ASTM D4539-22

Standard Test Method for Filterability of Diesel Fuels by Low-Temperature Flow Test (LTFT)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The Low Temperature Flow Test results are indicative of the low temperature flow performance of the test fuel in some diesel vehicles (according to CRC Report No. 528). The test method is especially useful for the evaluation of fuels containing flow improver additives.  
5.2 The test method can be used to supplement other measurements of diesel fuel low temperature behavior (in accordance with Test Methods D97, D2500, and D3117).
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers estimating the filterability of diesel fuels in some automotive equipment at low temperatures.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.3 Warning—Mercury has been designated by many regulatory agencies as a hazardous substance that can cause serious medical issues. Mercury, or its vapor, has been demonstrated to be hazardous to health and corrosive to materials. Use caution when handling mercury and mercury-containing products. See the applicable product Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for additional information. The potential exists that selling mercury or mercury-containing products, or both, is prohibited by local or national law. Users must determine legality of sales in their location.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific warning statements, see 1.3, 9.1, 9.2.1, 9.3, 9.5, and Annex A1.  
1.5 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-Nov-2022
• ICS: 75.160.20 - Liquid fuels
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.07 - Flow Properties

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: D4539 − 22
Standard Test Method for
Filterability of Diesel Fuels by Low-Temperature Flow Test
1
(LTFT)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4539; 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.
1. Scope* 2. Referenced Documents
2
1.1 This test method covers estimating the filterability of 2.1 ASTM Standards:
diesel fuels in some automotive equipment at low tempera- D97Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products
tures. D975Specification for Diesel Fuel
D1655Specification for Aviation Turbine Fuels
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
D2500Test Method for Cloud Point of Petroleum Products
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
and Liquid Fuels
standard.
D3117Test Method for Wax Appearance Point of Distillate
1.3 Warning—Mercuryhasbeendesignatedbymanyregu- 3
Fuels (Withdrawn 2010)
latoryagenciesasahazardoussubstancethatcancauseserious
D3699Specification for Kerosine
medicalissues.Mercury,oritsvapor,hasbeendemonstratedto
D4057Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and
be hazardous to health and corrosive to materials. Use caution
Petroleum Products
when handling mercury and mercury-containing products. See
D4175Terminology Relating to Petroleum Products, Liquid
the applicable product Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for additional
Fuels, and Lubricants
information. The potential exists that selling mercury or
D4177Practice for Automatic Sampling of Petroleum and
mercury-containing products, or both, is prohibited by local or
Petroleum Products
national law. Users must determine legality of sales in their
D7962Practice for Determination of Minimum Immersion
location.
Depth and Assessment of Temperature Sensor Measure-
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
ment Drift
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
E1Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- E644Test Methods for Testing Industrial Resistance Ther-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mometers
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. E2251Specification for Liquid-in-Glass ASTM Thermom-
For specific warning statements, see 1.3, 9.1, 9.2.1, 9.3, 9.5,
eters with Low-Hazard Precision Liquids
and Annex A1. E2877Guide for Digital Contact Thermometers
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
2.2 Coordinating Research Council, Inc.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
CRC Report No. 528Diesel Fuel Low-Temperature Oper-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4
ability Field Test
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of Committee D02 on Petroleum Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcom- the ASTM website.
3
mittee D02.07 on Flow Properties. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2022. Published December 2022. Originally www.astm.org.
4
approved in 1985. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as D4539–17. DOI: Available from Coordinating Research Council, Inc., 219 Perimeter Center
10.1520/D4539-22. Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30346.
*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

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4539 − 22
FIG. 1 LTFT Sample Filtration Assembly
2.3 Canadian General Standards Board: until a minimum LTFT pass temperature is obtained. The
CAN/CGSB-3.0,No. 140.1-M86, Low Temperature Flow minimum LTFT pass temperature is the lowest temperature,
5
Test (LTFT) for Diesel Fuels expressed as a multiple of 1°C, at which a test specimen can
be filtered in 60 s or less.
NOTE 1—CAN/CGSB-3.0, No. 140.1-M86 is essentially equivalent to
Test Method D4539, but the differences in apparatus and procedures may
4.2 Alternatively, a single specimen may be cooled as
or may not yield different results.
...

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: D4539 − 17 D4539 − 22
Standard Test Method for
Filterability of Diesel Fuels by Low-Temperature Flow Test
1
(LTFT)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4539; 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 test method covers estimating the filterability of diesel fuels in some automotive equipment at low temperatures.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.3 Warning—Mercury has been designated by EPA and many stateregulatory agencies as a hazardous materialsubstance that can
cause central nervous system, kidney, and liver damage. serious medical issues. Mercury, or its vapor, may has been demonstrated
to be hazardous to health and corrosive to materials. Caution should be taken Use caution when handling mercury and
mercury-containing products. See the applicable product Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for details and EPA’s website
(http://www.epa.gov/mercury/faq.htm) for additional information. Users should be aware (SDS) for additional information. The
potential exists that selling mercury or mercury-containing products, or both, in your state may be prohibited by state law.is
prohibited by local or national law. Users must determine legality of sales in their location.
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific warning statements, see 1.3, 9.1, 9.2.1, 9.3, 9.5, and Annex A1.
1.5 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D97 Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products
D975 Specification for Diesel Fuel
D1655 Specification for Aviation Turbine Fuels
D2500 Test Method for Cloud Point of Petroleum Products and Liquid Fuels
3
D3117 Test Method for Wax Appearance Point of Distillate Fuels (Withdrawn 2010)
D3699 Specification for Kerosine
D4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of Committee D02 on Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D02.07
on Flow Properties.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2017Dec. 1, 2022. Published January 2018December 2022. Originally approved in 1985. Last previous edition approved in 20162017
as D4539 – 16.D4539 – 17. DOI: 10.1520/D4539-17.10.1520/D4539-22.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM 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.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
*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

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4539 − 22
D4175 Terminology Relating to Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
D4177 Practice for Automatic Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products
D7962 Practice for Determination of Minimum Immersion Depth and Assessment of Temperature Sensor Measurement Drift
E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
E644 Test Methods for Testing Industrial Resistance Thermometers
E2251 Specification for Liquid-in-Glass ASTM Thermometers with Low-Hazard Precision Liquids
E2877 Guide for Digital Contact Thermometers
2.2 Coordinating Research Council, Inc.
4
CRC Report No. 528 Diesel Fuel Low-Temperature Operability Field Test
2.3 Canadian General Standards Board:
5
CAN/CGSB-3.0, No. 14.01-M86,140.1-M86, Low Temperature Flow Test (LTFT) for Diesel Fuels
NOTE 1—CAN/CGSB-3.0, No. 140.1-M86 is essentially equivalent to Test M
...