ASTM F3633-23

Standard Guide for Measuring the Adhesion of Crude Oils and Fuel Oils

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 A standard procedure is necessary to measure the adhesive properties of oil to enable comparison between oils.  
3.2 This procedure uses standardized equipment and test procedures.  
3.3 This procedure should be performed at the stages of weathering corresponding to the spill conditions of interest.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide summarizes a method to measure the adhesion to a stainless-steel needle as means to compare the relative adhesion of the target oil.  
1.2 This guide covers general procedures for measuring the adhesion of oils to stainless steel and does not cover all possible procedures that may be applicable to this topic.  
1.3 The accuracy of this guide depends very much on the representative nature of the oil sample used. Certain oils can have different properties depending on their chemical contents at the time a sample is taken.  
1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
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.  
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: 28-Feb-2023
• ICS: 75.040 - Crude petroleum
• ICS: 75.160.20 - Liquid fuels
• Technical Committee: F20 - Hazardous Substances and Oil Spill Response
• Drafting Committee: F20.16 - Surveillance and Tracking

Overview

ASTM F3633-23: Standard Guide for Measuring the Adhesion of Crude Oils and Fuel Oils provides a consistent method for assessing and comparing the adhesive properties of crude oils and fuel oils. Developed by ASTM International, this guide ensures the use of standardized equipment and procedures when measuring oil adhesion to stainless steel surfaces, which is critical for applications related to oil spill response, environmental monitoring, and petroleum quality assurance.

The methodology focuses on measuring how much oil adheres to a stainless-steel needle under controlled conditions, allowing stakeholders to evaluate the behavior of different oils and support decision-making related to spill containment and clean-up.

Key Topics

• Standardized Measurement Procedure: The guide establishes a reproducible approach to measure oil adhesion using a stainless-steel penetrometer needle and precise laboratory equipment.
• Sample Preparation: Proper homogenization and temperature control of oil samples are emphasized to ensure representative and accurate results.
• Precision and Repeatability: Adhesion measurements are repeated to calculate the mean value, and the use of reference oils is recommended for quality control.
• Interferences and Error Management: The guide addresses potential sources of error, such as water or sediment contamination, cleanliness of equipment, and temperature consistency.
• Applicability: The method is not designed for light oils and fuels with negligible adhesion.
• Safety and Compliance: Users are advised to implement appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices in line with international standards and regulatory requirements.

Applications

Measuring the adhesion of crude oils and fuel oils is valuable across multiple domains:

• Oil Spill Response: Understanding oil adhesion helps predict how different oils will behave on surfaces during spill incidents, guiding the selection of appropriate containment and recovery techniques.
• Petroleum Industry Quality Assurance: Adhesion data assists in characterizing the handling and transport properties of various crude and fuel oils, supporting product evaluation.
• Environmental Impact Assessment: Adhesion properties influence the environmental persistence and cleanup difficulty of spilled oils, which is vital for risk assessments.
• Research and Development: Standardized adhesion measurements support the development of new spill remediation materials and technologies.

By enabling comparison of oil samples under standardized conditions, this guide supports consistency in laboratory results essential for regulatory compliance and environmental monitoring.

Related Standards

Those utilizing ASTM F3633-23 may find the following related standards and resources beneficial for comprehensive oil analysis and response planning:

• ASTM Standards on Petroleum Products: For additional methods related to analysis of oil physical and chemical properties.
• Reference Publications by Environment and Climate Change Canada: Covering summary methods for petroleum product behavior and adhesion testing outcomes.
• International Standards for Spill Response: Such as ISO and other ASTM standards focused on oil spill remediation, hazardous substance management, and laboratory procedures.

Employing ASTM F3633-23 alongside these related standards ensures a robust approach to oil adhesion measurement, supporting safe handling, environmental stewardship, and international compliance in the oil and gas sector.

