ASTM E1177-23

Standard Specification for Engine Coolant Grade Glycol

ABSTRACT
This specification establishes the testing and requirements of four types of engine coolant grade ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, including virgin glycols and those derived from the recycling of vehicle engine coolants and industrial source glycols. Types EG-1 and PG-1 cover glycols with sufficiently low limits on components to allow a blended coolant to meet most OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) specifications. These types will probably be virgin materials, although redistillation could produce a sufficiently pure product. Types EG-2 and PG-2 cover glycol that will be suitable for many coolants, and can either be redistilled or virgin. The commercial products shall be suitably sampled and tested, and shall conform accordingly to specified values of the following physical and chemical properties: clarity; color (Pt/Co scale); relative density; pH by volume in distilled water; acidity as acetic acid; composition by mass of individual glycols (including ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, and others); total composition by mass of all glycols; water content; glycol ester content; and the maximum content for nitrites, nitrates, phosphates, silicon, chloride, sulfate, boron, aluminum, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, lead, zinc, and iron.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers commercial products, engine coolant grade ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, including virgin glycols and those derived from the recycling of vehicle engine coolants and industrial source glycols.  
1.2 Types EG-1 and PG-1 cover glycols with sufficiently low limits on components to allow a blended coolant to meet most OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) specifications. These types will probably be virgin materials, although redistillation could produce a sufficiently pure product. Types EG-2 and PG-2 cover glycol that will be suitable for many coolants. These types can be either redistilled or virgin.  
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: 14-May-2023
• ICS: 71.080.60 - Alcohols. Ethers
• ICS: 71.100.45 - Refrigerants and antifreezes
• Technical Committee: D15 - Engine Coolants and Related Fluids
• Drafting Committee: D15.07 - Specifications

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D1287-11(2020) - Standard Test Method for pH of Engine Coolants and Antirusts
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2020
• Refers: ASTM D5931-20 - Standard Test Method for Density and Relative Density of Engine Coolant Concentrates and Aqueous Engine Coolants by Digital Density Meter
• Effective Date: 15-May-2020

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: E1177 − 23
Standard Specification for
1
Engine Coolant Grade Glycol
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1177; 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* D1123 Test Methods for Water in Engine Coolant Concen-
trate by the Karl Fischer Reagent Method
1.1 This specification covers commercial products, engine
D1209 Test Method for Color of Clear Liquids (Platinum-
coolant grade ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, including
Cobalt Scale)
virgin glycols and those derived from the recycling of vehicle
D1287 Test Method for pH of Engine Coolants and Antirusts
engine coolants and industrial source glycols.
D1613 Test Method for Acidity in Volatile Solvents and
1.2 Types EG-1 and PG-1 cover glycols with sufficiently
Chemical Intermediates Used in Paint, Varnish, Lacquer,
low limits on components to allow a blended coolant to meet
and Related Products
most OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) specifications.
D3634 Test Method for Trace Chloride Ion in Engine Cool-
These types will probably be virgin materials, although redis-
ants
tillation could produce a sufficiently pure product. Types EG-2
D4725 Terminology for Engine Coolants and Related Fluids
and PG-2 cover glycol that will be suitable for many coolants.
D5827 Test Method for Analysis of Engine Coolant for
These types can be either redistilled or virgin.
Chloride and Other Anions by Ion Chromatography
D5931 Test Method for Density and Relative Density of
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this Engine Coolant Concentrates and Aqueous Engine Cool-
ants by Digital Density Meter
standard.
D6130 Test Method for Determination of Silicon and Other
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Elements in Engine Coolant by Inductively Coupled
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
D7736 Test Method for Determination of Acids and Glycol
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
Esters in Glycols
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
E202 Test Methods for Analysis of Ethylene Glycols and
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
Propylene Glycols
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
E300 Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
E394 Test Method for Iron in Trace Quantities Using the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1,10-Phenanthroline Method
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3. Requirements
2. Referenced Documents
3.1 Engine coolant grade ethylene glycol or propylene
2
glycol, including virgin glycols and those derived from the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
recycling of vehicle engine coolants and industrial source
D1122 Test Method for Relative Density of Engine Coolant
glycols, shall conform to the chemical and physical property
Concentrates and Engine Coolants By The Hydrometer
requirements in Table 1.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D15 on Engine
4. Sampling
Coolants and Related Fluids and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D15.07 on Specifications.
4.1 Sample ethylene or propylene glycol in accordance with
Current edition approved May 15, 2023. Published May 2023. Originally
the appropriate sections of Practice E300 for liquid samples.
approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2022 as E1177 – 22. DOI:
10.1520/E1177-23.
2
5. Test Methods
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
5.1 Test each composite sample for the chemical and
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. physical requirements listed in 3.1.
*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 ----------------------
E1177 − 23
TABLE 1 Chemical and Physical Requirements
Value for Ethylene Value for Propylene Value for Ethylene Value for Propylene- ASTM Test
Requirement
Glycol, Type EG-1 Glycol, Type PG-1
...

