ASTM D4725-08a

Standard Terminology for Engine Coolants

SCOPE
1.1 This document covers terminology relating to engine coolants. It is intended to provide a reference for anyone seeking information on engine coolants, and also to provide a uniform set of definitions for use in preparing ASTM specifications, test methods and other standard documents.
1.2 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-May-2008
• ICS: 01.040.71 - Chemical technology (Vocabularies)
• ICS: 71.100.45 - Refrigerants and antifreezes
• Technical Committee: D15 - Engine Coolants and Related Fluids
• Drafting Committee: D15.92 - Terminology

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D4725-08 - Standard Terminology for Engine Coolants
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2008
• Replaced By: ASTM D4725-11 - Standard Terminology for Engine Coolants
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D7638-10(2021) - Standard Test Method for Determination of Fatty Acids and Esters in Glycerin
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D7637-10(2021) - Standard Test Method for Determination of Glycerin Assay by Titration (Sodium Meta Periodate)
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D8485-23 - Standard Test Method for Corrosion Test for Electric Vehicle Coolants in Glassware
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D7714-11(2021) - Standard Specification for Glycerin Base Engine Coolant for Automobile and Light-Duty Service
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D7518-20 - Standard Specification for 1,3 Propanediol (PDO) Base Engine Coolant for Automobile and Light-Duty Service
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D2847-22 - Standard Practice for Testing Engine Coolants in Car and Light Truck Service
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D7715-12(2021) - Standard Specification for Fully-Formulated Glycerin Base Engine Coolant for Heavy-Duty Engines
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D8085-17 - Standard Specification for Non-Aqueous Engine Coolant for Automobile and Light-Duty Service
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D4985-10(2023) - Standard Specification for Low Silicate Ethylene Glycol Base Engine Coolant for Heavy Duty Engines Requiring a Pre-Charge of Supplemental Coolant Additive (SCA)
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D3147-21 - Standard Test Method for Testing Stop-Leak Additives for Engine Coolants
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2008
• Referred By: ASTM E1177-23 - Standard Specification for Engine Coolant Grade Glycol
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D7713-18 - Standard Specification for Aqueous Engine Coolant Grade Glycol (53 % by Volume Nominal)
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D8039-16(2023) - Standard Specification for Heat Transfer Fluids (HTF) for Heating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2008

Standards Content (Sample)

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:D4725–08a
Standard Terminology for
1
Engine Coolants
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4725; 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 tives to prevent or suppress foam.
1.1 This document covers terminology relating to engine
DISCUSSION—Eliminating foam improves heat transfer.
coolants. It is intended to provide a reference for anyone
antifreeze, n—a term frequently used in the marketplace for
seeking information on engine coolants, and also to provide a
engine coolant concentrate. (See engine coolant concen-
uniform set of definitions for use in preparing ASTM specifi-
trate.)
cations, test methods and other standard documents.
antirust, n—an inhibitor package, solid or liquid, intended to
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
be diluted with water or glycol for use in an engine cooling
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
system to mitigate rust and corrosion.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
ash content, n—the residue from an engine coolant concen-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
trate, antirust, or engine coolant that remains after evapora-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
tion, charring, and ignition at strong heat.
2. Referenced Documents boiling point, n—the temperature at which the vapor pressure
2 of an engine coolant reaches atmospheric pressure under
2.1 ASTM Standards:
equilibrium boiling conditions.
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
cavitation corrosion, n—a form of localized, accelerated
D3306 Specification for Glycol Base Engine Coolant for
corrosion characterized by deep pitting and caused by high
Automobile and Light-Duty Service
mechanical forces resulting from coolant vapor bubble
D3585 SpecificationforASTMReferenceFluidforCoolant
collapse at the surface of the metal.
Tests
cavitation erosion corrosion, n—the mechanical removal of
D4985 Specification for Low Silicate Ethylene Glycol Base
protective films on metal by the formation and collapse of
Engine Coolant for Heavy Duty Engines Requiring a
vapor bubbles in a liquid,and the abrasive action of a liquid,
Pre-Charge of Supplemental Coolant Additive (SCA)
which may contain suspended solids, moving at high veloc-
D6210 Specification for Fully-Formulated Glycol Base En-
ity.
gine Coolant for Heavy-Duty Engines
D6471 Specification for Recycled PredilutedAqueous Gly-
DISCUSSION—Themechanicalremovaloftheprotectivefilmsexposes
col Base Engine Coolant (50 Volume % Minimum) for fresh metal to corrosive attack.
Automobile and Light-Duty Service
coolant additive package, n—the combination of inhibitors
D6472 Specification for Recycled Glycol Base Engine
added to an engine coolant to mitigate cooling system
Coolant Concentrate for Automobile and Light-Duty Ser-
degradation, corrosion, scaling, and foaming, or to provide
vice
other desirable properties.
E1177 Specification for Engine Coolant Grade Glycol
corrosion inhibitor package, n—the combination of inhibi-
tors added to an engine coolant to mitigate cooling system
3. Terminology
corrosion.
antifoam, n—asubstanceaddedtoenginecoolantconcentrate,
corrosive water, n—a standard solution containing 100 ppm
corrosion inhibitor packages, or supplemental coolant addi-
each of sulfate, chloride, and bicarbonate ions introduced as
the sodium salts to distilled water.
1
dye, n—a colorant added to an engine coolant to give it a
This terminology is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D15 on Engine
Coolants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D15.92 on Terminology.
distinctive color.
Current edition approved June 1, 2008. Published June 2008. Originally
engine coolant, n—a fluid used to transfer heat from an engine
approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D4725 – 06. DOI:
to the radiator, usually containing specific amounts of
10.1520/D4725-08A.
2
glycols, water, corrosion inhibitors, and a foam supressor.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
DISCUSSION—Engine coolants may also contain supplemental coolant
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
additives.
the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

