5.1 The determination of the total volume percent of saturates, olefins, and aromatics in petroleum fractions is important in characterizing the quality of petroleum fractions as gasoline blending components and as feeds to catalytic reforming processes. This information is also important in characterizing petroleum fractions and products from catalytic reforming and from thermal and catalytic cracking as blending components for motor and aviation fuels. This information is also important as a measure of the quality of fuels, such as specified in Specification D1655.

1.1 This test method covers the determination of hydrocarbon types over the concentration ranges from 5 % to 99 % by volume  aromatics, 0.3 % to 55 % by volume olefins, and 1 % to 95 % by volume  saturates in petroleum fractions that distill below 315 °C. This test method may apply to concentrations outside these ranges, but the precision has not been determined. Samples containing dark-colored components that interfere in reading the chromatographic bands cannot be analyzed.

Note 1: For the determination of olefins below 0.3 % by volume, other test methods are available, such as Test Method D2710.

1.2 This test method is intended for use with full boiling range products. Cooperative data have established that the precision statement does not apply to narrow boiling petroleum fractions near the 315 °C limit. Such samples are not eluted properly, and results are erratic.

1.3 This test method includes a relative bias section based on Practice D6708 accuracy assessment between Test Method D1319 and Test Method D5769 for total aromatics in spark-ignition engine fuels as a possible Test Method D1319 alternative to Test Method D5769 for U.S. EPA spark-ignition engine fuel regulations reporting. The Practice D6708 derived correlation equation is only applicable for fuels in the total aromatic concentration range from 3.3 % to 34.4 % by volume as measured by Test Method D1319 and the distillation temperature T₉₅, at which 95 % of the sample has evaporated, ranges from 149.1 °C to 196.6 °C (300.3 °F to 385.8 °F) when tested according to Test Method D86.

1.3.1 The applicable Test Method D5769 range for total aromatics is 3.7 % to 29.4 % by volume as reported by Test Method D5769 and the distillation temperature T₉₅ values, at which 95 % of the sample has evaporated, when tested according to Test Method D86 is from 149.1 °C to 196.6 °C (300.3 °F to 385.8 °F).

1.4 The applicability of this test method to products derived from fossil fuels other than petroleum, such as coal, shale, or tar sands, has not been determined, and the precision statement may or may not apply to such products.

1.5 This test method has two precision statements depicted in tables. The first table is applicable to unleaded fuels that do not contain oxygenated blending components. It may or may not apply to automotive gasolines containing lead antiknock mixtures. The second table is applicable to oxygenate blended (for example, MTBE, ethanol) automotive spark ignition fuel samples with a concentration range of 13 % to 40 % by volume aromatics, 4 % to 33 % by volume olefins, and 45 % to 68 % by volume saturates.

1.6 The oxygenated blending components, methanol, ethanol, methyl-tert-butylether (MTBE), tert-amylmethylether (TAME), and ethyl-tert-butylether (ETBE), do not interfere with the determination of hydrocarbon types at concentrations normally found in commercial blends. These oxygenated components are not detected since they elute with the alcohol desorbent. Other oxygenated compounds shall be individually verified. When samples containing oxygenated blending components are analyzed, correct the results to a total-sample basis.

1.7 WARNING—Mercury has been designated by many regulatory agencies as a hazardous substance that can cause serious medical issues. Mercury, or its vapor, has been demonstrated to be hazardous to health and corrosive to materials. Use caution when handling mercury and mercury-containing products. See the applicable product Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for additional information. The potential exists that selling mercury or mercury-containing products, or both, is prohibited by local or national law. Users must determine legality of sales in their location.

1.8 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for information only and are not considered standard.

1.9 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific warning statements, see Section 7, 8.1, and 10.5.

1.10 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.