Designation: D 396 – 98 An American National Standard

AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS

100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM

Standard Specification for

Fuel Oils1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 396; 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 (e) 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 D 93 Test Methods for Flash Point by Pensky-Martens

1.1 This specification (Note 1) covers grades of fuel oil Closed Cup Tester2
intended for use in various types of fuel-oil-burning D 95 Test Method for Water in Petroleum Products and
equipment under various climatic and operating conditions. Bituminous Materials by Distillation2
These grades are described as follows: D 97 Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Oils2
1.1.1 Grades 1 and 2 are distillate fuels for use in domestic D 129 Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum Products (Gen-
and small industrial burners. Grade 1 is particularly adapted to eral Bomb Method)2
vaporizing type burners or where storage conditions require D 130 Test Method for Detection of Copper Corrosion
low pour point fuel. from Petroleum Products by the Copper Strip Tarnish
1.1.2 Grades 4 (Light) and 4 are heavy distillate fuels or Test2
distillate/residual fuel blends used in commercial/industrial D 445 Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent
burners equipped for this viscosity range. and Opaque Liquids (and the Calculation of Dynamic
1.1.3 Grades 5 (Light), 5 (Heavy), and 6 are residual fuels Viscosity)2
of increasing viscosity and boiling range, used in industrial D 473 Test Method for Sediment in Crude Oils and Fuel
burners. Preheating is usually required for handling and proper Oils by the Extraction Method2
atomization. D 482 Test Method for Ash from Petroleum Products2
NOTE 1—For information on the significance of the terminology and D 524 Test Method for Ramsbottom Carbon Residue of
test methods used in this specification, see Appendix X1. Petroleum Products2
NOTE 2—A more detailed description of the grades of fuel oils is given D 1266 Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum Products
in X1.3. (Lamp Method)2
1.2 This specification is for the use of purchasing agencies D 1298 Practice for Density, Relative Density (Specific
in formulating specifications to be included in contracts for Gravity), or API Gravity of Crude Petroleum and Liquid
purchases of fuel oils and for the guidance of consumers of Petroleum Products by Hydrometer Method2
fuel oils in the selection of the grades most suitable for their D 1552 Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum Products
needs. (High-Temperature Method)2
1.3 Nothing in this specification shall preclude observance D 2622 Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum Products by
of federal, state, or local regulations which can be more X-Ray Spectrometry3
restrictive. D 2709 Test Method for Water and Sediment in Distillate
1.4 All values are stated in SI units and are regarded as Fuels by Centrifuge3
standard. D 3245 Test Method for Pumpability of Industrial Fuel
Oils3
NOTE 3—The generation and dissipation of static electricity can create
problems in the handling of distillate burner fuel oils. For more informa-
D 3828 Test Methods for Flash Point by Small Scale
tion on the subject, see Guide D 4865. Closed Tester3
D 4052 Test Method for Density and Relative Density of
2. Referenced Documents Liquids by Digital Density Meter3
2.1 ASTM Standards: D 4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and
D 56 Test Method for Flash Point by Tag Closed Tester2 Petroleum Products3
D 86 Test Method for Distillation of Petroleum Products2 D 4294 Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum Products by
Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry3
D 4865 Guide for Generation and Dissipation of Static
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-2 on Electricity in Petroleum Fuel Systems4
Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D 5949 Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products
D02.E on Burner, Diesel, Non-aviation Gas Turbine, and Marine Fuels .
Current edition approved Apr. 10, 1998. Published September 1998. Originally
published as D 396 – 34 T. Last previous edition D 396 – 96.
3
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.01. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.02.
4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.03.

