ASTM D4725-11

Standard Terminology for Engine Coolants

SCOPE
1.1 This document covers terminology relating to engine coolants. It is intended to provide a reference for anyone seeking information on engine coolants, and also to provide a uniform set of definitions for use in preparing ASTM specifications, test methods and other standard documents.
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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-May-2011
• ICS: 01.040.71 - Chemical technology (Vocabularies)
• ICS: 71.100.45 - Refrigerants and antifreezes
• Technical Committee: D15 - Engine Coolants and Related Fluids
• Drafting Committee: D15.92 - Terminology

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D4725-08a - Standard Terminology for Engine Coolants
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Replaced By: ASTM D4725-13 - Standard Terminology for Engine Coolants and Related Fluids
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2013
• Referred By: ASTM D3306-21 - Standard Specification for Glycol Base Engine Coolant for Automobile and Light-Duty Service
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D7517-19 - Standard Specification for Fully-Formulated 1,3 Propanediol (PDO) Base Engine Coolant for Heavy-Duty Engines
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• 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: 01-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D3147-21 - Standard Test Method for Testing Stop-Leak Additives for Engine Coolants
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D8485-23 - Standard Test Method for Corrosion Test for Electric Vehicle Coolants in Glassware
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D2847-22 - Standard Practice for Testing Engine Coolants in Car and Light Truck Service
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D8039-16(2023) - Standard Specification for Heat Transfer Fluids (HTF) for Heating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D8085-17 - Standard Specification for Non-Aqueous Engine Coolant for Automobile and Light-Duty Service
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D7715-12(2021) - Standard Specification for Fully-Formulated Glycerin Base Engine Coolant for Heavy-Duty Engines
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D7714-11(2021) - Standard Specification for Glycerin Base Engine Coolant for Automobile and Light-Duty Service
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D7713-18 - Standard Specification for Aqueous Engine Coolant Grade Glycol (53 % by Volume Nominal)
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D7518-20 - Standard Specification for 1,3 Propanediol (PDO) Base Engine Coolant for Automobile and Light-Duty Service
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D7637-10(2021) - Standard Test Method for Determination of Glycerin Assay by Titration (Sodium Meta Periodate)
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011

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: D4725 − 11
StandardTerminology for
1
Engine Coolants
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4725; 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.
DISCUSSION—Eliminating foam improves heat transfer.
1. Scope
1.1 This document covers terminology relating to engine antifreeze, n—a term frequently used in the marketplace for
coolants. It is intended to provide a reference for anyone engine coolant concentrate. (See engine coolant concen-
seeking information on engine coolants, and also to provide a
trate.)
uniform set of definitions for use in preparing ASTM
antirust, n—an inhibitor package, solid or liquid, intended to
specifications, test methods and other standard documents.
be diluted with water or glycol for use in an engine cooling
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
system to mitigate rust and corrosion.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
ash content, n—the residue from an engine coolant
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
concentrate, antirust, or engine coolant that remains after
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
evaporation, charring, and ignition at strong heat.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
boiling point, n—the temperature at which the vapor pressure
2. Referenced Documents
of an engine coolant reaches atmospheric pressure under
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
equilibrium boiling conditions.
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
cavitation corrosion, n—a form of localized, accelerated
D3306 Specification for Glycol Base Engine Coolant for
corrosion characterized by deep pitting and caused by high
Automobile and Light-Duty Service
mechanical forces resulting from coolant vapor bubble
D3585 Specification forASTM Reference Fluid for Coolant
collapse at the surface of the metal.
Tests
D4985 Specification for Low Silicate Ethylene Glycol Base
cavitation erosion corrosion, n—the mechanical removal of
Engine Coolant for Heavy Duty Engines Requiring a
protective films on metal by the formation and collapse of
Pre-Charge of Supplemental Coolant Additive (SCA)
vapor bubbles in a liquid,and the abrasive action of a liquid,
D6210 Specification for Fully-Formulated Glycol Base En-
which may contain suspended solids, moving at high veloc-
gine Coolant for Heavy-Duty Engines
ity.
D6471 Specification for Recycled Prediluted Aqueous Gly-
DISCUSSION—Themechanicalremovaloftheprotectivefilmsexposes
col Base Engine Coolant (50 Volume % Minimum) for
fresh metal to corrosive attack.
Automobile and Light-Duty Service
coolant additive package, n—the combination of inhibitors
D6472 SpecificationforRecycledGlycolBaseEngineCool-
added to an engine coolant to mitigate cooling system
ant Concentrate for Automobile and Light-Duty Service
degradation, corrosion, scaling, and foaming, or to provide
E1177 Specification for Engine Coolant Grade Glycol
other desirable properties.
3. Terminology
corrosion inhibitor package,n—thecombinationofinhibitors
antifoam, n—a substance added to engine coolant concentrate, added to an engine coolant to mitigate cooling system
corrosion inhibitor packages, or supplemental coolant addi- corrosion.
tives to prevent or suppress foam.
corrosive water, n—a standard solution containing 100 ppm
each of sulfate, chloride, and bicarbonate ions introduced as
1
This terminology is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D15 on Engine
the sodium salts to distilled water.
Coolants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D15.92 on Terminology.
Current edition approved June 1, 2011. Published August 2011. Originally
dye, n—a colorant added to an engine coolant to give it a
approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D4725 – 08a. DOI:
distinctive color.
10.1520/D4725-11.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
engine coolant, n—a fluid used to transfer heat from an engine
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
to the radiator, usually containing specific amounts of
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. glycols, water, corrosion inhibitors, and a foam supressor.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4725 − 11
DISCUSSION—Engine coolants may also contain supplemental coolant agricultural, earthmoving, construction, and mining, (c) high-output
additives. stationary engine applications, and (d) locomoti
...

