ASTM D7715-12(2021)

Standard Specification for Fully-Formulated Glycerin Base Engine Coolant for Heavy-Duty Engines

ABSTRACT
This specification covers the requirements for fully-formulated glycerin base coolants for cooling systems of heavy-duty engines. It also notes that the requirements of the coolant concentrate or prediluted coolant include protection in operating engines against cavitation corrosion and scaling of internal engine hot surfaces.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers the requirements for fully-formulated glycerin base coolants for cooling systems of heavy-duty engines. When concentrates are used at 40 % to 60 % glycerin concentration by volume in water of suitable quality (see Appendix X1), or when prediluted glycerin base engine coolants (50 volume % min) are used without further dilution, they will function effectively during both winter and summer to provide protection against corrosion, cavitation, freezing, and boiling.  
1.2 This specification is intended to cover the requirements for engine coolants prepared from virgin glycerin.
Note 1: This specification is based on the knowledge of the performance of engine coolants prepared from new or virgin ingredients that comply with Specification D7714.  
1.3 The coolants governed by this specification are categorized as follows:    
Coolant Type  
Description    
V-FF  
Glycerin base concentrate    
VI-FF  
Glycerin predilute (50 vol %)  
1.4 Coolant concentrates meeting this specification do not require addition of supplemental coolant additive (SCA) until the first maintenance interval when a maintenance dose of SCA is required to continue protection in certain heavy duty engine cooling systems, particularly those of the wet cylinder liner-in-block design. The SCA additions are defined by and are the primary responsibility of the engine manufacturer or vehicle manufacturer. If they provide no instructions, follow the SCA supplier's instructions.  
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.6 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.  
1.7 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-Aug-2021
• ICS: 71.100.45 - Refrigerants and antifreezes
• Technical Committee: D15 - Engine Coolants and Related Fluids
• Drafting Committee: D15.07 - Specifications

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D3306-19 - Standard Specification for Glycol Base Engine Coolant for Automobile and Light-Duty Service
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2019
• Refers: ASTM D6130-11(2018) - Standard Test Method for Determination of Silicon and Other Elements in Engine Coolant by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2018
• Refers: ASTM D4725-13 - Standard Terminology for Engine Coolants and Related Fluids
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2013
• Refers: ASTM D3321-13 - Standard Test Method for Use of the Refractometer for Field Test Determination of the Freezing Point of Aqueous Engine Coolants
• Effective Date: 01-May-2013
• Refers: ASTM D3321-12 - Standard Test Method for Use of the Refractometer for Field Test Determination of the Freezing Point of Aqueous Engine Coolants
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2012
• Refers: ASTM D1126-12 - Standard Test Method for Hardness in Water
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2012
• Refers: ASTM D1293-12 - Standard Test Methods for pH of Water
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2012
• Refers: ASTM D6130-11 - Standard Test Method for Determination of Silicon and Other Elements in Engine Coolant by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2011
• Refers: ASTM D4725-11 - Standard Terminology for Engine Coolants
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Refers: ASTM D4327-11 - Standard Test Method for Anions in Water by Suppressed Ion Chromatography
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2011
• Refers: ASTM D5828-97(2011)e1 - Standard Test Method for Compatibility of Supplemental Coolant Additives (SCAs) and Engine Coolant Concentrates
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2011
• Refers: ASTM D3306-10 - Standard Specification for Glycol Base Engine Coolant for Automobile and Light-Duty Service
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2010
• Refers: ASTM D6130-97a(2009) - Standard Test Method for Determination of Silicon and Other Elements in Engine Coolant by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2009
• Refers: ASTM D7583-09 - Standard Test Method for John Deere Coolant Cavitation Test
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2009
• Refers: ASTM D3306-09 - Standard Specification for Glycol Base Engine Coolant for Automobile and Light-Duty Service
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2009

Overview

ASTM D7715-12(2021) is an international standard specification developed by ASTM for fully-formulated glycerin base engine coolants specifically designed for heavy-duty engines. This standard outlines the minimum requirements and guidelines for both glycerin-based coolant concentrates and prediluted coolants, ensuring their effectiveness in protecting engine cooling systems against hazards such as corrosion, cavitation, scaling, freezing, and boiling. It provides a framework for engine and vehicle manufacturers, coolant suppliers, and maintenance professionals to ensure optimal engine protection and operational reliability in a variety of environments.

