ISO 3251: Non Volatile Matter Testing Services
Accredited ISO 3251 non volatile matter testing from Infinita Lab, performed to the exact standard requirements - accurate, reproducible results with full documentation for compliance, R&D, and quality control programs.
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- Overview
- Scope, Applications, and Benefits
- Test Process
- Specifications
- Instrumentation
- Results and Deliverables
What Is ISO 3251 Non Volatile Matter?
ISO 3251, “Paints, Varnishes and Plastics – Determination of Non-Volatile-Matter Content,” is an internationally recognised gravimetric test method used to quantify the proportion of solid material that remains in a paint, varnish, binder, polymer dispersion, or condensation resin after all volatile components have been driven off by controlled heating. The method works by weighing a known mass of sample into a flat-bottomed dish, distributing it evenly across the base, and heating it in a temperature-controlled air oven for a defined period. Once heating is complete, the dish is cooled in a desiccator and reweighed, and the difference in mass is used to calculate the non-volatile (solids) content as a percentage of the original sample weight. Because the result depends on the specific temperature and duration applied, ISO 3251 is intended primarily for comparative evaluation between batches of the same or similar product rather than as a measure of absolute chemical composition, and the standard sets material-specific heating conditions to keep results reproducible across laboratories. Non-volatile matter content is a critical quality parameter for manufacturers of paints, coatings, varnishes, adhesives, inks, and plastic dispersions, since it directly affects dry film thickness, coverage rates, viscosity control, curing behaviour, and overall formulation consistency. It also underpins volatile organic compound (VOC) calculations and raw-material verification during incoming inspection. Infinita Lab connects manufacturers, formulators, and quality teams with accredited partner laboratories that perform ISO 3251 non-volatile-matter testing to precise, standardised conditions, delivering reliable, defensible data for product development, regulatory documentation, and batch-to-batch quality control, all coordinated through a single point of contact and streamlined sample logistics.
Applications and Benefits of ISO 3251 Non Volatile Matter Testing
Scope
- Determines the non-volatile-matter (solids) content by mass of paints, varnishes, and related coating products.
- Applies to binders used in paints and varnishes, including resins and polymer systems.
- Covers polymer dispersions, such as latex and emulsion-based formulations.
- Includes condensation resins, such as phenolic resins, that require specific dish dimensions.
- Extends to formulated dispersions containing fillers, pigments, and functional additives.
- Applies to plastics and plastic-based coating or adhesive formulations within the standard’s scope.
- Uses a gravimetric principle based on heating a known sample mass and weighing the residue.
- Specifies apparatus requirements, including dish dimensions, balance accuracy, and oven tolerances.
- Recognises that results are influenced by heating temperature and time, making the method best suited to comparative testing.
- Provides a calculation method for expressing non-volatile content as a percentage of initial sample mass.
Applications
- Verifying that paint and coating batches meet formulation targets for solids content before production release.
- Supporting quality control checks that detect unauthorised dilution or off-spec raw material shipments.
- Calculating volatile organic compound (VOC) content in coatings alongside methods such as ASTM D2369.
- Assessing solids delivery and coverage performance for adhesives used in bonding and laminating applications.
- Evaluating ink formulations where solids content affects opacity, colour strength, and drying behaviour.
- Monitoring resin and polymer dispersion consistency during manufacturing and supplier qualification.
- Supporting research and development work on new coating, adhesive, and plastic dispersion formulations.
Benefits
- Provides an internationally recognised, standardised method accepted across coatings, adhesives, and ink industries.
- Delivers reproducible, comparative data that supports confident batch-to-batch quality decisions.
- Helps manufacturers control raw material costs by confirming solids content matches purchasing specifications.
- Supports regulatory and environmental reporting requirements related to VOC and solids content.
- Enables early detection of formulation drift or contamination before products reach the market.
- Strengthens documentation packages used in customer audits, technical data sheets, and regulatory submissions.
Our ISO 3251 Testing Procedure
Sample Preparation & Weighing
A representative sample is thoroughly mixed for uniformity, and a specified amount is weighed into a pre-weighed dish or container.
