Description of BS EN 62321-8:2017 2017

This part of IEC 62321 specifies two normative and two informative techniques for the determination of di-isobutyl phthalate (DIBP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), benzylbutyl phthalate (BBP), di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP), di-isononyl phthalate (DINP) and di-iso-decyl phthalate (DIDP) in polymers of electrotechnical products.

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py/TD-GC-MS) techniques are described in the normative part of this document.

The GC-MS method is considered the referee technique for the quantitative determination of DIBP, DBP, BBP, DEHP, DNOP, DINP and DIDP in the range of 50 mg/kg to 2 000 mg/kg.

The GC-MS coupled with a pyrolyzer/thermal desorption (TD) accessory is suitable for screening and semi-quantitative analysis of DIBP, DBP, BBP, DEHP, DNOP, DINP, and DIDP in polymers that are used as parts of the electrotechnical products in the range of 100 mg/kg to 2 000 mg/kg.

The IAMS technique is suitable for screening and semi-quantitative analysis of DIBP, DBP, BBP, DEHP, DNOP, DINP, and DIDP. Determination of DBP and DIBP, DEHP and DNOP by IAMS has not been established due to peak and mass spectral resolution limitations.

The LC-MS technique is limited to the determination of of BBP, DEHP, DNOP, DINP, and DIDP. Determination of DBP and DIBP by LC-MS has not been established due to peak and mass spectral resolution limitations.

A flow chart depicting how the normative Py/TD-GC-MS and GC-MS methods and informative methods using ion attachment mass spectrometry (IAMS) coupled with direct injection probe (DIP) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) can be used are provided in annexes of this document.

These four test methods have been evaluated by the test of PE (polyethylene) and PVC (polyvinyl chloride) materials containing individual phthalates between ~450 mg/kg to 30 000 mg/kg as depicted in the normative and informative parts of this document. The use of the four methods described in this document for other polymer types, phthalate compounds or concentration ranges other than those specified above has not been specifically evaluated.

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