Toluene Testing — Purity, Safety & QC for Solvent Streams
AGT Labs offers comprehensive toluene testing services for producers, distributors and formulators. Our scope focuses on toluene purity, hydrocarbon/light-end composition , and key physical properties and deposit indicators — data needed for acceptance, contractual testing and formulation control.
Toluene is widely used in coatings, adhesives, rubber processing and petrochemical syntheses. Accurate quantitation of light-end impurities and deposit-forming residues is critical for safety and product performance. We apply validated GC and other ASTM physical property methods as documented in our accredited scope .
Typical clients: solvent manufacturers, paint & coatings producers, adhesive formulators, distributors, and QA labs.
Service Highlights
- GC-FID hydrocarbon / light-end profiling for compositional and purity assessment.
- ASTM physical property and screening tests (color, refractive index, copper strip corrosion, carbon residue, conductivity) for contract acceptance.
- Contract-specific acceptance panels and witnessed sampling available (client-specified LOQs and methods implemented where in-scope).
Industries We Serve
- Coatings, Paints & Inks — solvent quality affects solvency, drying and VOC compliance.
- Adhesives & Rubber — toluene purity affects polymer interactions and curing.
- Bulk Suppliers & Distributors — freight acceptance, tank checks and contamination screening.
- Regulatory & Environmental — compositional screening and reporting per client/regulatory requirements where in-scope.
- R&D — impurity identification for formulation optimization and failure analysis.
Test Matrix — Key Parameters & Methods
Representative parameters and methods. We tailor LOQs and reporting to client requirements; we only advertise and deliver methods that are within our accredited scope or by explicit client instruction where allowed.
| Test / Parameter | Reference Method / Technique | Purpose / Notes | TAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance / Color | ASTM D1209 / D6045 | Visual or instrumental color check to assess clarity and contamination. | 24–48 h |
| Copper Strip Corrosion | ASTM D130 / D849 / D1838 | Evaluates corrosive sulfur species that may be present in aromatic solvents. | 24–48 h |
| Carbon Residue | ASTM D524 | Measures deposit-forming tendencies from heavy or polymerisable impurities. | 48–72 h |
| Odor Assessment | ASTM D1296 | Detects unusual odors that indicate oxidation or contamination. | 24–48 h |
| Refractive Index | ASTM D1218 | Screens for purity and detects mixing with similar aromatic hydrocarbons. | 24–48 h |
| Electrical Conductivity | ASTM D2624 / D1125 | Identifies ionic contamination or additives affecting static behavior. | 24–48 h |
| Light-End Hydrocarbon Composition | ASTM D2163 (GC-FID) | GC-FID analysis of LPG-range or light contaminants in toluene. | 48–72 h |
Laboratory Capabilities & Instrumentation
Analytical Systems
GC-FID (ASTM D2163) for light-end and composition profiling; GC (ASTM) for purity checks; ASTM physical property rigs for refractive index, color, conductivity and corrosion screening. We implement only accredited/validated techniques as shown in our scope.
Quality & Traceability
- Calibration with certified reference materials and regular proficiency testing.
- COA generation with method references, LOQs and measurement uncertainty where required.
- Witnessed sampling, chain-of-custody and sampling kits available for contract work.
Sampling, Handling & Chain of Custody
Representative, airtight sampling is essential for solvent analysis. We provide sample kits or accept client-collected samples with CoC. Note any prior additives, batch history or tank treatments.
Containers & Handling
- Use sealed amber glass or appropriate metal containers to avoid VOC loss and light-catalysed reactions.
- Minimize headspace; record temperature and sampling point.
- Label with sample ID, date/time, batch number and sampler.
Transport & Documentation
- Ambient or chilled transport as requested; record temperature if chilled.
- For tank sampling, provide tank logs, batch numbers and sampling depth/location.
- Field blanks and duplicates available for QA/QC and forensic work.
Download our Sample Submission Guide for container recommendations and sampling templates.
Quality Assurance, Reporting & Interpretation
COAs include method references, quantitative results, units, LOQs and measurement uncertainty where applicable. For off-spec results we provide interpretation and recommended corrective actions.
Turnaround Times & Test Packages
| Package | Typical Tests | Typical TAT |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Integrity Screen | Refractive index, copper corrosion check, color and appearance | 48–72 h |
| Contamination & Handling Safety Panel | Particulate check and light-end profiling (ASTM D2163) | 24–48 h |
| Compositional Profiling | Hydrocarbon composition (light-end profiling where applicable, ASTM D2163) | 48–72 h |
| Expedited | Priority processing of appearance, color, and compositional screening | <24 h (by arrangement) |
Standards & Methods
We implement validated GC and ASTM-based procedures where applicable, and can run client-specified toluene testing methods only when they are within our accredited scope or agreed by contract. Calibration traceable to certified reference materials.
FAQs — Toluene Testing
Can you detect benzene at low ppm levels?
What container should I use for toluene?
Do you provide sampling kits?
Deliverables & Value-Added Services
- COA with purity/impurity breakdown, LOQs and method references (as per accredited scope).
- Interpretation and recommended corrective actions for off-spec samples.
- Witnessed sampling, chain-of-custody, and sampling kits for contractual or forensic requirements.
Summary
AGT Labs’ Toluene Testing provides precise, traceable analyses for purity, light-end compositional profiling and supporting ASTM physical tests — enabling safe handling, regulatory compliance and reliable formulation performance.