Standards for ASTM Diesel Fuel

According to the American Society for Testing & Materials (ASTM), seven grades of diesel fuels suitable for use in diesel engines are covered by the ASTM D975 standard, which was last updated in 2004.

Standard

• The Dieselnet website explains that in the 1990s, tests for ASTM standardization became more stringent because of the Clean Air Act introduced by the U.S. Congress. The ASTM D975 standard test covers flash point, cloud point, distillation, sulfur, copper corrosion, lubricity and aromatic.

Types

• According to the ASTM, the D975 standard covers three 1-D diesel fuel types, used for diesel engines with varying speeds and loads. A further three fuel types, classified as 2-D, are used in general purpose diesel engines with high loads and uniform speeds. A final 4-D classification is a heavy diesel or diesel blend fuel.

ASTM

• The ASTM reports the organization is responsible for the development and delivery of voluntary standards in the U.S. and around the world. ASTM standards are developed to improve the quality of products and services, alongside improving safety.