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D3264-97 – Standard Test Method Technical Guide
📋 Scope and Regulatory Context
ASTM Standard D3264-97 defines the purity, physical properties, and testing requirements for industrial grade aniline (aminobenzene, benzenamine, phenylamine). This specification characterizes the material for industrial applications. Users must comply with current OSHA regulations (29 CFR Part 1910 and 1920), supplier Material Safety Data Sheets, and all applicable local regulations for safe handling.
For determining conformance, all observed or calculated values must be rounded “to the nearest unit” in the last right-hand digit of the specification limit, in accordance with the rounding-off method of ASTM Practice E 29. The listed properties are those deemed necessary for material characterization; additional tests may be incorporated when deemed desirable and suitable methods become available, as noted in the standard’s scope.
📊 Required Properties and Specifications
Industrial grade aniline must meet rigorous chemical and physical limits. The material must be a clear liquid, free of sediment and haze when observed at 18.3 to 25.6°C (65 to 78°F). Key specification limits are summarized below.
| 📏 Property | 🎯 Specification Limit | ⚡ ASTM Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| Nitrobenzene, max, weight % | 0.0002 | D 4589 |
| Water, max, weight % | 0.05 | E 203 (Karl Fischer) |
| Appearance | Clear liquid, free of sediment/haze at 18.3–25.6°C | Visual |
| Color, max, PT/Co scale | 100 | D 1209 |
| Distillation range (Total), max °C (including 184.2°C at 101.3 kPa) | 1.0 | D 1078 |
| Distillation range (95%: 2.0 mL to 97.0 mL), max °C | 0.5 | D 1078 |
| Relative density, 20/4°C | 1.020 to 1.024 | D 3505 |
| Solidification point, anhydrous basis, min °C | -6.20 | D 1493 |
🧪 Sampling, Handling, and Test Methods
Proper sampling is critical for accurate compliance. The standard mandates that all sampling of aniline be conducted in accordance with Practice D 3436. The referenced ASTM test methods provide the precise procedures for determining each property. Given aniline’s known sensitivity to light and air, which causes material darkening (Note 2), strict adherence to handling and testing protocols is essential for valid results.
⚠️ Handling and Status Notice: Aniline is light sensitive and will darken on exposure to light and air (Note 2). Samples must be stored appropriately, often in amber glass and inert atmospheres. This standard has been discontinued or superseded; users must contact ASTM International for the current version.
💡 Characterization Flexibility: Note 1 of D3264-97 states the properties included are those required to characterize the material. Additional properties may be added when their inclusion becomes desirable and the necessary test methods become available.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
🔍 What is the scope of ASTM D3264-97?
This specification covers the requirements for industrial grade aniline, including specific limits for purity, physical properties, and the detailed test methods required for material evaluation.
💡 What rounding method applies to conformance testing?
For determining conformance, observed or calculated values shall be rounded “to the nearest unit” in the last right-hand digit used in expressing the specification limit, in accordance with Practice E 29.
⚡ What are the critical purity limits for nitrobenzene and water?
The maximum allowable nitrobenzene content is 0.0002% by weight (D 4589), and the maximum water content is 0.05% by weight (E 203, Karl Fischer method).
📌 What is the required solidification point for industrial grade aniline?
On an anhydrous basis, the minimum solidification point of the material is -6.20°C, as determined by Test Method D 1493.