::: Abbemat WR / WR-MW Application Note

Standard Test Method ASTM D1218-02

International Standard ISO 5661:1983

Hydrocarbon Liquids:::

::: Refractive Index and Refractive Dispersion of Hydrocarbon Liquids and Petroleum Products
General

Procedure

Scope

Safety Precautions

Measurement of refractive index and refractive

dispersion, accurate to four decimals or better, of
transparent, light-colored or strongly colored hydrocarbons in the range of 1.33 to 1.50 (or above) at
temperatures from 20C to 30C (or above). Refractive
index and refractive dispersion are physical properties,
which can be used to characterize pure hydrocarbons
and their mixtures.

Hydrocarbons and their vapors are flammable. Moreover, hydrocarbons and their vapors can be harmful if
inhaled. Avoid contact with the skin. It is in the
responsibility of the user of this method to establish
appropriate safety and health practices and determine
the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to its use.

Analyte

Abbemat HP for the measurement of refractive index of

hydrocarbons in the range of 1.33 to 1.50

Hydrocarbons: alkanes, alkenes, arenes (aromatic

hydrocarbons), cycloalkanes, hydrocarbyls (hydrocarbons containing functional groups), etc.
Standard
ASTM D 1218 02, approved for use by agencies of
the Department of Defense

Apparatus

Abbemat WR for the measurement of refractive index of

hydrocarbons in the range of 1.30 to 1.72 (recommended instrument)
The measurement of refractive dispersion of hydrocarbons requires an Abbemat WR-MW.
Sample Volume

ISO 5661:1983 (E), first edition

Terminology of Refractive Index
The ratio of the velocity of light in air, to its velocity in the
substance
Terminology of Refractive Dispersion
The difference between the refractive indexes of a
substance for light of two different wavelengths, both
indexes being measured at the same temperature. The
value of difference is usually multiplied by 10 000. For
more information about refractive dispersion please see
the application note Dispersion and Abbe Number.

A sample of approx. 0.5 mL is required. The sample

shall be free of suspended solids, water, or other
materials that may settle on the prism surface and affect
the reading.
Refractive Index Measurement
The measuring prism of Abbemat must be kept clean.
The instrument should be calibrated against a refractive
index standard provided by Anton Paar.
The temperature control of the liquid being examined
and the cleanliness of the prism should be checked
frequently by determining the refractive index of distilled
water, which is 1.3329860.00002 (Abbemat HP model,
or 0.00004 (Abbemat WR(-MW) model) at 20 C and
589 nm wavelength.
The AbbematPC software will record all the data
required by the ASTM standard, e.g. type of hydro-

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::: Abbemat WR / WR-MW Application Note

Standard Test Method ASTM D1218-02

International Standard ISO 5661:1983

carbon (needs to be manually input), refractive index,

wavelength and temperature of analysis.
The required accuracy (four decimals or better)
repeatability (0.00012) and reproducibility (0.00012) are
fulfilled by the Abbemat.

Select the refractive index scale

Select the measuring temperature, e.g. 20.00C

Select the required wavelength, e.g. 589 nm

Apply a few drops of the hydrocarbon on the

measuring prism of the Abbemat

Wait until temperature has stabilized

Take/record the reading

Take/record the reading

Switch to the next required wavelength, e.g.

589 nm (nd)

Wait until reading has stabilized

Take/record the reading

Calculate the dispersion, e.g.

| (ng nd) | x 10 000 at 20.00C

Advantage
The Abbemat will give a better repeatability and
accuracy than an Abbe-type refractometer. Due to its
measuring principle, the Abbemat operates independent of the operator.

Hydrocarbons

Refractive Dispersion Measurement

Alkanes CnH2n+2

The measuring prism of Abbemat must be kept clean.

The instrument should be calibrated against a refractive
index standard provided by Anton Paar.
The temperature control of the liquid being examined
and the cleanliness of the prism should be checked
frequently by determining the refractive index of distilled
water, which is 1.3329860.00004 (Abbemat WR-MW)
model) at 20 C and 589 nm wavelength.
The AbbematPC software will record all the data
required by the ASTM standard, e.g. type of hydrocarbon (needs to be manually input), refractive index,
wavelength and temperature of analysis. The dispersion
must be calculated manually.
The required accuracy (four decimals or better)
repeatability (0.00012) and reproducibility (0.00012) are
fulfilled by the Abbemat.
-

Select the refractive index scale

Select the measuring temperature, e.g. 20.00C

Select the required wavelength, e.g. 546 nm (ng)

Apply a few drops of the hydrocarbon on the

measuring prism of the Abbemat

D01IA008EN-B

RI

boiling point

[589 nm]

[C]

n-Hexane

1.3748

69

n-Octane

1.3980

126

Iso-Octane

1391467

99

Dodecane

1.421718

216

1.426476

81

1-Heptene

1.3998

94

1-Octene

1.4087

121

Benzene

1.5011

80

Toluene

1.4960

111

1.657838

> 218

1.3586

56

Cycloalkanes CnH2n
Cyclohexane
Alkenes CnH2n

Arenes

1-Bromonaphtalene

Wait until temperature has stabilized

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Hydrocarbyls
Acetone

::: Abbemat WR / WR-MW Application Note

Standard Test Method ASTM D1218-02

International Standard ISO 5661:1983

Ethanol

1.3614

78

Ethyl acetate

1.3724

77

Literature and References

ASTM D 1218-02 (2002), Standard Test Method for Refractive
Index and Refractive Dispersion of Hydrocarbon Liquids
ASTM D 1193, Specification for Reagent Water
ASTM D 1500, Test Method for ASTM Color of Petroleum
Products (ASTM Color Scale)
ASTM D 6299, Practice for Applying Statistical Quality Assurance Techniques to Evaluate Analytical Measurement System
Performance
ASTM D 6300, Practice for the Determination of Precision and
Bias Data for Use in Test Methods for Petroleum Products and
Lubicants
ASTM E 1, Specification for ASTM Thermometers
ISO 5661:1983 (E), Petroleum Products Hydrocarbon Liquids Determination of Refractive Index, First Edition 198310-15
ISO 2049, Petroleum Products Determination of Colour

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