Overview
ISO 11020:1998 specifies quality characteristics for oil of turpentine, Iberian type (Pinus pinaster Sol.) to facilitate consistent assessment of this essential oil. The standard defines organoleptic and physicochemical requirements, a normative gas chromatographic profile, sampling volume and test methods (by reference to existing ISO test standards). It is intended for producers, laboratories, traders and regulators working with Iberian turpentine oil.
Key Topics
- Scope and purpose: Quality specification for oil of turpentine from Pinus pinaster, primarily produced in Portugal and Spain.
- Appearance and sensory: Liquid mobile, clear; colour: incolore; characteristic odour; taste described as acrid/burning.
- Physicochemical limits:
- Relative density (20 °C): 0.860 – 0.872
- Refractive index (20 °C): 1.4650 – 1.4750
- Optical rotation (20 °C): between –40° and –28°
- Residue on evaporation: maximum 2.5% (m/m) - test sample 2 g, evaporation 3 h
- Distillation behavior: initial distillation temperature ≥ 150 °C; at 170 °C at least 90% (v/v) distillate
- Acid index: minimum value given in the standard
- Flash point (informative): average value reported as +38 °C (Annex B)
- Oxidability: noted as particularly oxidizable
- Chromatographic profile (normative): Constituents and allowed ranges (gas chromatography, integrator %):
- α-Pinene: 71–85%; β-Pinene: 11–20%; Camphene: 0.6–1.5%; Myrcene: 0.4–1.5%; Limonene: 1.0–7.0%; δ-3-Carene: ≤0.1%; β-Caryophyllene: 0.3–3.0%; Longifolene: 0.2–2.5%; Caryophyllene oxide: ≤0.5%
- Annex A provides illustrative GC chromatograms and operating conditions (capillary column types, temperature programs, FID detector, carrier gases).
- Sampling: see ISO 212; minimum test sample volume 150 ml.
- Referenced test methods: The standard directs users to ISO methods for density, refractive index, rotation, distillation, residue, acid index and GC profiling.
Applications
- Quality control and acceptance testing for producers and exporters of Iberian turpentine oil.
- Analytical laboratories performing identity, purity and authenticity testing (chromatographic fingerprinting).
- Manufacturers using turpentine as a solvent, raw material for fragrances, varnishes, coatings, adhesives or chemical feedstocks.
- Regulatory bodies, transporters and insurers requiring consistent safety and labelling data (flash point, storage/packaging guidance).
- Procurement/specification teams setting purchasing criteria or verifying supplier compliance.
Related standards (referenced)
- ISO 212 (sampling), ISO 279/3405 (distillation), ISO 280 (refractive index), ISO 592 (optical rotation), ISO 1242 (acid index), ISO 4715 (residue on evaporation), ISO 11024‑1/2 (GC profiling guidance), ISO/TR 210/211 (packaging and labelling guidance).
Keywords: ISO 11020:1998, oil of turpentine, Iberian type, Pinus pinaster, essential oil specification, chromatographic profile, turpentine flash point, turpentine quality control.