1
 D 396
(Automatic Pressure Pulsing Method)4
D 5950 Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products limiting requirements shown in Table 1. A representative
(Automatic Tilt Method)4 sample shall be taken for testing in accordance with Practice
D 5985 Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products D 4057.
(Rotational Method)4 4.2 Modifications of limiting requirements to meet special
2.2 Other Documents:5 operating conditions agreed upon between the purchaser, the
26 CFR Part 48 Diesel Fuel Excise Tax; Dye Color and seller, and the supplier shall fall within limits specified for
Concentration each grade, except as stated in supplementary footnotes for
40 Part 80 Regulation of Fuel and Fuel Additives Table 1.
3. General Requirements 5. Test Methods
3.1 The grades of fuel oil specified herein shall be homo- 5.1 The requirements enumerated in this specification shall
geneous hydrocarbon oils, free from inorganic acid, and free be determined in accordance with the following ASTM test
from excessive amounts of solid or fibrous foreign matter. methods,6 except as may be required under 5.1.1.
3.2 All grades containing residual components shall remain 5.1.1 Flash Point—Test Method D 93, except where other
uniform in normal storage and not separate by gravity into methods are prescribed by law. For all grades, Test Method
light and heavy oil components outside the viscosity limits for D 3828 may be used as an alternate with the same limits. For
the grade. Grades No. 1 and No. 2, Test Method D 56 may be used as an
alternate with the same limits, provided the flash point is
4. Detailed Requirements
below
4.1 The various grades of fuel oil shall conform to the
5
Available from Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing 6
For information on the precision of the ASTM test methods for fuel oils refer
Office, Washington, DC 20402. to “An Evaluation of Methods for Determination of Sulfur in Fuel Oils” by A. R.
Crawford, Esso Mathematics & Systems Inc. and G. V. Dyroff, Esso Research and
Engineering Co., 1969. This document is available from the Publications Section,
API Library American Petroleum Institute, 1220 L St., N.W., Washington, DC
20005.

TABLE 1 Detailed Requirements for Fuel OilsA

ASTM
Property Test B GradeCNo. 4 No. 5 No. 5
Method No. 1C No. 2C (Light) No. 4 (Light) No. 6
(Heavy)
Flash Point °C, min D 93 38 38 38 55 55 55 60
Water and sediment, % vol, max D 2709 0.05 0.05 ... ... ... ... ...
D 95 + D 473 ... ... (0.50)D (0.50)D (1.00)D (1.00)D (2.00)D
Distillation temperature °C D 86
10 % volume recovered, max 215 ... ... ... ... ... ...
90 % volume recovered, min ... 282 ... ... ... ... ...
max 288 338 ... ... ... ... ...
Kinematic viscosity at 40°C, mm2/s D 445
min 1.3 1.9 1.9 >5.5 ... ... ...
max 2.1 3.4 5.5 24.0E
Kinematic viscosity at 100°C, mm2/s D 445
min ... ... ... ... 5.0 9.0 15.0
max ... ... ... ... 8.9E 14.9E 50.0E
Ramsbottom carbon residue on 10 % D 524 0.15 0.35 ... ... ... ... ...
distillation residue % mass, max
Ash, % mass, max D 482 ... ... 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.15 ...
Sulfur, % mass maxF D 129 0.50 0.50 ... ... ... ... ...
Copper strip corrosion rating, max, D 130 No. 3 No. 3 ... ... ... ... ...
3 h at 50°C
Density at 15°C, kg/m3 D 1298
min ... ... >876G ... ... ... ...
max 850 876 ... ... ... ... ...
I
Pour Point °C, maxH D 97 −18 −6 −6 −6 ... ...
A
It is the intent of these classifications that failure to meet any requirement of a given grade does not automatically place an oil in the next lower grade unless in fact
it meets all requirements of the lower grade. However, to meet special operating conditions modifications of individual limiting requirements may be agreed upon among
the purchaser, seller and manufacturer.
B
The test methods indicated are the approved referee methods. Other acceptable methods are indicated in Section 2 and 5.1.
C
Under United States regulations, Grades No. 1, No. 2, and No.4 (Light) are required by 40 CFR Part 80 to contain a sufficient amount of the dye Solvent Red 164 so
its presence is visually apparent. At or beyond terminal storage tanks, they are required by 26 CFR Part 48 to contain the dye Solvent Red 164 at a concentration
spectrally equivalent to 3.9 lbs per thousand barrels of the solid dye standard SolventRed 26.
D
The amount of water by distillation by Test Method D 95 plus the sediment by extraction by Test Method D 473 shall not exceed the value shown in the table. For
Grade No. 6 fuel oil, the amount of sediment by extraction shall not exceed 0.50 mass %, and a deduction in quantity shall be made for all water and sediment in
excess of 1.0 mass %.
E
Where low sulfur fuel oil is required, fuel oil falling in the viscosity range of a lower numbered grade down to and including No. 4 can be supplied by agreement
between the purchaser and supplier. The viscosity range of the initial shipment shall be identified and advance notice shall be required when changing from one
viscosity range to another. This notice shall be in sufficient time to permit the user to make the necessary adjustments.
F
Other sulfur limits may apply in selected areas in the United States and in other countries.
G
This limit assures a minimum heating value and also prevents misrepresentation and misapplication of this product as Grade No. 2.

