An American National Standard

Designation: D 1298 99 (Reapproved 2005)

Designation: Manual of Petroleum Measurement Standards (MPMS), Chapter 9.1

Designation: 160/99

Standard Test Method for

Density, Relative Density (Specific Gravity), or API Gravity
of Crude Petroleum and Liquid Petroleum Products by
Hydrometer Method1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 1298; 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 () 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 2. Referenced Documents

1.1 This test method covers the laboratory determination 2.1 ASTM Standards:2
using a glass hydrometer, of the density, relative density D 97 Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products
(specific gravity), or API gravity of crude petroleum, petroleum D 323 Test Method for Vapor Pressure of Petroleum Prod-
products, or mixtures of petroleum and nonpetroleum products ucts (Reid Method)
normally handled as liquids, and having a Reid vapor pressure D 1250 Guide for Use of the Petroleum Measurement
of 101.325 kPa (14.696 psi) or less. Tables
1.2 Values are measured on a hydrometer at either the D 2500 Test Method for Cloud Point of Petroleum Oils
reference temperature or at another convenient temperature, D 3117 Test Method for Wax Appearance Point of Distillate
and readings corrected to the reference temperature by means Fuels
of the Petroleum Measurement Tables; values obtained at other D 4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and
than the reference temperature being hydrometer readings and Petroleum Products (API MPMS Chapter 8.1)
not density measurements. D 4177 Practice for Automatic Sampling of Petroleum and
1.3 Values determined as density, relative density, or API Petroleum Products (API MPMS Chapter 8.2)
gravity can be converted to equivalent values in the other units D 5854 Practice for Mixing and Handling of Liquid
at alternate reference temperatures by means of the Petroleum Samples of Petroleum and Petroleum Products (API
Measurement Tables. MPMS Chapter 8.3)
1.4 Annex A1 contains a procedure for verifying or certify- E 1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
ing the equipment for this test method. E 100 Specification for ASTM Hydrometers
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the 2.2 API Standards:3
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the MPMS Chapter 8.1 Manual Sampling of Petroleum and
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- Petroleum Products (ASTM Practice D 4057)
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- MPMS Chapter 8.2 Automatic Sampling of Petroleum and
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Petroleum Products (ASTM Practice D 4177)

1 2
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Petroleum Products and Lubricants and the API Committee on Petroleum Measure- contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
ment, and is the direct responsibility of D02.02 /COMQ, the joint ASTM-API Standards volume information, refer to the standards Document Summary page on
Committee on Static Petroleum Measurement. the ASTM website.
3
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2005. Published December 2005. Originally Published as Manual of Petroleum Measurement Standards. Available from the
approved in 1953. Last previous edition approved in 1999 as D 1298992. American Petroleum Institute (API), 1220 L St., NW, Washington, DC 20005.

Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 D 1298 99 (2005)
MPMS Chapter 8.3 Mixing and Handling of Liquid Samples appropriate hydrometer, also at a similar temperature, is
of Petroleum and Petroleum Products (ASTM Practice lowered into the test portion and allowed to settle. After
D 5854) temperature equilibrium has been reached, the hydrometer
2.3 Institute of Petroleum Standards:4 scale is read, and the temperature of the test portion is taken.
IP 389 Determination of wax appearance temperature The observed hydrometer reading is reduced to the reference
(WAT) of middle distillate fuels by differential thermal temperature by means of the Petroleum Measurement Tables. If
analysis (DTA) or differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) necessary, the hydrometer cylinder and its contents are placed
IP Standard Methods Book, Appendix A, Specifications IP in a constant temperature bath to avoid excessive temperature
Standard Thermometers variation during the test.
2.4 ISO Standards:5
ISO 649-1 Laboratory glassware Density hydrometers for 5. Significance and Use
general purpose Part 1: Specification 5.1 Accurate determination of the density, relative density
(specific gravity), or API gravity of petroleum and its products
3. Terminology is necessary for the conversion of measured volumes to
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: volumes or masses, or both, at the standard reference tempera-
3.1.1 API gravity, na special function of relative density tures during custody transfer.
(specific gravity) 60/60F, represented by: 5.2 This test method is most suitable for determining the
API 5 141.5/~sp gr 60/60F! 2 131.5 (1) density, relative density (specific gravity), or API gravity of
low viscosity transparent liquids. This test method can also be
3.1.1.1 DiscussionNo statement of reference temperature
used for viscous liquids by allowing sufficient time for the
is required, as 60F is included in the definition.
hydrometer to reach equilibrium, and for opaque liquids by
3.1.2 cloud point, ntemperature at which a cloud of wax
employing a suitable meniscus correction.
crystals first appears in a liquid when it is cooled under specific
5.3 When used in connection with bulk oil measurements,
conditions.
volume correction errors are minimized by observing the
3.1.3 density, nthe mass of liquid per unit volume at 15C
hydrometer reading at a temperature close to that of the bulk oil
and 101.325 kPa with the standard unit of measurement being
temperature.
kilograms per cubic metre.
5.4 Density, relative density (specific gravity), or API grav-
3.1.3.1 DiscussionOther reference temperatures, such as
ity is a factor governing the quality and pricing of crude
20C, may be used for some products or in some locations.
petroleum. However, this property of petroleum is an uncertain
Less preferred units of measurement (for example, kg/L or
indication of its quality unless correlated with other properties.
g/mL) are still in use.
5.5 Density is an important quality indicator for automotive,
3.1.4 observed values, nvalues observed at temperatures
aviation and marine fuels, where it affects storage, handling
other than the specified reference temperature. These values are
and combustion.
only hydrometer readings and not density, relative density
(specific gravity), or API gravity at that other temperature. 6. Apparatus
3.1.5 pour point, nlowest temperature at which a test
portion of crude petroleum or petroleum product will continue 6.1 Hydrometers, of glass, graduated in units of density,
to flow when it is cooled under specified conditions. relative density, or API gravity as required, conforming to
3.1.6 relative density (specific gravity), nthe ratio of the Specification E 100 or ISO 649-1, and the requirements given
mass of a given volume of liquid at a specific temperature to in Table 1.
the mass of an equal volume of pure water at the same or 6.1.1 The user should ascertain that the instruments used for
different temperature. Both reference temperatures shall be this test conform to the requirements set out above with respect
explicitly stated. to materials, dimensions, and scale errors. In cases where the
3.1.6.1 DiscussionCommon reference temperatures in- instrument is provided with a calibration certificate issued by a
clude 60/60F, 20/20C, 20/4C. The historic deprecated term recognized standardizing body, the instrument is classed as
specific gravity may still be found. certified and the appropriate corrections listed shall be applied
3.1.7 wax appearance temperature (WAT), ntemperature
at which waxy solids form when a crude petroleum or TABLE 1 Recommended Hydrometers
petroleum product is cooled under specified conditions. Units Range ScaleA Meniscus
Each
4. Summary of Test Method Total
Unit
IntervalA ErrorA Correction

4.1 The sample is brought to a specified temperature and a Density, kg/m3 at 15C 600 - 1100 20 0.2 6 0.2 +0.3
test portion is transferred to a hydrometer cylinder that has 600 - 1100 50 0.5 6 0.3 +0.7
600 - 1100 50 1.0 6 0.6 +1.4
been brought to approximately the same temperature. The Relative density (specific 0.600 - 1.100 0.020 0.0002 6 0.0002 +0.0003
gravity) 60/60F 0.600 - 1.100 0.050 0.0005 6 0.0003 +0.0007
0.600 - 1.100 0.050 0.001 6 0.0006 +0.0014
4
Available from Energy Institute, 61 New Cavendish St., London, W1M 8AR, Relative density (specific
UK. gravity), 60/60F 0.650 - 1.100 0.050 0.0005 60.0005
5 API 1 - +101 12 0.1 6 0.1
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
A
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036. Interval and Error relate to Scale.

