Density Determination — ISO 1183 / ASTM D792 / ISO 2811 · Petroleum, Fuel and Oil Analysis

What Is Density?

Density determination is the measurement in which the ratio of the mass of the sample to its volume is determined by immersion (Archimedes), pycnometer or flotation (gradient tube) methods.

Purpose of Density

The purpose is to perform identity verification, fill rate control and porosity assessment by determining the density of the material.

Which Products Is Density Applied To?

Plastic and rubber parts
Composites with filler additives
Coating and painting (ISO 2811)
Metal and ceramic samples

In Which Sectors Is Density Used?

Oil & GasPetrokimyaEnergyChemistry

Standards Related to Density

ISO 1183-1
ISO 1183-2
ASTM D792
ISO 2811-1

Density Conditions

Method: Immersion (A), pycnometer (B), or density gradient tube
Temperature: Defined in the standard; usually 23 °C ± 2 °C
immersion liquid: Distilled water or liquid that does not interact with the sample
Number of specimens: Defined in the standard; The mean and distribution are given

Equipment for Density

Analytical balance and immersion plate
Pycnometer set
density gradient tube
Temperature-controlled bath

Sample Requirements for Density

There should be no air bubbles on the sample surface.
If the sample is porous, the method should be chosen accordingly
Sample temperature must be stabilized
The sample must not swell in the immersion liquid

Duration of Density

Typically 1 day.

Density Procedure

1The sample is conditioned and weighed in air.
2It is weighed (or measured with a pycnometer) in the immersion liquid.
3Liquid temperature and density are recorded.
4Density is calculated.
5Iterated and averaged for a defined number of samples.

Density Acceptance Criteria

The acceptance criterion is the density range given in the material standard.

Evaluation of Results

The immersion method gives incorrect results in open-pore samples; If porosity is present, method selection and sample coating requirement should be evaluated against the standard.

Density Report

Standard and method applied
Temperature and immersion liquid
Weighing values
Calculated density and distribution
Assessment against the material standard

Accreditation

EUROLAB holds internationally recognised accreditation obtained from accreditation bodies party to the IAF and ILAC multilateral recognition arrangements, under ISO/IEC 17025 for laboratory testing, ISO/IEC 17020 for inspection and surveillance, and ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO/IEC 17065 for system and product certification. This chain ensures the reports and certificates issued are accepted worldwide.

Whether this test can be offered within accredited scope depends on your product and the standard applied; since accreditation is method-based, the scope is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.

Scope and authorisations

Related Regulations

Material product standards

Petroleum, Fuel and Oil Analysis — What Does This Testing Field Cover?

The section below describes the field that the Density test belongs to; the conditions and acceptance criteria of this particular test are given in the sections above. The scope specific to your product is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.

Petroleum, fuel and oil analysis determines whether a fluid meets its specification and how it behaves in use. Standards in this field consist largely of ASTM and EN publications, with a separate method defined for each parameter.

What distinguishes this family is that product specifications are written as PARAMETER LISTS. Specifications such as EN 590 (diesel), EN 228 (petrol), EN 14214 (biodiesel) and ISO 8217 (marine fuels) state for each parameter both the limit and the method by which that limit is to be measured. If the method changes the result may change too; the specification therefore binds the method as well, and the use of an "equivalent method" is possible only where the specification allows it.

On the fuel side, parameters describe three different properties of the product. Physical properties (density, viscosity, distillation curve, pour point, cloud point) determine pumpability and cold weather behaviour. Combustion properties (cetane number, octane number, calorific value) indicate performance in the engine. Contaminant and stability parameters (sulphur, water, sediment, oxidation stability, copper strip corrosion) affect both emissions and storage life.

Oil analysis is carried out for two different purposes and the two must not be confused. Analysis of NEW oil verifies the conformity of the product to its specification: viscosity index, additive content, flash point. Analysis of USED oil, by contrast, is done to read the condition of the machine — elemental analysis shows wear metals (iron, copper, chromium, aluminium), water and fuel contamination point to leaks, and oxidation and acid number determine the remaining life of the oil.

Used oil analysis is therefore a PREDICTIVE MAINTENANCE tool. The trend of samples taken at regular intervals is followed; it is the trend rather than a single result that is meaningful. Iron levels climbing over the course of months allow intervention before a failure occurs.

Marine fuels are the most active sub-body of the field. The global tightening of sulphur limits has brought new blended fuels onto the market; for these fuels stability, compatibility (whether two fuels form deposits when mixed) and catalytic fines content have become critical parameters.

Sampling is part of the result in this family too. A sample taken from the bottom of a tank shows different water and sediment content from one taken from the upper level; in commercial deliveries the sampling point and method are set by contract.

Method groups in this field

Physical properties
Density (oscillating U-tube and hydrometer), kinematic viscosity, distillation, pour and cloud point, flash point.
Combustion properties
Cetane number and cetane index, research and motor octane number, calorific value.
Sulphur and elements
Sulphur by UV fluorescence and XRF; elemental analysis and additive content by ICP.
Stability and corrosion
Oxidation stability, copper strip corrosion, water and sediment, filter blocking tendency.
Composition analysis
Boiling range distribution by gas chromatography, hydrocarbon types (FIA), benzene and aromatics content, fatty acid methyl ester content.
Used oil
Wear metals, contamination (water, fuel, soot), oxidation, acid and base number, change in viscosity.

Commonly confused in this field

The specification binds the method as well; a result measured by a different method may not be accepted for specification conformity.
A single result on used oil is not meaningful; the decision is made on the trend.
The sampling point determines the result; the tank bottom and the upper level show different water and sediment.
The cetane index is a calculated value and is not the same thing as a measured cetane number.
Fuels blended with biodiesel behave differently in terms of storage life and microbial growth; classical diesel parameters are not sufficient.
Mixing marine fuels from different sources can cause deposits; compatibility is assessed separately.

Which decisions these results support

Conformity of a fuel lot to specification and commercial delivery
Predictive maintenance decisions based on used oil analysis
Determining parameters for customs and tax classification
Quality verification after storage, blending and transport
Compliance with sulphur limits under emissions legislation

Related Tests

Frequently Asked Questions About Density

According to which standard is Density made?

Density is executed in scope ISO 1183-1, ISO 1183-2, ASTM D792 and ISO 2811-1. The limit values and acceptance criteria to be applied are defined in the product standard; The version valid for your product is confirmed in writing at the offer stage.

Which products does Density apply to?

Mainly applied to Plastic and rubber parts, Composites with filler additives, Coating and painting (ISO 2811) and Metal and ceramic samples. Whether your product is included in the scope is determined by examining its technical specifications and intended use.

Under what conditions is Density done?

The determining parameters are: Method — Immersion (A), pycnometer (B), or density gradient tube, Temperature — Defined in the standard; usually 23 °C ± 2 °C and immersion liquid — Distilled water or liquid that does not interact with the sample. The full terms are in the "Test Conditions" section on the page and vary depending on the product standard.

What kind of sample is needed for Density?

There should be no air bubbles on the sample surface., If the sample is porous, the method should be chosen accordingly and Sample temperature must be stabilized. The number of samples is determined according to the product standard and the scope to be reported.

How long does Density take?

Typically 1 day. This duration belongs to the experiment itself; sample preparation, queuing and reporting are also evaluated. A realistic schedule for your product is given in the offer.

What is the Density result called "appropriate"?

The acceptance criterion is the density range given in the material standard.