ASTM E1064 Standard Test Method for Water in Organic Liquids by Coulometric Karl Fischer Titration

Get Certified ASTM E1064 Testing for Reliable Trace Water Content Verification 

Certification confirms that a liquid organic chemical meets the requirements of the applicable ASTM E1064, including trace water (within specified purity limits). ASTM E1064 certified testing units test moisture content in a batch of solvent or organic liquid before accepting the batch for moisture-sensitive manufacturing or quality control. Testing and certification confirm compliance with ASTM E1064 requirements and minimize the risk of moisture contamination of the process. 

ASTM E1064 is used to determine the amount of water in an organic liquid by oxidizing the water in the sample with electrochemically generated iodine. This test is employed in industries to certify chemical purity, for quality control, and to monitor moisture-sensitive processes.

The scope of ASTM E1064 includes 

• Material type: Liquid organics (not liquefied gas products (LPG, butane, propane, LNG)). 
• Purpose: Quantification for evaluation of trace water content. 
• Properties measured: Water content (as % mass). 
• Method: A sample aliquot is injected into a Karl Fischer titration vessel with electrochemically generated iodine to react with the water in the sample. 
• Result: Water content of 0% to 2.0% mass is measured. 
• Test Limitations: This test method is applicable to most liquid organic chemicals, but not applicable to liquefied gas products, for which test method E203 is applicable. 
• Environmental conditions: Reagent purity, moisture contamination from the atmosphere, and injection technique may impact the measured water content. 
• Applications: Chemical purity check, solvent quality control, moisture-sensitive process monitoring, low water concentration measurement. 

What are the Uses of ASTM E1064 Testing?

ASTM E1064 testing is a highly sensitive coulometric titration method that is used to determine trace water in organic liquids for laboratories. Chemical purity is then confirmed by quality control teams using the results, and moisture-sensitive manufacturing processes are then monitored. This standard-

• Determines trace water levels in organic liquid chemicals.
• Electrochemically produces iodine, which can be used to react with the water in a sample.
• Evaluates low water concentrations that volumetric titration methods are not precise in measuring.
• Helps ensure purity of the solvents used in moisture-sensitive manufacturing processes.
• Facilitates batch-to-batch comparison of water content in organic liquids.
• Helps with quality control in organic chemical manufacturing.
• Helps select the Karl Fischer method appropriate to the range of water concentration in the samples. 

What Materials Can Be Tested Under ASTM E1064? 

ASTM E1064 is applicable for most liquid organic chemicals that contain 0% to 2.0% mass of water. Typical applications include solvents, industrial organic chemicals, and process liquids where moisture content directly affects product quality or downstream reactions. This test method is not applicable to liquefied gas products (LPG, butane, propane, LNG) that require a different approach to analysis. 

Why is ASTM E1064 Important? 

ASTM E1064 provides highly sensitive detection of trace water content that volumetric Karl Fischer titration alone cannot detect. Manufacturers use this test method because the presence of even a small quantity of water may affect moisture-sensitive chemical reactions or may serve as a sign of contamination during storage and handling. 

ASTM E1064 Testing Process and Data Collection

Testing starts once the technician withdraws a small sample of the organic liquid with a syringe, allowing little exposure to atmospheric moisture while handling. This aliquot is then added to the titration vessel of the coulometric Karl Fischer apparatus. The apparatus then electrochemically produces iodine at the anode, which reacts with the water in the sample via the Karl Fischer reaction. During this iodine generation process, the electrical charge consumed is continuously measured in the coulometer. Lastly, the water content is computed as a percent mass of the total charge measured and reported to be between 0% and 2.0% mass. 

Common Challenges and Troubleshooting

Moisture contamination of the atmosphere often occurs and causes errors, as even a few seconds of exposure of the sample or the apparatus to atmospheric moisture can result in adding water that is not part of the organic liquid itself. If the Karl Fischer reagent is not fresh or stored properly, it can also lead to reagent degradation, which can impact measurement accuracy. If the technician is not careful and quick in drawing and injecting the aliquot, there may be some variability due to inconsistent technique. Laboratories solve these problems by reducing exposure of samples to open air, checking reagent freshness, and training technicians in standardized injection technique. 

• The laboratory reports water content as a percent mass, calculated from the coulometric titration data.
• The technician checks the type of organic liquid tested and determines that the liquid is within the allowed water content range of 0% to 2.0% mass.
• The analyst documents the charge measured during electrochemical iodine generation and associates it with the sample batch being tested.
• When interpreting the trace water contaminant results, the engineer takes into account the freshness of the reagents, exposure to moisture in the atmosphere, and injection technique.
• Engineers use the measured water content values to support chemical purity verification and moisture-sensitive process monitoring decisions. 

Link to ASTM E1064