ASTM D6046-24
(Classification)Standard Classification of Hydraulic Fluids for Environmental Impact
Standard Classification of Hydraulic Fluids for Environmental Impact
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This classification establishes categories of hydraulic fluids which are distinguished by their response to certain standardized laboratory procedures. These procedures indicate the possible response of some environmental compartments to the introduction of the hydraulic fluid. One set of procedures measures the aerobic aquatic biodegradability (environmental persistence) of the fluids and another set of procedures estimates the acute ecotoxicity effects of the fluids.
4.1.1 Although this classification includes categories for both persistence and ecotoxicity, there is no relationship between the two categories. They may be used independently of each other, that is, a hydraulic fluid can be categorized with respect to both sets of laboratory procedures, or to persistence but not ecotoxicity, or to ecotoxicity but not persistence.
4.1.2 There is no relationship between the categories achieved by a hydraulic fluid for persistence and for ecotoxicity. The placing of a hydraulic fluid with regard to one set of categories has no predictive value as to its placement with regard to the other set of categories.
4.2 The test procedures used to establish the categories of hydraulic fluids are laboratory standard tests and are not intended to simulate the natural environment. Definitive field studies capable of correlating test results with the actual environmental impact of hydraulic fluids are usually site specific and so are not directly applicable to this classification. Therefore, the categories established by this classification can serve only as guidance to estimate the actual impact that the hydraulic fluids might have on any particular environment.
4.3 This classification can be used by producers and users of hydraulic fluids to establish a common set of references that describe some aspects of the anticipated environmental impact of hydraulic fluids which are incidental to their use.
4.4 Inclusion of a hydraulic fluid in any category of this classi...
SCOPE
1.1 This classification covers all unused fully formulated hydraulic fluids in their original form.
1.2 This classification establishes categories for the impact of hydraulic fluids on different environmental compartments as shown in Table 1. Fluids are assigned designations within these categories; for example PwL, Pwe, and so forth, based on performance in specified tests.
1.3 This classification includes environmental persistence and acute ecotoxicity as aspects of environmental impact. Although environmental persistence is discussed first, this classification does not imply that considerations of environmental persistence should take precedence over concerns for ecotoxicity.
1.3.1 Environmental persistence describes long term impact of hydraulic fluids to the environment. Environmental persistence is preferably measured by ultimate biodegradation but can also be measured by other means.
1.3.2 Acute toxicity describes the immediate toxic impact of hydraulic fluids to the environment. Acute toxicity is preferably measured by the three trophic levels of aquatic organisms (Algae, Crustacea, and Fish).
1.4 Another important aspect of environmental impact is bioaccumulation. This aspect is not addressed in the present classification because adequate test methods do not yet exist to measure bioaccumulation of hydraulic fluids.
1.5 The present classification addresses the fresh water and soil environmental compartments. At this time marine and anaerobic environmental compartments are not included, although they are pertinent for many uses of hydraulic fluids. Hydraulic fluids are expected to have no significant impact on the atmosphere; therefore that compartment is not addressed.
1.6 This classification addresses releases to the environment which are incidental to the use of a hydraulic fluid. The classification is not intended to address environmental impact in situations of major, accidental release...
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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: D6046 − 24
Standard Classification of
1
Hydraulic Fluids for Environmental Impact
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6046; 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* classification is not intended to address environmental impact
in situations of major, accidental release. Nothing in this
1.1 This classification covers all unused fully formulated
classification should be taken to relieve the user of the
hydraulic fluids in their original form.
responsibility to properly use and dispose of hydraulic fluids.
1.2 This classification establishes categories for the impact
1.7 This classification does not cover any performance
of hydraulic fluids on different environmental compartments as
properties of a hydraulic fluid which relate to its performance
shown in Table 1. Fluids are assigned designations within these
in a hydraulic system.
categories; for example PwL, Pwe, and so forth, based on
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
performance in specified tests.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.3 This classification includes environmental persistence
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
and acute ecotoxicity as aspects of environmental impact.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
Although environmental persistence is discussed first, this
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
classification does not imply that considerations of environ-
1.9 This international standard was developed in accor-
mental persistence should take precedence over concerns for
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ecotoxicity.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
1.3.1 Environmental persistence describes long term impact
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
of hydraulic fluids to the environment. Environmental persis-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
tence is preferably measured by ultimate biodegradation but
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
can also be measured by other means.
