ASTM D156-12

Standard Test Method for Saybolt Color of Petroleum Products (Saybolt Chromometer Method)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Determination of the color of petroleum products is used mainly for manufacturing control purposes and is an important quality characteristic since color is readily observed by the user of the product. In some cases the color may serve as an indication of the degree of refinement of the material. When the color range of a particular product is known, a variation outside the established range can indicate possible contamination with another product. However, color is not always a reliable guide to product quality and should not be used indiscriminately in product specifications.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the color of refined oils such as undyed motor and aviation gasoline, jet propulsion fuels, naphthas and kerosine, and, in addition, petroleum waxes and pharmaceutical white oils. Note 1—For determining the color of petroleum products darker than Saybolt Color − 16, see Test Method D1500.  
1.2 This test method reports results specific to this test method and recorded as, “Saybolt Color units.”  
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units or in SI units and which are not in parentheses are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only. Note 2—Oil tubes and apparatus used in this test method have traditionally been marked in inches, (the tube is required to be etched with 1/8 in. divisions.) The Saybolt Color Numbers are aligned with inch, 1/2 in., 1/4 in., and 1/8 in. changes in the depth of oil. These fractional inch changes do not readily correspond to SI equivalents and in view of the preponderance of apparatus already in use and marked in inches, the inch/pound 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 and Saybolt Color Numbers. The test method uses SI units for temperature.  
1.4 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-Oct-2012
• ICS: 75.080 - Petroleum products in general
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.05 - Properties of Fuels, Petroleum Coke and Carbon Material

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D156-07a - Standard Test Method for Saybolt Color of Petroleum Products (Saybolt Chromometer Method)
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Referred By: ASTM E805-22 - Standard Practice for Identification of Instrumental Methods of Color or Color-Difference Measurement of Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D7566-22a - Standard Specification for Aviation Turbine Fuel Containing Synthesized Hydrocarbons
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D6045-20 - Standard Test Method for Color of Petroleum Products by the Automatic Tristimulus Method
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D8235-21 - Standard Specification for Ethyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether (ETBE) for Blending with Gasolines for Use as Automotive Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D4871-11(2022) - Standard Guide for Universal Oxidation/Thermal Stability Test Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D235-22 - Standard Specification for Mineral Spirits (Petroleum Spirits) (Hydrocarbon Dry Cleaning Solvent)
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D128-98(2019) - Standard Test Methods for Analysis of Lubricating Grease
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D1209-05(2019) - Standard Test Method for Color of Clear Liquids (Platinum-Cobalt Scale)
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D1123-22a - Standard Test Methods for Water in Engine Coolant Concentrate by the Karl Fischer Reagent Method
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D3699-19 - Standard Specification for Kerosine
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D3734-05(2018) - Standard Specification for High-Flash Aromatic Naphthas
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D3735-22 - Standard Specification for VM&P Naphthas
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Referred By: ASTM E284-22 - Standard Terminology of Appearance
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D268-22 - Standard Guide for Sampling and Testing Volatile Solvents and Chemical Intermediates for Use in Paint and Related Coatings and Material
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012

