ASTM D7504-23 - 1.5.2023
 
Significance and Use

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. Scope

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, D5060, D5135, and D5917 respectively.

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

1.3?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.

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

1.5?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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.6?This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

 
2. Referenced Documents

E260-96(2026)

Standard Practice for Packed Column Gas Chromatography

E355-96(2021)e1

Standard Practice for Gas Chromatography Terms and Relationships (Includes all amendments and changes 4/28/2021).

E691-23

Standard Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method

D5211-24

Standard Specification for Xylenes for p-Xylene Feedstock

D5917-24

Standard Test Method for Trace Impurities in Monocyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Gas Chromatography and External Calibration

D6229-06(2025)

Standard Test Method for Trace Benzene in Hydrocarbon Solvents by Capillary Gas Chromatography

D6563-12

Standard Test Method for Benzene, Toluene, Xylene (BTX) Concentrates Analysis by Gas Chromatography (Withdrawn 2018)

D5135-25

Standard Test Method for Analysis of Styrene by Capillary Gas Chromatography

D5136-24

Standard Specification for High Purity p-Xylene

D1555M-22

Standard Test Method for Calculation of Volume and Weight of Industrial Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Cyclohexane [Metric]

D2360-11

Standard Test Method for Trace Impurities in Monocyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Gas Chromatography (Withdrawn 2016)

D3437-15(2022)

Standard Practice for Sampling and Handling Liquid Cyclic Products

D3797-05

Standard Test Method for Analysis of o-Xylene by Gas Chromatography (Withdrawn 2014)

D4492-10

Standard Test Method for Analysis of Benzene by Gas Chromatography (Withdrawn 2018)

D841-24

Standard Specification for Nitration Grade Toluene

D4790-25

Standard Terminology of Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Related Chemicals

D5060-25

Standard Test Method for Determining Impurities in High-Purity Ethylbenzene by Gas Chromatography

E1510-95(2021)

Standard Practice for Installing Fused Silica Open Tubular Capillary Columns in Gas Chromatographs

D6809-24

Standard Guide for Quality Control and Quality Assurance Procedures for Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Related Materials

E29-22

Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications

E177-26a

Standard Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods (Includes all amendments and changes 5/14/2026).