By Authority Of

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Legally Binding Document
By the Authority Vested By Part 5 of the United States Code 552(a) and
Part 1 of the Code of Regulations 51 the attached document has been duly
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE and shall be considered legally
binding upon all citizens and residents of the United States of America.
HEED THIS NOTICE: Criminal penalties may apply for noncompliance.

e
Document Name: ASTM D1298: Standard Practice for Density, Relative
Density (Specific Gravity), or API Gravity of Crude
CFR Section(s): Petroleum and Liquid Petroleum Products
40 CFR 75, Appendix D, Section 2.2.6

Standards Body: American Society for Testing and Materials

Official Incorporator:
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
OFFICE OF THE FEDERAL REGISTER
WASHINGTON, D.C.
~ ~l~ Designation: D 1298 - 99 An American National Standard

1:1) MPMS Chapter 9.1

.'IP~
. '. . .
'16bJ99' " ;</, .'

,
,~~~~~ ~t'l
" ";, ':,

, ,,' ," '" ,"": " , "('" ; "" , "

'Standard'Test Method 'for'

Den~~ty, ,R,elative, D~nsity.(Specific ,Qray!ty), or AP,I, G,ravity
'of Crude"PetroleuIl180dJ.. iquid Petroleum Produpts by ,
Hydrometer Methdd 1 ,,' ", , " ,,' , ,," ',,'
. ,I''',. \ ', .
"
"TlU~' standru:ct.fs i$stied ~riderthefix~d' designatio,nb 1298j ~e' hl!,iriber inimediately following the designation indicates 'the year of
, origi!1al ~doptioQ. % in ~~ c,~seof reyi~I~!1' the yeai; oflast'revision: A numoer,ln p~~ntheses indicates the year Of Hlsheapproval. A
superscript epsilon (E) indicates an editorial change siqce the,last revision or.reapproyal.' " '' " ,

1. Scope D 1250 Guide for Petroleum Measurement Tables2

1.1 This test method covers the laboratory determination D 2500 Test Method for Cloud Point of Petroleum OiIs2
using a glass hydrometer, of the density, relative density D 3117 Test Method for Wax Appearance Point of Distillate
(specific gravity), or API gravity of crude petroleum, petroleum Fuels3
products, or mixtures of petroleum and nonpetroleum products D 4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and
normally handled as liquids, and having a Reid vapor pressure Petroleum Products3
of 101.325 kPa (14.696 psi) or less. D 4177 Practice for Automatic Sampling of Petroleum and
1.2 Values are measured on a hydrometer at either the Petroleum Products3
reference temperature or at another convenient temperature, D 5854 Practice for Mixing and Handling of Liquid
and readings corrected to the reference temperature by means Samples of Petroleum and Petroleum Products 4
of the Petroleum Measurement Tables; values obtained at other E 1 Specification for ASTM Thermometers5
than the reference temperature being hydrometer readings and E 100 Specification for ASTM Hydrometers5
not density measurements. 2.2 Institute of Petroleum Standards 6
1.3 Values determined as density, relative density, or API IP 389 Determination of wax appearance temperature
gravity can be converted to equivalent values in the other units (y.IAT) of middle distillate fuels by differential thermal
at alternate reference temperatures by means of the Petroleum analysis (DTA) or differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)
Measurement Tables. IP Standard Methods Book, Appendix A, Specifications - IP
1.4 Annex Al contains a procedure for verifying or certify- Standard Thermometers
ing the equipment for this test method. 2.3 ISO Standards7
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the ISO 649-1 Laboratory glassware - Density hydrometers for
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the general purpose - Part 1: Specification
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 3. Terminology
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 density, n-the mass of liquid per unit volume at 15C
2. Referenced Documents and 101.325 kPa with the standard unit of measurement being
2.1 ASTM Standards: kilograms per cubic metre.
D 97 Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products2 3.1.1.1 Discussion-Other reference temperatures, such as
D 323 Test Method for Vapor Pressure of Petroleum Prod- 20C may be used for some products or in some locations. Less
ucts (Reid Method)2

3Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Vol 05.02.

1 This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-2 on 4Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Vol 05.03.
Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee S Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Vol 14.03.
D02.02 on Static Petroleum Measurement. 6 Available from Institute of Petroleum. 61 New Cavendish St., London. WIM
Current edition approved June 10. 1999. Published August 1999. Originally SAR. UK.
nd
published as D 1298 - 53. Last previous edition D 1298 - 85 (1990)<1. 7 Available from American National Standards Institute. 11 W 42 St.. 131h floor,
2 Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Vol 05.01. New York. NY 10036.

