ASTM E2680-23
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Appearance of Clear, Transparent Liquids (Visual Inspection Procedure)
Standard Test Method for Appearance of Clear, Transparent Liquids (Visual Inspection Procedure)
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This method provides appearance of clear, transparent liquids. Many liquid organic products have a product specification requiring them to be clear and bright and free of visible particulate matter and of liquid phases other than the main liquid. Producers of these liquid organic products need a test method to confirm the quality of their products meets product specifications for appearance. Appearance is a manufacturing and sales specification test for ethylene and propylene glycol and polyol products and a loading specification test for methanol wall washes of marine vessels. This test method was originally designed for application to glycols and methanol wall washes of marine vessels, but may be applicable to other clear, transparent liquids. Individuals using this test method for other clear transparent liquids should assure themselves that the method is sufficient for use.
5.2 There are many factors that could affect the appearance during and after sampling of a liquid product. These factors may include transferring of the liquid into a different sample container, contamination by the sample container or contamination by ambient atmosphere. Sampling and evaluation procedures need to be followed to avoid undesirable effects and assure the appearance of the sample is typical for the liquid as manufactured.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method describes the visual assessment of the appearance of clear, transparent liquids for clarity and the presence of undesirable components (contamination) such as suspended matter, free water (or oil) and particulates when examined by transmitted light. Measurements requiring instrumentation are not included in this method. This test method was originally designed for application to glycols and methanol wall washes of marine vessels but may be applicable to other clear transparent liquids.
1.1.1 This test method can be used as a field test at storage temperatures or as a laboratory test at room temperatures.
1.1.2 This test method provides a visual appearance description of transparent liquids. It is a qualitative assessment only.
1.2 Review the current appropriate Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for detailed information concerning toxicity, first aid procedures, and safety precautions.
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 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. Consult current OSHA regulations, suppliers’ Safety Data Sheets, and local regulations for all materials used in this test method.
1.5 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.
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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: E2680 − 23
Standard Test Method for
Appearance of Clear, Transparent Liquids (Visual Inspection
1
Procedure)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2680; 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 test method describes the visual assessment of the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
appearance of clear, transparent liquids for clarity and the
E300 Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals
presence of undesirable components (contamination) such as
D5386 Test Method for Color of Liquids Using Tristimulus
suspended matter, free water (or oil) and particulates when
Colorimetry
examined by transmitted light. Measurements requiring instru-
D8005 Test Method for Color of Clear Liquids (Platinum-
mentation are not included in this method. This test method
Cobalt Scale)
was originally designed for application to glycols and methanol
wall washes of marine vessels but may be applicable to other
3. Terminology
clear transparent liquids.
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.1.1 This test method can be used as a field test at storage
3.1.1 appearance, n—the visual perception of a clear, trans-
temperatures or as a laboratory test at room temperatures.
parent liquid.
1.1.2 This test method provides a visual appearance descrip-
3.1.2 clear and bright (also referred to as clean and bright),
tion of transparent liquids. It is a qualitative assessment only.
n—a condition in which the liquid is free of haze, particulates
1.2 Review the current appropriate Safety Data Sheets
or suspended matter particles.
(SDS) for detailed information concerning toxicity, first aid
3.1.2.1 bright, n—a condition in which the liquid is trans-
procedures, and safety precautions.
parent with no haze or visible fee water (or free oil) in organic
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
(or aqueous) liquids.
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
3.1.2.2 clear, n—a condition in which the liquid contains no
standard.
visible contaminants (not more than the maximum allowed
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
number of suspended matter particles no greater than 1 mm in
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
diameter or particulates of sufficient size to be easily noted).
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- 3.1.3 free water (or free oil), n—water or oil in excess to
that soluble in the liquid at ambient temperature which may
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Consult current OSHA regulations, suppliers’ Safety Data appear as haze, cloudiness, droplets or a water or oil layer in an
Sheets, and local regulations for all materials used in this test organic sample.
method.
3.1.3.1 Discussion—For aqueous samples, the determina-
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
tion of free oil is equally important and may have an appear-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- ance similar to that of free water or oil in organic samples.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3.1.4 haze or cloudiness, n—is a scatter of light from an
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
accumulation of tiny suspended particles in the liquid.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3.1.4.1 Discussion—Cloudiness is considered synonymous
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
with haze. Quantification of haze requiring instrumentation is
out of the scope of this standard.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D16 on
Aromatic, Industrial, Specialty and Related Chemicals and is the direct responsi-
2
bility of Subcommittee D16.04 on Instrumental Analysis. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2023. Published December 2023. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2009. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as E2680 – 16. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E2680-23. 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
...
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: E2680 − 16 E2680 − 23
Standard Test Method for
Appearance of Clear, Transparent Liquids (Visual Inspection
1
Procedure)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2680; 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 Scope*
1.1 This test method describes the visual assessment of the appearance of clear, transparent liquids for clarity and the presence
of undesirable components (contamination) such as suspended matter, free water (or oil) and particulates when examined by
transmitted light. Measurements requiring instrumentation are not included in this method. This test method was originally
designed for application to glycols and methanol wall washes of marine vessels but may be applicable to other clear transparent
liquids.
1.1.1 This test method can be used as a field test at storage temperatures or as a laboratory test at room temperatures.
1.1.2 This test method provides a rapid pass/fail test for clarity and contamination of clear, visual appearance description of
transparent liquids. It is a qualitative assessment only.
1.2 Review the current appropriate Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for detailed information concerning toxicity, first aid procedures, and
safety precautions.
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 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. Specific hazards statements are given in the section on Hazards, Section Consult current OSHA
regulations, suppliers’ Safety Data Sheets, and local regulations for all materials used in this test method.8.
1.5 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:
D4176 Test Method for Free Water and Particulate Contamination in Distillate Fuels (Visual Inspection Procedures)
E300 Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals
D5386 Test Method for Color of Liquids Using Tristimulus Colorimetry
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D16 on Aromatic, Industrial, Specialty and Related Chemicals and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D16.04 on Instrumental Analysis.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2016Nov. 1, 2023. Published December 2016December 2023. Originally approved in 2009. Last previous edition approved in 20152016
ɛ1
as E2680E2680 – 16.– 09 (2015) . DOI: 10.1520/E2680-16.10.1520/E2680-23.
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.
*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 ----------------------
E2680 − 23
D8005 Test Method for Color of Clear Liquids (Platinum-Cobalt Scale)
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 appearance, n—the visual perception of a clear, transparent liquid.
3.1.2 clear and bright (also referred to as clean and bright), n—a condition in which the liquid is free of haze, particulates or
suspended matter particles.
3.1.2.1 bright, n—a condition in which the liquid is transparent with no haze or visible fee water (or free oil) in organic (or
aqueous) liquids.
3.1.2.2 clear, n—a condition in which the liquid contains no visible contaminants (not more than the maximum allowed number
of suspended matter particles no greater than 1 mm in diameter or particulates of sufficient size to be easily noted).
3.1.3 free water (or free oil), n—water or oil in excess to that soluble in the liquid at ambient temperature which may appear as
haze, cloudiness,
...
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