ASTM D4052-22

Standard Test Method for Density, Relative Density, and API Gravity of Liquids by Digital Density Meter

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Density is a fundamental physical property that can be used in conjunction with other properties to characterize both the light and heavy fractions of petroleum and petroleum products.  
5.2 Determination of the density or relative density of petroleum and its products is necessary for the conversion of measured volumes to volumes at the standard temperature of 15 °C.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the density, relative density, and API Gravity of petroleum distillates and viscous oils that can be handled in a normal fashion as liquids at the temperature of test, utilizing either manual or automated sample injection equipment. Its application is restricted to liquids with total vapor pressures (see Test Method D5191) typically below 100 kPa and viscosities (see Test Method D445 or D7042) typically below about 15 000 mm2/s at the temperature of test. The total vapor pressure limitation however can be extended to >100 kPa provided that it is first ascertained that no bubbles form in the U-tube, which can affect the density determination. Some examples of products that may be tested by this procedure include: gasoline and gasoline-oxygenate blends, diesel, jet, basestocks, waxes, and lubricating oils.  
1.1.1 Waxes and highly viscous samples were not included in the 1999 interlaboratory study (ILS) sample set that was used to determine the current precision statements of the method, since all samples evaluated at the time were analyzed at a test temperature of 15 °C. Wax and highly viscous samples require a temperature cell operated at elevated temperatures necessary to ensure a liquid test specimen is introduced for analysis. Consult instrument manufacturer instructions for appropriate guidance and precautions when attempting to analyze wax or highly viscous samples. Refer to the Precision and Bias section of the method and Note 9 for more detailed information about the 1999 ILS that was conducted.  
1.2 In cases of dispute, the referee method is the one where samples are introduced manually as in 6.2 or 6.3, as appropriate for sample type.  
1.3 When testing opaque samples, and when not using equipment that is capable of automatic bubble detection, proper procedure shall be established so that the absence of air bubbles in the U-tube can be established with certainty. For the determination of density in crude oil samples use Test Method D5002.  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are regarded as the standard, unless stated otherwise. The accepted units of measure for density are grams per millilitre (g/mL) or kilograms per cubic metre (kg/m3).  
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. For specific warning statements, see 3.2.1, Section 7, 9.1, 10.2, and Appendix X1.  
1.6 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: 30-Apr-2022
• ICS: 17.060 - Measurement of volume, mass, density, viscosity
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.04.0D - Physical and Chemical Methods

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: D4052 − 22
Standard Test Method for
Density, Relative Density, and API Gravity of Liquids by
1
Digital Density Meter
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4052; 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* bubblesintheU-tubecanbeestablishedwithcertainty.Forthe
determination of density in crude oil samples use Test Method
1.1 Thistestmethodcoversthedeterminationofthedensity,
D5002.
relative density, and API Gravity of petroleum distillates and
1.4 The values stated in SI units are regarded as the
viscous oils that can be handled in a normal fashion as liquids
standard, unless stated otherwise. The accepted units of mea-
at the temperature of test, utilizing either manual or automated
sure for density are grams per millilitre (g/mL) or kilograms
sample injection equipment. Its application is restricted to
3
per cubic metre (kg/m ).
liquids with total vapor pressures (see Test Method D5191)
typicallybelow100kPaandviscosities(seeTestMethodD445
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
2
orD7042)typicallybelowabout15000mm /satthetempera-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
tureoftest.Thetotalvaporpressurelimitationhowevercanbe
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
extended to >100kPa provided that it is first ascertained that
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
no bubbles form in the U-tube, which can affect the density
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
determination. Some examples of products that may be tested
Forspecificwarningstatements,see3.2.1,Section7,9.1,10.2,
by this procedure include: gasoline and gasoline-oxygenate
and Appendix X1.
blends, diesel, jet, basestocks, waxes, and lubricating oils.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
1.1.1 Waxes and highly viscous samples were not included
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
in the 1999 interlaboratory study (ILS) sample set that was
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
used to determine the current precision statements of the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
method, since all samples evaluated at the time were analyzed
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
atatesttemperatureof15°C.Waxandhighlyviscoussamples
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
require a temperature cell operated at elevated temperatures
2. Referenced Documents
necessary to ensure a liquid test specimen is introduced for
2
analysis. Consult instrument manufacturer instructions for
2.1 ASTM Standards:
appropriate guidance and precautions when attempting to
D287Test Method forAPI Gravity of Crude Petroleum and
analyze wax or highly viscous samples. Refer to the Precision
Petroleum Products (Hydrometer Method)
and Bias section of the method and Note 9 for more detailed
D445Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent
information about the 1999 ILS that was conducted.
and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of DynamicViscos-
ity)
1.2 In cases of dispute, the referee method is the one where
D1193Specification for Reagent Water
samples are introduced manually as in 6.2 or 6.3, as appropri-
D1250Guide for the Use of the Joint API and ASTM
ate for sample type.
Adjunct for Temperature and Pressure Volume Correction
1.3 When testing opaque samples, and when not using
FactorsforGeneralizedCrudeOils,RefinedProducts,and
equipment that is capable of automatic bubble detection,
Lubricating Oils: API MPMS Chapter 11.1
proper procedure shall be established so that the absence of air
D1298Test Method for Density, Relative Density, or API
Gravity of Crude Petroleum and Liquid Petroleum Prod-
ucts by Hydrometer Method
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of
2
Subcommittee D02.04.0D on Physical and Chemical Methods. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved May 1, 2022. Published May 2022. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1981. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as D4052–18a. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520
...