Copyright ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States.

482
 ~~r~ 0 1298
preferred units of measurement; for example, kg/L or g/mL are 5.4 Density, relative density (specific gravity), or API grav-
still in use. ity is a factor governing the quality and pricing of crude
3.1.2 relative density (specific gravity), n-the ratio of the petroleum. However, this property of petroleum is an uncertain
mass of a given volume of liquid at a specific temperature to indication of its quality unless correlated with other properties.
the mass of an equal volume of pure water at the same or 5.5 Density is an important quality indicator for automotive,
different temperature. Both reference temperatures shall be aviation and marine fuels, where it affects storage, handling
explicitly stated. and combustion.
3.1.2.1 Discussion-Common reference temperatures in-
clude 60/60F, 20/20C, 20/4C. The historic deprecated term 6. Apparatus
specific gravity may still be found. 6.1 Hydrometers, of glass, graduated in units of density,
3.1.3 API gravity, n-a special function of relative density relative density, or API gravity as required, conforming to
(specific gravity) 60/60F, represented by: Specification E 100 or ISO 649-1, and the requirements given
API = 141.5/(sp gr 60/60 P) - 131.5
0
(1) in Table 1.
6.1.1 The user should ascertain that the instruments used for
3.1.3.1 Discussion-No statement of reference temperatUre this test conform to the requirements set out above with respect
is required, as 60F is included in the definition. to materials, dimensions, and scale errors. In cases where the
3.1.4 observed values, n-values observed at temperatures instrument is provided with a calibration certificate issued by a
other than the specified reference temperature. These values are recognized standardizing body, the instrument is classed as
only hydrometer readings and not density, .relative density certified and the appropriate corrections listed shall be applied
(specific gravity), or API gravity at that other temperature. to the observed readings. Instruments that satisfy the require-
3.1.5 cloud point, n-temperature at which a cloud of wax ments of this test method, but are not provided with a
crystals first appears in a liquid when it is cooled under specific recognized calibration certificate, are classed as uncertified.
conditions. 6.2 Thermometers, having range, graduation intervals and
3.1.6 pour point, n-lowest temperature at which a test maximum permitted scale error shown in Table 2 and conform~'
portion of crude petroleum or petroleum product will continue ing to Specification E 1 or IP Appendix A. .
to flow when it is cooled under specified conditions. 6.2.1 Alternate measuring devices or systems may be used,
3.1.7 wax appearance temperature (WAT) , n-temperature provided that the total uncertainty of the calibrated system is no
at which waxy solids form when a crude petroleum or greater than when using liquid-in-glass thermometers.
petroleum product is cooled under specified conditions. 6.3 Hydrometer Cylinder, clear glass, plastic (see 6.3.1), or
4. Summary of Test Method . metal. The inside diameter of the cylinder shall be at least 25
4.1 The sample is brought to a specified temperature and a mm greater than the outside diameter of the hydrometer and the
test portion is transferred to a hydrometer cylinder that has height shall be such that the appropriate hydrometer floats in
been brought to approximately the same temperature. The the test portion with at least 25 mm clearance between the'
appropriate hydrometer, also at a similar temperature, is bottom of the hydrometer and the bottom of the cylinder. '
lowered into the test portion and allowed to settle. After 6.3.1 Hydrometer cylinders constructed of plastic materials
temperature equilibrium has been reached, the hydrometer shall be resistant to discoloration or attack by oil samples and'
scale is rea,d, and the temperature of the test portion is taken. shall not affect the material being tested. They shall not become
The observed hydrometer reading is reduced to the reference opaque under prolonged exposure to sunlight.
temperature by means of the Petroleum Measurement Tables. If 6.4 Constant-Temperature Bath, if required, of dimensions
necessary, the hydrometer cylinder and its contents are placed such that it can accommodate the hydrometer cylinder with the
in a constant temperature bath to avoid excessive temperature test portion fully immersed below the test portion liquid
variation during the test. surface, and a temperature control system capable of maintain-
ing the bath temperature within 0.25C of the test temperature
5. Significance and Use throughout the duration of the test.
5.1 Accurate determination of the density,' relative density 6.5 Stirring Rod, optional, of glass or plastic,approximately
(specific gravity), or API gravity of petroleum and its products 400 mm in length.
is necessary for the conversion of measured volumes to
volumes or masses, or both, at the standard reference tempera- . TABLE 1 Recommended Hydrometers
tures during custody transfer. Units Range Scale Meni.scus
5.2 This test method is most suitable for determining the
Each
density, relative density (specific gravity), or API gravity of Total Interval Error Correction
Unit
low viscosity transparent liquids. This test method can also be 3
Density, kg/rn at 15C SOD - 1100 20 0.2 0.2 +0.3'
used for viscous liquids by allowing sufficient time for the SOD -1100 50 0.5 0.3 +0.7
hydrometer to reach equilibrium, and for opaque liquids by SOD -1100 50 1.0 O.S +1.4
Relative density (specific O.SOO - 1.100 0.020 0.0002 0.0002 +0.0003
employing a suitable meniscus correction. gravity) SO/SOF O.SOO - 1.100 0.050 0.0005 0.0003 +0.0007
5.3 When used in connection with bulk oil measurements, O.SOO - 1.100 0.050 0.001 O.OOOS +0.0014
volume correction errors are minimized by observing the Relative density (specific
gravity), SO/SOF 0.S50 -1.100 0.050 0.0005 0.0005
hydrometer reading at a temperature close to that of the bulk oil API -1 - +101 12 0.1 . 0.1
temperature.

