ASTM D1500-12 PDF

Scope: 4.1 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 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.

1.1 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.
Note 1—Test Method D156 is applicable to refined products that have an ASTM color lighter than 0.5.

1.2 This test method reports results specific to the test method and recorded as “ASTM Color.”

1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

ASTM D1500-12 Referenced Document

ASTM D156 Standard Test Method for Saybolt Color of Petroleum Products (Saybolt Chromometer Method)
ASTM D2500 Standard Test Method for Cloud Point of Petroleum Products
ASTM D4057 Standard Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products
ASTM D938 Standard Test Method for Congealing Point of Petroleum Waxes, Including Petrolatum

2024 ASTM D1500-24 Standard Test Method for ASTM Color of Petroleum Products (ASTM Color Scale)
2017 ASTM D1500-12(2017) Standard Test Method for ASTM Color of Petroleum Products (ASTM Color Scale)
2012 ASTM D1500-12 Standard Test Method for ASTM Color of Petroleum Products (ASTM Color Scale)
2007 ASTM D1500-07 Standard Test Method for ASTM Color of Petroleum Products (ASTM Color Scale)
2004 ASTM D1500-04a Standard Test Method for ASTM Color of Petroleum Products (ASTM Color Scale)
2004 ASTM D1500-04 Standard Test Method for ASTM Color of Petroleum Products (ASTM Color Scale)
2003 ASTM D1500-03 Standard Test Method for ASTM Color of Petroleum Products (ASTM Color Scale)
2002 ASTM D1500-02 Standard Test Method for ASTM Color of Petroleum Products (ASTM Color Scale)
1998 ASTM D1500-98 Standard Test Method for ASTM Color of Petroleum Products (ASTM Color Scale)
1982 ASTM D1500-82 Standard Test Method for ASTM Color of Petroleum Products (ASTM Color Scale)