Keywords: oil adhesion, crude oil adhesion, fuel oil adhesion, oil spill response, ASTM F3633-23, oil testing standard, petroleum quality, stainless steel adhesion, laboratory oil analysis, oil sample preparation

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: F3633 − 23
Standard Guide for
Measuring the Adhesion of Crude Oils and Fuel Oils
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3633; 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 2.1.1 An exception is for light oils and fuels that do not have
enough adhesion to yield a significant result.
1.1 This guide summarizes a method to measure the adhe-
sion to a stainless-steel needle as means to compare the relative
3. Significance and Use
adhesion of the target oil.
3.1 A standard procedure is necessary to measure the
1.2 This guide covers general procedures for measuring the
adhesive properties of oil to enable comparison between oils.
adhesion of oils to stainless steel and does not cover all
3.2 This procedure uses standardized equipment and test
possible procedures that may be applicable to this topic.
procedures.
1.3 The accuracy of this guide depends very much on the
3.3 This procedure should be performed at the stages of
representative nature of the oil sample used. Certain oils can
weathering corresponding to the spill conditions of interest.
have different properties depending on their chemical contents
at the time a sample is taken.
4. Interferences and Sources of Error
1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
4.1 Large proportions of inorganic substances in the oil
as the standard. No other units of measurement are included in
sample, such as water and sediment that are produced with the
this standard.
oil at source, can change the adhesion values. Water and
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
sediment are typically removed during crude petroleum pro-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
cessing; however, if the oil sample is sourced upstream of this
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
step, then it is necessary to decant the water before adhesion
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
measurement to obtain an accurate value.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.2 Interferences can be caused by contaminants, particu-
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
larly residual oil or surfactants on labware, and other sample-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
handling supplies and apparatus that lead to nonrepresentative
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
oil samples. All glassware and the measurement needle shall be
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
thoroughly cleaned. The cleaning process includes thorough
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
rinsing with dichloromethane to remove all traces of oil,
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
wiping with a soft, non-linting cloth, followed by a final rinse
with acetone. Once cleaned, precautions shall be taken to
2. Summary of Guide
minimize contact of the labware and measurement needle with
2.1 A standard stainless-steel needle is dipped into oil for
contaminants to prevent interferences.
30 s then raised and allowed to drain for 30 min. The weight of
4.3 Temperature is a factor in the adhesion value, so it is
oil adhered to the needle over the area of the needle immersed
important that the oil and the equipment are at 20 °C or the
2-4
is taken as the adhesion per unit/area.
selected test temperature before starting the adhesion measure-
ment.
4.4 The handling of the samples is important. Contaminants
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F20 on Hazardous
that are introduced onto the vessel or handling equipment will
Substances and Oil Spill Response and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
affect the adhesion determination.
F20.16 on Surveillance and Tracking.
Current edition approved March 1, 2023. Published March 2023. DOI: 10.1520/
4.5 Oil sources, especially crude oil sources, vary much
F3633-23.
with production time and conditions. Oil samples shall be
“Summary methods for the analysis of physical properties, chemical
composition, and behavior of petroleum products,” Emergencies Science and
Technology Section (ESTS) Environment and Climate Change Canada, 2019.
3 4
Jokuty, P., Whiticar, S., McRoberts, K., and Mullin, J., “Oil Adhesion Jokuty, P., Fieldhouse, B. G., Fingas, M. F., Whiticar, S. J., and Latour, J.,
Testing—Recent Results,” in Proceedings of the Nineteenth AMOP Technical “Bitumen Adhesion as a Function of Time,” Proceedings of the Twenty-first AMOP
Seminar, Environment Canada, Ottawa, ON, 1996, pp. 9-27. Technical Seminar, Environment Canada, Ottawa, ON, 1998, pp. 27-32.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F3633 − 23
treated as unique and are not necessarily representative of the operation. A door on the front is necessary to manipulate the
source. Depending on the actual conditions under which this sample. In Fig. 2, the front of this windshield and stand is
oil was sampled, different values for properties are measured. shown.
6.2.5 Laboratory Jack—A 15 cm laboratory jack is used to
5. Handling and Storing Oil
raise and lower the oil test beaker.
5.1 Crude or Raw Oil Sample Storage and Preparation— 6.2.6 Beaker—A 100 mL beaker or another stable, transpar-
ent container of sufficient depth is used to contain the oil for the
The bulk oil as received is mechanically mixed until fully
homogenized before obtaining a working sample. Working measurement.
samples are transferred to high-density polyethylene or glass
7. Measuring with the Apparatus
bottles with leak-resis
...