483
 TABLE'2 Redbl1fmendedrrh'ermometers;, , .:-: expansions ofa ilUniber of-typical m~terials . .sinCe, the, srune coeffi~ients
'Scale " Range' 'Graduation ihie'rVaV: r; Scale Error' ;> were used in compiling each set of tables, corrections made over the same
, .~ tewperature(interval minimize ,,~rror~ ,isipg "f):;q~,possible diffe~~nq~s
-1- +38
(

-20 ~ +102 between the,coe!ficient Qf the'iIlateriaLunder test and the standard

cgefiicients: ,TI;is ,eff~ct beto,nies 'm6te ilnpbrtani ~s temperatures diVetge;'
l
-q7 ;1:215
frbm tHe reference teIriperature. I ,,' " " ' C),'

'NotE ;~i1ie hydrometer reading is obtiiliiedat a teinperaiureappro'-

j"
priate to the physico-chemical characteristics of the material under iiest. '
7. Sampling This temperature is preferably ,close tofue referen~e ,~mperature; or when
;:JJ ...:( \.' ,l <.~ ~\\,
the' value is ,1JSed i,n, conjunction, ~ith 'pul~oil meas!lrements, within 3~G:,
7.1 Unless o,therwise spec;ified, saQl.ples of non-volatile' of the bulk temperature (seeS.3).,.' "I"".' , , " ,'". -;"', ,'
p'~~61ellin 'and~" p'ettol~uiri "p~odti2t~' s~all 'b~t.takdn by' the L' L :, .. : , \ f

procedures described' in Practices J) 4057 arid D4177. " 8.1::2 ' For :cmde, pet:rolt;:tJm, l:n:ing ,the saIllple close t<;>1 ,t;he
''7. li Samples of' volatile ~nid~ petroleum 6~'pefroleum:piqd~ : reference temperatur~,:,qr;"if wax is. present,..to ,,9C above its
po~r point or 3Cabov.~ ,i~s cloud p()int or WAT, whichever is
1.1-sts are, preferab!y ,taken by. Practice D 4177, using ~_yirrmble; higher. '" ! " ,r "
v9h~Ine '(floating piston) sampie 'recdiveriohJcifulze ;any 'lbss t:-;_ !;: '~~, t;,~~, \ "1;:1'",'_ r~t;'~-' ~,.1 i--

