Scope:

This ASTM D4754 test protocol explains how to use the FDA migration cell in component extraction and how to extract liquids, such as food-stimulating solvents and liquid foods, to allow for individual migrant quantification from plastic materials. This test approach has also been used on a range of migrant/polymer systems that have come into touch with a variety of food stimulants and meals. Migrants from plastic materials can be used for a variety of applications, including ensuring that food additive standards are being followed.

Procedure:

In accordance with ASTM D4754, disk-shaped specimens of plastic materials are threaded onto a stainless steel wire with alternating glass bead spacers and placed in a glass vial. The solvent is poured into the vial, which is then closed and kept at the correct extraction temperature. At various stages, aliquots of the liquid are extracted, and the migrant(s) in the liquid is determined using appropriate analytical procedures. Temperatures above 50°C are crucial for migration to actually occur over a two-week period.

Specimen size:

For the ASTM D4754 test procedure, plastic as a film, pellet, powder, or sheet in the form of round disks (11 by 1mm) is used as a test specimen. 

Data : 

The test result for ASTM D4754 testing is expressed in milligrams of migrant(s) per square meter of the sample exposed, E :

where, 

W = total weight of migrant(s) in the liquid, mg 

B = weight of migrant(s) in the blank, mg 

R = radius of the disk, m 

C = circumference of the disk, m

T = thickness of the disk, m N

N = number of disks per cell

Conclusion:

This ASTM D4754 test protocol explains how to use the FDA migration cell in component extraction and how to extract liquids, such as food-stimulating solvents and liquid foods, to allow for individual migrant quantification from plastic materials.