Direct Desorption of Car Trim Materials for VOC and SVOC Analysis in Accordance with VDA Method 278

Significance of Topic

The quality of in-vehicle air is a critical health and comfort concern, as volatile and semivolatile organic compounds emitted from trim components can reach levels well above ambient air. Monitoring these emissions supports regulatory compliance, occupant safety, and product development in the global automotive industry.

Study Objectives and Overview

This work evaluates the performance of the Markes TD-100 automated thermal desorption system for determining VOC and SVOC emissions from three common automotive trim materials—polypropylene, artificial leather, and foam—according to German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) Method 278. The goal is to demonstrate accuracy, sensitivity, and reproducibility under the prescribed protocol.

Methodology

Direct thermal desorption was conducted in two stages:

• VOC extraction: 90 °C for 30 min to capture compounds up to n-C25, semiquantified as toluene equivalents (µg/g).
• FOG (SVOC) extraction: 120 °C for 60 min to capture n-C14 to n-C32, semiquantified as n-hexadecane equivalents (µg/g).

Small material samples (10–30 mg) were loaded directly into inert glass tubes. A calibration solution of toluene and hexadecane was introduced for quantification.

Instrumental Setup

The TD-100 desorber featured:

• General-purpose hydrophobic focusing trap (Tenax TA–graphitised carbon black), cooled to –30 °C and backflushed at up to 300 °C.
• Carrier gas control at constant flow (1.3 mL/min) and split flows for re-collection (20 mL/min each).
• GC/MS or GC/FID analysis with temperature programming from 40 °C to 280 °C for VOCs and up to 310 °C for FOGs.

Each tube was leak-tested and sealed to prevent loss or contamination.

Key Results and Discussion

• Linearity: Excellent over 0.01–5 µg for toluene, eicosane and dotriacontane (R² > 0.998).
• Sensitivity: LOD 0.006–0.009 µg, LOQ 0.017–0.02 µg, meeting or exceeding VDA 278 requirements.
• System inertness: Sharp, undistorted peaks for polar species in a 19-component activity mix; no carryover observed in blanks.
• Repeatability: Toluene recoveries averaged 100% (SD 5%), within prescribed limits.
• Material emissions: Polypropylene showed low overall VOC/FOG emissions; artificial leather emitted amines and silanols; foam released significant acids and nitrogenous compounds.

Benefits and Practical Applications

This method offers solvent-free, cryogen-free analysis with high throughput and quantitative re-collection capability. Its robust inert flow path and precise temperature control make it ideal for QA/QC testing of automotive interior components, supplier validation, and regulatory reporting.

Future Trends and Opportunities

Advances may include integration with high-resolution mass spectrometry for improved compound identification, enhanced automation and digital data workflows, expanded sorbent materials for broader volatility ranges, and miniaturized or in-line monitoring solutions for real-time cabin air quality assessment.

Conclusion

The Markes TD-100 system reliably fulfills VDA Method 278 requirements for VOC and SVOC analysis of automotive trim materials. It delivers excellent linearity, sensitivity, inertness, and repeatability, supporting its adoption in industrial and regulatory laboratories.

References

• Markes International. Application Note 059: Direct Desorption of Car Trim Materials for VOC and SVOC Analysis in Accordance with VDA Method 278. 2017.
• German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA). VDA Method 278, 2014.