of, ,light components, ,which maY,'!l:frect"lli6'a:8ciirac)i '81' th~;~ NOTE 5-For cru4ypytro~euIJ1 ap. Wdisation <:>f the,WATcan be found
de~sity ineasUre~ent. 1tithe ab'sencebf thjs'facility, b(ir~fu&' u~iJ,1,?JP 389,~ with fu~lnodific~ti9~ofysi~~ 50~L7= 5 ~L of'~!Illlplel1}1e
c~e, ,shaiI : be' t~en tominimizf( ,thes i~ss6'~; )~2llidirtg th~ r pr:eClslon qfWAT for crude petroleum usmg thlS technique has not Deem
deterriim6d: :" . i:. :, ,,, 11," ',': i ' "", l(
tr~sfrr bithe s~ple toa cliille4, 6ontaiIl:er'iinhiediately after' I' ,. .i"~:H_
'. ~ 't~: ~ ':,. :.~ ,
sampling. ' '," ','" , " , ' "iI'., " " " ' h , " ,::):
9. ~ppa,ratus, yer.H~catiQ~ .gr." ~~};'tifi~at~o,n,
7.3: Sample' Mixing-maybe i necess'af)/to' bbiafu ates( '9;1 Hydrometers .:and : th~~olt1eters\shan ,be. verified in
portion" representative ofthtfbulk' ~~triple 'ed b6 'tesfed ' burt' accordance' with theprocedutbsiD.i$.nnex: AL,';~ ,) .
pr~cautibns, shall, be' takert tt> ,ih~ntiunth~'iAtegrify.'bf the '1' :

sa~ple,'dunng this operation.:Jnix:iilg '1:)[ Vol~llle'cri:tae petro- 10.

j t,'l
Procedure
_c I. ' ',;
I I '.i: ":' \ ;;, ',1\ " , ,",'
leUm' or pefroleum proaud1s' conta'fning 'V/Met' or :secliilleil'f~' tYt '; W.J: ~ring. tJ;1~,l~ydro,eterc~lind~:r llJ.ld "thermolt1ete~'\,!~o
both" or the heating of waxy vblatile cl1'ide[petr6i~4in' :t1t; wIthm aPJ?r~~qma~rJy SoC of, th~\~st .te~pera:~:r:e"."" '
~tr<?leulll'pd)du~ts may' result'in 'tii~ loss<6f ligfit ccHnpdneriis. ,,19..? Transfert:4~\i sample ,tp, theclea~!terri1?erat}lre
The;follow~ngsectioJiS (7:3~1 tb7.3A) {viIi give 'some gui~allce' st8;bllizrd,l1Y<4'0:qJ.~!et: cyliI?-derwithqut ~J?lashm,gl to l\yqfd}he
on saxnple'integiitynihlntenance:"""':" '):' formati,Qn, .of, ,l1j.1' ,bubQle~" apd mini:tpJz~,ev~pora,p.oD, of 'the
,,7.3j Voldtile Crude Petroleum'dnd' Petroleum' ProJu~ts lower boiling' constituents of more' v5)lat1le s!lInples:~ ,.. ,'
Haying ah RVl Grea/er'thcirl; 50kP'a~Mix\th:e'sampl~ hi'its' .
NqTE b.w~r~g: Extr~mely
<" ' ,.:':',( :i,1r:, . ,. '<; '.If;l
flammable. Vapors may cause flash fire!
qI'iginal Closed cont~er in brder toIriinifui,ze the;Ioss o{lighf jj.!I~, "J~i" ... \J .. ~~,j')'" )'1: ,~J _f('~';,,\.~
,.J ~~. .. I

componen:ts~;' ",' '"" .,d" ", ! " ,)0.3, TraI1sf~r'l1igh1Y:ivol,a#1r saIR-ples ,by ,siphoningqf water
\ "~ :" "-j ," ~: ~ , \. lif .) . j
ill,~J~la~em~nt.,\i''':;' , I '~ r' I

NOT~)l""7Mixip.g solati.1e&runpl~s;in;op~n.cQnramei:~ willlea(i to:lo~s of'

