Tyndall Test

Tyndall Test is a simple qualitative test to detect residues of hydrocarbons in methanol or acetone wall wash samples. It is based on the extremely low solubility of hydrocarbons in water. Hydrocarbon impurity levels exceeding the water solubility will be present as colloids in water.

The Tyndall effect is light scattering by particles in a colloid or particles in a fine suspension. Slight residues of hydrocarbons in the wall wash will fail the Tyndall Test. The sample is collected by the standard method for taking a wall wash. The wall wash Ethanol/or Methanol must be mixed with DI water and will be assessed in a dark room by using a penlight or a laser pointer. If the beam of the light showed a shadow or is deflected the Tindall test fails.