5.1 Vapor pressure is an important physical property of volatile liquids.

5.2 Vapor pressure is critically important for both automotive and aviation gasolines, affecting starting, warm-up, and tendency to vapor lock with high operating temperatures or high altitudes. Maximum vapor pressure limits for gasoline are legally mandated in some areas as a measure of air pollution control.

1.1 This test method covers a procedure for the determination of total vapor pressure of petroleum products and liquid fuels using automatic vapor pressure instruments. The test method is suitable for testing samples with boiling points above 0 °C (32 °F) that exert a vapor pressure between 7 kPa and 110 kPa (1.0 psi and 16 psi) at 37.8 °C (100 °F) at a vapor-to-liquid ratio of 4:1. The test method is applicable to gasolines containing oxygenates. No account is made of dissolved water in the sample.

Note 1: Because the external atmospheric pressure does not influence the resultant vapor pressure, this vapor pressure is an absolute pressure at 37.8 °C (100 °F) in kPa (psi). This vapor pressure differs from the true vapor pressure of the sample due to some small vaporization of the sample and dissolved air into the air of the confined space.

1.1.1 Some gasoline-oxygenate blends may show a haze when cooled to 0 °C to 1 °C. If a haze is observed in 8.5, it shall be indicated in the reporting of results. The precision and bias statements for hazy samples have not been determined (see Note 6).

1.2 This test method is a modification of Test Method D5191 (Mini Method) in which the test chamber is at atmospheric pressure prior to sample injection.

1.3 This test method covers the use of automated vapor pressure instruments that perform measurements on liquid sample sizes in the range from 1 mL to 10 mL.

1.4 This test method is suitable for the determination of the dry vapor pressure equivalent (DVPE) of gasoline and gasoline-oxygenate blends by means of a correlation equation (see 13.2). The calculated DVPE is considered equivalent to the result obtained on the same material when tested by Test Method D4953.

1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

1.6 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 7.2 through 7.7.)

1.7 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.