ASTM D1218-99

Standard Test Method for Refractive Index and Refractive Dispersion of Hydrocarbon Liquids

SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of refractive indexes, accurate to six units in the fifth decimal place, and refractive dispersions, accurate to twelve units in the fifth decimal place, of transparent and light-colored hydrocarbon liquids that have refractive indexes in the range from 1.33 to  
1.50, and at temperatures from 20 to 30°C. The test method is not applicable within the accuracy stated to liquids having colors darker than No. 4 ASTM Color as determined by Test Method D 1500, to liquids having bubble points so near the test temperature that a reading cannot be obtained before substantial weathering takes place, to liquids having a refractive index above 1.50, or to measurements made at temperatures above 30°C. Note 1-The instrument can be successfully used for refractive indexes above 1.50, and at temperatures both below 20°C and above 30°C, but as yet certified liquid standards for the ranges above a refractive index of 1.50 are not available, so the precision and accuracy of the instrument under these conditions have not been evaluated. Similarly, certified refractive indexes of liquids at temperatures other than the 20 to 30°C range are not available, although the instrument can be used up to 50°C.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Nov-1999
• ICS: 75.100 - Lubricants, industrial oils and related products
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.04.0D - Physical and Chemical Methods

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D1218-02 - Standard Test Method for Refractive Index and Refractive Dispersion of Hydrocarbon Liquids
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2002

Standards Content (Sample)

ASTM-D1218
ADOPTION NOTICE
ASTM-D1218, "LIQUIDS, HYDROCARBON, REFRACTIVE INDEX AND
REFRACTIVE DISPERSION OF", was adopted on 03-OCT-94 for use by
the Department of Defense (DoD). Proposed changes by DoD
activities must be submitted to the DoD Adopting Activity:
Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command, SEA 03R42, 2531 Jefferson
Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22242-5160. Copies of this
document may be purchased from the American Society for Testing
and Materials 100 Barr Harbor Drive West Conshohocken,
Pennsylvania, United States, 19428-2959. http://www.astm.org/____________________
Custodians: Adopting Activity:
Army - EA Navy - SH
Navy - SH
Air Force - 11
FSC 6810
Approved for public release; distribution
DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A:
is unlimited.

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Designation: D 1218 – 99 An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
Refractive Index and Refractive Dispersion of Hydrocarbon
1
Liquids
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 1218; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope 3. Terminology
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of refractive 3.1 Definitions:
indexes, accurate to six units in the fifth decimal place, and 3.1.1 refractive index—the ratio of the velocity of light (of
refractive dispersions, accurate to twelve units in the fifth specified wavelength) in air, to its velocity in the substance
decimal place, of transparent and light-colored hydrocarbon under examination. It may also be defined as the sine of the
liquids that have refractive indexes in the range from 1.33 to angle of incidence divided by the sine of the angle of
1.50, and at temperatures from 20 to 30°C. The test method is refraction, as light passes from air into the substance. This is
not applicable within the accuracy stated to liquids having the relative index of refraction. If absolute refractive index
colors darker than No. 4 ASTM Color as determined by Test (that is, referred to vacuum) is desired, this value should be
Method D 1500, to liquids having bubble points so near the test multiplied by the factor 1.000 27, the absolute refractive index
temperature that a reading cannot be obtained before substan- of air. The numerical value of refractive index of liquids varies
tial weathering takes place, to liquids having a refractive index inversely with both wavelength and temperature.
above 1.50, or to measurements made at temperatures above 3.1.2 refractive dispersion—the difference between the re-
30°C. fractive indexes of a substance for light of two different
wavelengths, both indexes being measured at the same tem-
NOTE 1—The instrument can be successfully used for refractive in-
perature. For convenience in calculations, the value of the
dexes above 1.50 and at temperatures both below 20°C and above 30°C.
difference thus obtained is usually multiplied by 10 000.
As yet, certified liquid standards for the ranges above a refractive index of
1.50 are not available, so the precision and accuracy of the instrument
4. Summary of Test Method
under these conditions have not been evaluated. Similarly, certified
refractive indexes of liquids at temperatures other than the 20 to 30°C
4.1 The refractive index is measured by the critical angle
range are not available, although the instrument can be used up to 50°C.
method with a Bausch & Lomb Precision Refractometer (or
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the other instruments of equivalent or superior performance), using
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the monochromatic light. The instrument is previously adjusted by
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- means of a solid reference standard and the observed values are
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- corrected, when necessary, by a calibration obtained with
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. certified liquid standards.
2. Referenced Documents 5. Significance and Use
2.1 ASTM Standards: 5.1 Refractive index and refractive dispersion are funda-
2
D 841 Specification for Nitration Grade Toluene mental physical properties that can be used in conjunction with
D 1500 Test Method for ASTM Color of Petroleum Prod- other properties to characterize pure hydrocarbons and their
3
ucts (ASTM Color Scale) mixtures.
4
E 1 Specification for ASTM Thermometers
6. Apparatus
5
6.1 Refractometer, Bausch & Lomb, “Precision” type,
range 1.33 to 1.64 for the sodium D line. Other instruments of
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-2 on
Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommitt
...