Designation: D 6387 99 (Reapproved 2005)

Standard Test Methods for

Composition of Turpentine and Related Terpene Products
by Capillary Gas Chromatography1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 6387; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope Oil and Related Products

1.1 These test methods describe the determination of the D 3009 Test Method for Composition of Turpentine by Gas
amounts of a-pinene, b-pinene, dipentene, terpene alcohols, Chromatography3
and other terpene compounds in turpentine and related terpene E 691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
products using capillary gas chromatography. The two methods Determine the Precision of a Test Method
for determining the amount of the individual terpene com- 3. Terminology
pounds are the internal standard method, which yields
absolute values, and the area percent method, which yields 3.1 For definitions see Terminology D 804.
relative values. 4. Summary of Test Method
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this 4.1 A weighed mixture of the sample and internal standard
standard. is prepared, and an aliquot is injected into a temperature
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the programmable capillary gas chromatograph to obtain the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the chromatogram. The peak areas for the compounds to be
responsibility of the user of the standard to establish appro- determined and also for the internal standard are measured. The
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- percentages of the compounds present are calculated from the
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. peak area of the compounds/internal standard, weight of
internal standard/sample, and the calibration factors. Alter-
NOTE 1Overall this test method gives excellent repeatability but only nately, the relative concentration of the compounds may be
moderate reproducibility. This greater than normal differential is a calculated using the area percent method. For hydrocarbons,
consequence of the variety of gas chromatography (GC) columns and
other variables used by participants. These variables, coupled with the
the latter quantitation method usually is adequate to use since
complex composition of the test products, enabled some workers to turpentine and related terpene products contain few noneluting
separate peaks that others reported as one peak; thus, this test method compounds, and the individual response factors are of a similar
gives excellent precision within a given laboratory on a given GC. When value. A polar or nonpolar capillary column may be used for
laboratory to laboratory comparison have to be made, however, it is the analysis, depending on the particular compounds requiring
essential that the GC operating conditions be defined closely. Subcom- separation and quantitation.
mittee D01.34 will be working on this problem prior to the next version
of this test method. NOTE 2Response factors should be employed if significant quantities
of polar and nonpolar compounds are present in the sample.
2. Referenced Documents
5. Significance and Use
2.1 ASTM Standards: 2
D 13 Specification for Spirits of Turpentine 5.1 Earlier methods for characterizing turpentine and related
D 801 Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Dipentene terpene products were based on physical properties, such as
D 802 Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Pine Oil those in Specification D 13 and Test Methods D 801 and
D 804 Terminology Relating to Naval Stores, Including Tall D 802, and packed column gas chromatography for the major
constituents (for example, a-pinene, b-pinene) as in Test
Method D 3009. As terpene products became widely used as
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on chemical raw material, the separation and quantitation of
Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and are the direct compounds present at lower concentrations in the product
responsibility of Subcommittee D01.34 on Naval Stores. became more important. The capillary gas chromatographic
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2005. Published December 2005. Originally
approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 1999 as D 6387 - 99.
technique described in these test methods is a rapid and
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or convenient means to perform these analyses.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standards Document Summary page on
3
the ASTM website. Withdrawn.

Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

1
 D 6387 99 (2005)
6. Apparatus Adjustments in operating temperature and flow rate may be
6.1 Gas ChromatographA temperature programmable in- necessary to maintain optimum performance of the column due
strument equipped with a flame ionization detector (FID) that to aging.
can be operated at the conditions given in Section 8. Column Temperature (Oven Temperature)
6.2 ColumnEither a polar (polyethylene glycol) or non- Initial 50C
polar (methylsilicone) capillary column, or both, may be used Hold 5 min
depending on the polarity of the particular components needing Ramp 4C/min
Final 240C
separation and quantitation. The recommended column dimen- Hold 10 min
sions are 30 m in length, a 0.25-mm internal diameter, and a Injection port temperature 250C
0.25 film thickness. A column of differing dimensions may be Injection port liner Glass-split
Detector Temperature 250C
used depending on the separations required. Carrier gas Helium
Linear gas velocity 19.520.5 cm/s
NOTE 3If the separation involves primarily polar compounds, the Split ratio 100:1 max
polyethylene glycol column should be employed. When primarily nonpo- Detector FID
lar compounds are involved, a methyl silicone column should be selected. Hydrogen 30 mL/min
Air 400 mL/min
6.3 Analytical Balance, readable to 0.1 mg. Make up gas 30 mL/min
6.4 Syringe, 10 L.
10. Calibration of Gas Chromatograph
7. Reagents 10.1 Inject 0.1 to 1.0 L of the standard prepared in 8.1.
7.1 Purity of ReagentsReagent grade chemicals shall be Record the retention time and the areas for each of the
used in all tests. Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that components. Then, calculate the individual relative response
all reagents shall conform to the specifications of the Commit- factors as follows:
tee on Analytical Reagents of the American Chemical Society4, W1 AIS
where such specifications are available. Other grades may be RRF1 5 A 3 W (1)
1 IS
used, provided it is first ascertained that the reagent is of
sufficiently high purity to permit its use without lessening the where:
accuracy of the determination. RRF1 = Relative response factor of individual terpene
7.2 a-Pinene, purity 99+%. compound;
7.3 b-Pinene, purity 99+% W1 = Weight of individual terpene compound in stan-
7.4 Other terpene compounds, suitable for use as reference dard (W1= weight used 3 purity);
materials. A1 = Peak area of individual terpene compound;
7.5 n-Decane, purity 99+% (internal standard). AIS = Peak area of n-decane internal standard; and,
7.6 Hexanecapillary C grade or equivalent. W IS = Weight of n-decane internal standard (WIS = weight
n-decane used 3 purity).
INTERNAL STANDARD METHOD NOTE 5For highest accuracy, the purity of this standard should be
used to correct the weight terms.
8. Preparation of Calibration Standard
11. Preparation of Test Sample
8.1 To a 2-dram vial, add similar milligram quantities of the
compounds to be quantitated plus n-decane. Cap the vial and 11.1 Accurately weigh ;50 mg of sample and ;15 mg of
swirl to mix. Approximately 1 mL of hexane may be added to n-decane directly into a 2-dram vial and record the weight of
the vial to dilute the standard for easier handling and the use of each to 0.0001 g.
lower split ratios. 11.2 Approximately 1 mL of hexane may be added to the
vial to make the sample easier to handle and not overload the
NOTE 4Other terpene compounds may be added in an identical column or detector.
manner to the pinenes.

9. Gas Chromatograph Operating Conditions 12. Analysis

9.1 The following temperatures are typical operating con- 12.1 Inject 0.1 to 1.0 L of the test sample prepared in 11.1
ditions only. The individual instrument should be set to to 11.2.
manufacturers instructions to optimize desired separations.
13. Calculation
13.1 Obtain the peak areas of all of the peaks needed from
the chromatogram.
4
Reagent Chemicals, American Chemical Society Specifications, American
Chemical Society, Washington, DC. For suggestions on the testing of reagents not NOTE 6See Fig. 1a through 1c for chromatograms of a typical
listed by the American Chemical Society, see Analar Standards for Laboratory turpentine, dipentene, and pine oil, respectively.
Chemicals, BDH Ltd., Poole, Dorset, U.K., and the United States Pharmacopeia
and National Formulary, U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc. (USPC), Rockville, 13.2 Calculate the absolute value of each peak of interest, as
MD. follows:

2
 D 6387 99 (2005)

FIG. 1 (a)GC/FID Chromatograms

FIG. 1 (b)GC/FID Chromatograms (continued)

