COLOR ASTM COLOR: ASTM D1500
(Equivalent Test Methods: IP 196, ISO 2049, DIN 51578, JIS K 2580, and AFNOR T60-104)
GENERAL
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 may 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.
Several color scales are used for determination:
ASTM Color: ASTM D1500
Gardner Color: ASTM D1544
Platinum-Cobalt Color: ASTM D1209
Saybolt Color: ASTM D156
EXPLANATION
This test method covers the visual determination of the color of a wide variety of petroleum products such as lubricating oils, heating oils, diesel fuel oils, and petroleum waxes. Test Method ASTM D156 is applicable to refined products that have an ASTM color lighter than 0.5.
TEST SUMMARY
Using a standard light source, a liquid sample is placed in the test container and compared with colored glass disks ranging in value from 0.5 to 8.0. When an exact match is not found and the sample color falls between two standard colors, the higher of the two colors is reported.
TEST PRECISION
Repeatability: 0.5
Reproducibility: 1.0