2
 D 1298 99 (2005)
to the observed readings. Instruments that satisfy the require- 7.3.1 Volatile Crude Petroleum and Petroleum Products
ments of this test method, but are not provided with a Having an RVP Greater than 50 kPaMix the sample in its
recognized calibration certificate, are classed as uncertified. original closed container in order to minimize the loss of light
6.2 Thermometers, having range, graduation intervals and components.
maximum permitted scale error shown in Table 2 and conform- NOTE 1Mixing volatile samples in open containers will lead to loss of
ing to Specification E 1 or IP Appendix A. light components and consequently affect the value of the density
6.2.1 Alternate measuring devices or systems may be used, obtained.
provided that the total uncertainty of the calibrated system is no 7.3.2 Waxy Crude PetroleumIf the petroleum has a pour
greater than when using liquid-in-glass thermometers. point above 10C, or a cloud point or WAT above 15C, warm
6.3 Hydrometer Cylinder, clear glass, plastic (see 6.3.1), or the sample to 9C above the pour point, or 3C above the cloud
metal. The inside diameter of the cylinder shall be at least point or WAT, prior to mixing. Whenever possible, mix the
25 mm greater than the outside diameter of the hydrometer and sample in its original closed container in order to minimize the
the height shall be such that the appropriate hydrometer floats loss of light components.
in the test portion with at least 25 mm clearance between the 7.3.3 Waxy DistillateWarm the sample to 3C above its
bottom of the hydrometer and the bottom of the cylinder. cloud point or WAT prior to mixing.
6.3.1 Hydrometer cylinders constructed of plastic materials 7.3.4 Residual Fuel OilsHeat the sample to the test
shall be resistant to discoloration or attack by oil samples and temperature prior to mixing (see 8.1.1 and Note 4).
shall not affect the material being tested. They shall not become 7.4 Additional information on the mixing and handling of
opaque under prolonged exposure to sunlight. liquid samples will be found in Practice D 5854 (API MPMS
6.4 Constant-Temperature Bath, if required, of dimensions Chapter 8.3).
such that it can accommodate the hydrometer cylinder with the
8. Procedure
test portion fully immersed below the test portion liquid
surface, and a temperature control system capable of maintain- 8.1 Temperature of Test:
ing the bath temperature within 0.25C of the test temperature 8.1.1 Bring the sample to the test temperature which shall be
throughout the duration of the test. such that the sample is sufficiently fluid but not so high as to
6.5 Stirring Rod, optional, of glass or plastic, approximately cause the loss of light components, nor so low as to result in the
400 mm in length. appearance of wax in the test portion.
NOTE 2The density, relative density or API gravity determined by the
7. Sampling hydrometer is most accurate at or near the reference temperature.
NOTE 3The volume and density, the relative density, and the API
7.1 Unless otherwise specified, samples of non-volatile corrections in the Petroleum Measurement Tables are based on the average
petroleum and petroleum products shall be taken by the expansions of a number of typical materials. Since the same coefficients
procedures described in Practices D 4057 (API MPMS Chapter were used in compiling each set of tables, corrections made over the same
8.1) and D 4177 (API MPMS Chapter 8.2). temperature interval minimize errors arising from possible differences
between the coefficient of the material under test and the standard
7.2 Samples of volatile crude petroleum or petroleum prod-
coefficients. This effect becomes more important as temperatures diverge
ucts are preferably taken by Practice D 4177 (API MPMS from the reference temperature.
Chapter 8.2), using a variable volume (floating piston) sample NOTE 4The hydrometer reading is obtained at a temperature appro-
receiver to minimize any loss of light components which may priate to the physico-chemical characteristics of the material under test.
affect the accuracy of the density measurement. In the absence This temperature is preferably close to the reference temperature, or when
of this facility, extreme care shall be taken to minimize these the value is used in conjunction with bulk oil measurements, within 3C
losses, including the transfer of the sample to a chilled of the bulk temperature (see 5.3).
container immediately after sampling. 8.1.2 For crude petroleum, bring the sample close to the
7.3 Sample MixingMay be necessary to obtain a test reference temperature or, if wax is present, to 9C above its
portion representative of the bulk sample to be tested, but pour point or 3C above its cloud point or WAT, whichever is
precautions shall be taken to maintain the integrity of the higher.
sample during this operation. Mixing of volatile crude petro- NOTE 5For crude petroleum an indication of the WAT can be found
leum or petroleum products containing water or sediments, or using IP 389, with the modification of using 50 L 6 5 L of sample. The
both, or the heating of waxy volatile crude petroleum or precision of WAT for crude petroleum using this technique has not been
petroleum products may result in the loss of light components. determined.
The following sections (7.3.1 to 7.3.4) will give some guidance
9. Apparatus Verification or Certification
on sample integrity maintenance.
9.1 Hydrometers and thermometers shall be verified in
accordance with the procedures in Annex A1.
TABLE 2 Recommended Thermometers 10. Procedure
Scale Range Graduation Interval Scale Error
10.1 Bring the hydrometer cylinder and thermometer to
C 1 - +38 0.1 6 0.1 within approximately 5C of the test temperature.
C 20 - +102 0.2 6 0.15
F 5 - +215 0.5 6 0.25 10.2 Transfer the sample to the clean, temperature-
stabilized hydrometer cylinder without splashing, to avoid the

