This test method is suitable for the general quantitative analysis of commercial tar acid mixtures. It may be used as a tool for quality control and specification purposes by producers and users.

1.1 This test method covers the quantitative determination of phenol and certain homologues of phenol in tar acid and cresylic acid mixtures using capillary gas chromatography. It is a normalization test method that determines homolog distribution but is not an absolute assay since it does not account for water or other compounds not detected by a flame ionization detector.

1.2 The following applies to all specified limits in this standard: for purposes of determining conformance with this standard, an observed value or a calculated value shall be rounded off "to the nearest unit" in the last right-hand digit used in expressing the specification limit, in accordance with the rounding-off method of Practice E29.

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. For specific hazard statements, see Section 7.