ASTM D2111-10(2020)

Standard Test Methods for Specific Gravity and Density of Halogenated Organic Solvents and Their Admixtures

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The density or specific gravity of a pure chlorinated solvent at a given temperature is constant. Density or specific gravity can be used in identification of materials, the assay of binary mixtures, and as an indication of purity of a given solvent.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the specific gravity of halogenated organic solvents and solvent admixtures. They define suitable apparatus and procedures and furnish details underlying the interpretation of test data and the selection of numerical limits for agreement among interested persons and agencies.  
1.2 Three methods are covered as follows:  
1.2.1 Method A,  specific gravity by means of a hydrometer.  
1.2.2 Method B,  specific gravity and density by means of a pycnometer.  
Note 1: In referee problems, Method B may be used.  
1.2.3 Method C,  specific gravity and density by means of an electronic densitometer.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
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.  
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: 31-Mar-2020
• ICS: 71.080.20 - Halogenated hydrocarbons
• Technical Committee: D26 - Halogenated Organic Solvents and Fire Extinguishing Agents
• Drafting Committee: D26.04 - Test Methods

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D2111-10(2015) - Standard Test Methods for Specific Gravity and Density of Halogenated Organic Solvents and Their Admixtures
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2020
• Refers: ASTM E100-19 - Standard Specification for ASTM Hydrometers
• Effective Date: 01-May-2019
• Refers: ASTM E100-15a - Standard Specification for ASTM Hydrometers
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2015
• Refers: ASTM E100-15 - Standard Specification for ASTM Hydrometers
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2015
• Refers: ASTM E100-14 - Standard Specification for ASTM Hydrometers
• Effective Date: 01-May-2014
• Refers: ASTM E2251-11 - Standard Specification for Liquid-in-Glass ASTM Thermometers with Low-Hazard Precision Liquids
• Effective Date: 01-May-2011
• Refers: ASTM E2251-10 - Standard Specification for Liquid-in-Glass ASTM Thermometers with Low-Hazard Precision Liquids
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2010
• Refers: ASTM E100-10 - Standard Specification for ASTM Hydrometers
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2010
• Refers: ASTM E2251-07 - Standard Specification for Liquid-in-Glass ASTM Thermometers with Low-Hazard Precision Liquids
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2007
• Refers: ASTM E100-05 - Standard Specification for ASTM Hydrometers
• Effective Date: 01-May-2005
• Refers: ASTM E100-03 - Standard Specification for ASTM Hydrometers
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2003
• Refers: ASTM E2251-03a - Standard Specification for Liquid-in-Glass ASTM Thermometers with Low-Hazard Precision Liquids
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2003
• Refers: ASTM E2251-03 - Standard Specification for Liquid-in-Glass ASTM Thermometers with Low-Hazard Precision Liquids
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2003
• Refers: ASTM E100-95 - Standard Specification for ASTM Hydrometers
• Effective Date: 15-Feb-1995
• Referred By: ASTM D5396-04(2020) - Standard Specification for Reclaimed Perchloroethylene
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2020

Overview

ASTM D2111-10(2020): Standard Test Methods for Specific Gravity and Density of Halogenated Organic Solvents and Their Admixtures provides reliable procedures for determining the specific gravity and density of halogenated organic solvents and their mixtures. Developed and maintained by ASTM International, this standard is widely referenced in quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and research related to chlorinated and other halogenated organic solvents.

The standard specifies three accepted laboratory methods-hydrometer, pycnometer, and electronic densitometer-to measure solvent density with precision and repeatability. These measurements are essential for identification, purity assessment, and mixture analysis, supporting industries such as chemical manufacturing, laboratory analysis, and regulatory bodies.

Key Topics

• Definition and Significance: The standard defines key terms such as density (mass per unit volume) and specific gravity (the ratio of mass of a material to that of water at stated temperatures). The consistency of density at a specific temperature makes it a valuable parameter for both quality and identification of halogenated organic solvents.
• Applicability: Methods cover both pure solvents and admixtures, ensuring relevance across a variety of chemical formulations.
• Three Test Methods:
  • Method A: Hydrometer – Measures specific gravity by floating a calibrated glass hydrometer in the sample.
  • Method B: Pycnometer – Determines specific gravity and density by weighing a calibrated glass vessel filled with solvent and distilled water.
  • Method C: Electronic Densitometer – Uses an oscillating U-tube device to swiftly and precisely measure both specific gravity and density.
• Temperature Standardization: All results are reported using SI units at specific controlled temperatures, most commonly at 25°C, but methods also accommodate 20°C and 15.56°C.
• Precision and Calibration: The methods include detailed instructions for calibration and validation, promoting reliable and consistent data across laboratories.
• Interpretation and Safety: The standard provides guidance on data interpretation and stresses the responsibility of users to address safety, health, and environmental considerations.