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: D156 − 12
StandardTest 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.Anumber 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* Waxes, Including Petrolatum
D1500Test Method forASTM Color of Petroleum Products
1.1 Thistestmethodcoversthedeterminationofthecolorof
(ASTM Color Scale)
refined oils such as undyed motor and aviation gasoline, jet
D4057Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and
propulsion fuels, naphthas and kerosine, and, in addition,
Petroleum Products
petroleum waxes and pharmaceutical white oils.
NOTE 1—For determining the color of petroleum products darker than
3. Terminology
Saybolt Color−16, see Test Method D1500.
3.1 Definitions:
1.2 This test method reports results specific to this test
3.1.1 clear-and-bright, n—condition in which the sample is
method and recorded as, “Saybolt Color units.”
free of haze or cloudiness. (Also termed clean-and-bright .)
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units or in SI units and
3.1.2 free water, n—water in excess of that soluble in the
whicharenotinparenthesesaretoberegardedasthestandard.
sample and appearing in the sample as a haze or cloudiness, as
The values given in parentheses are for information only.
droplets, or as a separated phase or layer.
NOTE 2—Oil tubes and apparatus used in this test method have 3.1.3 particulates, n—small solid or semisolid particles,
traditionallybeenmarkedininches,(thetubeisrequiredtobeetchedwith
sometimesreferredtoassiltorsediment,thatcanbesuspended
1 1
⁄8in.divisions.)TheSayboltColorNumbersarealignedwithinch, ⁄2in.,
in the sample or can settle to the bottom.
1 1
⁄4in.,and ⁄8in.changesinthedepthofoil.Thesefractionalinchchanges
3.1.4 turbidity, n—reduction of transparency of a sample
do not readily correspond to SI equivalents and in view of the prepon-
derance of apparatus already in use and marked in inches, the inch/pound
duetothepresenceofparticulatematterorwaterhaze,orboth.
unitisregardedasthestandard.HoweverthetestmethoddoesuseSIunits
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
oflengthwhenthelengthisnotdirectlyrelatedtodivisionsontheoiltube
and Saybolt Color Numbers. The test method uses SI units for tempera-
3.2.1 Saybolt color, n—an empirical definition of the color
ture.
of a clear petroleum liquid based on a scale of−16 (darkest)
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
to+30 (lightest).
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 3.2.1.1 Discussion—The number is derived by finding the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
height of a column of the sample that, when viewed through
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- the length of the column, visually matches the appropriate one
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
ofthreeglassstandardsandreferringtoTable1ofTestMethod
D156.
2. Referenced Documents
4. Summary of Test Method
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.1 Theheightofacolumnofsampleisdecreasedbylevels
D938Test Method for Congealing Point of Petroleum
correspondingtocolornumbersuntilthecolorofthesampleis
unmistakably lighter than that of the standard. The color
1
number above this level is reported, regardless of whether the
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of
samplewasdarker,questionable,oramatchatthehigherlevel.
SubcommitteeD02.05onPropertiesofFuels,PetroleumCokeandCarbonMaterial.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2012. Published November 2012. Originally
5. Significance and Use
approved in 1923. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D156–07a. DOI:
10.1520/D0156-12.
5.1 Determinationofthecolorofpetroleumproductsisused
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
mainly for manufacturing control purposes and is an important
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
qualitycharacteristicsincecolorisreadilyobservedbytheuser
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. of the product. In some cases the color may serve as an
*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
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D156 − 12
TABLE 1 Saybolt Colors Corresponding
...

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: D156 − 07a D156 − 12
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 Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the color of refined oils such as undyed motor and aviation gasoline, jet
propulsion fuels, naphthas and kerosine, and, in addition, petroleum waxes and pharmaceutical white oils.
NOTE 1—For determining the color of petroleum products darker than Saybolt Color − 16, see Test Method D1500.
1.2 This test method reports results specific to this test method and recorded as, “Saybolt Color units.”
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units or in SI units and which are not in parentheses are to be regarded as the standard. The
values given in parentheses are for information only.
1
NOTE 2—Oil tubes and apparatus used in this test method have traditionally been marked in inches, (the tube is required to be etched with ⁄8 in.
1 1 1
divisions.) The Saybolt Color Numbers are aligned with inch, ⁄2 in., ⁄4 in., and ⁄8 in. changes in the depth of oil. These fractional inch changes do not
readily correspond to SI equivalents and in view of the preponderance of apparatus already in use and marked in inches, the inch/pound 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 and Saybolt Color
Numbers. The test method uses SI units for temperature.
1.4 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:
D938 Test Method for Congealing Point of Petroleum Waxes, Including Petrolatum
D1500 Test Method for ASTM Color of Petroleum Products (ASTM Color Scale)
D4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 clear-and-bright, n—condition in which the sample is free of haze or cloudiness. (Also termed clean-and-bright .)
3.1.2 free water, n—water in excess of that soluble in the sample and appearing in the sample as a haze or cloudiness, as
droplets, or as a separated phase or layer.
3.1.3 particulates, n—small solid or semisolid particles, sometimes referred to as silt or sediment, that can be suspended in the
sample or can settle to the bottom.
3.1.4 turbidity, n—reduction of transparency of a sample due to the presence of particulate matter or water haze, or both.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 Saybolt color, n—an empirical definition of the color of a clear petroleum liquid based on a scale of −16 (darkest) to +30
(lightest).
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D02.05 on
Properties of Fuels, Petroleum Coke and Carbon Material.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2007Nov. 1, 2012. Published January 2008November 2012. Originally approved in 1923. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as
D156–07.–07a. DOI: 10.1520/D0156-07A.10.1520/D0156-12.
2
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
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D156 − 12
TABLE 1 Saybolt Colors Corresponding to Depths of Oil
Number of Color Number of Color Depth of Oil,
Depth of Oil, in. (mm) Color Number Color Number
Standards Standards in. (mm)
One-half 20.00 (508) +30 Two 6.00 (152) +6
One-half 18.00 (457) +29 Two 5.75 (146) +5
One-half 16.00 (406) +28 Two 5.50 (139) +4
One-half 14.00 (355) +27 Two 5.25 (133) +3
One-half 12.00 (304) +26 Two 5.00 (127) +2
One 2
...