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 D 396
H
Lower or higher pour points can be specified whenever required by conditions of storage or use. When a pour point less than − 18°C is specified, the minimum
viscosity at 40°C for grade No. 2 shall be 1.7 mm2/s and the minimum 90 % recovered temperature shall be waived.
I
Where low sulfur fuel oil is required, Grade No. 6 fuel oil will be classified as Low Pour ( + 15°C max) or High Pour (no max). Low Pour fuel oil should be used unless
tanks and lines are heated.

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 D 396
93°C and the viscosity is below 5.5 mm2/s at 40°C. This test
method will give slightly lower values. In cases of dispute, oils shall be determined in accordance with Test Method D 86.
Test Method D 93 shall be used as the referee method. 5.1.7 Viscosity—Viscosity shall be determined in accor-
5.1.2 Pour Point—Test Method D 97. For all grades, the dance with Test Method D 445.
automatic Test Methods D 5949, D 5950, and D 5985 can be 5.1.8 Density—Practice D 1298. Test Method D 4052 can
used as alternates with the same limits. In case of dispute, Test be used as an alternate with the same limits. In case of dispute,
Method 97 shall be used as the referee method. Alternative Practice D 1298 shall be used as the referee method.
test methods that indicate flow point properties can be used for 5.1.9 Corrosion—Test Method D 130, 3 h test at 50°C.
low sulfur residual fuels by agreement between purchaser and 5.1.10 Sulfur—Test Method D 129. Test Methods D 1552,
supplier. D 2622, and D 4294 can also be used for all grades. In
5.1.3 Water and Sediment—The water and sediment in addition, Test Method D 1266 can be used for Grade 1, but
Grade Nos. 1 and 2 shall be determined in accordance with only with samples having sulfur contents of 0.4 mass per cent
Test Method D 2709 and in Grade Nos. 4, 5, and 6 by Test and less (down to 0.01 %). In case of dispute, Test Method
Method D 95 and Test Method D 473. A density of 1.0 kg/L D 129 is the referee test method for this specification.
shall be used for the Test Method D 95 water.
5.1.4 Carbon Residue—Test Method D 524. 6. Keywords
5.1.5 Ash—Test Method D 482.
5.1.6 Distillation—Distillation of Grade No. 1 and No. 2 6.1 burner fuels; fuel oils; furnace oils; petroleum and
petroleum products; specifications

APPENDIX

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. SIGNIFICANCE OF ASTM SPECIFICATION FOR FUEL OILS

X1.1 Scope availability sometimes justify its higher cost over the residual
X1.1.1 This specification divides fuel oils into grades based fuels.
upon the types of burners for which they are suitable. It places
limiting values on several of the properties of the oils in each
grade. The properties selected for limitation are those that are
believed to be of the greatest significance in determining the
performance characteristics of the oils in the types of burners
in which they are most commonly used.

