ASTM E2680-23

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of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E2680 − 16 E2680 − 23
Standard Test Method for
Appearance of Clear, Transparent Liquids (Visual Inspection
Procedure)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2680; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Scope*
1.1 This test method describes the visual assessment of the appearance of clear, transparent liquids for clarity and the presence
of undesirable components (contamination) such as suspended matter, free water (or oil) and particulates when examined by
transmitted light. Measurements requiring instrumentation are not included in this method. This test method was originally
designed for application to glycols and methanol wall washes of marine vessels but may be applicable to other clear transparent
liquids.
1.1.1 This test method can be used as a field test at storage temperatures or as a laboratory test at room temperatures.
1.1.2 This test method provides a rapid pass/fail test for clarity and contamination of clear, visual appearance description of
transparent liquids. It is a qualitative assessment only.
1.2 Review the current appropriate Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for detailed information concerning toxicity, first aid procedures, and
safety precautions.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazards statements are given in the section on Hazards, Section Consult current OSHA
regulations, suppliers’ Safety Data Sheets, and local regulations for all materials used in this test method.8.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D4176 Test Method for Free Water and Particulate Contamination in Distillate Fuels (Visual Inspection Procedures)
E300 Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals
D5386 Test Method for Color of Liquids Using Tristimulus Colorimetry
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D16 on Aromatic, Industrial, Specialty and Related Chemicals and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D16.04 on Instrumental Analysis.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2016Nov. 1, 2023. Published December 2016December 2023. Originally approved in 2009. Last previous edition approved in 20152016
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as E2680E2680 – 16.– 09 (2015) . DOI: 10.1520/E2680-16.10.1520/E2680-23.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
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E2680 − 23
D8005 Test Method for Color of Clear Liquids (Platinum-Cobalt Scale)
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 appearance, n—the visual perception of a clear, transparent liquid.
3.1.2 clear and bright (also referred to as clean and bright), n—a condition in which the liquid is free of haze, particulates or
suspended matter particles.
3.1.2.1 bright, n—a condition in which the liquid is transparent with no haze or visible fee water (or free oil) in organic (or
aqueous) liquids.
3.1.2.2 clear, n—a condition in which the liquid contains no visible contaminants (not more than the maximum allowed number
of suspended matter particles no greater than 1 mm in diameter or particulates of sufficient size to be easily noted).
3.1.3 free water (or free oil), n—water or oil in excess to that soluble in the liquid at ambient temperature which may appear as
haze, cloudiness, droplets or a water or oil layer in an organic sample.
3.1.3.1 Discussion—
For aqueous samples, the determination of free oil is equally important and may have an appearance similar to that of free water
or oil in organic samples.
3.1.4 haze or cloudiness, n—is a scatter of light from an accumulation of tiny suspended particles in the liquid.
3.1.4.1 Discussion—
Cloudiness is considered synonymous with haze. Quantification of haze requiring instrumentation is out of the scope of this
standard.
3.1.5 particulates, n—any foreign material of any color in the liquid that floats or settles to the bottom of the sample bottle.
3.1.5.1 Discussion—
These particulates may be small solid or semi-solid particles, sometimes referred to as silt or sediment and may be the result of
contamination by dust, corrosion, protective coating deterioration or product instability.
3.1.6 suspended matter particles, n—any foreign material of any color that is in suspension in the liquid (does not float or sink)
and is insoluble or separated matter.
3.1.6.1 Discussion—
This usually refers to things like filter fibers, droplets, lint from materials used to dry compartments, prior cargo material or fine
pieces of tank or vessel coating.
3.1.7 transparent, n—liquid is translucent to transmitted light.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 An amount of liquid sample at storage or room temperature is visually examined for clarity and presence of contaminants. The
sample is collected in a transparent glass container and held against a bright, transmitted light to examine for clarity, suspended
matter, haze and the presence of free water (or oil) and subsequently swirled to create a vortex to detect the presence of particulate
matter. For different categories of clear, transparent liquids, the recommended maximum number of allowed particles (either
floating, settling, 3.1.5, or suspended, 3.1.6) to qualify for a pass is defined. (Table 1). For other clear, transparent liquids, other
numbers may be defined (for example, on the relevant product specifications).
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This method provides a pass/fail test for appearance of clear, transparent liquids. Many liquid organic products have a product
specification requiring them to be clear and bright and free of visible particulate matter and of liquid phases other than the main
liquid. Producers of these liquid organic products need a test method to confirm the quality of their products meets product
specifications for appearance. Appearance is a manufacturing and sales specification test for ethylene and propylene glycol and
polyol products and a loading specification test for methanol wall washes of marine vessels. This test method was originally
designed for application to glycols and methanol wall washes of marine vessels, but may be applicable to other clear, transparent
liquids. Individuals using this test method for other clear transparent liquids should assure themselves that the method is sufficient
for use.
E2680 − 23
5.2 There are many factors that could affect the appearance during and after sampling of a liquid product. These factors may
include transferring of the liquid into a different sample container, contamination by the sample container or contamination by
ambient atmosphere. Sampling and evaluation procedures need to be followed to avoid undesirable effects and assure the
appearance of the sample is typical for the liquid as manufactured.
6. Interferences
6.1 The sample containers must be clean and free of dust or other particulates.
6.2 If an attempt is made to test the appearance of a liquid that is darker than a color rating of 5 on the ASTM Color scale (Test
60 Pt-Co units as defined by Test Method D4176D8005) or 60 Pt-Co or Test Method D5386units,, the presence of free water (or
oil) or particulates could be obscured and missed by the analyst.
7. Apparatus
7.1 Sample Container, clear glass with a screw cap (not containing a gasket) capable of holding sample volumes of up to 1 L. The
volume of the sample tested should be in accordance with the requirements of the product specification. Typical volumes are 250,
500250 mL, 500 mL and 1000 mL. It is recommended to use a wide neck bottle with a diameter of approximately 10 cm. The
volume of the container should be large enough for the recommended volume of liquid to fill the container not more than 75 %
full to allow for space to swirl the sample without spilling. Sample containers should be che
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