ASTM D5798-18

Standard Specification for Ethanol Fuel Blends for Flexible-Fuel Automotive Spark-Ignition Engines

ABSTRACT
This specification covers a fuel blend, nominally 75 to 85 volume % denatured fuel ethanol (Ed75-Ed85) and 25 to 15 additional volume % hydrocarbons for use in ground vehicles with automotive spark-ignition engines. Fuel ethanol (Ed75-Ed85) shall conform to the performance requirements prescribed. Fuel ethanol (Ed75-Ed85) shall be visually free of sediment and suspended matter. The hydrocarbon/aliphatic ether blend content, vapour pressure, acidity, pH requirements, gum content, inorganic chloride, water requirements, copper requirements, and sulphur requirements shall be tested to meet the requirements prescribed.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers the requirements for automotive fuel blends of ethanol and gasoline for use in ground vehicles equipped with ethanol fuel blend flexible-fuel spark-ignition engines. Fuel produced to this specification contains 51 % to 83 % by volume ethanol. This fuel is for use in flexible-fuel vehicles and is sometimes referred to at retail as “Ethanol Flex-Fuel.” Appendix X1 discusses the significance of the properties specified.  
1.2 The vapor pressure of ethanol fuel blends is varied for seasonal climatic changes. Vapor pressure is increased at lower temperatures to ensure adequate flexible-fuel vehicle operability. Ethanol content and selection of hydrocarbon blendstock are adjusted by the blender to meet these vapor pressure requirements.  
1.3 This specification formerly covered Fuel Ethanol (Ed70-Ed85) for Automotive Spark-Ignition Engines, also known commercially as E85. The nomenclature “fuel ethanol” has been changed to “ethanol fuel blends” to distinguish this product from denatured fuel ethanol Specification D4806. To facilitate blending of ethanol fuel blends that meet seasonal vapor pressure requirements, a new lower minimum ethanol content has been established.  
1.4 The United States government has established various programs for alternative fuels. Many of the definitions of alternative fuel used by these programs may be more restrictive than the requirements of this specification. See 4.1.2.1 for additional information on alternative fuels containing ethanol.  
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.  
1.5.1 Exception—The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
1.6 The following safety hazard caveat pertains only to the test method portion, 8.1.8, of this specification. 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.  
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: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2018
• ICS: 75.160.20 - Liquid fuels
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.A0.02 - Oxygenated Fuels and Components

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D5798-17 - Standard Specification for Ethanol Fuel Blends for Flexible-Fuel Automotive Spark-Ignition Engines
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2018
• Replaced By: ASTM D5798-18a - Standard Specification for Ethanol Fuel Blends for Flexible-Fuel Automotive Spark-Ignition Engines
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2018
• Referred By: ASTM D3120-08(2019) - Standard Test Method for Trace Quantities of Sulfur in Light Liquid Petroleum Hydrocarbons by Oxidative Microcoulometry
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2018
• Referred By: ASTM D5501-20 - Standard Test Method for Determination of Ethanol and Methanol Content in Fuels Containing Greater than 20 % Ethanol by Gas Chromatography
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2018
• Referred By: ASTM D7923-19 - Standard Test Method for Water in Ethanol and Hydrocarbon Blends by Karl Fischer Titration
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2018
• Referred By: ASTM D5797-21 - Standard Specification for Methanol Fuel Blends (M51–M85) for Methanol-Capable Automotive Spark-Ignition Engines
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2018
• Referred By: ASTM D86-23 - Standard Test Method for Distillation of Petroleum Products and Liquid Fuels at Atmospheric Pressure
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2018
• Referred By: ASTM D8011-19 - Standard Specification for Natural Gasoline as a Blendstock in Ethanol Fuel Blends or as a Denaturant for Fuel Ethanol
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2018
• Referred By: ASTM D7577-12(2021) - Standard Test Method for Determining the Accelerated Iron Corrosion Rating of Denatured Fuel Ethanol and Ethanol Fuel Blends
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2018
• Referred By: ASTM D7794-21 - Standard Practice for Blending Mid-Level Ethanol Fuel Blends for Flexible-Fuel Vehicles with Automotive Spark-Ignition Engines
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2018
• Referred By: ASTM F2874-20 - Standard Specification for One Time Use Portable Emergency Fuel Containers (PEFC) for Use by Consumers
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2018
• Referred By: ASTM D5191-22 - Standard Test Method for Vapor Pressure of Petroleum Products and Liquid Fuels (Mini Method)
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2018
• Referred By: ASTM D7757-22 - Standard Test Method for Silicon in Gasoline and Related Products by Monochromatic Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2018
• Referred By: ASTM D6423-20a - Standard Test Method for Determination of pHe of Denatured Fuel Ethanol and Ethanol Fuel Blends
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2018
• Referred By: ASTM F852/F852M-22 - Standard Specification for Portable Gasoline, Kerosene, and Diesel Containers for Consumer Use
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2018