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 D 1298 99 (2005)
formation of air bubbles, and minimize evaporation of the 10.12.1 For transparent liquids, record the hydrometer read-
lower boiling constituents of more volatile samples. ing as the point on the hydrometer scale at which the principal
(WarningExtremely flammable. Vapors may cause flash surface of the liquid cuts the scale by placing the eye slightly
fire!) below the level of the liquid and slowly raising it until the
10.3 Transfer highly volatile samples by siphoning or water surface, first seen as a distorted ellipse, appears to become a
displacement. (WarningSiphoning by mouth could result in straight line cutting the hydrometer scale (see Fig. 1).
ingestion of sample!) 10.12.2 For opaque liquids record the hydrometer reading at
10.3.1 Samples containing alcohol or other water-soluble the point on the hydrometer scale to which the sample rises, by
materials should be placed into the cylinder by siphoning. observing with the eye slightly above the plane of the surface
10.4 Remove any air bubbles formed after they have col- of the liquid (see Fig. 2).
lected on the surface of the test portion, by touching them with
a piece of clean filter paper before inserting the hydrometer. NOTE 7When testing opaque liquids using a metal hydrometer
10.5 Place the cylinder containing the test portion in a cylinder, accurate readings of the hydrometer scale can only be ensured if
the liquid surface is within 5 mm of the top of the cylinder.
vertical position in a location free from air currents and where
the temperature of the surrounding medium does not change 10.13 Immediately after recording the hydrometer scale
more than 2C during the time taken to complete the test. reading, carefully lift the hydrometer out of the liquid, insert
When the temperature of the test portion differs by more than the thermometer or temperature measurement device and stir
2C from ambient, use a constant temperature bath to maintain the test portion vertically with the stirring rod. Record the
an even temperature throughout the test duration. temperature of the test portion to the nearest 0.1C. If this
10.6 Insert the appropriate thermometer or temperature temperature differs from the previous reading (10.6) by more
measurement device and stir the test portion with a stirring rod, than 0.5C, repeat the hydrometer observations and thermom-
using a combination of vertical and rotational motions to eter observations until the temperature becomes stable within
ensure uniform temperature and density throughout the hy- 0.5C. If a stable temperature cannot be obtained, place the
drometer cylinder. Record the temperature of the sample to the hydrometer cylinder in a constant temperature bath and repeat
nearest 0.1C and remove the thermometer/temperature mea- the procedure from 10.5.
suring device and stirring rod from the hydrometer cylinder.
NOTE 6If a liquid-in-glass thermometer is used, this is commonly
used as the stirring rod.
10.7 Lower the appropriate hydrometer into the liquid and
release when in a position of equilibrium, taking care to avoid
wetting the stem above the level at which it floats freely. For
low viscosity transparent or translucent liquids observe the
meniscus shape when the hydrometer is pressed below the
point of equilibrium about 1 to 2 mm and allowed to return to
equilibrium. If the meniscus changes, clean the hydrometer
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
cloth. (WarningStatic charges often build up on plastic
cylinders and may prevent the hydrometer from floating
freely.)
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. FIG. 1 Hydrometer Scale Reading for Transparent Liquids