1.3.2 Acute toxicity describes the immediate toxic impact of
2. Referenced Documents
hydraulic fluids to the environment. Acute toxicity is prefer-
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
ably measured by the three trophic levels of aquatic organisms
D4175 Terminology Relating to Petroleum Products, Liquid
(Algae, Crustacea, and Fish).
Fuels, and Lubricants
1.4 Another important aspect of environmental impact is
D5291 Test Methods for Instrumental Determination of
bioaccumulation. This aspect is not addressed in the present
Carbon, Hydrogen, and Nitrogen in Petroleum Products
classification because adequate test methods do not yet exist to
and Lubricants
measure bioaccumulation of hydraulic fluids.
D5864 Test Method for Determining Aerobic Aquatic Bio-
1.5 The present classification addresses the fresh water and
degradation of Lubricants or Their Components
soil environmental compartments. At this time marine and
D6006 Guide for Assessing Biodegradability of Hydraulic
anaerobic environmental compartments are not included, al-
Fluids
though they are pertinent for many uses of hydraulic fluids.
D6081 Practice for Aquatic Toxicity Testing of Lubricants:
Hydraulic fluids are expected to have no significant impact on
Sample Preparation and Results Interpretation
the atmosphere; therefore that compartment is not addressed.
E943 Terminology Relating to Biological Effects and Envi-
ronmental Fate
1.6 This classification addresses releases to the environment
E1440 Guide for Acute Toxicity Test with the Rotifer Bra-
which are incidental to the use of a hydraulic fluid. The
chionus
1
This classification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of
2
Subcommittee D02.N0 on Hydraulic Fluids. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved March 1, 2024. Published April 2024. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as D6046 – 18. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D6046-24. the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Dr
...
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: D6046 − 18 D6046 − 24
Standard Classification of
1
Hydraulic Fluids for Environmental Impact
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6046; 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 classification covers all unused fully formulated hydraulic fluids in their original form.
1.2 This classification establishes categories for the impact of hydraulic fluids on different environmental compartments as shown
in Table 1. Fluids are assigned designations within these categories; for example PwL, Pwe, and so forth, based on performance
in specified tests.
1.3 This classification includes environmental persistence and acute ecotoxicity as aspects of environmental impact. Although
environmental persistence is discussed first, this classification does not imply that considerations of environmental persistence
should take precedence over concerns for ecotoxicity.
1.3.1 Environmental persistence describes long term impact of hydraulic fluids to the environment. Environmental persistence is
preferably measured by ultimate biodegradation but can also be measured by other means.
1.3.2 Acute toxicity describes the immediate toxic impact of hydraulic fluids to the environment. Acute toxicity is preferably
measured by the three trophic levels of aquatic organisms (Algae, Crustacea, and Fish).
1.4 Another important aspect of environmental impact is bioaccumulation. This aspect is not addressed in the present classification
because adequate test methods do not yet exist to measure bioaccumulation of hydraulic fluids.
1.5 The present classification addresses the fresh water and soil environmental compartments. At this time marine and anaerobic
environmental compartments are not included, although they are pertinent for many uses of hydraulic fluids. Hydraulic fluids are
expected to have no significant impact on the atmosphere; therefore that compartment is not addressed.
1.6 This classification addresses releases to the environment which are incidental to the use of a hydraulic fluid. The classification
is not intended to address environmental impact in situations of major, accidental release. Nothing in this classification should be
taken to relieve the user of the responsibility to properly use and dispose of hydraulic fluids.
1.7 This classification does not cover any performance properties of a hydraulic fluid which relate to its performance in a hydraulic
system.
1.8 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
This classification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D02.N0 on Hydraulic Fluids.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2018March 1, 2024. Published October 2018April 2024. Originally approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 20172018 as
D6046 – 17.D6046 – 18. DOI: 10.1520/D6046-18.10.1520/D6046-24.
*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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D6046 − 24
TABLE 1 Overview of Extended Classification
Categories of Environmental Impact
Environmental
Environmental
Compartment
Ecotoxicity Bioaccumulation
Persistence
Fresh Water Pw Tw Bw
Marine Pm Tm Bm
Soil Ps Ts Bs
Anaerobic Pa Ta Ba
1.9 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:
D4175 Terminology Relating to Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
D5291 Test Methods for Instrumental Determination of Carbon, Hydrogen, and Nitrogen in Petroleum Products and Lubricants
D5864 Test Method for Determining Aerobic Aquatic Biodegradation of Lubricants or Their Components
D6006 Guide for Ass
...
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