ASTM E1131-20

Standard Test Method for Compositional Analysis by Thermogravimetry

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method is intended for use in quality control, material screening, and related problem solving where a compositional analysis is desired or a comparison can be made with a known material of the same type.  
5.2 The parameters described should be considered as guidelines. They may be altered to suit a particular analysis, provided the changes are noted in the report.  
5.3 The proportion of the determined components in a given mixture or blend may indicate specific quality or end use performance characteristics. Particular examples include the following:  
5.3.1 Increasing soot (carbon) content of used diesel lubricating oils indicates decreasing effectiveness.  
5.3.2 Specific carbon-to-polymer ratio ranges are required in some elastomeric and plastic parts in order to achieve desired mechanical strength and stability.  
5.3.3 Some filled elastomeric and plastic products require specific inert content (for example, ash, filler, reinforcing agent, etc.) to meet performance specifications.  
5.3.4 The volatile matter, fixed carbon, and ash content of coal and coke are important parameters. The “ranking” of coal increases with increasing carbon content and decreasing volatile and hydrocarbon, (medium volatility) content.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method provides a general technique incorporating thermogravimetry to determine the amount of highly volatile matter, medium volatile matter, combustible material, and ash content of compounds. This test method will be useful in performing a compositional analysis in cases where agreed upon by interested parties.  
1.2 This test method is applicable to solids and liquids.  
1.3 The temperature range of test is typically room temperature to 1000 °C. Composition between 1 weight % and 100 weight % of individual components may be determined.  
1.4 This test method utilizes an inert and reactive gas environment.  
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.6 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.  
1.7 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: 14-Mar-2020
• ICS: 71.040.40 - Chemical analysis
• Technical Committee: E37 - Thermal Measurements
• Drafting Committee: E37.01 - Calorimetry and Mass Loss

Relations

• Referred By: ASTM D6546-23 - Standard Test Methods for and Suggested Limits for Determining Compatibility of Elastomer Seals for Industrial Hydraulic Fluid Applications
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2020
• Referred By: ASTM E2043-99(2021) - Standard Test Method for Nonvolatile Matter of Agricultural Adjuvant Solutions by Thermogravimetry
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2020
• Referred By: ASTM D8125-18(2023) - Standard Specification for Re-Refined Engine Oil Bottoms (REOB)/Vacuum Tower Asphalt Extender (VTAE)
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2020
• Referred By: ASTM F2848-21 - Standard Specification for Medical-Grade Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Yarns
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2020
• Referred By: ASTM E2403-23 - Standard Test Method for Sulfated Ash of Organic Materials by Thermogravimetry
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2020
• Referred By: ASTM D8395-23 - Standard Specification for Aramid Fiber for Asphalt Mixtures
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2020
• Referred By: ASTM F3606-22 - Standard Guide for Additive Manufacturing — Feedstock Materials — Testing Moisture Content in Powder Feedstock
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2020
• Referred By: ASTM D6382/D6382M-99(2022) - Standard Practice for Dynamic Mechanical Analysis and Thermogravimetry of Roofing and Waterproofing Membrane Material
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2020
• Referred By: ASTM F2489-06(2022) - Standard Guide for Instrument and Precision Bearing Lubricants—Part 2 Greases
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2020