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: D4052 − 18a D4052 − 22
Standard Test Method for
Density, Relative Density, and API Gravity of Liquids by
1
Digital Density Meter
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4052; 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*
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the density, relative density, and API Gravity of petroleum distillates and viscous
oils that can be handled in a normal fashion as liquids at the temperature of test, utilizing either manual or automated sample
injection equipment. Its application is restricted to liquids with total vapor pressures (see Test Method D5191) typically below
2
100 kPa and viscosities (see Test Method D445 or D7042) typically below about 15 000 mm /s at the temperature of test. The total
vapor pressure limitation however can be extended to >100 kPa provided that it is first ascertained that no bubbles form in the
U-tube, which can affect the density determination. Some examples of products that may be tested by this procedure include:
gasoline and gasoline-oxygenate blends, diesel, jet, basestocks, waxes, and lubricating oils.
1.1.1 Waxes and highly viscous samples were not included in the 1999 interlaboratory study (ILS) sample set that was used to
determine the current precision statements of the method, since all samples evaluated at the time were analyzed at a test
temperature of 15 °C. Wax and highly viscous samples require a temperature cell operated at elevated temperatures necessary to
ensure a liquid test specimen is introduced for analysis. Consult instrument manufacturer instructions for appropriate guidance and
precautions when attempting to analyze wax or highly viscous samples. Refer to the Precision and Bias section of the method and
Note 9 for more detailed information about the 1999 ILS that was conducted.
1.2 In cases of dispute, the referee method is the one where samples are introduced manually as in 6.2 or 6.3, as appropriate for
sample type.
1.3 When testing opaque samples, and when not using equipment that is capable of automatic bubble detection, proper procedure
shall be established so that the absence of air bubbles in the U-tube can be established with certainty. For the determination of
density in crude oil samples use Test Method D5002.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are regarded as the standard, unless stated otherwise. The accepted units of measure for density
3
are grams per millilitre (g/mL) or kilograms per cubic metre (kg/m ).
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. For specific warning statements, see 3.2.1, Section 7, 9.1, 10.2, and Appendix X1.
1.6 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.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D02.04.0D on Physical and Chemical Methods.
Current edition approved Dec. 15, 2018May 1, 2022. Published February 2019May 2022. Originally approved in 1981. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as
D4052 – 18.D4052 – 18a. DOI: 10.1520/D4052-18A.10.1520/D4052-22.
*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

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D4052 − 22
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D287 Test Method for API Gravity of Crude Petroleum and Petroleum Products (Hydrometer Method)
D445 Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D1250 Guide for the Use of the Joint API and
...