ASTM D156 - Saybolt Color of Petroleum Products (Saybolt Chromometer Method)

Significance and Use

5.1 Determination of the color of petroleum products is used mainly for manufacturing control purposes and is an important quality characteristic since color is readily observed by the user of the product. In some cases the color may serve as an indication of the degree of refinement of the material. When the color range of a particular product is known, a variation outside the established range can indicate possible contamination with another product. However, color is not always a reliable guide to product quality and should not be used indiscriminately in product specifications.

Scope

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the color of refined oils such as undyed motor and aviation gasoline, jet propulsion fuels, naphthas and kerosine, and, in addition, petroleum waxes and pharmaceutical white oils.

NOTE 1—For determining the color of petroleum products darker than Saybolt Color − 16, see Test Method D1500.

1.2 This test method reports results specific to this test method and recorded as, “Saybolt Color units.”

Extracted, with permission, from ASTM D156-15 - Saybolt Color of Petroleum Products (Saybolt Chromometer Method), copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard may be purchased from ASTM International, astm.org