5.1 These test methods are used to estimate the amount of volatile materials present in a material.

5.2 These test methods are useful for design purposes, service evaluation, regulatory statutes, manufacturing control, quality control, specification acceptance, development, and research.

5.3 The results obtained by these test methods may be equivalent to those obtained by other test methods and may be known by other terms in their respective fields. Other tests and terms encountered include loss-on-heating (see Footnote 5 and Test Methods D6, D2288, and E359); heating loss (see Test Method D1509); evaporative loss (see Test Method D2595); volatile organic carbon, moisture, or water (see Test Methods D2216 and D3175); volatility (see Test Method D4893); highly volatile matter (see Test Method E897); and volatile content (see Guide D2832).

1.1 These test methods describe a procedure for determining the amount of volatile matter of any kind that is driven off from a test specimen under a specific set of temperature and time conditions. These test methods determine only the mass of material lost, not its identity.

1.2 These test methods are applicable to a wide variety of solid or liquid materials, mixtures, or blends where the major component is stable at the test temperature.

Note 1: These test methods can be applied to the analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOC) content in metalworking fluids and direct contact lubricants subject to South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rule 1144.

1.3 The applicable temperature range for these test methods are generally between ambient temperature and 1000°C.

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

1.5 There is no ISO method equivalent to this test 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.