1Controlled Heating
The sample is heated in an oven at a specified temperature to evaporate volatile components such as solvents and moisture.
2Cooling and Reweighing
After heating, the dish is cooled in a desiccator and weighed again to determine the mass of the remaining residue.
3Data Interpretation
The percentage of non-volatile matter (solid content) is calculated based on the mass of residue remaining after heating.
4ISO 3251 Test Parameters and Requirements
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Applicable Materials | Paints, varnishes, resins, adhesives, sealants, and polymer dispersions |
| Typical Test Temperature | Usually around 105°C to 125°C depending on material type |
| Measured Property | Non-volatile matter (solid content) |
| Output Units | Percentage of non-volatile content (%) |
| Sample Requirement | Small representative liquid or semi-liquid sample |
- Analytical balance – Provides precise mass measurements to 0.0001 g for tare, sample, and residue weighing.
- Temperature-controlled air oven – Maintains the specified heating temperature within tight tolerances throughout the test duration.
- Flat-bottomed test dishes – Metal or glass dishes of standardised diameter used to hold and evenly distribute the sample.
- Desiccator – Cools the heated dish under moisture-free conditions to prevent inaccurate mass readings from atmospheric humidity.
- Metal spreading wire – Assists in achieving a uniform, thin sample layer for viscous products before heating.
- Laboratory timer – Ensures the heating period is controlled precisely to the duration specified for the material class.
- Sample homogenization equipment – Mixes the test material thoroughly before weighing to ensure a representative test portion.
Equipment and Instrumentation Used for ISO 3251 Testing
What You Receive: Test Report, Data, and Certification
- A calculated non-volatile-matter (solids) content result, expressed as a percentage of the original sample mass.
- A detailed test report documenting sample identification, test conditions, apparatus used, and calculated results.
- Supporting data on heating temperature, duration, and mass measurements used in the calculation.
- Comparative results across multiple batches or samples when requested, to support quality trend analysis.
- Guidance on how results relate to related methods, such as ASTM D2369, when cross-referencing is needed.
- Documentation suitable for inclusion in technical data sheets, customer audits, and regulatory submissions.
ISO 3251 Non Volatile Matter FAQs
ISO 3251 is a standard test for determining the amount of solid, non-volatile matter present in paints, coatings, varnishes, adhesives, and resins. The test involves heating the test substance to evaporate the volatile matter, such as solvents and moisture, and weighing the residue.
The non-volatile matter refers to the part of the substance that does not evaporate when the test substance is heated. The non-volatile matter present in coatings and resins refers to the part of the substance that remains behind when the substance dries.
Manufacturers use the non-volatile matter present in paints, coatings, varnishes, adhesives, and resins to control the thickness of the coatings, ensure consistency, test the quality of the formulations, and test the performance properties of the paints, coatings, varnishes, adhesives, and resins.
The measured quantity is then heated in an oven at a predetermined temperature to remove volatile materials. After heating, the sample is left to cool down. The sample is then weighed to determine the percentage of non-volatile materials present.
In most cases, the sample is heated to about 105°C to 125°C. The temperature is determined according to the testing conditions as stated in the standard.
ISO 3251 is the “Paints, varnishes and plastics — Determination of non-volatile-matter content” standard. It determines the percentage of material remaining after a specified portion of the sample is heated under controlled conditions. The exact heating temperature and time depend on the applicable procedure; 105°C is one commonly specified condition, but it should not be assumed for every ISO 3251 application.
DIN EN ISO 3251:2019-09 is the German adoption of EN ISO 3251:2019 / ISO 3251:2019, covering determination of non-volatile-matter content in paints, varnishes, plastics, binders, polymer dispersions, and related materials. DIN Media lists it as a current standard.
Why Choose Infinita Lab for Non Volatile Matter Testing
When your Non Volatile Matter results have to hold up - for compliance, a customer audit, or an engineering decision - ISO 3251 accuracy and an unbiased third-party report matter more than price. Infinita Lab routes your ISO 3251 non volatile matter 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.
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