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
Designation:D5798 −18
Standard Specification for
Ethanol Fuel Blends for Flexible-Fuel Automotive Spark-
1
Ignition Engines
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5798; 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* 1.6 The following safety hazard caveat pertains only to the
test method portion, 8.1.8, of this specification. This standard
1.1 This specification covers the requirements for automo-
does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any,
tive fuel blends of ethanol and gasoline for use in ground
associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this
vehicles equipped with ethanol fuel blend flexible-fuel spark-
standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices
ignition engines. Fuel produced to this specification contains
and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior
51% to 83% by volume ethanol. This fuel is for use in
to use.
flexible-fuel vehicles and is sometimes referred to at retail as
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
“Ethanol Flex-Fuel.” Appendix X1 discusses the significance
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
of the properties specified.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
1.2 The vapor pressure of ethanol fuel blends is varied for
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
seasonalclimaticchanges.Vaporpressureisincreasedatlower
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
temperatures to ensure adequate flexible-fuel vehicle operabil-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
ity. Ethanol content and selection of hydrocarbon blendstock
are adjusted by the blender to meet these vapor pressure
2. Referenced Documents
requirements.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.3 ThisspecificationformerlycoveredFuelEthanol(Ed70-
D86Test Method for Distillation of Petroleum Products and
Ed85) for Automotive Spark-Ignition Engines, also known
Liquid Fuels at Atmospheric Pressure
commercially as E85. The nomenclature “fuel ethanol” has
D130Test Method for Corrosiveness to Copper from Petro-
been changed to “ethanol fuel blends” to distinguish this
leum Products by Copper Strip Test
product from denatured fuel ethanol Specification D4806.To
D381Test Method for Gum Content in Fuels by Jet Evapo-
facilitate blending of ethanol fuel blends that meet seasonal
ration
vapor pressure requirements, a new lower minimum ethanol
D525Test Method for Oxidation Stability of Gasoline (In-
content has been established.
duction Period Method)
D1613Test Method for Acidity in Volatile Solvents and
1.4 The United States government has established various
Chemical Intermediates Used in Paint, Varnish, Lacquer,
programs for alternative fuels. Many of the definitions of
and Related Products
alternativefuelusedbytheseprogramsmaybemorerestrictive
D1688Test Methods for Copper in Water
than the requirements of this specification. See 4.1.2.1 for
D3231Test Method for Phosphorus in Gasoline
additional information on alternative fuels containing ethanol.
D4057Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
Petroleum Products
standard.
D4175Terminology Relating to Petroleum Products, Liquid
1.5.1 Exception—The values given in parentheses are for
Fuels, and Lubricants
information only.
D4177Practice for Automatic Sampling of Petroleum and
Petroleum Products
D4306Practice for Aviation Fuel Sample Containers for
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is under the direct responsi-
2
bility of Subcommittee D02.A0.02 on Oxygenated Fuels and Components. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2018. Published October 2018. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as D5798–17. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D5798-18. 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 ----------------------
D5798−18
4
Tests Affected by Trace Contamination 2.3 SAE Papers:
D4806Specification for Denatured Fuel Ethanol for Blend- SAE 2007–01–4006A Model for Estimating Vapor Pres-
...

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: D5798 − 17 D5798 − 18
Standard Specification for
Ethanol Fuel Blends for Flexible-Fuel Automotive Spark-
1
Ignition Engines
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5798; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
1.1 This specification covers the requirements for automotive fuel blends of ethanol and gasoline for use in ground vehicles
equipped with ethanol fuel blend flexible-fuel spark-ignition engines. Fuel produced to this specification contains 51 % to 83 %
by volume ethanol. This fuel is for use in flexible-fuel vehicles and is sometimes referred to at retail as “Ethanol Flex-Fuel.”
Appendix X1 discusses the significance of the properties specified.
1.2 The vapor pressure of ethanol fuel blends is varied for seasonal climatic changes. Vapor pressure is increased at lower
temperatures to ensure adequate flexible-fuel vehicle operability. Ethanol content and selection of hydrocarbon blendstock are
adjusted by the blender to meet these vapor pressure requirements.
1.3 This specification formerly covered Fuel Ethanol (Ed70-Ed85) for Automotive Spark-Ignition Engines, also known
commercially as E85. The nomenclature “fuel ethanol” has been changed to “ethanol fuel blends” to distinguish this product from
denatured fuel ethanol Specification D4806. To facilitate blending of ethanol fuel blends that meet seasonal vapor pressure
requirements, a new lower minimum ethanol content has been established.
1.4 The United States government has established various programs for alternative fuels. Many of the definitions of alternative
fuel used by these programs may be more restrictive than the requirements of this specification. See 4.1.2.1 for additional
information on alternative fuels containing ethanol.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.5.1 Exception—The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.6 The following safety hazard caveat pertains only to the test method portion, 8.1.8, of this specification. 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.
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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D86 Test Method for Distillation of Petroleum Products and Liquid Fuels at Atmospheric Pressure
D130 Test Method for Corrosiveness to Copper from Petroleum Products by Copper Strip Test
D381 Test Method for Gum Content in Fuels by Jet Evaporation
D525 Test Method for Oxidation Stability of Gasoline (Induction Period Method)
D1613 Test Method for Acidity in Volatile Solvents and Chemical Intermediates Used in Paint, Varnish, Lacquer, and Related
Products
D1688 Test Methods for Copper in Water
D3231 Test Method for Phosphorus in Gasoline
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is under the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D02.A0.02 on Oxygenated Fuels and Components.
Current edition approved July 1, 2017Oct. 1, 2018. Published July 2017October 2018. Originally approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 20152017 as
D5798 – 15.D5798 – 17. DOI: 10.1520/D5798-17.10.1520/D5798-18.
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 ----------------------
D5798 − 18
D4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products
D4
...