Overview
ASTM D330-07(2021): Standard Specification for 2-Butoxyethanol defines the properties and testing requirements for 2-butoxyethanol, also known as ethylene glycol monobutyl ether. This internationally recognized ASTM standard ensures that 2-butoxyethanol specimens meet consistent quality benchmarks for use across various industrial sectors. It covers requirements concerning specific gravity, color, distillation range, water content, and acidity, providing a framework for sampling, testing, and packaging. Following this standard is essential for manufacturers, suppliers, and users who seek to assure compliance and maintain high quality in their chemical products.
Key Topics
- Scope and Applicability
- Specifies that only SI units are used for all measured values.
- Details the process for rounding off values according to ASTM E29 for compliance.
- Stresses reliance on the supplier’s Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for hazard information.
- Property Requirements
- Apparent specific gravity at standard temperatures (20/20°C or 25/25°C).
- Color limits based on the Pt-Co (Platinum-Cobalt) scale.
- Distillation range, including initial boiling point and dry point.
- Maximum allowable water content by weight.
- Acidity expressed as free acid, calculated as acetic acid.
- Sampling and Testing
- Describes use of referenced sampling and test methods (ASTM E300 for sampling; D1209 for color; D1078 for distillation; D4052 for density; D1364 for water; D1613 for acidity).
- Packaging and Marking
- Packaging size is determined by agreement between purchaser and supplier.
- All packaging must meet applicable transport regulations or conform to U.S. federal standard PPP-C-2020 if specified.
Applications
2-butoxyethanol is widely utilized as a versatile solvent in numerous industries, and compliance with ASTM D330 ensures suitability for use in:
- Paints and Coatings: Used as a solvent and chemical intermediate, maintaining strict property limits prevents issues in film formation and performance.
- Industrial and Institutional Cleaners: Ensures a consistent and safe formulation where quality solvent action is critical for cleaning efficacy.
- Textile Processing: Application in dyeing and printing processes benefits from low contamination and controlled acidity.
- Chemical Manufacturing: Acts as a starting material or additive in the synthesis of other chemicals, where purity and compositional accuracy are vital.
- Laboratory and Analytical Settings: Provides a reliable benchmark for research and testing applications, supporting accurate and repeatable results.
Meeting the requirements of the ASTM D330 standard helps manufacturers, suppliers, and end users reduce variability and maintain reliable, high-quality results in their products.
Related Standards
For comprehensive quality assurance and regulatory compliance, it is important to consider related ASTM and industry standards, including:
- ASTM D1209: Test Method for Color of Clear Liquids (Platinum-Cobalt Scale)
- ASTM D1078: Test Method for Distillation Range of Volatile Organic Liquids
- ASTM D4052: Test Method for Density, Relative Density, and API Gravity of Liquids by Digital Density Meter
- ASTM D1613: Test Method for Acidity in Volatile Solvents and Chemical Intermediates
- ASTM E29: Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance
- ASTM E300: Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals
- ASTM D5386: Test Method for Color of Liquids Using Tristimulus Colorimetry
- PPP-C-2020: U.S. Federal Specification for Packaging of Chemicals
When sourcing or producing 2-butoxyethanol, referencing ASTM D330 and these related standards ensures compliance with both national and international regulatory requirements, strengthens supply chain integrity, and supports safe, effective end-use performance.