
Copyright © 2024 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists
288 AATCC TM149-2023 AATCC Manual of International Test Methods and Procedures/2025
1. Foreword
1.1 The titration in this method yields a
value that includes partially-substituted
EDTA, HEDTA, DTPA, nitrilotriacetic
acid (NTA), iminodiacetic acid (IDA),
glycolate and other weak chelating agents
found in some commercial products. An
alternative procedure, excluding the ef-
fect of partially-substituted products, is
provided in AATCC TM168, Test
Method for Chelation Value of Polyami-
nopolycarboxylic Acids and Their Salts:
Copper PAN.
2. Purpose and Scope
2.1 The active content of ethylene-
diaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), N-hy-
droxyethylethylenediaminetriacetic acid
(HEDTA) and diethylenetriaminepen-
taacetic acid (DTPA) and their salts is
usually expressed by the calcium chela-
tion value (CaCV). This value indicates
the amount of calcium (as calcium car-
bonate) which will be chelated by a
known weight of chelating agent.
3. Principle
3.1 The chelation value is determined
experimentally by titrating a weighed
sample of chelating agent with a calcium
ion solution of known concentration. A
precipitating anion (oxalate) is present
during the titration. As the calcium solu-
tion is added, the ions are chelated by the
chelating agent and no permanent precip-
itate is formed as long as there is free
chelating agent present. Beyond this
point, any excess calcium ion that is
added reacts with oxalate anion to form a
cloudy precipitate which is the endpoint.
3.2 The CaCV indicates the amount of
calcium (as calcium carbonate) that will
be sequestered by a known weight of
chelating agent and is expressed as milli-
grams of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) per
gram of chelating agent (mg calcium car-
bonate/g chelating agent).
4. Referenced Documents
NOTE: Use current versions of all
publications unless otherwise specified.
4.1 AATCC TM168, Test Method for
Chelation Value of Polyaminopolycarbox-
ylic Acids and Their Salts: Copper PAN.
5. Terminology
5.1 chelating agent, n.—in textile
chemistry, a chemical capable of deacti-
vating metal ions by formation of a water-
soluble complex. SYN.—sequestering
agent.
6. Safety Precautions
6.1 The safety precautions specified in
the method/procedure are ancillary to the
testing procedures and are not intended to
be all inclusive.
6.2 It is the user’s responsibility to ref-
erence applicable safety data sheets, use
safe and proper techniques, and wear ap-
propriate personal protective equipment
in handling materials in this standard.
7. Uses and Limitations
7.1 Analysis by this method will yield
a CaCV that includes partially-substituted
EDTA, HEDTA and DTPA as well as ni-
trilotriacetic acid (NTA), iminodiacetic
acid (IDA), glycolate and other weak
chelating agents. These compounds may
be present in some commercial products.
7.2 AATCC TM168 is an alternative
procedure that yields a CaCV that does
not include the partially-substituted prod-
ucts and weaker chelating agents.
8. Reagents
8.1 Calcium carbonate (CaCO3).
8.2 Sodium oxalate (Na2C2O4).
8.3 Diethylamine hydrochloride [(C2H5)2
NH · HCl]
8.4 Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solu-
tion, 50% W/W.
8.5 Hydrochloric acid (HCl) conc.
9. Sampling
9.1 Conduct the test in triplicate; i.e.,
analyze 3 test specimens from a sample.
10. Specimens
10.1 Do not use aluminum or metallic
weighing pans.
10.2 If solid chelating agent is being
evaluated, dry a 2-g sample at the appro-
priate temperature for at least 2 h and
cool in desiccator before weighing speci-
mens.
10.2.1 Dry free acid forms of chelating
agents at 120°C.
10.2.2 Dry salt forms of chelating
agents at 80°C.
10.3 For analysis of solid EDTA,
HEDTA and DTPA (either free acid or
salt forms) weigh a 0.49-0.51 g specimen
of the dried chelating agent to an accu-
racy of 0.01 g.
10.4 For analysis of commercial solu-
tions of salts of the chelating agents (see
10.2) weigh a 1.00-1.20 g specimen of
the solution to an accuracy of 0.01 g.
11. Preparation of Reagents
11.1 Calcium Titrant Solution (0.250
M): Weigh 25.0 g of calcium carbonate to
an accuracy of 0.1 g and add it to 300 mL
of distilled water in a 600-mL beaker
with stirring on a magnetic stirrer. Dis-
solve by adding 43 mL of concentrated
hydrochloric acid. Add the hydrochloric
acid slowly and carefully to prevent bub-
bling over and excessive splattering. After
the calcium carbonate has dissolved (the
solution becomes clear), heat the solution
to boiling and allow it to boil for at least 5
min to expel carbon dioxide. Cool the so-
lution to room temperature, transfer it to
a 1-L volumetric flask and dilute it to 1 L.
Prepare a fresh solution monthly.
11.2 Sodium Oxalate Indicator: Dis-
solve 5 g of sodium oxalate in 250 mL of
distilled water. Prepare a fresh solution
monthly.
11.3 Sodium Hydroxide (50%): 50%
solution (W/W) of sodium hydroxide is
available from many laboratory supply
vendors. It can be prepared by dissolving
100 g of sodium hydroxide pellets in 100
mL of distilled water in a polyethylene
bottle. Let stand for a week to allow the
insoluble sodium carbonate to settle.
11.4 pH 12.0 Buffer Solution: Dissolve
41.0 g of diethylamine hydrochloride in
400 mL of distilled water. Add 40 mL of
50% sodium hydroxide and dilute to 500
mL. Store in a polyethylene bottle. Pre-
pare a fresh solution monthly.
12. Procedure
12.1 Transfer the specimen into a 250-
mL Erlenmeyer flask and add 85 mL of
distilled water. Wash any residual chelat-
ing agent from the weighing paper or dish
into the flask.
12.2 Add 5 drops of 50% sodium hy-
droxide (10 drops if the free acid form of
a chelating agent is being analyzed) and
swirl to dissolve and/or mix the chelating
agent.
12.3 Add 1 mL of pH 12.0 buffer solu-
tion and swirl to mix.
AATCC TM149-2023
Test Method for Chelation Value of Aminopolycarboxylic
Acids and Their Salts: Calcium Oxalate
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