ASTM D7057-23

Standard Test Method for Analysis of Isopropylbenzene (Cumene) by Gas Chromatography (External Standard)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method is suitable for setting specifications on the materials referenced in 1.2 and for use as an internal quality control tool where isopropylbenzene is produced or is used in a manufacturing process. It may also be used in development or research work involving isopropylbenzene.  
5.2 This test method is useful in determining the purity of isopropylbenzene with normal impurities present. If extremely high boiling or unusual impurities are present in the isopropylbenzene, this test method would not necessarily detect them and the purity calculation would be erroneous.  
5.3 Cumene hydroperoxide, if present, will yield thermal decomposition products, primarily AP and DMPC as stated in 4.1, that will elute in the chromatogram thereby giving incorrect results unless they are excluded as indicated in 4.1. It is also possible to get erroneous results for trace alpha-methylstyrene present in isopropylbenzene if the inlet has become unduly contaminated with non-volatile foreign substances.  
5.4 The nonaromatic hydrocarbons commonly present from the isopropylbenzene manufacturing process, particularly a non-zeolitic one, will interfere with the determination of xylenes (if present).
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the purity of isopropylbenzene (cumene) by gas chromatography. Calibration of the gas chromatography system is done by the external standard calibration technique.  
1.2 This test method has been found applicable to the measurement of impurities such as nonaromatic hydrocarbons, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, phenol, cymenes, t-butylbenzene, n-butylbenzene, n-propylbenzene, alpha-methylstyrene, sec-butylbenzene, and diisopropylbenzenes, which are impurities that can be found in isopropylbenzene. The latter impurities can be analyzed over a range of 1 mg/kg to 500 mg/kg by this method (see Table 1). The limit of quantitation averages 3.8 mg/kg while the limit of detection for these impurities averages 1.1 mg/kg based on the data in Table 1.  
1.3 In determining the conformance of the test results using this method to applicable specifications, results shall be rounded off in accordance with the rounding-off method of Practice E29.  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.5 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 9.  
1.6 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-Mar-2023
• ICS: 71.080.15 - Aromatic hydrocarbons
• Technical Committee: D16 - Aromatic, Industrial, Specialty and Related Chemicals
• Drafting Committee: D16.07 - Styrene, Ethylbenzene and C9 and C10 Aromatic Hydrocarbons

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: D7057 − 23
Standard Test Method for
Analysis of Isopropylbenzene (Cumene) by Gas
1
Chromatography (External Standard)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7057; 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* mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the purity
of isopropylbenzene (cumene) by gas chromatography. Cali-
2. Referenced Documents
bration of the gas chromatography system is done by the
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
external standard calibration technique.
D3437 Practice for Sampling and Handling Liquid Cyclic
1.2 This test method has been found applicable to the
Products
measurement of impurities such as nonaromatic hydrocarbons,
D4307 Practice for Preparation of Liquid Blends for Use as
benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, phenol, cymenes,
Analytical Standards
t-butylbenzene, n-butylbenzene, n-propylbenzene, alpha-
D4790 Terminology of Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Related
methylstyrene, sec-butylbenzene, and diisopropylbenzenes,
Chemicals
which are impurities that can be found in isopropylbenzene.
D6809 Guide for Quality Control and Quality Assurance
The latter impurities can be analyzed over a range of 1 mg/kg
Procedures for Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Related Ma-
to 500 mg/kg by this method (see Table 1). The limit of
terials
quantitation averages 3.8 mg/kg while the limit of detection for
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
these impurities averages 1.1 mg/kg based on the data in Table
Determine Conformance with Specifications
1.
E355 Practice for Gas Chromatography Terms and Relation-
1.3 In determining the conformance of the test results using ships
this method to applicable specifications, results shall be E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
rounded off in accordance with the rounding-off method of Determine the Precision of a Test Method
Practice E29. E1510 Practice for Installing Fused Silica Open Tubular
Capillary Columns in Gas Chromatographs
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
2.2 Other Document:
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
OSHA Regulations, 29 CFR paragraphs 1910.1000 and
standard.
3
1910.1200
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3. Terminology
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1 See Terminology D4790 for definition of terms used in
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
this test method.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
For specific hazard statements, see Section 9.
4. Summary of Test Method
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
4.1 Cumene (isopropylbenzene) is analyzed by a gas chro-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
matograph (GC) equipped with a flame ionization detector
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
(FID). A precisely repeatable volume of the sample to be
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
analyzed is injected onto the gas chromatograph. The peak
1 2
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D16 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Aromatic, Industrial, Specialty and Related Chemicals and is the direct responsi- contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
bility of Subcommittee D16.07 on Styrene, Ethylbenzene and C9 and C10 Aromatic Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Hydrocarbons. the ASTM website.
3
Current edition approved April 1, 2023. Published April 2023. Originally Available from U.S. Government Printing Office Superintendent of Documents,
approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as D7057 – 18. DOI: 732 N. Capitol St., NW, Mail Stop: SDE, Washington, DC 20401, http://
10.1520/D7057-23. www.access.gpo.gov.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D7057 − 23
TABLE 1 Summary of Precision Data (mg/kg)
Range
Compound Repeatability Reproducibility
Studied
Benzene 1.004+0.006*Benzene 0.924+0.158*Benzene 1.0–
...

