ASTM E1863-18 PDF

Full title and description

Standard Test Method for Analysis of Acrylonitrile by Gas Chromatography (designation ASTM E1863-18). This method specifies the use of a capillary-column gas chromatograph with a flame ionization detector (GC‑FID) to determine impurities and to assess the purity of acrylonitrile for product inspection and process control.

Abstract

ASTM E1863-18 describes a GC‑FID procedure for quantifying common volatile impurities in acrylonitrile (range of applicability: nominally 99–100 % purity). The method identifies and measures impurities such as acetone, acrolein, acetonitrile and acetaldehyde, and provides calibration approaches to quantify additional impurities (for example benzene, methacrylonitrile, oxazole, propionitrile, and cis/trans‑crotononitrile) when appropriate standards are available. Typical instrumentation, column recommendations (e.g., polar capillary wax columns), injection and integration practices, and safety notes are included.

General information

• Status: Active (current edition E1863‑18 published October 2018). Note: a work item to ballot withdrawal of E1863‑18 was initiated (ASTM WK81640, initiated 26 April 2022); users should verify the standard’s status with ASTM before relying on it for compliance decisions.
• Publication date: October 2018 (current edition approved Oct 1, 2018).
• Publisher: ASTM International.
• ICS / categories: 71.040.40 — Chemical analysis.
• Edition / version: E1863‑18 (designation shows year of last revision: 2018).
• Number of pages: 4 pages. DOI: 10.1520/E1863‑18.

Scope

This test method covers determination of volatile impurities in, and the purity of, acrylonitrile using a capillary‑column gas chromatograph with flame ionization detection. It is intended for acrylonitrile material having nominal purity in the 99 to 100 % range and provides procedures for separation, calibration, and quantification of specified impurities; safety, health and environmental cautions and references to MSDS information are included.

Key topics and requirements

• Analytical technique: capillary gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC‑FID) and split injection.
• Target impurities explicitly measured: acetone, acrolein, acetonitrile, and acetaldehyde.
• Additional impurities that can be calibrated when standards are available: benzene, methacrylonitrile, oxazole, propionitrile, cis‑ and trans‑crotononitrile, and others.
• Applicability: suitable for acrylonitrile products ~99–100 % purity (final product inspection and process control).
• Recommended instrumentation details: capillary column examples (polar wax-type such as Supelcowax 10 or equivalent), electronic integrator/recorder, 10 µL syringe; method gives indicative column and operating conditions.
• Precision and interlaboratory considerations: precision information and interlaboratory study material referenced in associated research/report documents (interlaboratory study RR:E15‑1059).
• Safety: the standard highlights the need to follow appropriate safety, health and environmental practices and to consult the current MSDS for acrylonitrile.

Typical use and users

Primary users are chemical producers, petrochemical laboratories, quality control and process laboratories in acrylonitrile manufacturing and downstream processors, contract analytical laboratories, and regulatory or purchaser laboratories that perform acceptance testing on acrylonitrile feedstocks. The method is used for routine purity checks, impurity profiling for process control, and final product inspection. (Examples of laboratories listing ASTM E1863 as the test method for acrylonitrile impurity analysis can be found in commercial laboratory service menus.)

Related standards

ASTM E1863 is part of a set of acrylonitrile‑related test methods and historical specifications. Related documents include (but are not limited to) ASTM E1178 (previously used for acrylonitrile analysis; withdrawn 2016), ASTM E1784 (total peroxides in acrylonitrile; withdrawn 2016), ASTM E1788 (acidity in acrylonitrile; noted as withdrawn in committee records in 2022), and other E‑series methods addressing acrylonitrile properties and impurities. Users should consult ASTM for the current status and cross‑references.

Keywords

acrylonitrile, ACN, gas chromatography, GC‑FID, capillary column, impurities, purity, acetone, acrolein, acetonitrile, acetaldehyde, benzene, methacrylonitrile, propionitrile, oxazole, crotononitrile, quality control.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM E1863‑18 is a Standard Test Method that defines a GC‑FID procedure for analysis of acrylonitrile impurities and assessment of acrylonitrile purity.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers determination of volatile impurities in acrylonitrile (applicable to materials ~99–100 % purity), specifying chromatographic conditions, target impurities to be measured (e.g., acetone, acrolein, acetonitrile, acetaldehyde), calibration practices for additional impurities, and recommended instrumentation.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Producers of acrylonitrile, QC and process laboratories in petrochemical plants, contract testing labs, and purchasers/regulatory labs that require impurity profiling or purity verification of acrylonitrile.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The current edition is E1863‑18 (published October 2018) and is listed on the ASTM document store; however, a committee work item to ballot its withdrawal without replacement (ASTM WK81640, initiated 26 April 2022) has been recorded. Users should check ASTM’s database or contact ASTM for the definitive current status before using the method for regulatory or contractual purposes.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — E1863 belongs to the suite of ASTM test methods and specifications that address analysis and specifications for acrylonitrile and related products (see related E‑series acrylonitrile methods and historical documents). It was developed under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 (subcommittee D20.15).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: acrylonitrile, GC, gas chromatography, flame ionization detector, impurities, purity, capillary column, acetone, acrolein, acetonitrile, acetaldehyde.