ASTM D156-23

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.
Designation: D156 − 23
Standard Test Method for
Saybolt Color of Petroleum Products (Saybolt Chromometer
1
Method)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D156; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope* 2. Referenced Documents
2
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the color of 2.1 ASTM Standards:
D938 Test Method for Congealing Point of Petroleum
refined oils such as undyed motor and aviation gasoline, jet
propulsion fuels, naphthas and kerosine, and, in addition, Waxes, Including Petrolatum
D1500 Test Method for ASTM Color of Petroleum Products
petroleum waxes and pharmaceutical white oils.
(ASTM Color Scale)
NOTE 1—For determining the color of petroleum products darker than
D4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and
Saybolt Color − 16, see Test Method D1500.
Petroleum Products
1.2 This test method reports results specific to this test
D4175 Terminology Relating to Petroleum Products, Liquid
method and recorded as, “Saybolt Color units.”
Fuels, and Lubricants
E308 Practice for Computing the Colors of Objects by Using
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units or in SI units and
the CIE System
which are not in parentheses are to be regarded as the standard.
The values given in parentheses are for information only.
3. Terminology
NOTE 2—Oil tubes and apparatus used in this test method have
3.1 Definitions:
traditionally been marked in inches, (the tube is required to be etched with
1 1
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer
⁄8 in. divisions.) The Saybolt Color Numbers are aligned with inch, ⁄2 in.,
1 1
⁄4 in., and ⁄8 in. changes in the depth of oil. These fractional inch changes
to Terminology D4175.
do not readily correspond to SI equivalents and in view of the prepon-
3.1.2 clear-and-bright, n—condition in which the sample is
derance of apparatus already in use and marked in inches, the inch/pound
free of haze or cloudiness. (Also termed clean-and-bright .)
unit is regarded as the standard. However the test method does use SI units
of length when the length is not directly related to divisions on the oil tube
3.1.3 free water, n—water in excess of that soluble in the
and Saybolt Color Numbers. The test method uses SI units for tempera-
sample and appearing in the sample as a haze or cloudiness, as
ture.
droplets, or as a separated phase or layer.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.4 particulates, n—small solid or semisolid particles,
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
sometimes referred to as silt or sediment, that can be suspended
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
in the sample or can settle to the bottom.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1.5 turbidity, n—reduction of transparency of a sample
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor- due to the presence of particulate matter or water haze, or both.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3.2.1 Saybolt color, n—an empirical definition of the color
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
of a clear petroleum liquid based on a scale of −16 (darkest)
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
to +30 (lightest).
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3.2.1.1 Discussion—The number is derived by finding the
height of a column of the sample that, when viewed through
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of
2
Subcommittee D02.05 on Properties of Fuels, Petroleum Coke and Carbon Material. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2023. Published October 2023. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1923. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D156 – 15. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D0156-23. the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
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