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: E1131 − 20
Standard Test Method for
1
Compositional Analysis by Thermogravimetry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1131; 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 E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
1.1 This test method provides a general technique incorpo-
E1142 Terminology Relating to Thermophysical Properties
rating thermogravimetry to determine the amount of highly
E1582 Test Method for Temperature Calibration of Thermo-
volatile matter, medium volatile matter, combustible material,
gravimetric Analyzers
and ash content of compounds. This test method will be useful
E2040 Test Method for Mass Scale Calibration of Thermo-
in performing a compositional analysis in cases where agreed
gravimetric Analyzers
upon by interested parties.
3
2.2 ISO Standards:
1.2 This test method is applicable to solids and liquids.
ISO 11358 Plastics-Thermogravimetry (TG) of Polymers —
1.3 Thetemperaturerangeoftestistypicallyroomtempera-
General Principles
ture to 1000 °C. Composition between 1 weight % and 100
3. Terminology
weight % of individual components may be determined.
3.1 Definitions:
1.4 This test method utilizes an inert and reactive gas
3.1.1 Many of the technical terms used in this test method
environment.
are defined in Terminologies E473 and E1142, including
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
Celsius, derivative, Kelvin, peak, plateau, thermogravimetric
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
analysis, and thermogravimetry.
standard.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.2.1 highly volatile matter—moisture, plasticizer, residual
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
solvent or other low boiling (200 °C or less) components.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2.2 medium volatile matter—medium volatility materials
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
such as oil and polymer degradation products. In general, these
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
materials degrade or volatilize in the temperature range 200 °C
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
to 750 °C.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3.2.3 combustible material—oxidizablematerialnotvolatile
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
(in the unoxidized form) at 750 °C, or some stipulated
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
temperature dependent on material. Carbon is an example of
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
such a material.
3.2.4 ash—nonvolatile residues in an oxidizing atmosphere
2. Referenced Documents
which may include metal components, filler content or inert
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
reinforcing materials.
D3172 Practice for Proximate Analysis of Coal and Coke
3.2.5 mass loss plateau—a region of a thermogravimetric
E473 Terminology Relating to Thermal Analysis and Rhe-
curve with a relatively constant mass.
ology
4. Summary of Test Method
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE37onThermal
4.1 This test method is an empirical technique using ther-
Measurements and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E37.01 on Calo-
rimetry and Mass Loss. mogravimetry in which the mass of a substance, heated at a
Current edition approved March 15, 2020. Published April 2020. Originally
controlled rate in an appropriate environment, is recorded as a
approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as E1131 – 08 (2014).
function of time or temperature. Mass loss over specific
DOI: 10.1520/E1131-20.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), 1, ch. de
the ASTM website. la Voie-Creuse, CP 56, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland, http://www.iso.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E1131 − 20
temperature ranges and in a specific atmosphe
...

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: E1131 − 08 (Reapproved 2014) E1131 − 20
Standard Test Method for
1
Compositional Analysis by Thermogravimetry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1131; 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 provides a general technique incorporating thermogravimetry to determine the amount of highly volatile
matter, medium volatile matter, combustible material, and ash content of compounds. This test method will be useful in performing
a compositional analysis in cases where agreed upon by interested parties.
1.2 This test method is applicable to solids and liquids.
1.3 The temperature range of test is typically room temperature to 1000°C. 1000 °C. Composition between 1 weight % and 100
weight % of individual components may be determined.
1.4 This test method utilizes an inert and reactive gas environment.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.6 This standard is related ISO 11358 but is more detailed and specific.
1.6 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.
1.7 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
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D3172 Practice for Proximate Analysis of Coal and Coke
E473 Terminology Relating to Thermal Analysis and Rheology
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
E1142 Terminology Relating to Thermophysical Properties
E1582 Test Method for Temperature Calibration of Thermogravimetric Analyzers
E2040 Test Method for Mass Scale Calibration of Thermogravimetric Analyzers
3
2.2 ISO Standards:
ISO 11358 Plastics-Thermogravimetry (TG) of Polymers — General Principles
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 Many of the technical terms used in this test method are defined in Terminologies E473 and E1142., including Celsius,
derivative, Kelvin, peak, plateau, thermogravimetric analysis, and thermogravimetry.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 highly volatile matter—moisture, plasticizer, residual solvent or other low boiling (200°C (200 °C or less) components.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E37 on Thermal Measurements and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E37.01 on Calorimetry
and Mass Loss.
Current edition approved March 15, 2014March 15, 2020. Published April 2014April 2020. Originally approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 20082014 as
E1131 – 08.E1131 – 08 (2014). DOI: 10.1520/E1131-08R14.10.1520/E1131-20.
2
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.
3
Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), 1, ch. de la Voie-Creuse, CP 56, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland, http://www.iso.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1131 − 20
3.2.2 medium volatile matter—medium volatility materials such as oil and polymer degradation products. In general, these
materials degrade or volatilize in the temperature range 200 °C to 750°C.750 °C.
3.2.3 combustible material—oxidizable material not volatile (in the unoxidized form) at 750°C, 750 °C, or some stipulated
temperature dependent on material. Carbon is an example of such a material.
3.2.4 ash—nonvolatile residues in an oxidizing atmosphere which may include metal components, filler content or inert
reinforcing materials.
3.2.5 mass loss plateau—a region of a thermogravimetric curve with a relative
...