3.1 This test method is designed to broaden the scope of the previous edition of the test method by the inclusion of tall oil and tall oil derived from products as test materials. Test Methods D803 currently includes a method for the determination of unsaponifiable matter.

3.2 The amount of unsaponifiable matter in tall oil and other related products is important in characterizing such products as it indicates the level of nonacidic material, both free and combined, present in the test material. The unsaponifiable in naval stores products is primarily composed of higher molecular weight alcohols, sterols, and hydrocarbons.

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the percentage of material in Naval Stores products as defined in Terminology D804 including rosin, tall oil and related products, other than insoluble dirt or similar visible foreign matter that does not yield a water-soluble soap when the sample is saponified with potassium hydroxide.

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

1.3 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: It has been reported that this method may not be applicable to gum rosin, especially any gum rosin containing volatile terpenes. Volatile terpenes are by definition unsaponifiable matter, and can be lost under the drying conditions described in 8.4. The method is applicable to tall oil rosin and wood rosin as these rosins do not contain volatile terpenes.