4
 D 1298 99 (2005)
rt
rr 5 6 (2)
1 [23 3 10 ~t r! 2 3 108 ~t r!2#

where:
rr = hydrometer reading at the reference temperature, r C,
and
rt = hydrometer reading on the hydrometer scale whose
reference temperature is t C.
11.5 Convert the corrected hydrometer scale reading to
density, relative density, or API gravity using the appropriate
parts of the Petroleum Measurement Tables referenced in
Guide D 1250 according to the nature of the materials under
test. Table 3 gives some examples of relevant table numbers in
the Petroleum Measurement Tables.
11.5.1 The strictly correct procedure for the conversion is to
use the computer implementation procedures contained in the
Petroleum Measurement Tables and not the printed tables. If
the printed tables are used, ensure that all errata discovered
since original publication have been included in the version
used. The tables include corrections for soda-lime glass expan-
sion and contraction of the hydrometer over the temperature
range, and thus the observed hydrometer reading is added
directly after correction (11.2-11.4) as necessary.
11.5.2 To convert densities expressed in kg/m3 to densities
expressed in g/mL or kg/L, divide by 103.
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), referenced in Guide D 1250, are
appropriate.
12. Report
FIG. 2 Hydrometer Scale Reading for Opaque Fluids 12.1 Report the final value as density, in kilograms per cubic
metre, at the reference temperature, to the nearest 0.1 kg/m3.
12.2 Report the final value as density, in kilograms per litre
10.14 If the test temperature is higher than 38C, allow all or grams per millilitre at the reference temperature, to the
hydrometers of the lead shot-in-wax type to drain and cool in nearest 0.0001.
a vertical position. 12.3 Report the final value as relative density, with no
dimensions, at the two reference temperatures, to the nearest
11. Calculation 0.0001.
11.1 Apply any relevant thermometer corrections to the 12.4 Report the final value as API gravity to the nearest 0.1
temperature reading observed in 10.6 and 10.13 and record the API.
average of those two temperatures to the nearest 0.1C.
13. Precision and Bias
11.2 For opaque samples, apply the relevant meniscus
correction given in Table 1 to the observed hydrometer reading 13.1 PrecisionThe precision of the method as determined
(10.12.2) as hydrometers are calibrated to be read at the by statistical examination of interlaboratory results is as
principal surface of the liquid. follows:
13.1.1 RepeatabilityThe difference between two test re-
NOTE 8The meniscus correction for a particular hydrometer in use is sults, obtained by the same operator with the same apparatus
determined by observing the maximum height above the principal surface
of the liquid to which liquid rises on the hydrometer scale when the
under constant operating conditions on identical test material,
hydrometer in question is immersed in a transparent liquid having a would in the long run, in the normal and correct operation of
surface tension similar to that of the sample under test. For hydrometers the test method, exceed the values in Table 4 only in 1 case in
specified in this test method, the corrections in Table 1 are approximate. 20.
11.3 Apply any hydrometer correction to the observed
reading and record the corrected hydrometer scale reading to TABLE 3 Example PMT Table Numbers
the nearest 0.1 kg/m3 in density, 0.0001 g/mL, kg/L or relative Material Density at 15C Density at 20C Relative Density API
kg/m3 kg/m3 at 60/60F
density, or 0.1 API.
11.4 If the hydrometer has been calibrated at a temperature Crude petroleum 53A 59A 23A 5A
Petroleum products 53B 59B 23B 5B
other than the reference temperature, use the equation below to Lubricating oils 53D 59D 5D
correct the hydrometer scale reading:

5
 D 1298 99 (2005)
TABLE 4 Precision Values 13.1.2 ReproducibilityThe difference between two single
Product: Transparent Low-viscosity Liquids and independent results obtained by different operators work-
Temperature
Repeat- Repro-
ing in different laboratories on identical test material would, in
Parameter Range, Units the long run, in the normal and correct operation of the test
ability ducibility
C (F)
method, exceed the following values only in 1 case in 20.
Density 2 to 24.5 kg/m3 0.5 1.2
(29 to 76) kg/L or g/mL 0.0005 0.0012 13.2 BiasBias for this test method has not been deter-
Relative Density 2 to 24.5 NONE 0.0005 0.0012 mined. However, there should be no bias from absolute
(29 to 76)
API Gravity (42 to 78) API 0.1 0.3 measurements, if the calibration of the hydrometer and the
Product: Opaque Liquids
thermometer is traceable to International Standards, such as
supplied by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Temperature
Repeat- Repro-
Parameter Range, Units
ability ducibility
C (F) 14. Keywords
Density 2 to 24.5 kg/m3 0.6 1.5
(29 to 76) kg/L or g/mL 0.0006 0.0015 14.1 API gravity; crude petroleum; density; hydrometer;
Relative Density 2 to 24.5 NONE 0.0006 0.0015 Petroleum Measurement Tables; petroleum products; relative
(29 to 76)
API Gravity (42 to 78) API 0.2 0.5
density; specific gravity

ANNEX

(Mandatory Information)

A1. APPARATUS

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

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