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: E1177 − 22 E1177 − 23
Standard Specification for
1
Engine Coolant Grade Glycol
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1177; 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 specification covers commercial products, engine coolant grade ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, including virgin
glycols and those derived from the recycling of vehicle engine coolants and industrial source glycols.
1.2 Types EG-1 and PG-1 cover glycols with sufficiently low limits on components to allow a blended coolant to meet most OEM
(Original Equipment Manufacturer) specifications. These types will probably be virgin materials, although redistillation could
produce a sufficiently pure product. Types EG-2 and PG-2 cover glycol that will be suitable for many coolants. These types can
be either redistilled or virgin.
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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1122 Test Method for Relative Density of Engine Coolant Concentrates and Engine Coolants By The Hydrometer
D1123 Test Methods for Water in Engine Coolant Concentrate by the Karl Fischer Reagent Method
D1209 Test Method for Color of Clear Liquids (Platinum-Cobalt Scale)
D1287 Test Method for pH of Engine Coolants and Antirusts
D1613 Test Method for Acidity in Volatile Solvents and Chemical Intermediates Used in Paint, Varnish, Lacquer, and Related
Products
D3634 Test Method for Trace Chloride Ion in Engine Coolants
D4725 Terminology for Engine Coolants and Related Fluids
D5827 Test Method for Analysis of Engine Coolant for Chloride and Other Anions by Ion Chromatography
D5931 Test Method for Density and Relative Density of Engine Coolant Concentrates and Aqueous Engine Coolants by Digital
Density Meter
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D15 on Engine Coolants and Related Fluids and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D15.07
on Specifications.
Current edition approved June 1, 2022May 15, 2023. Published June 2022May 2023. Originally approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 20202022 as
E1177E1177 – 22.–20. DOI: 10.1520/E1177-22.10.1520/E1177-23.
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.
*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 ----------------------
E1177 − 23
D6130 Test Method for Determination of Silicon and Other Elements in Engine Coolant by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic
Emission Spectroscopy
D7736 Test Method for Determination of Acids and Glycol Esters in Glycols
E202 Test Methods for Analysis of Ethylene Glycols and Propylene Glycols
E300 Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals
E394 Test Method for Iron in Trace Quantities Using the 1,10-Phenanthroline Method
3. Requirements
3.1 Engine coolant grade ethylene glycol or propylene glycol, including virgin glycols and those derived from the recycling of
vehicle engine coolants and industrial source glycols, shall conform to the chemical and physical property requirements in Table
1.
4. Sampling
4.1 Sample ethylene or propylene glycol in accordance with the appropriate sections of Practice E300 for liquid samples.
5. Test Methods
5.1 Test each composite sample for the chemical and physical requirements listed in 3.1.
TABLE 1 Chemica
...