Key Topics

• Product Scope: Defines the chemical and performance requirements for both coolant concentrates (used at 40-60% glycerin concentration in suitable water) and prediluted coolants (minimum 50% glycerin by volume) using virgin glycerin.

• Types of Coolants:

  • V-FF: Glycerin base concentrate
  • VI-FF: Glycerin predilute (50 vol %)

• Protection Requirements: Coolants must protect internal engine components from:

  • Cavitation corrosion, particularly in wet cylinder liner-in-block designs
  • Scaling on hot engine surfaces
  • General corrosion and pitting
  • Freezing in winter and boiling in summer conditions

• Supplemental Coolant Additive (SCA) Maintenance:

  • Initial use of fully-formulated coolant does not require SCA until the first scheduled maintenance
  • SCA additions are governed by engine or vehicle manufacturer guidance

• Testing and Compatibility:

  • Physical, chemical, and performance requirements must align with ASTM D7714
  • Compatibility with SCA must be verified using ASTM D5828
  • Coolant should contain less than 50 µg/g sulfate ion

• Water Quality: Water used for dilution should meet specific limits for total solids, hardness, chlorides, sulfates, and pH, ensuring proper coolant function and longevity.

• Freeze Point Determination: Refractometers calibrated for glycerin should be used for accurate measurement; hydrometers designed for glycol-based coolants are not suitable.

Applications

The guidelines in ASTM D7715-12(2021) are highly relevant for:

• Engine Manufacturers: Enables selection and validation of engine coolants that enhance performance and durability for heavy-duty and commercial applications, including trucks, buses, industrial equipment, generators, marine engines, and stationary power sources.
• Vehicle Manufacturers and Maintenance Professionals: Offers clear maintenance and handling recommendations for refill, SCA usage, and system flushing, minimizing risks of engine damage due to corrosion or scaling.
• Coolant Producers and Suppliers: Provides a common reference point for product development, labeling, and quality assurance of glycerin-based heavy-duty engine coolants.
• Fleet and Equipment Operators: Ensures compliance with best practices in coolant storage, handling, mixing, and system monitoring to support extended service intervals and operational uptime.

Related Standards

ASTM D7715-12(2021) references and aligns with several related standards, including:

• ASTM D7714: Specification for glycerin base engine coolant for automobile and light-duty service.
• ASTM D3306: Specification for glycol base engine coolant for automotive and light-duty use.
• ASTM D4327, D1293, D3321: Test methods for analyzing water and coolant chemical composition and freeze point.
• ASTM D5828: Method for testing compatibility of SCAs with engine coolant concentrates.
• ASTM D7583: Cavitation test for coolants.
• ASTM D4725: Terminology for engine coolants and related fluids.

By following ASTM D7715-12(2021), organizations can effectively specify, test, and maintain high-performance, environmentally conscious glycerin-based coolants in heavy-duty engine operations, helping to reduce downtime, extend engine life, and meet international quality and safety benchmarks.

