Standardization News

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has set forth new regulations that mandate greenhouse gas reporting in the U.S. carbon black industry. These regulations were the impetus for the development of a new ASTM International standard, D7633, Test Method for Carbon Black Carbon Content.

The new standard was developed by Subcommittee D24.66 on Environment, Health and Safety, part of ASTM International Committee D24 on Carbon Black.

"Carbon black producers and contract laboratories will be the primary users of D7633," says George Joyce, manager, Materials Analysis Laboratory, Columbian Chemicals Co. Joyce says that the new standard may be adopted into U.S. and Canadian greenhouse gas regulations, and it may also eventually be adopted by other national environmental agencies, including those of European Union countries that already have greenhouse gas reporting requirements.

"I anticipate global acceptance and utilization of D7633 since it is the only applicable testing standard available for carbon content of carbon black products," says Joyce.A task group has formed within D24.66 to administer an interlaboratory study program that will be used to develop precision and bias statements for D7633. Participants are sought for the ILS program, which the task group plans for this fall.

According to Joyce, ILS participants will need to have a carbon combustion analyzer in their laboratory. "Our current test method utilizes a combustion analyzer with infrared detection, but the committee will open participation to labs using all types of carbon combustion analyzers."

In addition, Joyce notes that D24.66 is currently developing a proposed new standard, WK27667, Test Method for Carbon Content in Carbon Black Feedstock Oils. The proposed standard will be applicable to most commercial feedstock oils used to produce carbon black products in a furnace or thermal process.

To purchase ASTM standards, visit www.astm.org and search by the standard designation number, or contact ASTM Customer Relations (phone: 610-832-9585).

CONTACT Technical Information: George Joyce, Columbian Chemicals Co. • Marietta, Ga. • Phone: 770-792-9467 • E-mail: gjoyce@columbianchemicals.com O ASTM Staff: Joe Koury • Phone: 610-832-9804 • E-mail: jkoury@astm.org O Upcoming Meeting: Dec. 6-8 • December Committee Week • New Orleans, La.

This combustion analysis sample boat contains 100 mg of graphite.