5. Apparatus
5.1 Air-circulating Oven, capable of meeting the requirements of Specification D5423.
5.2 Griffin Pyrex Beakers, 50-mL, with the following dimensions:
5.2.1 Outside Diameter - 42 ± 0.6 mm
5.2.2 Wall Thickness - 0.14 to 0.165 mm.
5.3 Analytical Balance, capable of measuring to 1 mg.
6. Sampling
6.1 Obtain a sample of the silicone fluid to be tested using appropriate ASTM sampling apparatus in accordance with Test Methods D923.
7. Procedure
7.1 Clean two 50-mL beakers by washing in toluene, followed by a rinse in acetone or other appropriate cleaning method.
7.2 Bake two 50-mL beakers at 150 ± 5°C for a minimum of 1 h, transfer to a desiccator using clean, dry gloves or crucible tongs and cool the beakers to ambient temperatures. Use clean, dry gloves or crucible tongs to handle beakers from this point forward. Weigh each beaker to the nearest mg (T).
7.3 Weigh a 2.0 ± 0.2 g sample to the nearest mg in each beaker (W1).
7.4 Heat at 150 ± 5°C in an air circulating oven for 24 ± 0.25 h, cool in a desiccator, and reweigh (W2).
8. Calculation and Report
8.1 Calculate the volatile matter in silicone fluid as follows:
where:
W1 = weight of silicone fluid and beaker,
W2 = weight of silicone fluid and beaker after heating, and
T = weight of beaker.
8.2 Calculate the volatile matter, as the simple average percentage of the two tests.
8.3 Report the simple average of the two tests, rounded to the nearest 0.1 % as the volatile matter, %.