ASTM D1881-97

Standard Test Method for Foaming Tendencies of Engine Coolants in Glassware

SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a simple glassware test for evaluating the tendency of engine coolants to foam under laboratory-controlled-conditions of aeration and temperature.  
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.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are approximate equivalents provided for information purposes only.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-May-1997
• Technical Committee: D15 - Engine Coolants and Related Fluids
• Drafting Committee: D15.06 - Glassware Performance Tests

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D1881-97(2002) - Standard Test Method for Foaming Tendencies of Engine Coolants in Glassware
• Effective Date: 10-May-1997
• Referred By: ASTM D6107-97(2017) - Standard Specification for Stop-Leak Additive for Engine Coolants Used in Light Duty Service
• Effective Date: 10-May-1997
• Referred By: ASTM D5752-10(2017) - Standard Specification for Supplemental Coolant Additives (SCAs) for Use in Precharging Coolants for Heavy-Duty Engines
• Effective Date: 10-May-1997
• Referred By: ASTM D8039-16(2023) - Standard Specification for Heat Transfer Fluids (HTF) for Heating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems
• Effective Date: 10-May-1997
• Referred By: ASTM D7518-20 - Standard Specification for 1,3 Propanediol (PDO) Base Engine Coolant for Automobile and Light-Duty Service
• Effective Date: 10-May-1997
• Referred By: ASTM D3585-08(2020) - Standard Specification for ASTM Reference Fluid for Coolant Tests
• Effective Date: 10-May-1997
• Referred By: ASTM D7714-11(2021) - Standard Specification for Glycerin Base Engine Coolant for Automobile and Light-Duty Service
• Effective Date: 10-May-1997
• 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: 10-May-1997
• Referred By: ASTM D3306-21 - Standard Specification for Glycol Base Engine Coolant for Automobile and Light-Duty Service
• Effective Date: 10-May-1997

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: D 1881 – 97 An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
Foaming Tendencies of Engine Coolants in Glassware
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 1881; 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 with air at a constant rate for 5 min, while maintained at a
constant temperature of 88 6 1°C (190 6 2°F) by means of a
1.1 This test method covers a simple glassware test for
suitable temperature bath. The volume of foam, and the time
evaluating the tendency of engine coolants to foam under
for such foam to break, are measured.
laboratory-controlled-conditions of aeration and temperature.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
5. Significance and Use
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
5.1 The test method generally will distinguish coolants that
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
have a tendency to foam excessively from those that are
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
suitable for further evaluation to determine performance in
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
actual service.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. The values given in parentheses are approximate
NOTE 1—In use, the foaming tendency of a coolant solution may be
equivalents provided for information purposes only. increased by service aging or contamination. A properly functioning
pressure cap will tend to suppress foaming in coolant solutions.
2. Referenced Documents
6. Apparatus
2.1 ASTM Standards:
6.1 Container—A 500-mL graduated container of heat-
D 1176 Test Method for Sampling and Preparing Aqueous
resistant glass, having a diameter of 45 to 50 mm and a length
Solutions of Engine Coolants or Antirusts for Testing
of 380 mm.
Purposes
6.2 Temperature Bath—A heat resistant glass container
D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water
large enough to permit immersion of the graduated container at
D 3585 Specification for ASTM Reference Fluid for Cool-
least to the 350 mL graduation mark. A 4000-mL beaker is
ant Tests
satisfactory.
E 1 Specification for ASTM Thermometers
6.3 Heat Source—Any heating system capable of maintain-
E 128 Test Method for Maximum Pore Diameter and Per-
ing a uniform bath temperature 61°C (62°F). A750-watt
meability of Rigid Porous Filters for Laboratory Use
electric hot-plate is satisfactory.
3. Terminology
6.4 Aerator Tube—A 25.4-mm (1-in.) diameter spherical
gas-diffuser stone made of fused crystalline alumina grain
3.1 Definitions:
which meets the following specifications when tested in
3.1.1 break time, n—the time required for the foam to
accordance with the method given in Annex A1:
collapse (after the air supply has been shut off) to the first
appearance of an “eye” on the surface of the test solution. Maximum pore diameter, μm Not greater than 80
Permeability at a pressure of 2.45 kPa, mL of air/min 3000 to 6400
3.1.2 eye, n—the appearance of foam free area on the
surface of the test coolant surrounded by a ring of foam
6.5 Thermometer—An ASTM Partial Immersion Thermom-
clinging to the cylinder walls.
eter having a range from −20 to +150°C (0 to 302°F) and
conforming to the requirements for Thermometer 1F as pre-
4. Summary of Test Method
scribed in Specification E 1.
4.1 A solution of coolant and ASTM Type II water is blown
6.6 Air Supply—A clean and dry source, free from grease
and other contaminants, capable of maintaining the prescribed
flow rate through the diffuser stone.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-15 on Engine
Coolants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D15.06 on Glassware
6.7 Timer—A stop watch or suitable timing device, accurate
Performance Tests.
to 60.2 s.
Current edition approved May 10, 1997. Published June 1998. Originally
6.8 Vent—A three-way stopcock inserted in the metered air
published as D 1881 – 61 T. Last previous edition D 1881 – 96.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.05.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.01.
4 6
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.03. For information on aerator supplier and specifications contact ASTM Subcom-
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02. mittee D15.06 through ASTM Headquarters.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D 1881
supply line immediately ahead of the aerator tube. fication D 3585 test coolant without antifoam) shall be pre-
6.9 Typical Assembly Set-Up—A typical apparatus using a pared with the proper quantity of Type II water.
hot-plate heat source is shown in Fig. 1. 8.2 Prepare a 33 % by volume solution of the coolant to be
tested with Type II water. Use the same glassware used to
7. Materials and Reagents
prepare the reference coolant test solution. Rinse the glassware
7.1 Purity of Water—Unless otherwise indicated, references
with Type II water between preparations. Additive concentrates
to water means reagent water as defined by Type II of
shall be diluted with Type II water to recommended use
Specification D 1193.
concentration. Preparation of the sample shall be done in
7.2 Acetone, for flushing and drying the test equipment.
accordance with treatment of mixtures described in Test
Method D 1176. Thus, any insoluble materials will be included
NOTE 2—Warning: Acetone is extremely flammable.
in the representative sample.
7.3 Specification D 3585 Test Coolant—Unless otherwise
indicated, references to the reference test coolant means
9. Test Conditions
Specification D 3585 coolant prepared without antifoam (Plu-
9.1 Test Temperature—The temperature bath shall be kept at
ronic L-61) as defined in Specification D 3585.
a constant volume (350 to 375 mL mark of the graduated
7.4 Cleaning Bath—Refers to an acid or base cleaning
cylinder) throughout the test. The test solution shall be main-
solution used to clean glassware between tests. The choice of
tained at 88 6 1°C (190 6 2°F) throughout. This temperature
cleaning baths depends on individual needs. For example,
is suitable for both high-boiling and low-boiling coolants.
Nochromix and alcoholic sodium (potassium) hydroxide are
9.2 Aeration Rate—The aeration rate shall be 1000 6 25
common acid and base cleaning baths, respectively.
mL/min.
NOTE 3—Caution: The cleaning baths are strong oxidants and strong 9.3 Number of Tests—The reference coolant shall be tested
acid and base, respectively. Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing.
to determine if the glassware and testing equipment is con-
Do not breathe vapor. Handle in a fume hood.
taminated with residue defoamer. If the reference coolant gives
a foam volume of greater than 250 mL and a break time of
8. Test Solution
greater than 8 s, drain the reference coolant from the glassware,
8.1 A 33 % by volume solution of reference coolant (Speci-
...