I'm trying to prepare the solvent for use in measuring the intrinsic viscosity of PET with a glass capillary viscometer.
The relevant ASTM standard (D4603 – 03) specifies a 60/40 wt/wt% solution of phenol/1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane as the solvent.
I've assumed that since phenol is available in the form of solid crystals, it should first be dissolved in an appropriate solvent and then added to 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane in a 60/40 wt/wt% ratio. However, the ASTM standard lacks specifics on
(1) the concentration of this initial phenol solution and
(2) the type of solvent that phenol should be dissolved in (water?).
I'd appreciate any details you could provide to clarify these two points.
I'm adding the answer to this question for future reference:
You don't need to prepare a phenol solution, and you definitely shouldn't dissolve phenol in water! You simply add the stoichiometry amount of solid phenol to 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane, and heat the mixture to a temperature of around 60-70 Celcius while stirring, then wait a few minutes until you have a clear solution with no apparent traces of undissolved phenol.
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