Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
D4835-08 – Standard Test Method Technical Guide
ASTM D4835-08 (Reapproved 2012) defines the standard specification for Propylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether Acetate (PMA), a solvent used in paints, coatings, and other industrial products. This specification ensures material quality by setting limits on key properties and prescribing test methods for verification.
📋 Key Specifications and Property Limits
PMA must meet the following requirements as per Section 3 of the standard. The values are in SI units.
| 🟦 Property | 📏 Specification Limit | 🎯 Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| Purity, weight % (min) | 99 | D4773 |
| Color, Pt-Co (max) | 15 | D1209 |
| Water, weight % (max) | 0.05 | D1364 |
| Distillation Range – IBP, °C (min) | 140 | D1078 |
| Distillation Range – DBP, °C (max) | 150 | D1078 |
| Acidity as Acetic Acid, weight % (max) | 0.02 | D1613 |
| Glycol Ether, weight % (max) | 0.5 | D4773 |
🧪 Sampling and Analytical Test Methods
Sampling of PMA must follow Practice E300 to ensure representative samples. The quality properties are determined using the following ASTM methods:
- Purity by Gas Chromatography per Test Method D4773.
- Water content by Karl Fischer titration per Test Method D1364.
- Acidity by titration per Test Method D1613.
- Distillation range by Test Method D1078 using a temperature device with 0.1°C resolution and range of 123-177°C.
- Color by Test Method D1209 or optionally D5386.
Acidity limit of 0.02% is equivalent to 0.2 mg KOH per gram of specimen.
🔍 Rounding Conformance: All test results must be rounded to the nearest unit of the specification limit following Practice E29.
⚠️ Color Test Note: While D5386 (tristimulus colorimetry) is equivalent to D1209, PMA was not part of the interlaboratory study for this equivalence.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
🔍 What is the chemical composition of PMA?
PMA is a mixture of 1-methoxy-2-acetoxypropane and 2-methoxy-1-acetoxypropane.
💡 What is the minimum purity requirement for PMA?
The minimum purity is 99% by weight, determined by gas chromatography per Test Method D4773.
⚡ What are the distillation range specifications for PMA?
The initial boiling point must be at least 140°C and the dry boiling point no higher than 150°C, as determined by Test Method D1078.
📌 How is acidity controlled in PMA?
The maximum acidity allowed is 0.02% by weight as acetic acid, equivalent to 0.2 mg KOH/g, tested using Test Method D1613.