WASHINGTON, D.C. - New regulations set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to mandate greenhouse gas reporting in the U.S. carbon black industry have led to the development of a new ASTM International standard, ASTM D 7662, Test Method for Carbon Content in Carbon Black Feedstock Oils.

ASTM D 7662 is under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee D24.66 on Environment, Health and Safety, part of ASTM International Committee D24 on Carbon Black.

Measuring the total carbon content of feedstock oils is an important step in calculating carbon dioxide emissions, estimating the yield of a process or assessing product quality. ASTM D 7662 is applicable to most commercial feedstock oils used to produce carbon black products in a furnace or thermal process.

George Joyce, Manager, Materials Analysis Laboratory, Columbian Chemicals Co., noted that carbon black producers, as well as contract laboratories, will be the primary users of ASTM D 7662.

Earlier this year, D24.66 approved another standard to respond to requirements of the EPA regulations: D 7633, Test Method for Carbon Black Carbon Content.

All interested participants are welcome to join in the activities of D24.66, particularly for the interlaboratory study programs for ASTM D 7633 and ASTM D 7662.