Polyurethane Coated Fabric Residual Solvent Determination Methods
Residual solvent determination in PU coated fabrics requires ISO 16189 liquid extraction GC-MS to catch bound DMFa that static headspace misses.
Iso 16189 Test Protocol
Chemical Analysis
Footwear and textile components must be tested for restricted substances to comply with international environmental and health regulations. Laboratories execute the iso 16189 test protocol to extract and analyze the concentration of dimethylformamide in polyurethane-coated materials and synthetic leathers. This standard provides a reliable chromatography method to protect consumers from hazardous chemical exposure.
Dimethylformamide is widely used as a solvent in polyurethane resin production but must be removed from the finished product. The standard defines the exact heating times and solvent volumes required to ensure complete extraction from the polymer sample.
The Test
The test material is cut into small pieces and extracted with an organic solvent under controlled heating. Under the iso 16189 test protocol, the dissolved dimethylformamide is separated from the polymer matrix and injected into a gas chromatograph equipped with a mass spectrometer. This process provides highly accurate detection of very low concentrations.
Regulatory Compliance
Brands use these quantitative results to verify that their synthetic materials meet global chemical safety standards. Shipments of polyurethane shoes or bags that exceed the allowed limits for dimethylformamide are rejected or returned to the factory. Continuous testing helps manufacturers maintain access to regulated markets.
Analytical Detection
The test’s detection limit is low enough to identify minute residue levels that remain after the industrial curing process. Standardizing this extraction method across all global labs reduces discrepancies in test results, which prevents trade disputes between material suppliers and buyers.