, NOTE 1':"::"Warnfug: Siplitihirig by mouth could resultin ingestion'of
l1gPt. '?0d'm,,pon<?l!tsanq con~eg!l~n,tl~ fect \he V~ll!~ c.q[; :trr ~~~~ity sample!:; ~ ")) i " " I , : , " j ),; " , l ) [ i,
o-,.~
btame.
. ,.j:. " \-; 'r:'. ,,',' ".,,' i ;'1, :n;.;;i/.::'Ti. ':_"
" i,
,7.3.l2 "Waxy Crude Pc'trQlel!-m~If1:he petrolepm 4!ls"apou[ hi'O.'3.'l', 'S!amples' containing ilcohol ot' other waterisoluble
point above lOoe, ora cloud PQintor"WAT@.boyerlSoC,warm niateria~s should be platecHrtfothe'OC:vlinder by siphoning.
, 10.4 Remove any liirbubbles form~d after they have col-
the Sample to 9C above the pour point, or3C abpv~ltl1e cloud
p0int or WAT, prior to nll{(ing .. Whenever possiblei mi~ ,th.~ l~ctedoD.' thesuiface df the test portion,' by touching them with
sample in it~ original closed conta),I),ef<il), order tp'lminiIlJi;ze $e, a'piece of clean filter paper before inserting ' the hydrometer.
loss 0f!ightcQlj).ponents. UL!C',,"; ., " , ' I; ,
,'1 0.5 Place the cylinder conthlning the test portion in a
, 7,3.3, Waxy 1)istillate-W:~r;tlw,sampJe,Jo,~3'?qiltboye its vertical position in a location free from air cUrrents and Where
cloud point or WAT prior to tpixil)g{", ,',:, ) ',ii' ,I.: ,
the temperature of the surrounding me,cljuw does, n9t :q1;J,W1g~
.7.3.4' Residual; .Ji'u,el"Qils~I.Ieat',\Jlt;iSampl~ ,Jq ,',the,' test m?:re th~; 2olC;, clvripg t4~ .tiWe ta,lcen ,to, complete t9-e' test.
temperature prior to mixing (see 8.1.1 and Note 4)'1 i ; , (in: W:lie~, !;p.e temper~t4re o,rtlie t~sf portion; iliffers by more than
~ ~~ J~8m ,awb!~h~~',~s~ Ii' constant t~m:perature' bath ,to mnJhln
I,

7.4 Additional information on the mixing and handling of

liquid sample~, wiU,pe found i\1 ~racti,c~ D :~,8S4; a:Q.. ~yen, \~~mp~rat\lret:hroughput the, test duration.,." .
"iO;6"InseH'tbe appropdate' tHeimoInet~r,or ie1l).per~tiire'
d
'-I,," '"'
',:
8. Procedure"
I", J
IlJ.~li~;urew~nt deyipe, and ,stir th~, test l=,.o~on \vith a stirrmg rod,
, 8.1 Temperature of Test: i ~si.iJ.ga\.comojiiatiOri of vertical and 'rotatiorial motions" to
ensure uilifonn"femperat'ure and debsitythroughbut the hy-
8~ 1.1 Bring the S~plei~O the. te,st temperatu~e wh~~h ~h~ll pe
such that the sample is sufficiently ,fluid but not so high as to drometerc~lin~~~~Re,cord the t~mpera~rFofth~ sample to the
nyare:~t 0.\1 C and r~movethe thermometer/temperature mea-,
cause the lo~'s of light components!, nOr 'so low as to result in the
appew-ance of wax in,th~Jesq)9!tio~;:" " ,). ' ,I, suring device arid stiIyingr~d frqm the hydrometer cylinder.
NOTE 8--'-If a, liquid-incglasSithermometeris used, this ,is commonly
'NOTE 2~Thedensity, 'relative dertsity oi ;(PI gravityde~ermined by: the
used as tb~, stirrWg .rQd.". d " , , I
hydrometer is, most ,acc,urate at ,Of n~!l,T the'ref~rence te!npera~re:~' "
,

. NOTE 3-The volume and density,fthe relative density, ,and the API 1;10.7, I:.owerthe. appropriate hydrometer, into, the liquid and
corrections in the Petroleum Measurement Tables are basedoii. the average' release when in a position of equilibrium, taking care to avoid

