The procedure set forth in this chapter determines the amount of volatile matter of any kind that is driven off under the conditions specified. For substances appearing to contain water as the only volatile constituent, the procedure given in the chapter, Water Determination 921, is appropriate, and is specified in the individual monograph.

Unless otherwise directed in the individual monograph, conduct the determination on a 1- to 2-g test specimen. Mix the substance to be tested and, if it is in the form of large particles, reduce the particle size to about 2 mm by quickly crushing before weighing out the test specimen. Tare an appropriate glass-stoppered, shallow weighing bottle that has been dried for about 30 minutes under the same conditions to be employed in the determination and cooled to room temperature in a desiccator. Put the test specimen in the bottle, replace the cover, and accurately weigh the bottle and the contents. By gentle, sidewise shaking, distribute the test specimen as evenly as practicable to a depth of about 5 mm generally, and not more than 10 mm in the case of bulky materials. Place the loaded bottle in the drying chamber, removing the stopper and leaving it also in the chamber. Dry the test specimen at the temperature and for the time specified in the monograph. [Note—The temperature specified in the monograph is to be regarded as being within the range of ±2 of the stated figure. ] When “dry to constant weight” is specified in a monograph, drying shall be continued until two consecutive weighings do not differ by more than 0.50 mg per g of substance taken, the second weighing following an additional hour of drying. Upon opening the chamber, close the bottle promptly, and allow it to come to room temperature in a desiccator before weighing.

If the substance melts at a lower temperature than that specified for the determination of Loss on Drying, maintain the bottle with its contents for 1 to 2 hours at a temperature 5 to 10 below the melting temperature, then dry at the specified temperature.

Where capsules are to be tested, use a portion of the mixed contents of not fewer than 4 capsules.

Where tablets are to be tested, use powder from not fewer than 4 tablets.

Where the individual monograph directs that loss on drying be determined by thermogravimetric analysis, a sensitive electrobalance is to be used.

Where drying in vacuum over a desiccant is directed in the individual monograph, a vacuum desiccator or a vacuum drying pistol, or other suitable vacuum drying apparatus, is to be used.

Where drying in a desiccator is specified, exercise particular care to ensure that the desiccant is kept fully effective by frequent replacement.

Where drying in a capillary-stoppered bottle1 in vacuum is directed in the individual monograph, use a bottle or tube fitted with a stopper having a 225 ± 25-µm diameter capillary, and maintain the heating chamber at a pressure of 5 mm or less of mercury. At the end of the heating period, admit dry air to the heating chamber, remove the bottle, and with the capillary stopper still in place allow it to cool to room temperature in a desiccator before weighing.