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D130-19 – Standard Test Method Technical Guide
🛢️ Overview and Applicable Products
ASTM D130-19 is a standard test method for determining the corrosiveness to copper of a wide range of petroleum products. It is also recognized as Federation of Societies for Paint Technology Standard No. Dt-28-65 and British Standard 4351. The method is essential for detecting corrosive sulfur compounds that could damage fuel system components.
The test covers aviation gasoline, aviation turbine fuel, automotive gasoline, Stoddard solvent, kerosine, diesel fuel (per D975), distillate fuel oil (per D396), lubricating oil, and natural gasoline. A strict vapor pressure limit applies: the sample must have a vapor pressure no greater than 124 kPa (18 psi) at 37.8 °C. All values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
⚠️ Critical Safety Warning: Products with vapor pressures exceeding the 124 kPa (18 psi) limit, particularly some natural gasolines, can generate dangerously high pressures within the sealed test vessel when heated to 100 °C (212 °F), creating a risk of rupture. Such samples must not be placed in the 100 °C bath and must be tested using Test Method D1838.
| 🛢️ Product Category | 📐 Vapor Pressure Constraint | ⚡ Key Standard Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Aviation Gasoline, Turbine Fuel | Standard conditions | D1655 (Aviation Turbine Fuels) |
| Automotive Gasoline, Kerosine, Stoddard Solvent | Standard conditions | General Scope of D130 |
| Diesel Fuel / Distillate Fuel Oil | Standard conditions | D975 / D396 |
| Natural Gasoline / High VP Hydrocarbons | ≤ 124 kPa (18 psi) at 37.8 °C | Above limit, use D1838 |
| Lubricating Oil | Standard conditions | General Scope of D130 |
⚙️ Test Procedure and Assessment
The test method consists of immersing a highly polished copper strip in a specific volume of the sample within a pressure vessel. The sealed vessel is then heated under strictly controlled conditions of temperature and time that are specific to the class of material being tested.
At the end of the heating period, the copper strip is carefully removed, washed with an appropriate solvent to remove any adhering sample, and immediately assessed. The level of tarnish or corrosion is determined by comparing the strip’s appearance against the physical ASTM Copper Strip Corrosion Standard.
💡 Best Practice: Proper surface preparation of the copper strip is critical for reproducible results. The standard requires specific abrasive papers conforming to specifications from the Coated Abrasives Manufacturers Institute (CAMI) and the Federation of European Producers Association (FEPA). Sampling must be conducted per Practices D4057 (Manual) or D4177 (Automatic).
📚 Referenced Standards and Precision
ASTM D130-19 operates within a framework of essential companion standards. These ensure consistency in fuel specifications, sampling procedures, and the determination of test precision.
| 📚 Standard | 📖 Function / Title |
|---|---|
| D1838 | Copper Strip Corrosion by LP Gases (Alternative method for high vapor pressure) |
| D396 / D975 / D1655 | Specifications for Fuel Oils, Diesel Fuels, and Aviation Turbine Fuels |
| D6300 | Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias Data for Petroleum Test Methods |
| E1 | Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers |
| ASTM Adjunct | ASTM Copper Strip Corrosion Standard (Visual classification aid) |
The standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and is developed in accordance with internationally recognized standardization principles.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
🔍 What is the purpose of the D130 copper strip corrosion test?
The test determines the corrosiveness to copper of petroleum products. It detects the presence of corrosive sulfur compounds or other active sulfur species that could corrode copper and copper-alloy fuel system components.
💡 Why is the vapor pressure limit of 124 kPa (18 psi) strictly enforced?
Samples with a vapor pressure exceeding this limit at 37.8 °C can generate dangerously high internal pressures when heated to the standard test temperature of 100 °C, creating a risk of rupturing the sealed test vessel. Such samples must be tested using the alternative method D1838.
⚡ How are the test results classified and reported?
After the heating and washing steps, the copper strip is visually compared against the physical ASTM Copper Strip Corrosion Standard.