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:D7715 −12 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Specification for
Fully-Formulated Glycerin Base Engine Coolant for Heavy-
Duty Engines
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7715; 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 priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.1 This specification covers the requirements for fully-
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
formulated glycerin base coolants for cooling systems of
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
heavy-duty engines. When concentrates are used at 40 % to
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
60 % glycerin concentration by volume in water of suitable
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
quality (see Appendix X1), or when prediluted glycerin base
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
engine coolants (50 volume % min) are used without further
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
dilution, they will function effectively during both winter and
summer to provide protection against corrosion, cavitation,
2. Referenced Documents
freezing, and boiling.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.2 This specification is intended to cover the requirements
D1126 Test Method for Hardness in Water
for engine coolants prepared from virgin glycerin.
D1293 Test Methods for pH of Water
NOTE 1—This specification is based on the knowledge of the perfor-
D3306 Specification for Glycol Base Engine Coolant for
mance of engine coolants prepared from new or virgin ingredients that
Automobile and Light-Duty Service
comply with Specification D7714.
D3321 Test Method for Use of the Refractometer for Field
1.3 The coolants governed by this specification are catego-
Test Determination of the Freezing Point of Aqueous
rized as follows:
Engine Coolants
Coolant Type Description
D4327 Test Method for Anions in Water by Suppressed Ion
V-FF Glycerin base concentrate
VI-FF Glycerin predilute (50 vol %) Chromatography
D4725 Terminology for Engine Coolants and Related Fluids
1.4 Coolant concentrates meeting this specification do not
D5828 Test Method for Compatibility of Supplemental
require addition of supplemental coolant additive (SCA) until
Coolant Additives (SCAs) and Engine Coolant Concen-
thefirstmaintenanceintervalwhenamaintenancedoseofSCA
trates
is required to continue protection in certain heavy duty engine
D6130 Test Method for Determination of Silicon and Other
cooling systems, particularly those of the wet cylinder liner-
Elements in Engine Coolant by Inductively Coupled
in-block design. The SCAadditions are defined by and are the
Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy
primary responsibility of the engine manufacturer or vehicle
D7583 Test Method for John Deere Coolant Cavitation Test
manufacturer. If they provide no instructions, follow the SCA
D7714 Specification for Glycerin Base Engine Coolant for
supplier’s instructions.
Automobile and Light-Duty Service
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are
Determine Conformance with Specifications
provided for information only and are not considered standard.
2.2 Other Standards:
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Federal Method 2540B Total Dissolved Solids Dried at
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
103-105°C
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
This specification is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D15 on Engine contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Coolants and Related Fluids and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
D15.07 on Specifications. the ASTM website.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2021. Published September 2021. Originally Standard Method for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, American
ɛ1
approved in 2011. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as D7715 – 12 (2016) . Public Health Association, et al, 801 I Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001,
DOI: 10.1520/D7715-12R21. http://www.apha.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D7715−12 (2021)
3. Terminology 5. Additional Requirements
3.1 Definitions:
5.1 The coolant concentrate or prediluted coolant addition-
3.1.1 glycerin base engine coolant, n—engine coolant in
ally shall provide protection in operating engines against
which the freeze point depressant is 1,2,3 propane triol, with
cavitation corrosion (also termed liner pitting) and against
inhibitors to minimize foaming and corrosion.
scaling of internal engine hot surfaces. Hot surfaces typically