Applications

The test methods outlined in ASTM D2111-10(2020) are widely used in:

• Quality Control: Ensuring purity and proper formulation of halogenated organic solvents by monitoring batch-to-batch consistency.
• Material Identification: Confirming solvent identity based on characteristic density or specific gravity.
• Mixture Analysis: Assessing the composition of binary mixtures or detecting impurities through deviations in expected density.
• Regulatory Compliance: Documenting conformance with national and international standards for chemical products.
• Research and Development: Providing consistent measurement techniques for experimental and validation studies in academic and industrial settings.

Related Standards

• ASTM E100: Specification for ASTM Hydrometers, referenced for selecting appropriate hydrometers in Method A.
• ASTM E2251: Specification for Liquid-in-Glass ASTM Thermometers, required for accurate temperature measurement during tests.
• Other Related Methods: Standards that address the measurement of viscosity, refractive index, or purity of chemical liquids often complement ASTM D2111 in analytical workflows.

Keywords: halogenated organic solvents, specific gravity, density determination, hydrometer method, pycnometer method, electronic densitometer, ASTM D2111, chlorinated solvent analysis, solvent purity testing, laboratory quality control.

For organizations seeking consistent and internationally recognized procedures for the measurement of solvent density, ASTM D2111-10(2020) is the authoritative resource, supporting quality assurance and regulatory needs across the chemical industry.

