What Is ASTM D5227 Polyolefin Hexane Extractable Content?
ASTM D5227, Standard Test Method for Measurement of Hexane Extractable Content of Polyolefins, describes an extraction and gravimetric procedure for determining the amount of hexane-soluble, low molecular weight material in polyolefin resins. The method, developed by ASTM Subcommittee D20.70 and currently active as D5227-21, covers polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-propylene copolymers, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers. It’s built on procedures published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Why does it exist? FDA food-contact rules set maximum levels of extractable material for olefin polymers, including those found in 21 CFR 177.1520.
The calculation is what sets D5227 apart from the conventional FDA approach. Instead of evaporating the hexane extract and weighing the dried residue, the method measures the extracted film specimen’s weight loss. Weigh it, expose it to hexane, dry it, and weigh it again. The difference is reported as the extractable fraction. According to the standard, this removes the slow solvent-evaporation step and shortens overall analysis time. It’s intended for resins that contain more than 0.20 percent extractables, so very low levels fall outside its stated range.
The technique rests on careful mass measurement before and after extraction, so results hinge on specimen preparation, complete drying, balance accuracy, and consistent handling of the hexane. The standard has no ISO equivalent. D5227 yields one percentage value, which resin producers, film converters, and compliance teams compare against specification or regulatory limits. Think of it as a quantitative screening and acceptance tool for low-molecular-weight content. It doesn’t identify the individual chemical species that were extracted. Users should confirm the exact conditions, calculations, and reporting requirements against the current edition of the standard before testing.
Applications and Benefits of ASTM D5227 Polyolefin Hexane Extractable Content Testing
Scope
ASTM D5227 covers the determination of hexane-soluble extractable content in polyolefin materials using solvent extraction techniques under controlled conditions. It quantifies the soluble fraction that may affect material properties.
- ASTM D5227 describes an extraction and gravimetric procedure for determining the amount of hexane-soluble, low molecular weight material in polyolefins.
- Applies to polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-propylene copolymers, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers.
- Based on FDA extraction procedures, it was written to support the maximum extractables limits that the FDA specifies for resins and their uses.
- Calculation uses the weight loss of the extracted film specimen, not the residue left after evaporating the solvent.
- Intended use, as the standard states it: resins containing more than 0.20 percent extractables.
- Subcommittee D20.70 maintains the method, which appears in Volume 08.03 of the ASTM Book of Standards.
- D5227-21 is the currently active edition. It superseded D5227-13 and earlier versions.
- No known ISO equivalent exists, so results are typically reported and compared within an ASTM and FDA framework.
- What you get is a bulk extractable percentage, not an identification or quantification of individual extractable compounds.
Applications
- Screening polyethylene and polypropylene resins used for food-contact films against FDA extractables limits.
- Resin lots from suppliers can be qualified before they’re released to film extrusion or conversion lines.
- Documentation to support compliance under 21 CFR 177.1520 for olefin polymers.
- Comparing the low molecular weight content of different resin grades during material selection.
- Batch-to-batch consistency checks in polymer production and additive packages.
- Investigating odor, taste, blocking, or surface bloom problems that may be linked to low molecular weight material.
Benefits
- The weight-loss approach avoids the lengthy solvent evaporation step used in conventional FDA procedures, which can shorten turnaround time.
- A single percentage result is easy to compare against supplier specifications and regulatory limits.
- Because the method is tied to FDA procedures, the data fits directly into food-contact compliance files.
- Expect reproducible results when specimen preparation and drying are controlled consistently.
- Mixed resin portfolios get simpler, since one method covers several polyolefin families.
- Accredited laboratory reports give you traceable evidence for audits, customer qualifications, and regulatory submissions.
Our ASTM D5227 Testing Procedure
Sample Preparation
Polyolefin sample is weighed and prepared in suitable form such as pellets or film pieces.
1Solvent Extraction
Sample is exposed to hexane under controlled conditions to dissolve extractable components.
2Separation and Drying
Extracted solution is separated and solvent is evaporated to recover residue.
3Gravimetric Analysis
Residue is weighed to calculate the percentage of hexane extractables.
4ASTM D5227 Test Parameters and Requirements
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Material Type | Polyolefins (PE, PP) |
| Solvent Used | Hexane |
| Measurement Method | Gravimetric analysis |
| Output | Percentage of extractable content |
| Extraction Conditions | Controlled temperature and time |
| Sample Form | Pellets, films, or molded parts |
| Residue Type | Low molecular weight components |
- Analytical Balance – records specimen mass before and after extraction, with the resolution needed to calculate small weight losses.
- Extraction Apparatus – where the specimen and hexane sit together under the controlled conditions that the standard requires.
- Heating or Temperature Control Equipment – keeps extraction conditions steady, so results stay consistent between runs.
- Drying Oven or Vacuum Oven – clears residual solvent and moisture from the specimen before the final weighing.
- Desiccator – protects dried specimens from moisture pickup as they cool and wait for weighing.
- Fume Hood or Ventilated Enclosure – makes handling flammable hexane safe during extraction and drying.
- Film Preparation Equipment – needed when specimens aren’t supplied ready-made; a press or film line turns resin into uniform specimens.
Equipment and Instrumentation Used for ASTM D5227 Testing
What You Receive: Test Report, Data, and Certification
- A hexane extractable content value reported as a percentage of the original specimen mass.
- Identification of the polyolefin material, specimen form, and test edition (ASTM D5227-21 or the edition you request).
- Starting and final specimen masses, plus the calculation behind the result.
- Any deviations, specimen anomalies, or observations that could affect interpretation are noted.
- Formal laboratory report, suitable for supplier qualification, quality records, and food-contact compliance documentation.
- Optional comparison of results against a customer specification or the applicable regulatory limit.
ASTM D5227 Polyolefin Hexane Extractable Content FAQs
ASTM D5227 is used to measure the hexane extractable content in polyolefins. It helps determine the amount of low molecular weight substances and residues that may affect product safety, quality, and performance.
ASTM D5227 helps identify soluble impurities such as oligomers and additives. High extractable content can impact mechanical properties, safety, and regulatory compliance, especially in sensitive applications like food packaging.
Factors such as extraction time, temperature, solvent purity, and sample preparation influence results. ASTM D5227 requires controlled conditions to ensure accurate and reproducible measurements.
ASTM D5227 indicates that low extractable content reflects higher material purity and better performance, especially in applications requiring strict safety and quality standards.
ASTM D5227 helps identify and reduce unwanted extractables, enabling development of safer and higher-quality polymer products with improved performance.
Why Choose Infinita Lab for Polyolefin Hexane Extractable Content Testing
When your Polyolefin Hexane Extractable Content results have to hold up - for compliance, a customer audit, or an engineering decision - ASTM D5227 accuracy and an unbiased third-party report matter more than price. Infinita Lab routes your ASTM D5227 polyolefin hexane extractable content testing to ISO/IEC 17025-accredited U.S. partner labs with hands-on method experience, so you get defensible data, transparent reporting, and turnaround times built around your project deadline - not ours.
Looking for an Accredited Partner for ASTM D5227 Polyolefin Hexane Extractable Content Testing?
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