X1.2 Classes
X1.2.1 Because of the methods employed in their produc-
tion, fuel oils fall into two broad classifications: distillates and
residuals. The distillates consist of overhead or distilled frac-
tions. The residuals are bottoms remaining from the distilla-
tion, or blends of these bottoms with distillates. In this
specification, Grades No. 1 and No. 2 are distillates and the
grades from No. 4 to No. 6 are usually residual, although some
heavy distillates can be sold as Grade No. 4.

X1.3 Grades
X1.3.1 Grade No. 1 is a light distillate intended for use in
burners of the vaporizing type in which the oil is converted to
a vapor by contact with a heated surface or by radiation. High
volatility is necessary to ensure that evaporation proceeds with
a minimum of residue.
X1.3.2 Grade No. 2 is a heavier distillate than grade No. 1.
It is intended for use in atomizing type burners which spray
the oil into a combustion chamber where the tiny droplets
burn while in suspension. This grade of oil is used in most
domestic burners and in many medium capacity commercial-
industrial burners where its ease of handling and ready
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 D 396
X1.3.3 Grade No. 4 (Light) is a heavy distillate fuel or
distillate/residual fuel blend meeting the specification
viscosity range. It is intended for use both in pressure-
atomizing commercial-industrial burners not requiring higher
cost distil- lates and in burners equipped to atomize oils of
higher viscosity. Its permissible viscosity range allows it to
be pumped and atomized at relatively low-storage
temperatures.
X1.3.4 Grade No. 4 is usually a heavy distillate/residual
fuel blend but can be a heavy distillate fuel meeting the
specification viscosity range. It is intended for use in burners
equipped with devices that atomize oils of higher viscosity
than domestic burners can handle. Its permissible viscosity
range allows it to be pumped and atomized at relatively low
storage temperatures. Thus, in all but extremely cold weather
it requires no preheating for handling.
X1.3.5 Grade No. 5 (Light) is residual fuel of intermediate
viscosity for burners capable of handling fuel more viscous
than grade No. 4 without preheating. Preheating may be
necessary in some types of equipment for burning and in
colder climates for handling.
X1.3.6 Grade No. 5 (Heavy) is a residual fuel more
viscous than Grade No. 5 (Light) and is intended for use in
similar service. Preheating may be necessary in some types of
equip- ment for burning and in colder climates for handling.
X1.3.7 Grade No. 6, sometimes referred to as Bunker C, is
a high-viscosity oil used mostly in commercial and industrial
heating. It requires preheating in the storage tank to
permit pumping, and additional preheating at the burner to
permit atomizing. The extra equipment and maintenance
required to handle this fuel usually preclude its use in small
installations. X1.3.8 Residual fuel oil supplied to meet
regulations requir- ing low sulfur content can differ from
the grade previously

