ASTM D1218-02

Standard Test Method for Refractive Index and Refractive Dispersion of Hydrocarbon Liquids

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Refractive index and refractive dispersion are fundamental physical properties, which can be used in conjunction with other properties to characterize pure hydrocarbons and their mixtures.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of refractive index, accurate to four decimal places or better, of transparent and light-colored hydrocarbons in the range of 1.3300 to 1.5000 at temperatures from 20 to 30°C by manual (optical-mechanical) or automatic (digital) procedure.
1.2 The manual (optical-mechanical) procedure also covers the measurement of refractive dispersion accurate to the fourth decimal place or better.
Note 1—The test method may be suitable for measuring the refractive indices of liquids above 1.5000 and at temperatures both below 20°C and above 30°C; however, the test method precision may not apply. Verification of the accuracy of such measurements will depend upon the availability of reliable, certified reference standards that demonstrate the performance of the instrument used under the particular measuring conditions.
1.3 The test method may not be applicable to liquids that are strongly colored, or that have bubble points so near the test temperature that a reading cannot be obtained before substantial weathering takes place. Liquid color should be limited to No. 4 ASTM Color or lighter, as determined by Test Method D 1500.
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: 09-Jun-2002
• ICS: 71.080.01 - Organic chemicals in general
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.04.0D - Physical and Chemical Methods

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D1218-99 - Standard Test Method for Refractive Index and Refractive Dispersion of Hydrocarbon Liquids
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2002
• Replaced By: ASTM D1218-02(2007) - Standard Test Method for Refractive Index and Refractive Dispersion of Hydrocarbon Liquids
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D3827-92(2020) - Standard Test Method for Estimation of Solubility of Gases in Petroleum and Other Organic Liquids
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D4252-89(2017) - Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Alcohol Ethoxylates and Alkylphenol Ethoxylates
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D4056-21 - Standard Test Method for Estimation of Solubility of Water in Hydrocarbon and Aliphatic Ester Lubricants
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D2140-08(2017) - Standard Practice for Calculating Carbon-Type Composition of Insulating Oils of Petroleum Origin
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D117-22 - Standard Guide for Sampling, Test Methods, and Specifications for Electrical Insulating Liquids
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D2414-23 - Standard Test Method for Carbon Black—Oil Absorption Number (OAN)
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D4095-97(2020) - Standard Practice for Use of the Refractometer for Determining Nonvolatile Matter (Total Solids) in Floor Polishes
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D4337-89(2017) - Standard Test Methods for Analysis of Linear Detergent Alkylates
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D1045-19 - Standard Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Plasticizers Used in Plastics
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D3238-22a - Standard Test Method for Calculation of Carbon Distribution and Structural Group Analysis of Petroleum Oils by the n-d-M Method
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2002

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
An American National Standard
Designation:D1218–02
Standard Test Method for
Refractive Index and Refractive Dispersion of Hydrocarbon
1
Liquids
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 1218; 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 (e) 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 * D 6299 Practice for Applying Statistical Quality Assurance
Techniques to Evaluate Analytical Measurement System
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of refractive
4
Performance
index, accurate to four decimal places or better, of transparent
D 6300 PracticefortheDeterminationofPrecisionandBias
and light-colored hydrocarbons in the range of 1.3300 to
Data for Use in Test Methods for Petroleum Products and
1.5000 at temperatures from 20 to 30°C by manual (optical-
4
Lubricant
mechanical) or automatic (digital) procedure.
5
E 1 Specification for ASTM Thermometers
1.2 The manual (optical-mechanical) procedure also covers
the measurement of refractive dispersion accurate to the fourth
3. Terminology
decimal place or better.
3.1 Definitions:
NOTE 1—The test method may be suitable for measuring the refractive
3.1.1 refractive dispersion—the difference between the re-
indices of liquids above 1.5000 and at temperatures both below 20°C and
fractive indexes of a substance for light of two different
above 30°C; however, the test method precision may not apply. Verifica-
wavelengths, both indexes being measured at the same tem-
tion of the accuracy of such measurements will depend upon the
perature. For convenience in calculations, the value of the
availability of reliable, certified reference standards that demonstrate the
difference thus obtained is usually multiplied by 10 000.
performance of the instrument used under the particular measuring
conditions.
3.1.2 refractive index—the ratio of the velocity of light (of
specified wavelength) in air, to its velocity in the substance
1.3 Thetestmethodmaynotbeapplicabletoliquidsthatare
under examination. It may also be defined as the sine of the
strongly colored, or that have bubble points so near the test
angle of incidence divided by the sine of the angle of
temperature that a reading cannot be obtained before substan-
refraction, as light passes from air into the substance. This is
tial weathering takes place. Liquid color should be limited to
the relative index of refraction. If absolute refractive index
No. 4 ASTM Color or lighter, as determined by Test Method
(that is, referred to vacuum) is desired, this value should be
D 1500.
multiplied by the factor 1.00027, the absolute refractive index
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
of air. The numerical value of refractive index of liquids varies
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
inversely with both wavelength and temperature.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4. Summary of Test Method
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.1 Therefractiveindexismeasuredusingahigh-resolution
2. Referenced Documents refractometer of an optical-mechanical or automatic digital
type with the prism temperature accurately controlled. The
2.1 ASTM Standards:
2
instrument principle is based on the critical angle concept.
D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D 1500 Test Method for ASTM Color of Petroleum Prod-
5. Significance and Use
3
ucts (ASTM Color Scale)
5.1 Refractive index and refractive dispersion are funda-
mental physical properties, which can be used in conjunction
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on with other properties to characterize pure hydrocarbons and
Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
their mixtures.
D02.04 on Hydrocarbon Analysis.
Current edition approved June 10, 2002. Published September 2002. Originally
published as D 1218–52T. Last previous edition D 1218–99.
2 4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.01. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.04.
3 5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.01. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.03.
*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.
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D1218–02
PROCEDURE A—MANUAL (OPTICAL-MECHANICAL) PROCEDURE
NOTE 4—Low boiling hydrocarbon fractions with boiling range 50 to
6. Apparatus
100°C have also been found to be acceptable
...