A1 3 RRF1 3 WIS 14. Report

Terpene Compound, % 5 AIS 3 Ws 3 100 (2)
14.1 Report the percentage of the individual terpene com-
where: pound to the nearest 0.1 %.
A1 = peak area for terpene compound being determined;
RRF1 = relative response factor for terpene compound 15. Precision and Bias
being determined; 15.1 Internal Standard MethodAn interlaboratory study
WIS = weight of n-decane internal standard WIS = weight of the capillary GC determination of various terpenes and
used 3 purity; terpene alcohols in turpentine, dipentene, and pine oil was run
AIS = peak area of n-decane internal standard; and, in 1997 by seven laboratories using nonpolar columns. The
Ws = sample weight, g.
design of the experiment was similar to that of Practice E 691,

3
 D 6387 99 (2005)

FIG. 1 (c)GC/FID Chromatograms (continued)

and a within/between analysis of the date are given in ASTM 15.1.4.2 Reproducibility Limit, 95 % for a-pinene = 3.3, for
Research Report:D011111.5 dipentene = 4.4, and for terpinolene = 2.7.
15.1.1 Test Result The precision information given below 15.1.4.3 Repeatability Standard Deviation, % for a-pinene
is based on three separate analyses of each individual sample. = 0.07, for dipentene = 0.3 and for terpinolene = 0.2.
15.1.2 Precision for a Turpentine Material Containing 15.1.4.4 Reproducibility Standard Deviation, % for
about 50.0 % a-Pinene, about 31.7 % b-Pinene, and about a-pinene = 1.2, for dipentene = 1.6 and for terpinolene = 0.9.
2.4 % Dipentene: 15.1.5 BiasSince there is no accepted reference material,
15.1.2.1 Repeatability Limit, 95 % for a-pinene = 0.4, for method or laboratory suitable for determining the bias for the
b-pinene = 0.3, and for dipentene = 0.2. procedure in this test method for measuring component con-
15.1.2.2 Reproducibility Limit, 95 % for a-pinene = 3.5, for centration, no statement on bias is being made.
b-pinene = 5.4, and for dipentene = 0.7.
15.1.2.3 Repeatability Standard Deviation, % for a-pinene AREA PERCENT METHOD
= 0.1, for b-pinene = 0.1, and for dipentene = 0.1.
16. Preparation of Retention Time Standard
15.1.2.4 Reproducibility Standard Deviation, % for
a-pinene = 1.3, for b-pinene = 1.9, and for dipentene = 0.2. 16.1 Prepare similar to 8.1 except that only approximate
15.1.3 Precision for a Pine Oil Product Containing about weights need to be used.
2.5 % Terpinolene, about 39.6 % a-Terpineol, and about 1.6 %
g-Terpineol: 17. Set-Up of Gas Chromatograph
15.1.3.1 Repeatability Limit, 95 % for terpinolene = 0.1, for 17.1 Set conditions as described in 9.1.
a-terpineol = 1.5 and for g-terpineol = 0.1.
15.1.3.2 Reproducibility Limit, 95 % for terpinolene = 0.5, 18. Preparation of Test Sample
for a-terpineol = 9.2 and for g-terpineol = 1.1. 18.1 Preparation described in 11.1 and 11.2 except that an
15.1.3.3 Repeatability Standard Deviation, % for terpi- internal standard is not added.
nolene = 0.03, for a-terpineol = 0.5 and for g-terpineol = 0.03.
15.1.3.4 Reproducibility Standard Deviation, % for terpi- 19. Analysis
nolene = 0.2, for a-terpineol = 3.3 and for g-terpineol = 0.4. 19.1 Inject 0.1 to 1.0 L of the test sample prepared in 18.1.
15.1.4 Precision for a Dipentene Product Containing about
17.2 % a-Pinene, about 22.6 % Dipentene, and about 12.7 % 20. Calculation
Terpinolene: 20.1 Sum the areas of all the individual peaks, exclusive of
15.1.4.1 Repeatability Limit, 95 % for a-pinene = 0.2, for the solvent peak, to obtain the total peak area.
dipentene = 0.8, and for terpinolene = 0.6. NOTE 7See Fig. 1a, 1b, or 1c for chromatograms of a typical
turpentine, dipentene, and pine oil, respectively.
5
Supporting data is available from ASTM International Headquarters. Request 20.2 Calculate the relative percent of each terpene com-
RR:D 011111. pound present, as follows:

4
 D 6387 99 (2005)
Terpene, % 5 ~A 3 100!/ TA (3) 22.1.3 Precision for a Pine Oil Product Containing about
2.9 % terpinolene, about 37.9 % a-Terpineol, and about 1.7 %
where: g-Terpineol:
A = peak area for terpene compound being determined,
and 22.1.3.1 Repeatability Limit, 95 % for terpinolene = 0.1, for
TA = sum of areas of all peaks, except solvent peak. a-terpineol = 0.3, and for g-terpineol = 0.02.
22.1.3.2 Reproducibility Limit, 95 % for terpinolene = 0.6,
21. Report for a-terpineol = 3.8, and for g-terpineol = 0.4.
21.1 Report the area percent of the individual terpene 22.1.3.3 Repeatability Standard Deviation, % for terpi-
compounds to the nearest 0.1 %. nolene = 0.02, for a-terpineol = 0.1, and for g-terpineol = 0.03.
22.1.3.4 Reproducibility Standard Deviation, % for terpi-
22. Precision and Bias nolene = 0.2, for a-terpineol = 3.3 and for g-terpineol = 0.01.
22.1 Area Percent MethodAn interlaboratory study of the 22.1.4 Precision for a Dipenetene Product Containing
capillary GC determination of various terpenes and terpene about 17.6 % a-Pinene, about 23.0 % Dipentene, and about
alcohols in turpentine, dipentene, and pine oil was run in 1997 12.9 % Terpinolene:
by seven laboratories using nonpolar columns. The design of 22.1.4.1 Repeatability Limit, 95 % for a-pinene = 0.2, for
the experiment was similar to that of Practice E 691, and a dipentene = 0.7 and for terpinolene = 0.1.
within/between analysis of the date are given in ASTM 22.1.4.2 Reproducibility Limit, 95 % for a-pinene = 0.9, for
Research Report RR:D011111.5 dipentene = 2.3, and for terpinolene = 0.5.
22.1.1 Test Result The precision information given below 22.1.4.3 Repeatability Standard Deviation, % for a-pinene
is based on three separate analyses of each individual sample. = 0.1, for dipentene = 0.2, and for terpinolene = 0.1.
22.1.2 Precision for a Turpentine Material Containing
22.1.4.4 Reproducibility Standard Deviation, % for
about 51.1 % a-Pinene, about 28.8 % b-Pinene, and about
a-pinene = 0.3, for dipentene = 0.8, and for terpinolene = 0.2.
2.7 % Dipentene:
22.1.2.1 Repeatability Limit, 95 % for a-pinene = 0.3, for 22.1.5 BiasSince there is no accepted reference material,
b-pinene = 0.1 and for dipentene = 0.1. method, or laboratory suitable for determining the bias for the
22.1.2.2 Reproducibility Limit, 95 % for a-pinene = 2.1, for procedure in this test method for measuring component con-
b-pinene = 0.5, and for dipentene = 0.2. centration, no statement on bias is being made.
22.1.2.3 Repeatability Standard Deviation, % for a-pinene
= 0.1, for b-pinene = 0.04, and for dipentene = 0.03. 23. Keywords
22.1.2.4 Reproducibility Standard Deviation, % for 23.1 capillary column; dipentene; gas chromatography; pine
a-pinene = 0.7, for b-pinene = 0.2, and for dipentene = 0.1. oil; turpentine

ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentioned
in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the risk
of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.

This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years and
if not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standards
and should be addressed to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the
responsible technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you should
make your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the address shown below.

This standard is copyrighted by ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959,
United States. Individual reprints (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the above
address or at 610-832-9585 (phone), 610-832-9555 (fax), or service@astm.org (e-mail); or through the ASTM website
(www.astm.org).