5.1 Determining the type and amount of hydrocarbon impurities remaining from the manufacture of toluene, mixed xylenes, p-xylene, o-xylene, ethylbenzene, benzene, and styrene used as chemical intermediates and solvents is often required. This test method is suitable for setting specifications and for use as an internal quality control tool where these products are produced or are used. Typical impurities are: alkanes containing 1 to 10 carbons atoms, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene (EB), xylenes, and aromatic hydrocarbons containing nine carbon atoms or more.

5.2 This method may not detect all components and there may be unknown components that would be assigned inappropriate correction factors and thus, the results may not be absolute.

1.1 This test method covers the determination of total nonaromatic hydrocarbons and monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, p-xylene, o-xylene, styrene and mixed xylenes by gas chromatography. The purity of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, p-xylene, o-xylene, styrene and mixed xylenes is also calculated. Similar test methods, using the internal standard calibration technique and the external standard calibration technique, are Test Methods D2360, D3797, D4492, D5060, D5135, D5917, and D6563 respectively.

1.2 A small amount of benzene in toluene, ethylbenzene, p-xylene, o-xylene, styrene and mixed xylenes may not be distinguished from the non-aromatics and the concentrations are determined as a composite (see 6.1).

1.3 The limit of detection (LOD) is 0.0002 wt % and limit of quantitation (LOQ) is 0.0006 wt % for impurities in toluene, mixed xylenes, p-xylene, o-xylene, ethylbenzene, benzene, and styrene.

1.4 In determining the conformance of the test results using this method to applicable specifications, results shall be rounded off in accordance with the rounding-off method of Practice E29.

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

1.6 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.