ASTM D156-00

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: D 156 – 00 An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
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Saybolt Color of Petroleum Products (Saybolt Chromometer
Method)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 156; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This test method has been adopted for use by government agencies to replace Method 4246 of Federal Test Method Standard No. 791b,
and Method 101 of Federal Test Method Standard No. 141A.
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1. Scope Petroleum Products
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the color of
3. Terminology
refined oils such as undyed motor and aviation gasoline, jet
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
propulsion fuels, naphthas and kerosine, and, in addition,
3.1.1 Saybolt color—an empirical definition of the color of
petroleum waxes and pharmaceutical white oils.
a clear petroleum liquid based on a scale of − 16 (darkest)
NOTE 1—For determining the color of petroleum products darker than
to + 30 (lightest). The number is derived by finding the height
Saybolt Color − 16, see Test Method D 1500.
of a column of the sample that, when viewed through the
1.2 This test method reports results specific to this test
length of the column, visually matches the appropriate one of
method and recorded as, “Saybolt Color units.”
three glass standards and referring to Table 1 of Test Method
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units or in SI units and
D 156.
which are not in parentheses are to be regarded as the standard.
4. Summary of Test Method
The values given in parentheses are for information only.
4.1 The height of a column of sample is decreased by levels
NOTE 2—Oil tubes and apparatus used in this test method have
corresponding to color numbers until the color of the sample is
traditionally been marked in inches, (the tube is required to be etched with
1 1 unmistakably lighter than that of the standard. The color
⁄8 in. divisions.) The Saybolt Color Numbers are aligned with inch, ⁄2 in.,
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⁄4 in., and ⁄8 in. changes in the depth of oil. These fractional inch changes number above this level is reported, regardless of whether the
do not readily correspond to SI equivalents and in view of the prepon-
sample was darker, questionable, or a match at the higher level.
derance of apparatus already in use and marked in inches, the inch/pound
unit is regarded as the standard. However the test method does use SI units
5. Significance and Use
of length when the length is not directly related to divisions on the oil tube
5.1 Determination of the color of petroleum products is used
and Saybolt Color Numbers. The test method uses SI units for tempera-
mainly for manufacturing control purposes and is an important
ture.
quality characteristic since color is readily observed by the user
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
of the product. In some cases the color may serve as an
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
indication of the degree of refinement of the material. When the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
color range of a particular product is known, a variation outside
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
the established range may indicate possible contamination with
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
another product. However, color is not always a reliable guide
to product quality and should not be used indiscriminantly in
2. Referenced Documents
product specifications.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 938 Test Method for Congealing Point of Petroleum
6. Apparatus
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Waxes, Including Petrolatum
6.1 The Saybolt chromometer consisting of sample and
D 1500 Test Method for ASTM Color of Petroleum Prod-
standard tubes, optical system, light source, and color stan-
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ucts (ASTM Color Scale)
dards, is described in detail in Annex A1 and illustrated in Fig.
D 4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and
A1.1.
7. Standardization of Apparatus
1 7.1 Remove the glass disk from the bottom of the oil tube.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-2 on
Clean the disk, oil tube, and plain tube. When deposits are not
Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D02.05 on Properties of Fuels, Petroleum Coke, and Oil Shale.
removable by wiping or solvent rinsing, wash with soap and
Current edition approved Apr. 10, 2000. Published June 2000. Originally
published as D 156 – 23 T. Last previous edition D 156 – 94.
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