484
 ~~r~ D 1298
wetting the stem above the level at which it floats freely. For
low viscosity transparent or translucent liquids observe the
PLANE
meniscus shape when the hydrometer is pressed below the SEE SURFACE OF LIQUID
point of equilibrium about 1 to 2 mrn and allowed to return to
equilibrium. If the meniscus changes, clean. the hydrometer
BOTTOM OF MENISCUS
stem and repeat until the meniscus shape remains constant.
10.8 For opaque viscous liquids, allow the hydrometer to
settle slowly into the liquid.
10.9 For low viscosity transparent or translucent liquids
depress the hydrometer about two scale divisions into the
liquid, and then release it, imparting a slight spin to the
hydrometer on release to assist in bringing it to rest floating
freely from the walls of the hydrometer cylinder. Ensure that
the remainder of the hydrometer stem, which is above the
liquid level, is not wetted as liquid on the stem affects the
reading obtained.
10.10 Allow sufficient time for the hydrometer to come to
rest, and for all air bubbles to come to the surface. Remove any
air bubbles before taking a reading (see 10.4).
10.11 If the hydrometer cylinder is made of plastic, dissi-
pate any static charges by wiping the outside with a damp
HORIZONTAL PLANE
cloth. READ SCALE SURFACE OF LIQUID
AT THIS POINT
NOTE 9-Caution: Static charges often build up on plastic cylinders
and may prevent the hydrometer from floating freely.
=====-==-=",!-MENISCUS
10.12 When the hydrometer has come to rest floating freely
away from the walls of the cylinder, read the hydrometer scale
reading to the nearest one-fifth of a full scale division in
accordance with 10.12.1 or 10.12.2.
10.12.1 For transparent liquids, record the hydrometer read-
DETAIL
ing as the point on the hydrometer scale at which the principal
surface of the liquid cuts the scale by placing the eye slightly FIG. 1 Hydrometer Scale Reading for Transparent Liquids
below the level of the liquid and slowly raising it until the
surface, first seen as a distorted ellipse, appears to become a 11. Calculation
straight line cutting the hydrometer scale (see Fig. 1). 11.1 Apply any relevant thermometer corrections to the
10.12.2 For opaque liquids record the hydrometer reading at temperature reading observed in 10.6 and 10.13 and record the
the point on the hydrometer scale to which the sample rises, by average of those two temperatures to the nearest O.lC.
observing with the eye slightly above the plane of the surface 11.2 For opaque samples, apply the relevant meniscus
of the liquid (see Fig. 2). correction given in Table 1 to the observed hydrometer reading
NOTE 10-When testing opaque liquids using a metal hydrometer
(10.12.2) as hydrometers are calibrated to be read at the
cylinder, accurate readings of the hydrometer scale can only be ensured if principal surface of the liquid.
the liquid surface is within 5 mm of the top of the cylinder. NOTE II-The meniscus correction for a particular hydrometer in use is
10.13 Immediately after recording the hydrometer scale determined by observing the maximum height above the principal surface
reading, carefully lift the hydrometer out of the liquid, insert of the liquid to which liquid rises on the hydrometer scale when the
hydrometer in question is immersed in a transparent liquid having a
the thermometer or temperature measurement device and stir
surface tension similar to that of the sample under test. For hydrometers
the test portion vertically with the stirring rod. Record the specified in this test method, the corrections in Table 1 are approximate.
temperature of the test portion to the nearest O.lC. If this
temperature differs from the previous reading (10.6) by more 11.3 Apply any hydrometer correction to the observed
than O.soC, repeat the hydrometer observations and thermom- reading and record the corrected hydrometer scale reading to
eter observations until the temperature becomes stable withill the nearest 0.1 kg/m3 in density, 0.0001 g/mL, kg/L or relative
O.5C. If a stable temperature cannot be obtained, place the density, or O.PAP!.
hydrometer cylinder in a constant temperature bath and repeat 11.4 If the hydrometer has been calibrated at a temperature
the procedure from 10.5. other than the reference temperature, use the equatioD, below to
10.14 If the test temperature is higher than 38C, allow all correct the hydrometer scale reading:
hydrometers of the lead shot-in-wax type to drain and cool in pt
8 (2)
a vertical position. pr= 1-[23 X10-6 (t-r)-2X 10 (t_r)2]

485
 range, and thus the observed hydrometer reading is added
PLANE
directly ,after correction (11J2-11.4) as necessary.
SEE SURFACE OF" LIQUID , 11.5.2 To convert densities expressed in kg/m3 to densities
expressed in g/mL'or kg/L, divide by 103
BOTTOM OF MENISCUS
. 11.-5.3 To convert hydrometer readings from one unit to
another, Tables 51 (density at 15C), 21 (relative density at
60/60F) or 3 (API gravity), contained in Guide D 1250, are
appropriate.
12! Report'
12.1 ~eport the final value as density, in kilograms per cubic
metr~, at the reference temperature, to. the nearest 0.1 kg/m3 "
12.2 Report the fip.al value as density? in kilograms per litre
or ,grams pel,' millilitre at the reference, temperature, t,o the
nearest 0.0001. '
12.3 Report the final value as relative density, with no
dimensions, at the two ref~rence temperatures, to the nearest
0.0001.
12.4 Report the final value as API gravity to the nearest 0.1
API.

