ISO 3251:2008 specifies a method for determining the non-volatile-matter content by mass of paints, varnishes, binders for paints and varnishes, polymer dispersions and condensation resins such as phenolic resins (resols, novolak solutions, etc.).
The method is also applicable to formulated dispersions containing fillers, pigments and other auxiliaries (e.g. thickeners and film-forming agents). For the method to be usable for unplasticized polymer dispersions and rubber latices, the non-volatile residue (which consists essentially of the polymeric material and of small quantities of auxiliaries such as emulsifiers, protective colloids, stabilizers, solvents added as film-forming agents and — especially for rubber latex concentrate — preserving agents) has to be chemically stable under the test conditions. For plasticized samples, the residue, by definition, normally includes the plasticizer.