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:D2111 −10 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Test Methods for
Specific Gravity and Density of Halogenated Organic
Solvents and Their Admixtures
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2111; 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 2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the
E100Specification for ASTM Hydrometers
specific gravity of halogenated organic solvents and solvent
E2251Specification for Liquid-in-Glass ASTM Thermom-
admixtures.They define suitable apparatus and procedures and
eters with Low-Hazard Precision Liquids
furnishdetailsunderlyingtheinterpretationoftestdataandthe
selection of numerical limits for agreement among interested
3. Terminology
persons and agencies.
3.1 Definitions:
1.2 Three methods are covered as follows:
3.1.1 density—themassofagivenmaterialperunitvolume.
1.2.1 Method A, specific gravity by means of a hydrometer.
3.1.1.1 Discussion—Density for chlorinated solvents is nor-
1.2.2 Method B, specific gravity and density by means of a
mally stated in grams per cubic centimetre. Pounds per gallon
pycnometer.
is also commonly used.
NOTE 1—In referee problems, Method B may be used.
3.1.2 specific gravity—the ratio of the mass in air of a given
volumeofthematerialatastatedtemperaturetothemassinair
1.2.3 MethodC,specificgravityanddensitybymeansofan
of an equal volume of distilled water at a stated temperature.
electronic densitometer.
3.1.2.1 Discussion—When the temperature of the material
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
and of the water are the same, the specific gravity of the
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
material is expressed as follows:
standard.
Specificgravity x/x °C, example25/25 °C (1)
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
When the temperature of the material and of the water
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
are not the same, the specific gravity of the material is
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
expressed as follows:
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Specificgravity x/y °C, example20/4 °C (2)
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
Note that when the density of water is expressed as
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
4°C, the specific gravity at the stated temperature is the
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
same as density at the stated temperature. For example,
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
SG 20/4°C = density at 20°C.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
When using an electronic densitometer to determine
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
specific gravity, the temperature of the material to be
tested and the water reference will be the same. Examples
25/25°C, 20⁄20°C.
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D26 on
Halogenated Organic Solvents and Fire Extinguishing Agents and are the direct
responsibility of Subcommittee D26.04 on Test Methods. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved April 1, 2020. Published April 2020. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1962. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D2111–10 (2015). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/D2111–10R20. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D2111−10 (2020)
4. Significance and Use sample reach the test temperature as follows: Stir the contents
ofthecylinder,beingcarefultoavoidformationofairbubbles.
4.1 The density or specific gravity of a pure chlorinated
When the temperature of the sample is 0.5°C below the test
solvent at a given temperature is constant. Density or specific
temperature, slowly and carefully lower the hydrometer into
gravity can be used in identification of materials, the assay of
the sample to a level two smallest scale divisions below that at
binary mixtures, and as an indication of purity of a given
whichitwillfloat,andthenreleasethehydrometer.Afterithas
solvent.
come to rest and floats freely away from the walls of the
cylinder, read the gravity as the point at which the surface of
5. Test Temperatures
the sample apparently cuts the hydrometer scale.
5.1 ASTM specifications normally state the temperatures
7.2 When the sample is at the test temperature, make this
for specific gravity of halogenated organic solvents at 25/
observation by placing the eye slightly below the level of the
25°C. 20/20°C and 15.56/15.56°C are other commonly used
liquid and slowly raise the eye until the surface of the sample
temperatures.
first seen as a distorted ellipse seems to become a straight line
METHOD A—SPECIFIC GRAVITY BY MEANS
cutting the hydrometer scale. Determine the temperature of the
OF A HYDROMETER
sample just before and also, for referee tests, just after reading
the hydrometer.
6. Apparatus
METHOD B—SPECIFIC GRAVITY OR DENSITY BY
6.1 Hydrometer—Thehydrometerstobeusedshallbethose
MEANS OF A PYCNOMETER
specified in Specification E100, as follows:
Nominal Specific Gravity Range ASTM Hydrometer No.
8. Apparatus
0.900 to 0.950 107H
0.950 to 1.000 108H
8.1 Pycnometer, 25 mL capacity with a ground-glass stop-
1.000 to 1.050 125H
per having a capillary opening, a chamber to provide for
1.050 to 1.100 126H
1.100 to 1.150 127H
expansion up to room temperature, and a cap to prevent
1.150 to 1.200 128H
evaporation.
1.200 to 1.250 129H
1.250 to 1.300 130H
8.2 Water Bath, capable of maintaining the temperature
1.300 to 1.350 131H
60.5°C during the test.
1.350 to 1.400 132H
1.400 to 1.450 133H
8.3 Thermometer—An ASTM Low Softening Point Ther-
1.450 to 1.500 134H
mometerhavingarangefrom−2°Cto+80°Candconforming
1.500 to 1.550 135H
1.550 to 1.600 136H
to the requirements for Thermometer 15C as prescribed in
1.600 to 1.650 137H
Specification E2251.
6.2 Hydrometer Cylinder—The vessel in which the sample
8.4 Analytical Balance, having a sensitivity of 60.1 mg.
for the gravity test is confined shall be made of clear glass and
shall be cylindrical in shape. For convenience in pouring, it
9. Procedure—Specific Gravity
may have a lip on the rim.The inside diameter shall be at least
9.1 Clean the pycnometer by filling it with a saturated
25.0 mm greater than the outside diameter of the hydrometer
solution of chromic acid in concentrated sulfuric acid allowing
used in it. The height of the cylinder shall be such that the
it to stand for a few hours, emptying, and rinsing well with
length of the column of sample it contains is greater by at least
distilled or deionized water.
25.0 mm than the portion of the hydrometer that is immersed
beneath the surface of the sample after a state of equilibrium
9.2 Fill the pycnometer with freshly boiled distilled or
has been reached.
deionizedwaterthathasbeencooledto2°Cor3°Cbelowthe
test temperature. Place it in the water bath maintained at the
6.3 Thermometer—AnASTM GravityThermometer having
test temperature until the pycnometer and its contents are at a
a range from −20°C to+102°C and conforming to the
constant volume.
requirements for Thermometer 12C as prescribed in Specifi-
cation E2251.
9.3 After immersion in the bath for at least 30 min, adjust
the level of liquid to the proper point on the pycnometer, put
6.4 Water Bath, capable of maintaining the test temperature
the stopper in place, remove from the bath, wipe dry, and
60.5°C during the test.
weigh. Care should be taken to avoid touching the pycnometer
7. Procedure with bare hands due to weight changes that will occur from
picking up moisture and oils. Record the weight as W .
7.1 Cool the sample in the original container to about 1°C
belowthetesttemperature.Rinseeachpieceofequipmentwith 9.4 Empty the pycnometer, rinse successively with alcohol
a portion of the sample. Pour the sample into the clean or acetone, remove the vapor of the solvent by purging with
hydrometer cylinder without splashing, so as to avoid forma- clean,dryairornitrogen,immerseinthebath,andbringtothe
tion of air bubbles. Remove any air bubbles adhering to the testtemperatureaswasdonebefore.Afterimmersionatthetest
surface by touching them with a piece of clean filter paper. temperature for at least 30 min, put the stopper in place,
Select a location that is free of air currents. Place the cylinder remove from the bath, wipe dry, and weigh. Record the weight
vertically in the water bath and let the temperature of the as W .
D2111−10 (2020)
9.5 Subtract the weight of the empty pychometer from the where 0.998203/0.997044=ratio of the absolute density of
weight when filled with water in order to get the weight of the water at 20°C compared to the absolute density of water at
contained water at the test temperature in air. The difference
25°C.
W=W −W .
1 2
NOTE 2—Figures for absolute density of water are taken from the
9.6 Cool the sample to 2°C or 3°C below the test
Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, Forty-ninth edition (1968–1969),
temperature, fill the pycnometer with it, immerse in the bath,
published by The Chemical Rubber Co.
and bring to the test temperature as was done before. After
immersionatthetesttemperatureforatleast30min,adjus
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