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:D4725–08a Designation: D4725 – 11
Standard Terminology for
1
Engine Coolants
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4725; 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
1.1 This document covers terminology relating to engine coolants. It is intended to provide a reference for anyone seeking
information on engine coolants, and also to provide a uniform set of definitions for use in preparing ASTM specifications, test
methods and other standard documents.
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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D3306 Specification for Glycol Base Engine Coolant for Automobile and Light-Duty Service
D3585 Specification for ASTM Reference Fluid for Coolant Tests
D4985 Specification for Low Silicate Ethylene Glycol Base Engine Coolant for Heavy Duty Engines Requiring a Pre-Charge
of Supplemental Coolant Additive (SCA)
D6210 Specification for Fully-Formulated Glycol Base Engine Coolant for Heavy-Duty Engines
D6471 Specification for Recycled Prediluted Aqueous Glycol Base Engine Coolant (50 Volume % Minimum) for Automobile
and Light-Duty Service
D6472 Specification for Recycled Glycol Base Engine Coolant Concentrate for Automobile and Light-Duty Service
E1177 Specification for Engine Coolant Grade Glycol
3. Terminology
antifoam, n—a substance added to engine coolant concentrate, corrosion inhibitor packages, or supplemental coolant additives to
prevent or suppress foam.
DISCUSSION—Eliminating foam improves heat transfer.
antifreeze, n—a term frequently used in the marketplace for engine coolant concentrate. (See engine coolant concentrate.)
antirust, n—an inhibitor package, solid or liquid, intended to be diluted with water or glycol for use in an engine cooling system
to mitigate rust and corrosion.
ash content, n—the residue from an engine coolant concentrate, antirust, or engine coolant that remains after evaporation,
charring, and ignition at strong heat.
boiling point,n—thetemperatureatwhichthevaporpressureofanenginecoolantreachesatmosphericpressureunderequilibrium
boiling conditions.
cavitation corrosion, n—a form of localized, accelerated corrosion characterized by deep pitting and caused by high mechanical
forces resulting from coolant vapor bubble collapse at the surface of the metal.
cavitation erosion corrosion, n—the mechanical removal of protective films on metal by the formation and collapse of vapor
bubbles in a liquid,and the abrasive action of a liquid, which may contain suspended solids, moving at high velocity.
DISCUSSION—The mechanical removal of the protective films exposes fresh metal to corrosive attack.
coolant additive package, n—the combination of inhibitors added to an engine coolant to mitigate cooling system degradation,
corrosion, scaling, and foaming, or to provide other desirable properties.
1
This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D15 on Engine Coolants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D15.92 on Terminology.
Current edition approved June 1, 2008.2011. Published June 2008.August 2011. Originally approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 20062008 as
D4725 – 068a. DOI: 10.1520/D4725-08A.10.1520/D4725-11.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM 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.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4725 – 11
corrosion inhibitor package, n—the combination of inhibitors added to an engine coolant to mitigate cooling system corrosion.
corrosive water, n—a standard solution containing 100 ppm each of sulfate, chloride, and bicarbonate ions introduced as the
sodium salts to distilled water.
dye, n—a colorant added to an engine coolant to give it a distinctive color.
engine coolant, n—a fluid used to transfer hea
...