5
 D 396
supplied. It may be lower in viscosity (and fall into a different
grade number). If it must be fluid at a given temperature, Test tility of a fuel and the ease with which it can be vaporized.
Method D 97 need not accurately reflect the pour point which The test is of greater significance for oils that are to be burned
can be expected after a period of storage. It is suggested that in vaporizing type burners than for the atomizing type. For
the purchaser and supplier discuss the proper handling and example, the maximum 10 % and 90 % distilled temperatures
operating techniques for a given low-sulfur residual fuel oil in are specified for grade No. 1 fuel. The limiting 10 % value
the installation where it is to be used. assures easy starting in vaporizing type burners and the 90 %
limit excludes heavier fractions that would be difficult to
X1.4 Significance of Test Methods vaporize.
X1.4.1 The significance of the properties of fuel oil on X1.4.1.6.1 The limits specified for grade No. 2 heating oil
which limitations are placed by the specification is as follows: define a product that is acceptable for burners of the atomizing
X1.4.1.1 Flash Point—The flash point of a fuel oil is an type in household heating installations. Distillation limits are
indication of the maximum temperature at which it can be not specified for fuel oils of grades Nos. 4, 5, and 6.
stored and handled without serious fire hazard. The minimum X1.4.1.7 Viscosity Limits for Grades Nos. 1 and 2—The
permissible flash point is usually regulated by federal, state, or viscosity of an oil is a measure of its resistance to flow. In fuel
municipal laws and is based on accepted practice in handling oil it is highly significant since it indicates both the relative
and use. ease with which the oil will flow or can be pumped, and the
X1.4.1.2 Pour Point—The pour point is an indication of the ease of atomization.
lowest temperature at which a fuel oil can be stored and still
X1.4.1.7.1 Viscosity limits for No. 1 and No. 2 grades are
be capable of flowing under very low forces. The pour point is
specified to help maintain uniform fuel flow in appliances with
prescribed in accordance with the conditions of storage and
gravity flow, and to provide satisfactory atomization and
use. Higher pour point fuels are permissible where heated
constant flow rate through the small nozzles of household
storage and adequate piping facilities are provided. An
burners. For the heavier grades of industrial and bunker fuel
increase in pour point can occur when residual fuel oils are
oils, viscosity is of major importance, so that adequate pre-
subjected to cyclic temperature variations that can occur in the
heating facilities can be provided to permit them to be pumped
course of storage or when the fuel is preheated and returned to
to the burner and to provide good atomization. However, it is
storage tanks. To predict these properties, Test Method D
equally important that the maximum viscosity under the
3245 may be required.
existing conditions be such that the oil can be pumped
X1.4.1.3 Water and Sediment—Appreciable amounts of
satisfactorily from the storage tank to the preheater.
water and sediment in a fuel oil tend to cause fouling of
facilities for handling it, and to give trouble in burner mecha- X1.4.1.8 Density—Density alone is of little significance as
nisms. Sediment may accumulate in storage tanks and on filter an indication of the burning characteristics of fuel oil. How-
screens or burner parts, resulting in obstruction to flow of oil ever, when used in conjunction with other properties, it is of
from the tank to the burner. Water in distillate fuels can cause value in mass-volume relationships and in calculating the
corrosion of tanks and equipment and it can cause emulsions specific energy (heating value) of an oil.
in residual fuels. X1.4.1.9 Corrosion—The corrosion test serves to indicate
X1.4.1.4 Carbon Residue—The carbon residue of a fuel is the presence or absence of materials that could corrode
a measure of the carbonaceous material left after all the copper, brass, and bronze components of the fuel system. This
volatile components are vaporized in the absence of air. It is a property is specified only for Nos. 1 and 2 distillate fuel oils.
rough approximation of the tendency of a fuel to form X1.4.1.10 Limited sulfur content of fuel oil can be required
deposits in vaporizing burners, such as pot-type and sleeve- for special uses in connection with heat treatment, nonferrous
type burners, where the fuel is vaporized in an air-deficient metal, glass, and ceramic furnaces or to meet federal, state, or
atmosphere. local legislation or regulations.
X1.4.1.4.1 To obtain measurable values of carbon residue X1.4.1.11 Nitrogen—Nitrogen oxide emission regulations
in the lighter distillate fuel oils, it is necessary to distill the oil have been imposed on certain combustion facilities as a
to remove 90 % of it in accordance with Section 9 of Test function of fuel nitrogen content. For purposes of these
Method D 524, and then determine the carbon residue regulations, distillate fuels, low nitrogen residual fuels, and
concentrated in the remaining 10 % bottoms. high nitrogen residual fuels have been defined by their
X1.4.1.5 Ash—The amount of ash is the quantity of non- nitrogen content. Installations are required to meet different
combustible material in an oil. Excessive amounts can indicate emission standards according to the classification of the fuel
the presence of materials that cause high wear of burner being used. When regulations require such a distinction to be
pumps and valves, and contribute to deposits on boiler heating made, fuel nitrogen specifications can be needed in the
surfaces. contractual agree- ment between the purchaser and the
X1.4.1.6 Distillation—The distillation test shows the vola- supplier.

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 D 396
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