ASTM E1119-23

Standard Specification for Industrial Grade Ethylene Glycol

ABSTRACT
This specification covers industrial grade ethylene glycol. The acidity, appearance, color, glycols, water mass, ash content, distillation range, relative density, and water miscibility shall be tested to meet the requirements prescribed.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers industrial grade ethylene glycol.  
1.2 The following applies to all specified limits in this standard; for purposes of determining conformance with this standard, an observed value or a calculated value shall be rounded off “to the nearest unit” in the last right-hand digit used in expressing the specification limit, in accordance with the rounding-off method of Practice E29.  
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 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.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2023
• ICS: 71.080.60 - Alcohols. Ethers
• Technical Committee: D16 - Aromatic, Industrial, Specialty and Related Chemicals
• Drafting Committee: D16.14 - Alcohols & Glycols

Relations

• Refers: ASTM E1064-24 - Standard Test Method for Water in Organic Liquids by Coulometric Karl Fischer Titration
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2024
• Refers: ASTM E2680-23 - Standard Test Method for Appearance of Clear, Transparent Liquids (Visual Inspection Procedure)
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM D8311-20 - Standard Test Method for Impurities in Monoethylene Glycol by Gas Chromatography with Normalization
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2020
• Refers: ASTM E2680-09(2015)e1 - Standard Test Method for Appearance of Clear, Transparent Liquids (Visual Inspection Procedure)
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2015
• Refers: ASTM D8005-15 - Standard Test Method for Color of Clear Liquids (Platinum-Cobalt Scale)
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2015
• Refers: ASTM E2409-13 - Standard Test Method for Glycol Impurities in Mono-, Di-, Tri- and Tetraethylene Glycol and in Mono- and Dipropylene Glycol<brk/>(Gas Chromatographic Method)
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2013
• Refers: ASTM D482-12 - Standard Test Method for Ash from Petroleum Products
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2012
• Refers: ASTM D5386-10 - Standard Test Method for Color of Liquids Using Tristimulus Colorimetry
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2010
• Refers: ASTM D1722-09 - Standard Test Method for Water Miscibility of Water-Soluble Solvents
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2009
• Refers: ASTM E29-08 - Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2008
• Refers: ASTM D850-03(2008)e1 - Standard Test Method for Distillation of Industrial Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Related Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2008
• Refers: ASTM D482-07 - Standard Test Method for Ash from Petroleum Products
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2007
• Refers: ASTM E29-06b - Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2006
• Refers: ASTM E29-06a - Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
• Effective Date: 15-Sep-2006
• Refers: ASTM E29-06 - Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
• Effective Date: 01-May-2006

Overview

ASTM E1119-23: Standard Specification for Industrial Grade Ethylene Glycol defines the quality and purity requirements for industrial grade ethylene glycol, a chemical widely used as a solvent and intermediate in numerous industrial processes. Published and maintained by ASTM International, the standard outlines critical physical and chemical properties and prescribes test methods to ensure product consistency, safety, and suitability for industrial applications. This specification is globally recognized and supports both procurement and compliance activities, especially in sectors that rely on high-performance glycols.

Key Topics

ASTM E1119-23 covers several important aspects relevant to manufacturers, suppliers, and users of ethylene glycol:

• Purity Requirements: The standard sets minimum purity for ethylene glycol and limits impurities such as diethylene glycol and other glycols.
• Physical and Chemical Properties: Specifications include appearance, color, acidity, water content, ash content, relative density, distillation range, and water miscibility.
• Test Methods: The document references standardized test methods for each property, ensuring consistent measurement practices. Some referenced ASTM methods include:
  • Gas chromatography for glycol content (ASTM D8311, E2409)
  • Acidity testing (ASTM E2679)
  • Water determination (ASTM E1064)
  • Color evaluation (ASTM D5386, D8005)
  • Ash content (ASTM D482)
  • Density measurement (ASTM D4052)
  • Distillation procedures (ASTM D850)
  • Visual inspection for appearance (ASTM E2680)
  • Water miscibility (ASTM D1722)
• Sampling and Data Reporting: Guidelines are provided for sampling (ASTM E300) and for rounding of reported values (ASTM E29), supporting accurate documentation and determination of conformance.
• International Relevance: Developed within the framework of the WTO TBT Committee’s principles, this standard aligns with global best practices for standardization.

Applications

Industrial grade ethylene glycol specified by ASTM E1119-23 is essential for a range of practical applications, making adherence to this standard valuable for:

• Manufacturing and Procurement: Ensuring product specifications are met for quality-sensitive operations, such as chemical intermediates, resins, and coolants.
• Quality Control: Supporting quality assurance in production facilities, blending operations, and supplier audits by providing clear test criteria and limits.
• Compliance and Trade: Facilitating domestic and international trade by providing a recognized benchmark for product quality and enabling regulatory and safety compliance.
• Research and Development: Supporting laboratory or pilot-plant development by establishing clear benchmarks for industrial grade materials.

