ASTM D4900-99(2020)

Standard Test Method for Lignosulfonates (Sulfite Cellulose) in Tanning Extracts

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This test method is useful to detect possible adulteration of tanning material extract with cheap and inferior lignosulfonates.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method is intended for use in detecting the presence of lignosulfonates (sulfite cellulose) in extracts of tanning materials.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.3 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.  
1.4 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 D4901-99(2009) - Standard Practice for Preparation of Solution of Liquid Vegetable Tannin Extracts
• 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 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 D6404-99 - Standard Practice for Sampling Vegetable Materials Containing Tannin
• Effective Date: 10-May-1999
• Refers: ASTM D6405-99 - Standard Practice for Extraction of Tannins from Raw and Spent Materials
• Effective Date: 10-May-1999
• Refers: ASTM D4905-99 - Standard Practice for Preparation of Solution of Solid, Pasty and Powdered Vegetable Tannin Extracts
• Effective Date: 10-May-1999
• Refers: ASTM D4901-99 - Standard Practice for Preparation of Solution of Liquid Vegetable Tannin Extracts
• Effective Date: 10-May-1999

Overview

ASTM D4900-99(2020), titled Standard Test Method for Lignosulfonates (Sulfite Cellulose) in Tanning Extracts, establishes a reliable procedure for identifying the presence of lignosulfonates (sulfite cellulose), which are often considered lower-cost materials, in vegetable tanning extracts. This method supports quality control within the leather and tanning industry by detecting possible adulteration of extracts with inferior materials. Developed by ASTM Committee D31 on Leather, this international standard follows globally recognized principles for standardization.

Key Topics

• Detection of Lignosulfonates: This standard details a chemical testing method that reveals whether lignosulfonates are present within tanning material extracts, ensuring authenticity and preventing adulteration.
• Significance: Use of the test helps maintain product quality by identifying the addition of cheap and inferior lignosulfonates to higher-value vegetable tanning extracts.
• Test Method Summary: The standard describes a comparative chemical procedure using aniline and hydrochloric acid to detect lignosulfonates, referencing known lignosulfonate-free materials as controls.
• Sample Preparation: The method outlines specific practices for sampling and preparing standardized solutions of tanning extracts using referenced ASTM methods, ensuring consistent and reproducible test results.
• Interpretation of Results: The presence of a precipitate similar to that in the reference solution indicates lignosulfonates in the sample, which must be reported in the analysis documentation.
• Safety Precautions: Users are advised to establish safety, health, and environmental protocols and address any regulatory limitations before implementing this test.

Applications

• Quality Assurance in Leather Manufacturing: This test method is an essential tool for manufacturers of leather and tanning extracts to verify product purity and demonstrate compliance with specification requirements.
• Regulatory Compliance: By ensuring the absence of adulterants like lignosulfonates, companies can uphold international trade and regulatory expectations, including those established by the World Trade Organization.
• Research and Development: Laboratories and researchers employing this standard can develop higher quality tanning products by rigorously screening raw materials and finished goods for unwanted additives.
• Procurement Control: Buyers and quality inspectors can utilize this testing method to assess the integrity of supplied tanning extracts, minimizing the risk of substandard raw materials entering production chains.

Related Standards

• ASTM D4901: Practice for Preparation of Solution of Liquid Vegetable Tannin Extracts
• ASTM D4905: Practice for Preparation of Solution of Solid, Pasty, and Powdered Vegetable Tannin Extracts
• ASTM D6404: Practice for Sampling Vegetable Materials Containing Tannin
• ASTM D6405: Practice for Extraction of Tannins from Raw and Spent Materials
• ALCA Method A50: Historical method for detecting lignosulfonates, replaced by this ASTM standard

Keywords: lignosulfonates, sulfite cellulose, tannin analysis, vegetable tannin analysis, tanning material adulteration, ASTM D4900, leather industry standards, quality control in tanning extracts.

By employing ASTM D4900-99(2020), organizations in the leather and tanning sector strengthen their quality assurance processes and safeguard against the use of inferior additives in their products. This contributes to sustained product integrity, regulatory conformity, and enhanced trust from clients and trading partners worldwide.

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: D4900 −99 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Test Method for
Lignosulfonates (Sulfite Cellulose) in Tanning Extracts
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4900; 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 2.2 ALCA Methods:
A50 Lignosulfonates (Sulfite Cellulose)
1.1 This test method is intended for use in detecting the
presence of lignosulfonates (sulfite cellulose) in extracts of
3. Summary of Test Method
tanning materials.
3.1 The reaction with aniline of a tanning material extract
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
specimen is compared with that of a solution containing
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
lignosulfonate and tanning material known to be free from
standard.
lignosulfonate.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4. Significance and Use
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.1 This test method is useful to detect possible adulteration
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
of tanning material extract with cheap and inferior lignosul-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
fonates.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
5. Specimen
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
5.1 The sample shall be drawn as described in Practice
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
D6404.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
5.2 The specimen shall consist of 5 mL of a solution of
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
analytical strength (4.0 g tannin per L), prepared as described
in Practices D4901, D4905, and Practice D6405.
2. Referenced Documents
6. Apparatus and Reagents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
6.1 Aniline.
D4901 Practice for Preparation of Solution of Liquid Veg-
etable Tannin Extracts
6.2 Hydrochloric Acid, concentrated.
D4905 Practice for Preparation of Solution of Solid, Pasty
6.3 ComparisonSolution—This shall contain lignosulfonate
and Powdered Vegetable Tannin Extracts
(sulfite cellulose) in the proportion of 1 g total solids to 2000
D6404 Practice for Sampling Vegetable Materials Contain-
mLof solution, and as much tanning material, similar to and of
ing Tannin
the same type as that being tested but known to be free from
D6405 Practice for Extraction of Tannins from Raw and
lignosulfonate, as will make up the solution to analytical
Spent Materials
strength.
7. Procedure
7.1 Place the specimen in a test tube.Add 0.5 mLof aniline,
and shake well. Add 2 mL of concentrated hydrochloric acid,
1 and again shake mixture well.
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
test method h
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