ASTM D5972-02e1

Standard Test Method for Freezing Point of Aviation Fuels (Automatic Phase Transition Method)

SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the temperature below which solid hydrocarbon crystals form in aviation turbine fuels.
1.2 This test method is designed to cover the temperature range of 80 to 20°C; however, the ASTM interlaboratory study mentioned in 12.4 has only demonstrated the test method with fuels having freezing points in the range of 45 to 65°C.
1.3 The user shall exercise appropriate caution when this test method is used in testing Jet B and JP 4 samples (see 12.3).
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statements see 7.1, 7.3, and 7.5.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Apr-2002
• ICS: 49.025.99 - Other materials
• ICS: 75.160.20 - Liquid fuels
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.07 - Flow Properties

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D5972-02 - Standard Test Method for Freezing Point of Aviation Fuels (Automatic Phase Transition Method)
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002
• Replaced By: ASTM D5972-05 - Standard Test Method for Freezing Point of Aviation Fuels (Automatic Phase Transition Method)
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2005
• Referred By: ASTM D7826-23a - Standard Guide for Evaluation of New Aviation Gasolines and New Aviation Gasoline Additives
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D7223-21 - Standard Specification for Aviation Certification Turbine Fuel
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D4054-23 - Standard Practice for Evaluation of New Aviation Turbine Fuels and Fuel Additives
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D1655-23 - Standard Specification for Aviation Turbine Fuels
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D6615-22 - Standard Specification for Jet B Wide-Cut Aviation Turbine Fuel
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D8147-17(2023) - Standard Specification for Special-Purpose Test Fuels for Aviation Compression-Ignition Engines
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D7566-22a - Standard Specification for Aviation Turbine Fuel Containing Synthesized Hydrocarbons
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D3699-19 - Standard Specification for Kerosine
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D7960-21 - Standard Specification for Unleaded Aviation Gasoline Test Fuel Containing Non-hydrocarbon Components
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2002

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
An American National Standard
e1
Designation:D5972–02
Designation: 435/98
Standard Test Method for
Freezing Point of Aviation Fuels (Automatic Phase
1
Transition Method)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5972; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1
e NOTE—Footnote 3 was updated editorially in July 2005.
1. Scope disappear when the temperature of the fuel is allowed to rise
under specified conditions of test.
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the tem-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
perature below which solid hydrocarbon crystals form in
3.2.1 automatic phase transition method, n—in this test
aviation turbine fuels.
method, the procedures of automatically cooling a liquid
1.2 This test method is designed to cover the temperature
aviation fuel specimen until solid hydrocarbon crystals appear,
range of −80 to 20°C; however, the ASTM interlaboratory
followed by controlled warming and recording of the tempera-
studymentionedin12.4hasonlydemonstratedthetestmethod
ture at which the solid hydrocarbon crystals completely redis-
withfuelshavingfreezingpointsintherangeof−45to−65°C.
solve into the liquid phase.
1.3 The user shall exercise appropriate caution when this
3.2.2 Peltier device, n—a solid-state thermoelectric device
testmethodisusedintestingJetBandJP4samples(see12.3).
constructed with dissimilar semiconductor materials, config-
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
ured in such a way that it will transfer heat to and away from
standard.
a test specimen dependent on the direction of electric current
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
applied to the device.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4. Summary of Test Method
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4.1 A specimen is cooled at a rate of 15 6 5°C/min by a
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard
Peltier device while continuously being illuminated by a light
statements see 7.1, 7.3, and 7.5.
source.Thespecimeniscontinuouslymonitoredbyanarrayof
2. Referenced Documents optical detectors for the first formation of solid hydrocarbon
crystals. Once the hydrocarbon crystals are formed, the speci-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
2 men is then warmed at a rate of 10 + 0.5°C/min until the last
D2386 Test Method for Freezing Point of Aviation Fuels
hydrocarbon crystals return to the liquid phase. The detectors
3. Terminology are sufficient in number to ensure that any solid hydrocarbon
crystals are detected. The specimen temperature at which the
3.1 Definitions:
last hydrocarbon crystals return to the liquid phase is recorded
3.1.1 freezing point, n—in aviation fuels, the fuel tempera-
as the freezing point.
ture at which solid hydrocarbon crystals, formed on cooling,
5. Significance and Use
1
5.1 The freezing point of an aviation fuel is the lowest
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
temperature at which the fuel remains free of solid hydrocar-
D02.07.0D on Wax-Related Viscometric Properties of Fuels and Oils.
boncrystals.Thesecrystalscanrestricttheflowoffuelthrough
Current edition approved April 10, 2002. Published July 2002. Originally
e1 the fuel system of the aircraft. The temperature of the fuel in
published as D5972–96. Last previous edition D5972–99a .
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.01. theaircrafttanknormallydecreasesduringflightdependingon
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

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D5972–02
aircraft speed, altitude, and flight duration. The freezing point 7.3 Purge Gas—A gas such as air, nitrogen, helium, or
ofthefuelmustalwaysbelowerthantheminimumoperational argon with a dew point below the lowest temperature attained
fuel temperature. by the specimen under the conditions of the test. (Warning—
5.2 Petroleum blending operations require precise measure- Compressed gas under high pressure.) (Warning—Inert gas
ment of the freezing point. can be an asphyxiant when inhaled.
5.3 This test method produces results which have been 7.4 Pipette, capable of dispensing 0.15 6 0.01 mL of
found to be equivalent to Test Method D2386 and expresses sample.
results to the nearest 0.1°C, with improved precision over Test 7.5 Cotton Swabs—Plastic- or paper-shaft cotton swabs to
Method D2386. Th
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