Analysis of VOC and SVOC Emissions from Automotive Interior Materials in Accordance with VDA278 Using the Thermal Desorption Method

In recent years, measures to reduce the use of organic compounds in automotive interiors have progressed. In Germany, the VDA278 standards were created for the analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and semivolatile organic compounds (SVOC) produced from automotive interior materials. In the VDA278, measurement samples are added to a TD glass tube. The VOC (up to C20) and SVOC (up to C32) are heated at different temperatures, and the gases produced are loaded into a GC-MS. The VOC and SVOC from the automotive interior materials can be analyzed conveniently and quickly. However, since the gas is loaded directly, if the SVOC content is highly concentrated, caution is needed regarding carryover.
The TD-30 thermal desorption system features an inert sample line that is kept as short as possible, and samples are heated up to 300 °C, reducing SVOC carryover. In this investigation, an analysis of VOC and SVOC emissions from automotive interior materials was attempted in accordance with VDA278 using the TD-30.