Biobased standard test method

1 ASTM D6866-10 Standard Test Methods for Determining the Biobased Content of Solid, Liquid, and Gaseous Samples Using Radiocarbon Analysis 

1 Summary This American test method establishes the procedures, equipment, materials, and condihons to measure the carbon content of the plastic sample through radiocarbon analysis. This test method is applicable to carbon-based plastic products that can undergo combushon in the presence of oxygen to produce carbon dioxide gas (CO2). This test method can be useful for companies and US federal agencies to promote the use of biobased products in commercial, non-food products. The test method directly discriminates between 14C/12C content of plastic samples made from contemporary carbon and those plastic samples made from petroleum sources that do not have 14C. Measurement of a plastic product s 14C/12C content is determined relative to the modem carbon-based oxahc acid radiocarbon Standard Reference Material 4990c. 

2 Procedures The radiocarbon analysis can be performed with three methods, as listed in the following  

Method B Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) and isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) techniques to quantify the biobased content of a given product. Sample preparation methods are identical to Method A. Stored CO2 is sent to an AMS facility for final processing and analysis. The maximum error is 1-2% for AMS and 0.1-0.5% for IRMS. 

Method C Liquid scintillation counting (LSC) radiocarbon techniques to quantify the biobased content of a product. Method C uses LSC analysis of sample carbon that has been converted to benzene rather than CO2 solutions of Method A. The maximum error is 3%. 

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Currently, there are no ISO test methods that are equivalent to biobased standard test method. 

ASTM International (2007) ASTM D6866-08 Standard test methods for determining the biobased content of solid, liquid, and gaseous samples using radiocarbon analysis. ASTM International, West Conshohocken... 

American Standard Test Method (ASTM) D6866 - 11 Standard Test Methods for Determining the Biobased Content of Sohd, Liquid, and Gaseous Samples Using Radiocarbon Analysis, http //www.astm. org/DATABASE.CART/HISTORICAL/D6866-l l.htm (accessed 22 August 2013). 

C-14 signature forms the basis of Standard test method to quantify biobased content (ASTM D6866)... 

The USDA established minimum biobased content standards for many product categories. Products must meet or exceed the minimum biobased content in its category to be certified as biobased products. ASTM D6866 provides a test method to measure the biobased content of products. This will be explained more in Chapter 8 (ASTM D6866 2013). 

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