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1.1 This practice measures the volatile organic compound (VOC) content of solventborne and waterborne paints and related coatings as determined from the quantity of material released from a sample under specified bake conditions and subtracting exempt volatile compounds and water if present.

1.2 This practice provides a guide to the selection of appropriate ASTM test methods for the determination of VOC content.

1.3 Certain organic compounds that may be released under the specified bake conditions are not counted toward coating VOC content because they do not participate appreciably in atmospheric photochemical reactions. Such negligibly photochemically reactive compounds are referred to, as exempt volatile compounds in this practice.

1.4 VOC content is calculated as a function of (1) the volume of coating less water and exempt volatile compounds, and (2) the volume of coating solids, and (3) the weight of coating solids.

1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard.

1.6 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.

1.7 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.

5.1 This practice discusses applicable ASTM test methods used in the determination of the VOC content of paints and related coatings and provides equations for calculating the VOC content expressed as the mass of VOC: (1) per unit volume of coating less water and exempt volatile compounds, and (2) per unit volume of coating solids and (3) per unit mass of coating solids.

5.2 Volatile organic compound content is used to compare the amount of VOC released from different coatings used for the same application, that is, to coat the same area to the same dry film thickness (assuming the same application efficiency).

5.3 VOC content data are required by various regulatory agencies.

5.4 Only the expression of VOC content as a function of the volume of coating solids gives a linear measure of the difference in VOC released from different coatings used for the same application.

5.5 When VOC content is expressed as a function of the volume of coating less water and exempt solvents, the values obtained do not account for differences in the volume solids content of the coatings being compared: this expression, therefore, does not provide a linear measure of the difference in VOC emitted from different coatings used for the same application.