ASTM D5974-15

3.1 Tall oil fractionated products derived from tall oil are important commercial materials, primarily composed of fatty acids and rosin acids, but also containing some neutral material (see Terminology D804). For many applications, it is necessary to know the level of the individual fatty acids and rosin acids present in these products. Gas chromatography has proven to be a useful tool for such determinations (see Test Methods D509), and capillary chromatography, described in these test methods, is considered to be the most effective gas chromatographic technique currently available. In particular situations, other techniques may be more suitable than gas chromatography. For example, the presence of fatty acid esters in the sample would result in transesterification during the derivatization step that may affect the results.

3.2 Due to hydrogen bonding, unmodified tall oil fatty acids and rosin acids cannot be volatilized at atmospheric pressure without undergoing decomposition. So, it is necessary to convert the free acids to the more volatile and more stable methyl esters, prior to chromatographic separation.

3.3 These test methods describe four ways to prepare methyl esters. The classic method is through the use of diazomethane, but diazomethane is a hazardous and toxic material, and so is no longer the preferred agent. The use of diazomethane is detailed in Appendix X1.

3.4 Two test methods for calculating the amounts of the individual fatty acid and rosin acid methyl esters are included in these test methods. When the actual weight percentage of a given compound is required, the “internal standard” method must be used. This method involves adding a known amount of an internal standard to a known amount of test material, and comparing the area of the peak associated with the internal standard with the area of the peak of the individual fatty acid or rosin acid methyl esters. The “area percent” method will give the relative amount of each component, by comparing the area of the appropriate peak to the total area of all peaks. Non-eluting compounds will lead to erroneous (absolute) results with this method.

1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the amounts of the individual fatty acids and rosin acids in fractionated tall oil products, using capillary gas chromatographic separation of the volatile methyl esters of these acids.

1.2 Four methods for forming the methyl esters, and two methods for determining the amounts of the individual fatty acids and rosin acids are described.

1.3 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.