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: D7057 − 18 D7057 − 23
Standard Test Method for
Analysis of Isopropylbenzene (Cumene) by Gas
1
Chromatography (External Standard)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7057; 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 covers the determination of the purity of isopropylbenzene (cumene) by gas chromatography. Calibration of
the gas chromatography system is done by the external standard calibration technique.
1.2 This test method has been found applicable to the measurement of impurities such as nonaromatic hydrocarbons, benzene,
toluene, ethylbenzene, phenol, cymenes, t-butylbenzene, n-butylbenzene, n-propylbenzene, alpha-methylstyrene, sec-
butylbenzene, and diisopropylbenzenes, which are impurities that can be found in isopropylbenzene. The latter impurities can be
analyzed over a range of 1 mg/kg to 500 mg/kg by this method (see Table 1). The limit of quantitation averages 3.8 mg/kg while
the limit of detection for these impurities averages 1.1 mg/kg.mg/kg based on the data in Table 1.
1.3 In determining the conformance of the test results using this method to applicable specifications, results shall be rounded off
in accordance with the rounding-off method of Practice E29.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.5 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 89.
1.6 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:
D3437 Practice for Sampling and Handling Liquid Cyclic Products
D4307 Practice for Preparation of Liquid Blends for Use as Analytical Standards
D4790 Terminology of Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Related Chemicals
D6809 Guide for Quality Control and Quality Assurance Procedures for Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Related Materials
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
E355 Practice for Gas Chromatography Terms and Relationships
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D16 on Aromatic, Industrial, Specialty and Related Chemicals and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D16.07 on Styrene, Ethylbenzene and C9 and C10 Aromatic Hydrocarbons.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2018April 1, 2023. Published January 2018April 2023. Originally approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 20132018 as D7057
– 13. DOI: 10.1520/D7057-18.18. DOI: 10.1520/D7057-23.
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.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D7057 − 23
TABLE 1 Summary of Precision Data (mg/kg)
Range
Compound Repeatability Reproducibility
Studied
Benzene 1.004+0.006*Benzene 0.924+0.158*Benzene 1.0–295
Toluene 0.644+0.009*Toluene 1.505+0.069*Toluene 0.2–260
Ethylbenzene (EB) 1.249+0.022*EB 2.534+0.230*EB 5–370
n-Propylbenzene (NPB) -0.369+0.015*NPB -6.793+0.214*NPB 180–465
Phenol (PHE) 1.926+.0095*PHE 3.718+0.207*PHE 1–225
alpha-methylstyrene(AMS) 1.368+0.057*AMS 21.181+0.976*AMS 6–305
tert-Butylbenzene(TBB) 1.666+0.011*TBB 4.126+0.086*TBB 2–250
sec-Butylbenzene(SBB) 0.635+0.010*SBB 0.891+0.090*SBB 2–245
m-Cymene 0.618+0.011*m-Cymene 1.811+0.181*m-Cymene 5–240
o-Cymene 0.498+0.012*o-Cymene 1.951+0.156*o-Cymene 1–160
p-Cymene 0.485+0.019*p-Cymene 1.618+0.097*p-Cymene 2–270
n-Butylbenzene(NBB) 0.445+0
...