3.1.2 supplemental coolant additive (SCA), n—additive arewithintheenginehead,headspacer,uppercylinderliner,or
used in conventionally inhibited heavy duty engine coolants liquid cooled exhaust manifold (Test Method D7583).
required to maintain protection against general corrosion,
5.2 Lack of compatibility between the coolant and SCA
cylinder liner pitting, and scaling in heavy duty engines.
product’s chemistry may cause the solute to precipitate out of
3.1.3 For other definitions and terms used in this
solution, with potential adverse effects in the vehicle or engine
specification, refer to Terminology D4725.
cooling system. A test procedure for compatibility (Test
Method D5828) has been developed and approved. The com-
4. General Requirements
patibility of SCA and coolant concentrate solutions meeting
4.1 Concentrated and prediluted coolants shall meet all of
this specification shall be determined using (Test Method
the physical, chemical and performance requirements of Speci-
D5828) and the results reported.
fication D7714, Tables 1, 2, and 3.
5.3 Both the concentrated and prediluted coolants shall
4.2 The coolant concentrate mixed with water or the predi-
contain less than 50 µg/g sulfate ion.
luted coolant, when maintained with maintenance doses of
SCA in accordance with the engine manufacturer’s
6. Keywords
recommendations, and those on the product label, shall be
6.1 cavitation; fully-formulated heavy-duty engine coolant;
suitable for use in a properly maintained cooling system in
normalserviceforaminimumoftwoyears(seeAppendixX1). glycerin; supplemental coolant additive maintenance dose
ANNEX
(Mandatory Information)
A1. REQUIREMENTS FOR FULLY FORMULATED HEAVY DUTY ENGINE COOLANT
A1.1 Laboratory data or in-service experience demonstrat- A1.1.1 In-service qualification tests may consist of single-
ing a positive influence on reducing cavitation corrosion in an or multiple-cylinder engine tests.At the option of the engine or
operating engine is required (see Table A1.1). vehicle manufacturer, such testing may be conducted in “loose
TABLE A1.1 Cavitation Protection Options Meeting the Requirements of Annex A1
Utilize One of Predilute or Acceptance
the Following Concentrate Criteria
In-service test In accordance with agreement Agreement between engine manufacturer and
coolant supplier for test criteria
Laboratory test (Test Method D7583) In accordance with tested formulation 200 pit count measured in accordance with Test
Method D7583, max
–
Chemical composition nitrite formulation Predilute Nnitrite (as NO ) of 1200 µg/g (ppm), min
–
Nitrite formulation Concentrate Nitrite (as NO ) of 2400 µg/g (ppm), min
–
Combined nitrite and molybdate formulation Predilute Combined concentration of nitrite (as NO ) plus mo-
–2
lybdate as (MoO ) of 780 µg/g (ppm), min (at least
– –2
300 µg/g (ppm) each of NO and MoO must be
2 4
present)
–
Combined nitrite and molybdate formulation Concentrate Combined concentration of nitrite (as NO ) plus mo-
–2
lybdate (as MoO ) of 1560 µg/g (ppm), min (at
– –2
least 600 µg/g (ppm) each of NO and MoO
2 4
must be present)
D7715−12 (2021)
engines”orinenginesfullyintegratedintoanapplication,such A1.1.3.2 A minimum combined concentration of nitrite (as
– –2
as a vehicle, a power boat, or a stationary power source. One NO ) plus molybdate (as MoO in the 50 volume %
2 4
such test has been developed.
predilute coolant of 780 µg/g (ppm). At least 300 µg/g (ppm)
– –2
each of NO and MoO must be present.
2 4
A1.1.2 Coolants that have completed Test Method D7583
with a maximum pit count of 200 are regarded as passing the A1.1.3.3 The above concentrations are doubled for coolant
requirements of Annex A1. concentrates.
A1.1.3 Several chemical compositions have been tested
A1.2 Both concentrated and prediluted coolants under this
extensively by producers and users and satisfactorily minimize
specification shall contain additives to minimize hot surface
cylinder liner cavitation in actual test engines. Coolants meet-
scaling deposits. Certain additives (polyacrylate and other
ing either of the following compositions are regarded as
types) minimize the deposition of calcium and magnesium
passing the requirements of Annex A1:
– compounds on heat rejecting surfaces. No specific chemical
A1.1.3.1 A minimum concentration of nitrite (as NO )of
requirements for hot surface scaling and deposits resistance
1200 µg/g (ppm) in the 50 volume % predilute coolant, or
have been established at this time. A test procedure is under
development by ASTM Committee D15 and will be incorpo-
“A Comparison of Engine Coolant in an Accelerated Heavy-Duty Engine
rated into the specification when approved.
Cavitation Test,” SAE Technical Paper 960883, SAE International, 400 Common-
wealth Dr., Warrendale, PA 15096, http://www.sae.org.
APPEN
...