TD-Phthalate Analysis using a Reference Polymer and an IEC Standard Method

RoHS, or Restriction of Hazardous Substances restricts the use of specific haz-ardous  materials  found  in  electrical  and  electronic  products.  This  includes  the  following 4 phthalates: Bis(2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP). Additionally, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) published a standard method for determining phthalates in electronic equipment. IEC 62321-8 defines approaches to determine previously mentioned DEHP, DIBP, BBP, DBP, as well as di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP), di-isononyl phthalate (DINP) and di-iso-decyl phthalate (DIDP) in electronics using TD-GC-MS as a quick screening technique before applying unnecessary  solvent  extractions  for  GC-MS  analysis.  CDS  Analytical  provides  a  reference  polymer  material,  CDS  P/N  6203-5094,  containing  the  previously  mentioned phthalates as well as di-n-hexyl phthalate (DNHP) to facilitate the TD screening technique. Concentrations of the phthalates  in the reference material are found in Table 1. This application note investigates IEC method 62321-8 using this reference polymer material.