ASTM Standards help determine impurities in PTA.
Press Release Summary:
Purified terephthalic acid, commonly known as PTA, is a major raw material for polymer and plastic manufacture used in making polyester fiber, resin, and film. Four new ASTM International standards will be used to determine the presence of the impurities 4-Caraboxybenzaldehyde and p-Toluic Acid in PTA. These newly approved standards will be used to set specifications and as internal quality control tools for both users and manufacturers.
Original Press Release:
ASTM Aromatic Hydrocarbons Committee Develops Standards for Determining Presence of Impurities in Purified Terephthalic Acid
W. CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., —Purified terephthalic acid, commonly known as PTA, is a major raw material for polymer and plastic manufacture used in making polyester fiber, resin and film. Four new ASTM International standards will be used to determine the presence of the impurities 4-Caraboxybenzaldehyde and p-Toluic Acid in PTA. The four new standards were developed by Subcommittee D16.02 on Oxygenated Aromatics, part of ASTM International Committee D16 on Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Related Chemicals.
The four newly approved standards are:
ASTM D7881, Test Method for Determination of 4-Caraboxybenzaldehyde and p-Toluic Acid in
Purified Terephthalic Acid by High Performance Capillary Electrophoresis with Reverse Voltage Mode;
ASTM D7882, Test Method for Determination of 4-Caraboxybenzaldehyde and p-Toluic Acid in
Purified Terephthalic Acid by High Performance Capillary Electrophoresis with Normal Voltage Mode;
ASTM D7883, Test Method for Determination of 4-Caraboxybenzaldehyde and p-Toluic Acid in Purified Terephthalic Acid by Weak Anion Exchange High Performance Liquid Chromatography; and
ASTM D7884, Test Method for Determination of 4-Caraboxybenzaldehyde and p-Toluic Acid in Purified Terephthalic Acid by Reverse Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography.
“The presence of 4-CBA and p-TOL in PTA is undesirable because they can slow down the polymerization process,” says Yuhong Zhang, technical specialist, China Petrochemical Corp., and chairman of D16.02. “Also, 4-CBA imparts coloration to the polymer due to thermal instability. However, there have been no international standards for PTA until now.”
Zhang notes that determination and quantification of 4-CBA and p-TOL in PTA is often required by manufacturers. These newly approved standards will be used to set specifications and as internal quality control tools for both users and manufacturers. In addition, laboratories and regulatory bodies such as customs agencies might use the standards for PTA trading and quality supervision and inspection.
“The four new PTA test methods will be used by PTA producers worldwide for quality control and inspection,” says Zhang. “The global adoption of the standards will facilitate world trade and diminish technical barriers for PTA products.”
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ASTM Committee D16 Next Meeting: Jan. 29-30, 2014, January Committee Week, Houston, Texas
Technical Contact: Yuhong Zhang, China Petrochemical Corp., Shanghai, China, Phone: 86-21-6846-2281; Zhang-yh10@163.com
ASTM Staff Contact: Kristy Straiton, Phone: 610-832-9640; kstraiton@astm.org Â
ASTM PR Contact: Barbara Schindler, Phone: 610-832-9603; bschindl@astm.org
