 on
Analytical Methods.
Current edition approved April 1, 2013Sept. 1, 2019. Published May 2013September 2019. Originally approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 20082013 as
D5232 – 92 (2008).D5232 – 13. DOI: 10.1520/D5232-13. 10.1520/D5232-19.
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.
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D5232 − 19
5.3 This test method may not be applicable to all wastes. The appropriateness of these tests depends upon the proposed
management of the waste.
5.4 Since the initiation of some chemical reactions are slow to take place, the user may wish to establish reagent-to-waste
contact times prior to observing the mixes for any reactions.
6. Apparatus and Materials
6.1 Disposable Cups, minimum 40-mL total volume. Select plastics or other materials compatible with the reagents involved.
6.2 Stirring Rods, Spatulas, Disposal Droppers, Watch Glasses, and so forth.
6.3 Other waste materials to be evaluated with the test sample.
6.4 Solid Media, to be evaluated with the test sample.
7. Reagents
7.1 Purity of Water—The deionized water used to prepare the aqueous test solutions should conform to the conductivity
specifications of ASTM Type II water as found in Specification D1193.
7.2 Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) Test Solution, carefully mix 100 g of reagent grade hydrochloric acid (;36 %) with 900 g of
deionized water.
7.3 Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) Test Solution, carefully mix 200 g of reagent grade sodium hydroxide solution (;50 %) with
800 g of deionized water.
7.4 Oil/Solvent Test Mixture, prepare a fifty percent (50 %) by weight mixture of reagent grade perchloroethylene in USP grade
mineral oil.
8. Hazards
8.1 Standard laboratory hygiene practices should be followed when conducting these tests. Potentially violent reactions may
occur in performance of this test, so appropriate precautions may be advised.
8.2 All tests should be performed in a laboratory fume hood. Waste samples may produce toxic or noxious fumes when mixed
with other substances.
8.3 The analyst should wear gloves that are resistant to acids, bases, and organic liquids.
9. Procedure
9.1 Refer to the sample’s label and respective chemical composition data to determine if there is any waste component listed
that could react with the agents or materials selected for testing.
9.2 Air Stability:
9.2.1 Open the cap of the sample container very slowly, and remove the cap slowly by sliding it across the top of the sample
container.
9.2.2 If any evidence of fuming is observed when the container is first opened, close the container immediately and refer to the
sample’s respective chemical composition data to determine if there is any waste component listed that could be reactive in air.
If no air reactive components are identified, then carefully open the container.
9.2.3 Using a glass, plastic spatula, or disposable dropper, remove a small portion of the sample and place it on a watch glass
to observe any reaction of the waste in air. Note any reaction. If the waste sample is air reactive, do not proceed with any of the
following steps.
9.3 Water Stability:
9.3.1 Mix liquid waste sample thoroughly, and place a 10-mL aliquot of the sample in a 40-mL plastic cup. For dry waste or
sludges, add enough sample to fill the cup to the 10-mL mark.
9.3.2 Pour 10-mL of water slowly and carefully over the sample and observe any reaction. If no reaction is observed
immediately, then mix the sample and water and note any reaction. Also estimate the volume percent solubility of the sample in
water. If the waste appears to be water reactive, it is suggested that the appropriateness of the following steps be reviewed.
9.4 Stability with Acid:
9.4.1 Take a 10-mL aliquot of the well mixed liquid waste sample and place it in a 40-mL plastic cup. For dry waste or sludges,
fill to the 10-mL mark.
9.4.2 Slowly and carefully add 10-mL of the HCl test solution or up to 10-mL until a reaction is observed. If no reaction is
observed after the addition of 10-mL, then carefully mix the HCl solution with the sample until it is evenly mixed. Note any
reaction that occurs. Also estimate the volume percent solubility of the sample in the acid.
9.5 Stability with Base:
D5232 − 19
9.5.1 Take a 10-mL aliquot of the well mixed liquid waste sample and place it in a 40-mL plastic cup. For dry waste or sludges,
fill to the 10-mL mark.
9.5.2 Slowly and carefully add 10-mL of the NaOH test solution or up to 10-mL until a reaction is observed. If no reaction is
observed after the addition of 10-mL, then carefully mix the NaOH solution with the sample until it is evenly mixed. Note any
reaction that occurs. Also estimate the volume percent solubility of the sample in base.
9.6 Stability with Organics:
9.6.1 For waste material that may be mixed with other wastes for treatment and disposal, take a 10-mL aliquot of the well mixed
liquid waste sample and place it in a 40-mL plastic cup. For dry waste or sludges fill to the 10-mL mark.
9.6.2 Slowly and carefully add 10-mL of oil/solvent mixture or up to 10-mL until a reaction is observed. If no reaction is
observed after the addition of 10-mL, then carefully mix the oil/solvent with the sample until it is evenly mixed. Note any reaction
that occurs. Also estimate the volume percent solubility of the sample with organics.
9.7 Stability with Other Waste Materials or Solid Media:
9.7.1 Place a 10-mL aliquot of the well mixed liquid sample in a 40-mL plastic cup. For dry waste or sludge, fill to the 10-mL
mark.
9.7.2 Carefully and slowly add 10-mL of the other waste material or solid media or up to 10-mL until a reaction is observed.
If no reaction is observed after the addition of the 10-mL, then carefully mix the contents of the plastic cup until evenly mixed.
Note any reaction that occurs. Also note the volume percent solubility of the waste sample with the other waste material, if
applicable.
10. Interpretation of Results
10.1 If the waste material reacts with any of the test media evaluated, resulting in the evolution of heat or the vigorous evolution
of gases, then the waste will be termed unstable with that respective media.
10.2 The solubility of the waste material observed when mixed with the various liquid media can be an indication of the
miscibility of the waste in those media.
11. Precision and Bias
11.1 Precision—It is not practicable to specify the precision of the procedure in Test Method D5232 for measuring the stability
and miscibility of a waste material, because no numerical data exist due to the wide variations in waste material compositions.
11.2 Bias—Since there is no accepted reference material suitable for measuring the bias for the procedure in Test Method D5232
for measuring the stability and miscibility of a waste material, bias has not been determined.
12. Quality Control
12.1 Quality control samples and replicate evaluations should be performed at a level specified by the laboratory and at a
predetermined frequency.
13. Keywords
13.1 miscibility; stability; waste
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