ASTM D5798-12

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: D5798 − 11 D5798 − 12
Standard Specification for
Ethanol Fuel Blends for Flexible-Fuel Automotive Spark-
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Ignition Engines
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5798; 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 Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
1.1 This specification covers the requirements for automotive fuel blends of ethanol and gasoline for use in ground vehicles
equipped with flexible-fuel spark-ignition engines. Fuel produced to this specification contains 51 to 83 volume % ethanol. This
fuel is for use in flexible-fuel vehicles and is sometimes referred to at retail as “Ethanol Flex-Fuel.” Appendix X1 discusses the
significance of the properties specified.
1.2 The vapor pressure of ethanol fuel blends is varied for seasonal climatic changes. Vapor pressure is increased at lower
temperatures to ensure adequate flexible-fuel vehicle operability. Ethanol content and selection of hydrocarbon blendstock are
adjusted by the blender to meet these vapor pressure requirements. Hydrocarbon blendstocks for meeting ethanol fuel blends
performance requirements are unleaded gasoline, gasoline blendstocks for oxygenate blending (BOBs), natural gasoline or other
hydrocarbons in the gasoline boiling range.
1.3 This specification formerly covered Fuel Ethanol (Ed70-Ed85) for Automotive Spark-Ignition Engines, also known
commercially as E85. The nomenclature “fuel ethanol” has been changed to “ethanol fuel blends” to distinguish this product from
denatured fuel ethanol Specification D4806. To facilitate blending of ethanol fuel blends that meet seasonal vapor pressure
requirements, a new lower minimum ethanol content has been established.
1.4 The United States government has established various programs for alternative fuels. Many of the definitions of alternative
fuel used by these programs may be more restrictive than the requirements of this specification. See 4.1.2.1 for additional
information on alternative fuels containing ethanol.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.6 The following safety hazard caveat pertains only to the test method portion, 8.1.8, of this specification. 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 health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
D86 Test Method for Distillation of Petroleum Products at Atmospheric Pressure
D130 Test Method for Corrosiveness to Copper from Petroleum Products by Copper Strip Test
D381 Test Method for Gum Content in Fuels by Jet Evaporation
D525 Test Method for Oxidation Stability of Gasoline (Induction Period Method)
D1613 Test Method for Acidity in Volatile Solvents and Chemical Intermediates Used in Paint, Varnish, Lacquer, and Related
Products
D1688 Test Methods for Copper in Water
D4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products
D4175 Terminology Relating to Petroleum, Petroleum Products, and Lubricants
D4177 Practice for Automatic Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products
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This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is under the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D02.A0.02 on Oxygenated Fuels and Components.
Current edition approved June 1, 2011Dec. 1, 2012. Published July 2011February 2013. Originally approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 20102011 as
D5798–10a.–11. DOI: 10.1520/D5798-11.10.1520/D5798-12.
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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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D5798 − 12
D4306 Practice for Aviation Fuel Sample Containers for Tests Affected by Trace
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