ASTM D4252-89(2017) - 1.1.2017
 
Significance and Use

3.1 Alcohol ethoxylates and alkylphenol ethoxylates are important surfactants in household and industrial cleaners. They may be used as either nonionic surfactants or sulfated and used as anionic surfactants. Careful control of the ethoxylate characteristics is desired as variations may result in either desirable or undesirable end-use properties.

 
1. Scope

1.1 These test methods cover the various test methods used to evaluate those properties pertinent to the characterization of alcohol ethoxylates and alkylphenol ethoxylates with respect to suitability for desired uses.

1.2 The procedures for sampling and analysis appear in the following order:

 

Sections

Sampling

 

 Liquids

6

 Solids

7

Methods of Chemical Analysis

 

 Water or moisture

8

 Refractive index

 9 and 10

 pH

11

 Acidity or basicity

12 and 13

 Hydroxyl number

14 – 20

 Cloud point

21

 Iodine number

22

 Ash

23

 Iron

24

 Ethylene oxide content

25

 Polyethylene glycols

26 – 32

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

1.4 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. Material Safety Data Sheets are available for reagents and materials. Review them for hazards prior to usage. Specific hazard statements appear in Section 5 and Note 1 and Note 3.

 
2. Referenced Documents

D482-25

Standard Test Method for Ash from Petroleum Products

D459-16(2025)

Standard Terminology Relating to Soaps and Other Detergents

E200-23

Standard Practice for Preparation, Standardization, and Storage of Standard and Reagent Solutions for Chemical Analysis

E203-24

Standard Test Method for Water Using Volumetric Karl Fischer Titration

E394-22

Standard Test Method for Iron in Trace Quantities Using the 1,10-Phenanthroline Method

E180-03

Standard Practice for Determining the Precision of ASTM Methods for Analysis and Testing of Industrial and Specialty Chemicals (Withdrawn 2009)

D1959-97

Standard Test Method for Iodine Value of Drying Oils and Fatty Acids (Withdrawn 2006)

D2024-09(2023)

Standard Test Method for Cloud Point of Nonionic Surfactants

D2959-95(2025)

Standard Test Method for Ethylene Oxide Content of Polyethoxylated Nonionic Surfactants

D1068-15

Standard Test Methods for Iron in Water (Withdrawn 2024)

D1172-15(2024)

Standard Guide for pH of Aqueous Solutions of Soaps and Detergents

D1193-24

Standard Specification for Reagent Water

D1209-25

Standard Test Method for Color of Clear Liquids (Platinum-Cobalt Scale)

D1218-21

Standard Test Method for Refractive Index and Refractive Dispersion of Hydrocarbon Liquids

D1613-17(2023)

Standard Test Method for Acidity in Volatile Solvents and Chemical Intermediates Used in Paint, Varnish, Lacquer, and Related Products