This specification covers nominally anhydrous denatured fuel ethanol intended for blending with unleaded or leaded gasolines for use as a spark-ignition automotive engine fuel. Denatured fuel ethanol shall conform to the specified performance requirements for the following: ethanol content, methanol, solvent-washed gum, water content, denaturant content, inorganic chloride content, copper content, acidity, pHe, sulfur content, sulfate content, appearance, and specific gravity. The only denaturants used for fuel ethanol shall be natural gasoline, gasoline components, or unleaded gasoline at the minimum concentration prescribed. Prohibited denaturants include methanol which does not meet the specified requirement, pyrroles, turpentine, ketones, and tars (high-molecular weight pyrolysis products of fossil or nonfossil vegetable matter). Sampling, containers, and sample handling techniques, and the test methods for determining conformance to the specified requirements are given.

1.1 This specification covers nominally anhydrous denatured fuel ethanol intended to be blended with unleaded or leaded gasolines at 1 to 10 volume % for use as a spark-ignition automotive engine fuel covered by Specification D4814. The significance of this specification is shown in Appendix X1.

1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.3 The user is advised to check with the national regulatory agencies where the ethanol is denatured and used. The sulfur limit and denaturing formulas in this specification are acceptable for the U.S. market. Other countries or jurisdictions may allow or require other denaturing formulas and sulfur limits.