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D4725–08a
agricultural, earthmoving, construction, and mining, (c) high-output
engine coolant concentrate, n—a formulated li
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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:D4725–08 Designation: D 4725 – 08a
Standard Terminology for
1
Engine Coolants
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4725; 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 document covers terminology relating to engine coolants. It is intended to provide a reference for anyone seeking
information on engine coolants, and also to provide a uniform set of definitions for use in preparing ASTM specifications, test
methods and other standard documents.
1.2 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
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D 3306 Specification for Glycol Base Engine Coolant for Automobile and Light-Duty Service
D 3585Specification for ASTM Reference Fluid for Coolant Tests Specification for ASTM Reference Fluid for Coolant Tests
D 4985 Specification for Low Silicate Ethylene Glycol Base Engine Coolant for Heavy Duty Engines Requiring a Pre-Charge
of Supplemental Coolant Additive (SCA)
D 6210 Specification for Fully-Formulated Glycol Base Engine Coolant for Heavy-Duty Engines
D 6471 Specification for Recycled PredilutedAqueous Glycol Base Engine Coolant (50 Volume % Minimum) forAutomobile
and Light-Duty Service
D 6472 Specification for Recycled Glycol Base Engine Coolant Concentrate for Automobile and Light-Duty Service
E 1177 Specification for Engine Coolant Grade Glycol
3. Terminology
antifoam, n—a substance added to engine coolant concentrate, corrosion inhibitor packages, or supplemental coolant additives to
prevent or suppress foam.
DISCUSSION—Eliminating foam improves heat transfer.
antifreeze, n—a term frequently used in the marketplace for engine coolant concentrate. (See engine coolant concentrate.)
antirust, n—an inhibitor package, solid or liquid, intended to be diluted with water or glycol for use in an engine cooling system
to mitigate rust and corrosion.
ash content, n—the residue from an engine coolant concentrate, antirust, or engine coolant that remains after evaporation,
charring, and ignition at strong heat.
boiling point,n—thetemperatureatwhichthevaporpressureofanenginecoolantreachesatmosphericpressureunderequilibrium
boiling conditions.
cavitation corrosion, n—a form of localized, accelerated corrosion characterized by deep pitting and caused by high mechanical
forces resulting from coolant vapor bubble collapse at the surface of the metal.
cavitation erosion corrosion, n—the mechanical removal of protective films on metal by the formation and collapse of vapor
bubbles in a liquid,and the abrasive action of a liquid, which may contain suspended solids, moving at high velocity.
DISCUSSION—The mechanical removal of the protective films exposes fresh metal to corrosive attack.
coolant additive package, n—the combination of inhibitors added to an engine coolant to mitigate cooling system degradation,
corrosion, scaling, and foaming, or to provide other desirable properties.
1
This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D15 on Engine Coolants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D15.92 on Terminology .
Current edition approved May 15,June 1, 2008. Published June 2008. Originally approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D 4725 – 06.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D 4725 – 08a
corrosion inhibitor package, n—the combination of inhibitors added to an engine coolant to mitigate cooling system corrosion.
corrosive water, n—a standard solution containing 100 ppm each of sulfate, chloride, and bicarbonate ions introduced as the
sodium salts to distilled water.
dye, n—a colorant added to an engine coolant to give it a distinctive color.
engine coolant, n—a fluid used to tran
...