EasyPyCal™ Py-GC-MS calibration standard: ASTM D8401-24 kit
Synthetic polymer calibration standard for Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (Py-GC-MS). Introducing a comprehensive kit compatible with the "ASTM D8401-24 Standard Test Method for Identification of Polymer Type and Quantity of Microplastic Particles and Fibers in Waters with High to Low Suspended Solids Using Py-GC-MS" ASTM D8401-24 defines a calibration-based method where polymer concentrations are set so their markers can be reliably quantified, with limited interference between polymers.
 
Production
Cryomilled, virgin microplastic fragments sieved through 300 mesh (<50 µm particles) ensuring consistent homogeneity across all available concentrations (down to 1.0 µg/mg). Microplastic fragments in dry, neat (powder) format are mixed with either SiO₂ or CaCO₃ diluent (calcined at 530°C), according to your requirements, to achieve the desired polymer concentration. The stock blends undergoes 14 hours of mechanical mixing with the addition of eight 304 stainless-steel beads ranging from Ø = 2.0 to 5.5 mm to ensure homogeneous particle distribution. The final blend undergoes also undergoes 14 hours of mechanial mixing with the addition of three Ø = 3.0 mm 316L stainless-steel beads.
 
Polymer type(s)
ASTM D8401-24 Kit: 12 common polymers [PE, PP, PVC, PET, PS, PC, SBR, ABS, PMMA, PA6, PA6.6, PU (MDI-based, Estane® 58887*] in CaCO₃** diluent + 2 mL dichloromethane (DCM) w. methyl eicosanoate (ME) (0.25 µg/µL) solution + 10 µL syringe. Comptatible with the ASTM D8401-24 standard test method. ASTM D8401-24 defines a calibration-based method where polymer concentrations are set so their markers can be reliably quantified, with limited interference between polymers.
 
Polyethylene (PE): 40 µg/mg
Polypropylene (PP): 10 µg/mg
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC): 10 µg/mg
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET): 4 µg/mg
Polystyrene (PS): 2 µg/mg
Polycarbonate (PC): 1 µg/mg
Styrene butadiene rubber (SBR): 4 µg/mg
Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA): 2 µg/mg
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS): 2 µg/mg
Polyamide 6 (PA6): 1.25 µg/mg
Polyamide 66 (PA66): 4.5 µg/mg
Polyurethane (MDI-based) (PU-MDI): 2.5 µg/mg
 
*The kit includes a well-characterized, commercially available MDI (Methylene diphenyl diisocyanate)-based thermoplastic polyurethane (Estane® 58887), representative of a broad class of aromatic PUs. Its inclusion is intentional; it enables users to evaluate method performance across both well-behaved and more complex polymer systems.
** A SiO₂-based variant is also available. However, ASTM D8401-24 specifies CaCO₃ as the diluent matrix; therefore, the SiO₂ format is not compliant with the standard and is intended for method development or matrix-matching purposes only.
 
Unit size
1.0 g aliquot priced at 699.95€, including 2 mL methyl eicosanoate and a single 10 µL syringe.
 
Please note that all samples include three 3.0 mm 316L stainless steel beads employed in the final mixing process. Do not attempt to remove the beads from the vial.
 
▶ To enable baseline correction pure diluent controls accompany all samples
 
Certificate of Preparation
All samples are accompanied by a sample-specific Certificate of Preparation (COP), with full traceability of applied polymer content from stock mixtures to the specific sample. COPs are accessible via a weblink or QR code printed on each sample label.
 
Download Certificate of Preparation (COP) example:
Py-GC-MS calibration standard: ASTM D8401-24 kit
 
Tip: For best performance, we recommend placing a small plug of quartz wool (not included) above the sample in the pyrolysis cup to prevent particle fly-off.