Measurements of EO content correlate with polyol reactivity (as related to primary hydroxyl content), linearity of foam rise, and the hydrophilicity of the polyol and final product.

Statistical data suggest that the ¹³C NMR test method is the preferred method for measuring low levels (less than 10 %) of polymerized EO in polyols.

1. Scope

1.1 Test Method A—Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (¹H NMR) measures polymerized ethylene oxide (EO) in ethylene oxide-propylene oxide polyethers used in flexible urethane foams and nonfoams. It is suitable for diols made from the commonly used initiators and containing EO percentages above five. For triols initiated with glycerin and trimethylol propane, an uncorrected EO value is obtained since both initiators have protons that contribute to the EO measurement.

1.2 Test Method B—Carbon-13 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (¹³C NMR) measures the polymerized EO content of ethylene oxide-propylene oxide polyethers used in flexible urethane foams and nonfoams. It is suitable for diols and triols made from the commonly used initiators and containing EO percentages above five.

1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.4 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

Note 1—There is no known ISO equivalent to this 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

Keywords

EO polymer; EO/PO ratio; ethylene oxide; NMR; polyethers; polyols; polyurethane raw materials; Ethylene oxide (ETO); FTIR analysis; Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometry; Polyether polyols; Polyols; Polyurethane raw materials--polyols; Propylene oxide; Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy; Pulse Fourier-transform NMR (FT-NMR); Spectral data; Spectrometry; Carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 83.080.20 (Thermoplastic materials)

Citing ASTM Standards

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