Overview
This page summarizes EN ISO 787-2:2021 - General methods of test for pigments and extenders, Part 2: Determination of matter volatile at 105 °C (ISO 787-2:2021). The standard specifies a laboratory test method to determine the mass fraction (percent) of matter volatile at 105 °C in pigments and extenders that are stable at that temperature. It is intended for routine quality control, materials characterization and raw‑material acceptance testing in industries such as paints, coatings, inks and related sectors.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope: Measurement of volatile matter (mass fraction, %) lost at 105 °C for pigments and extenders stable at that temperature.
- Apparatus: squat wide‑mouthed weighing bottle, oven maintained at (105 ± 2) °C, balance accurate to 0.1 mg, and a desiccator with efficient desiccant.
- Sampling: Representative sampling in accordance with ISO 15528.
- Test portion: Typical test portion is (10 ± 1) g, reduced portions allowed for high bulk volume materials (must be reported).
- Procedure:
- Preheat weighing bottle (stopper removed) at 105 °C for 2 h, cool in desiccator and weigh.
- Add test portion, weigh, heat at 105 °C (stopper removed) for a minimum of 1 h, cool and weigh. Repeat 30‑minute heat cycles until two successive mass readings differ by ≤5 mg; record the lower mass.
- Perform duplicate determinations; if the duplicates differ by >10% of the higher value, repeat the test.
- Results expression and reporting: Calculate volatile matter as a mass fraction in percent and report the mean of the two acceptable determinations to 0.1% (report values between 0% and 0.1% as “less than 0.1%”). Test report must reference ISO 787-2:2021 and include product identification, any deviations, anomalies and test date.
Applications and who uses it
- Quality control laboratories in paints, coatings, printing inks, plastics and ceramics manufacturers.
- Raw‑material suppliers and procurement teams evaluating pigments and extenders for contract compliance.
- R&D and formulation teams assessing drying, binder compatibility and moisture/volatile content impacts on product performance.
- Certification bodies and testing service providers offering standardized volatile‑matter analysis.
Related standards
- ISO 15528 - Sampling for paints, varnishes and raw materials.
- ISO 18451-1 - Terminology for pigments, dyestuffs and extenders (general terms).
- Adopted by CEN as EN ISO 787-2:2021 (European implementation).
Keywords: EN ISO 787-2:2021, matter volatile at 105 °C, pigments and extenders, volatile matter test, test method, ISO 787-2.