Related Standards

Several other ASTM standards and methods are referenced or associated with ASTM E1119-23:

• ASTM D8311: Test Method for Impurities in Monoethylene Glycol by Gas Chromatography with Normalization
• ASTM E2409: Test Method for Glycol Impurities in Mono-, Di-, Tri- and Tetraethylene Glycol
• ASTM E2679: Test Method for Acidity in Glycols
• ASTM E1064: Test Method for Water in Organic Liquids
• ASTM D5386, D8005: Test Methods for Color of Liquids
• ASTM D4052: Test Method for Density, Relative Density, and API Gravity of Liquids
• ASTM D850: Test Method for Distillation
• ASTM E2680: Appearance Inspection for Liquids
• ASTM E29, E300: Practices for Data Rounding and Chemical Sampling

For the most up-to-date requirements and procedures, users should always refer to the current official edition of ASTM E1119-23 as published by ASTM International.

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Keywords: ASTM E1119-23, industrial grade ethylene glycol, glycol specification, ethylene glycol standard, purity requirements, ASTM test methods, chemical industry standards, glycol quality control

Standards Content (Sample)

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: E1119 − 23
Standard Specification for
Industrial Grade Ethylene Glycol
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1119; 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* D1722 Test Method for Water Miscibility of Water-Soluble
Solvents
1.1 This specification covers industrial grade ethylene gly-
D4052 Test Method for Density, Relative Density, and API
col.
Gravity of Liquids by Digital Density Meter
1.2 The following applies to all specified limits in this
D5386 Test Method for Color of Liquids Using Tristimulus
standard; for purposes of determining conformance with this
Colorimetry
standard, an observed value or a calculated value shall be
D8005 Test Method for Color of Clear Liquids (Platinum-
rounded off “to the nearest unit” in the last right-hand digit
Cobalt Scale)
used in expressing the specification limit, in accordance with
D8311 Test Method for Impurities in Monoethylene Glycol
the rounding-off method of Practice E29.
by Gas Chromatography with Normalization
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
Determine Conformance with Specifications
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard. E300 Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals
E1064 Test Method for Water in Organic Liquids by Coulo-
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
metric Karl Fischer Titration
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
E2409 Test Method for Glycol Impurities in Mono-, Di-, Tri-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
and Tetraethylene Glycol and in Mono- and Dipropylene
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
Glycol (Gas Chromatographic Method)
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
E2679 Test Method for Acidity in Mono-, Di-, Tri- and
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Tetraethylene Glycol by Non-Aqueous Potentiometric
2. Referenced Documents Titration
2 E2680 Test Method for Appearance of Clear, Transparent
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Liquids (Visual Inspection Procedure)
D482 Test Method for Ash from Petroleum Products
D850 Test Method for Distillation of Industrial Aromatic
3. Requirements
Hydrocarbons and Related Materials
3.1 Industrial grade ethylene glycol shall conform to the
specification chemical and physical requirements (see Table 1).
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D16 on
Aromatic, Industrial, Specialty and Related Chemicals and is the direct responsi-
4. Sampling
bility of Subcommittee D16.14 on Alcohols & Glycols.
Current edition approved April 1, 2023. Published April 2023. Originally
4.1 Sample ethylene glycol in accordance with the appro-
ɛ1
approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 2022 as E1119 – 22 . DOI:
priate sections of Practice E300 for liquid samples.
10.1520/E1119-23.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact
...

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.
´1
Designation: E1119 − 22 E1119 − 23
Standard Specification for
Industrial Grade Ethylene Glycol
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1119; 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.
ε NOTE—Editorial corrections were made to Table 1 in August 2022.
1. Scope*
1.1 This specification covers industrial grade ethylene glycol.
1.2 Review the current Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for detailed information concerning toxicity, first aid procedures, handling and
safety precautions.
1.2 The following applies to all specified limits in this standard; for purposes of determining conformance with this standard, an
observed value or a calculated value shall be rounded off “to the nearest unit” in the last right-hand digit used in expressing the
specification limit, in accordance with the rounding-off method of Practice E29.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.5 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 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:
D482 Test Method for Ash from Petroleum Products
D850 Test Method for Distillation of Industrial Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Related Materials
D1722 Test Method for Water Miscibility of Water-Soluble Solvents
D4052 Test Method for Density, Relative Density, and API Gravity of Liquids by Digital Density Meter
D5386 Test Method for Color of Liquids Using Tristimulus Colorimetry
D8005 Test Method for Color of Clear Liquids (Platinum-Cobalt Scale)
D8311 Test Method for Impurities in Monoethylene Glycol by Gas Chromatography with Normalization
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D16 on Aromatic, Industrial, Specialty and Related Chemicals and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D16.14 on Alcohols & Glycols.
Current edition approved July 1, 2022April 1, 2023. Published July 2022April 2023. Originally approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 20152022 as
ɛ1
E1119 – 09 (2015)E1119 – 22 . DOI: 10.1520/E1119-22E01.10.1520/E1119-23.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM 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.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E1119 − 23
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
E300 Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals
E1064 Test Method for Water in Organic Liquids
...