ASTM D2140-23

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D2140 − 08 (Reapproved 2017) D2140 − 23
Standard Practice for
Calculating Carbon-Type Composition of Insulating Oils of
1
Petroleum Origin
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2140; 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
1.1 This practice may be used to determine the carbon-type composition of mineral insulating oils by correlation with basic
physical properties. For routine analytical purposes it eliminates the necessity for complex fractional separation and purification
procedures. The practice is applicable to oils having average molecular weights from 200 to above 600, and 0 to 50 aromatic carbon
atoms.
1.2 Carbon-type composition is expressed as percentage of aromatic carbons, percentage of naphthenic carbons, and percentage
of paraffinic carbons. These values can be obtained from the correlation chart, Fig. 1, if both the viscosity-gravity constant (VGC)
and refractivity intercept (r ) of the oil are known. Viscosity, density and relative density (specific gravity), and refractive index
i
are the only experimental data required for use of this test method.
1.3 This practice is useful for determining the carbon-type composition of electrical insulating oils of the types commonly used
in electric power transformers and transmission cables. It is primarily intended for use with new oils, either inhibited or
uninhibited.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.5 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 and healthsafety, health, and environmental practices and determine
the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 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
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3
D129 Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum Products (General High Pressure Decomposition Device Method) (Withdrawn 2023)
D445 Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)
D923 Practices for Sampling Electrical Insulating Liquids
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D27 on Electrical Insulating Liquids and Gases and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D27.07 on
Physical Test.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2017Dec. 1, 2023. Published February 2017December 2023. Originally approved in 1963 as D2140 – 63 T. Last previous edition approved
in 20082017 as D2140 – 08.D2140 – 08 (2017). DOI: 10.1520/D2140-08R17.10.1520/D2140-23.
2
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.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D2140 − 23
FIG. 1 Correlation Chart for Determining % C , % C , and % C
A N P
D1218 Test Method for Refractive Index and Refractive Dispersion of Hydrocarbon Liquids
D1481 Test Method for Density and Relative Density (Specific Gravity) of Viscous Materials by Lipkin Bicapillary Pycnometer
3
(Withdrawn 2023)
D2007 Test Method for Characteristic Groups in Rubber Extender and Processing Oils and Other Petroleum-Derived Oils by the
Clay-Gel Absorption Chromatographic Method
D2501 Test Method for Calculation of Viscosity-Gravity Constant (VGC) of Petroleum Oils
D3238 Test Method for Calculation of Carbon Distribution and Structural Group Analysis of Petroleum Oils by the n-d-M
Method
D4052 Test Method for Density, Relative Density, and API Gravity of Liquids by Digital Density Meter
D7042 Test Method for Dynamic Viscosity and Density of Liquids by Stabinger
...

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D2140 − 23
Standard Practice for
Calculating Carbon-Type Composition of Insulating Oils of
1
Petroleum Origin
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2140; 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 2. Referenced Documents
2
1.1 This practice may be used to determine the carbon-type
2.1 ASTM Standards:
composition of mineral insulating oils by correlation with basic
D129 Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum Products (Gen-
physical properties. For routine analytical purposes it elimi-
eral High Pressure Decomposition Device Method) (With-
3
nates the necessity for complex fractional separation and
drawn 2023)
purification procedures. The practice is applicable to oils
D445 Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent
having average molecular weights from 200 to above 600, and
and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscos-
0 to 50 aromatic carbon atoms.
ity)
1.2 Carbon-type composition is expressed as percentage of D923 Practices for Sampling Electrical Insulating Liquids
aromatic carbons, percentage of naphthenic carbons, and D1218 Test Method for Refractive Index and Refractive
percentage of paraffinic carbons. These values can be obtained Dispersion of Hydrocarbon Liquids
from the correlation chart, Fig. 1, if both the viscosity-gravity D1481 Test Method for Density and Relative Density (Spe-
constant (VGC) and refractivity intercept (r ) of the oil are
cific Gravity) of Viscous Materials by Lipkin Bicapillary
i
3
known. Viscosity, density and relative density (specific Pycnometer (Withdrawn 2023)
gravity), and refractive index are the only experimental data
D2007 Test Method for Characteristic Groups in Rubber
required for use of this test method.
Extender and Processing Oils and Other Petroleum-
Derived Oils by the Clay-Gel Absorption Chromato-
1.3 This practice is useful for determining the carbon-type
graphic Method
composition of electrical insulating oils of the types commonly
D2501 Test Method for Calculation of Viscosity-Gravity
used in electric power transformers and transmission cables. It
Constant (VGC) of Petroleum Oils
is primarily intended for use with new oils, either inhibited or
D3238 Test Method for Calculation of Carbon Distribution
uninhibited.
and Structural Group Analysis of Petroleum Oils by the
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
n-d-M Method
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
D4052 Test Method for Density, Relative Density, and API
standard.
Gravity of Liquids by Digital Density Meter
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
D7042 Test Method for Dynamic Viscosity and Density of
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Liquids by Stabinger Viscometer (and the Calculation of
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Kinematic Viscosity)
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3. Terminology
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.1 Definitions:
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the 3.1.1 percent of aromatic carbons (% C ), n—the weight
A
percent of the total carbon atoms present in an oil that are
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical combined in aromatic ring-type structures.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1 2
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D27 on Electrical For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Insulating Liquids and Gases and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
D27.07 on Physical Test. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2023. Published December 2023. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1963 as D2140 – 63 T. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
D2140 – 08 (2017). DOI: 10.1520/D2140-23. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D2140 − 23
FIG. 1 Correlation Chart for Determining % C , % C , and % C
A N P
3.1.2 percent of naphthenic carbons (% C ), n—the weight constant (VGC) and refractivity intercept (r ) are
...