; RE,ADSCAhJ;
HORIZONTAL PLANE
S,URFACE OF LIQUID
Ii Precision and ~ias .
AT THIS POINT 13.1 Precision-The precision of the method as determined
by statistical examination' of interlaboratory results is as
::::::=-:=~f-MENISCUS
follows: .
13.1.1 RepeatabiUty-'-The difference between two test re-
sults, obtained by the same operator with the same apparatus
uIlder constant operating conditioilsoil identical test material,
would in the long run, in the nomal and correct operation 'of
the test method, exceed the values ill Table 4 only in one case
in twenty; .
Flq. 2 l:Iydrome,ter Scale ,Reading for Opaque Fluids 13.'1.2 Reproducibility....:..;..TI1ediffererice between two single
and independent results obtained by different operators work-
ing in different laboratories on identical test material'would, in
where:";,,,',:,' the long run, in the 'normal and correct operation of the test
Pr = hydromet~r reading, at the reference teniperatur~, rOC,
and. ' , : ",' , ' ", ' ," ,,' method, exceed the following values only in one c'ase in
Pt h~dtom~tif re!l~~:6l} fu~hydromete( sca!e whqs~ twenty.
, " reference temperature i~ fOC., ' '"" ,
13.2 Bias-Bias for this test method has riot been deter-
11:5 'Convert; the corrected' hydrometer.scale readfugto mined. However, there should be no bias froin absolute
density, relative' debsity or API gravity using' the appropriate measurements, if the calibration of the hydrometer and the
parts of the Petroleum MeasuremenfTables' in Guide D t250 thermometer is traceable to International Standards, such as
accotding to'the nah)re of the materials'under test. Table 3 supplied by the. National Institute of Standards and Technology.
gives some' examples 6fretevarit'table numbers' futhe Petib'- 14. Keywor~s
leum"Me;asurenient Tables.' ' ,. ,
'liJ:'.J 'API gravity; crude petroleum; density; hydrometer;
11'.5: i' The stfictl'ycorreyt proc,d'urd for 'the,2Qnyersiorl.' is"f9
Petroleum Measureinent T!lbles; petroleum products; relative,
use the computer implemeritliltipn procedur~s, contained i~ ,the density; speci:fj.c gravity' . '
Petroleum MeasurementTables and not the printed tables. If
tJ,le 'printed tables ~eu~~d, ensure that' all eftatadi~co\;ered . TABLE 4 Precision Values
sfupe original, pUblicatlorl have been incIu4ed in the VersIon' Temperature
used; The tablesiilclude 'corrections'for sbda-litri,eglass' expart-' Product p'arameter 'Rangs, C Units
Repeat- , Repro-
(OF) , abiliiy ducibility
sion
'J '
and contraction of the hydrometer over the temperatlite'
'~I, " 'J :/' . , . , , "

Density kgfm3 0.5 1.2,

, <~ " " Transparent -2 - 24.5
kgfL or gfmL 0.0005 0.0012
Low-viscosity (29 - 76)
TABLE 3 Example PMT TSlble~.umbers L i(, . Relative density none 0.0005 0.0012
Liquids," "
API gravity (42 -78) API 0.1 0;3
Material Density at 15C Density at 20C Relative Density API
kgfm~, , k g f m3 at 60/60F
Density kgfm3 0.6 1.5
Crude petroleum ' -2 - 24.5
53A 59A 23A 5A kgfL or gfmL 0.0006 0.0015
Opaque liquids (29 - 76)
Petroleum products 539 598 238 59 Relative density none 0.0006 0.0015
Lubricating oils 53D 59D 5D API gravity (42 - 78) API 0.2 0.5

486'
 ~~r~ D 1298

ANNEX

(Mandatory Information)

At. APPARATUS

A1.1 Apparatus Verification and Certification
A1.1.1 Hydrometers, shall either be certified or verified.
Verification shall be either by comparison with a certified
hydrometer (see 6.1.1) or by the use of a certified reference
material (CRM) specific to the reference temperature used.
A1.1.1.1 The hydrometer scale shall be correctly located
within the hydrometer stem by reference to the datum mark. If
the scale has moved, reject the hydrometer.
A1.1.2 Thermometers, shall be verified at intervals of no
more than six months for conformance with specifications.
Either comparison with a referenced temperature measurement
system traceable to an international standard, or a determina-
tion of ice point, is suitable.

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