ASTM D803-15

ASTM D803-15 - 1.7.2015

Significance and Use

3.1 Tall oil, both crude and refined, is an important by-product of the alkaline (kraft) pulping of pine wood. It consists primarily of fatty acids, resin acids, and neutral materials; the levels of these various components depend on factors such as the species of pine tree, geographic location, climate, etc.

3.1.1 Tall oil is used primarily as a commercial source of fatty acids and rosin, and, therefore, reliable methods for the analysis of these components is necessary.

1. Scope

1.1 These test methods cover the test procedures to be applied to whole tall oils or refined tall oils. Previous editions of these test methods have described test procedures that are used to test tall oil fatty acid, rosin, and other tall oil-derived products as well as test crude and refined tall oil. Consequently, these test methods are widely cited in reference books and industry literature for the testing of tall oil-derived products.

1.1.1 In this current revision, procedural details of some of the often-cited test methods have been removed and the test methods consolidated with other existing test methods. In such cases the consolidated methods, applicable to all tall oil-derived products.

1.2 The procedures appear in the following order:

Physical Tests

Sections

Viscosity:

Rotational Viscometer Method (Preferred Method)

Bubble Time Method

Flash Point

Color

Moisture:

Insoluble Matter

Ash

Chemical Analysis

Acid Number

Saponification Number

Rosin Acids

Unsaponifiable Matter

Fatty Acids

1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered 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.

2. Referenced Documents

D2196-20(2026)	Standard Test Methods for Rheological Properties of Non-Newtonian Materials by Rotational Viscometer
D92-24	Standard Test Method for Flash and Fire Points by Cleveland Open Cup Tester
D1585-24	Standard Test Methods for Fatty Acids Content of Pine Chemicals, Including Rosin, Tall Oil, and Related Products
D1545-13(2023)	Standard Test Method for Viscosity of Transparent Liquids by Bubble Time Method
D1466-86(1995)e1	Standard Test Method for Sampling Liquid Oils and Fatty Acids Commonly Used in Paints, Varnishes, and Related Materials (Withdrawn 2003)
D1240-24	Standard Test Methods for Rosin Acids Content of Pine Chemicals, Including Rosin, Tall Oil, and Related Products
D1065-18(2022)	Standard Test Method for Unsaponifiable Matter in Pine Chemicals, Including Rosin, Tall Oil, and Related Products
D890-12(2022)	Standard Test Method for Water in Liquid Pine Chemicals
D465-25	Standard Test Methods for Acid Number of Pine Chemical Products Including Tall Oil and Other Related Products
D464-25	Standard Test Methods for Saponification Number of Pine Chemical Products Including Tall Oil and Other Related Products
D269-25	Standard Test Method for Insoluble Matter in Rosin and Rosin Derivatives
D93-26	Standard Test Methods for Flash Point by Pensky-Martens Closed Cup Tester
E300-03(2022)	Standard Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals
D6166-12(2022)	Standard Test Method for Color of Pine Chemicals and Related Products (Instrumental Determination of Gardner Color)
D5974-20	Standard Test Methods for Fatty and Rosin Acids in Tall Oil Fractionation Products by Capillary Gas Chromatography
D3278-21	Standard Test Methods for Flash Point of Liquids by Small Scale Closed-Cup Apparatus
D1544-04(2023)	Standard Test Method for Color of Transparent Liquids (Gardner Color Scale)