Significance and Use
5. Significance and UseTop 
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5.1 Poly(vinyl chloride) resins must contain a minimum possible amount of unreacted, or free, VCM.
5.2 This test method provides a measure of RVCM which is suitable for manufacturing control or specification acceptance purposes.
5.3 Under optimum conditions, a lower level of detection of 2 ppm by volume VCM can be detected in the headspace vapor. Using a 4-g sample, this is equivalent to about 0.02 ppm by mass RVCM in the PVC resin.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method is suitable for determining the residual vinyl chloride monomer (RVCM) content of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) homopolymer and copolymer resins for uses other than food contact. The range for this test, based on interlaboratory evaluation, is from 0.1 to 400 ppm RVCM.
1.2 This test method can be adapted to determinations of RVCM in a PVC copolymer resin if the Henry's Law constant at 90??C for that copolymer is known.
1.3 This test method cannot be used for polymer in fused forms, such as cubes or sheets. Refer to Test Method D4443 or Test Method D3680 for these materials.
1.4 This test method is proposed as an alternative to EPA Method 107 for determination of vinyl chloride monomers in dry-resin samples.
1.5 The values stated SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) 
The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.
ASTM Standards
D3680 Test Method for Residual Vinyl Chloride Monomer Content of Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Resins, Compounds, and Copolymers by Solution Injection Technique
D4443 Test Method for Determining Residual Vinyl Chloride Monomer Content in PPB Range in Vinyl Chloride Homo- and Co-Polymers by Headspace Gas Chromatography
D4526 Practice for Determination of Volatiles in Polymers by Static Headspace Gas Chromatography
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
Federal Standards
29 CFR 1919.1017 Vinyl Chloride for Regulated Levels of Exposure
ISO Standard
ISO6401:2008 Determination of Residual Vinyl Chloride Monomer in Homopolymers and Copolymers by Gas Chromatography
Keywords
gas chromatography; headspace gas chromatography; poly(vinyl chloride); vinyl chloride monomer ;
ICS Code
ICS Number Code 83.080.20 (Thermoplastic materials)
DOI: 10.1520/D3749-12
ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.
Citing ASTM Standards
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