::: Abbemat WR / WR-MW Application Note
Standard Test Method ASTM D1218-02
International Standard ISO 5661:1983
::: Refractive Index and Refractive Dispersion of Hydrocarbon Liquids and Petroleum Products
General
Scope
Measurement of refractive index and refractive
dispersion, accurate to four decimals or better, of
transparent, light-colored or strongly colored hydro-
carbons in the range of 1.33 to 1.50 (or above) at
temperatures from 20C to 30C (or above). Refractive
index and refractive dispersion are physical properties,
which can be used to characterize pure hydrocarbons
and their mixtures.
Analyte
Hydrocarbons: alkanes, alkenes, arenes (aromatic
hydrocarbons), cycloalkanes, hydrocarbyls (hydro-
carbons containing functional groups), etc.
Standard
ASTM D 1218 02, approved for use by agencies of
the Department of Defense
ISO 5661:1983 (E), first edition
Terminology of Refractive Index
The ratio of the velocity of light in air, to its velocity in the
substance
Terminology of Refractive Dispersion
The difference between the refractive indexes of a
substance for light of two different wavelengths, both
indexes being measured at the same temperature. The
value of difference is usually multiplied by 10 000. For
more information about refractive dispersion please see
the application note Dispersion and Abbe Number.
D01IA008EN-B
Hydrocarbon Liquids:::
Procedure
Safety Precautions
Hydrocarbons and their vapors are flammable. More-
over, hydrocarbons and their vapors can be harmful if
inhaled. Avoid contact with the skin. It is in the
responsibility of the user of this method to establish
appropriate safety and health practices and determine
the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to its use.
Apparatus
Abbemat HP for the measurement of refractive index of
hydrocarbons in the range of 1.33 to 1.50
Abbemat WR for the measurement of refractive index of
hydrocarbons in the range of 1.30 to 1.72 (recommend-
ed instrument)
The measurement of refractive dispersion of hydro-
carbons requires an Abbemat WR-MW.
Sample Volume
A sample of approx. 0.5 mL is required. The sample
shall be free of suspended solids, water, or other
materials that may settle on the prism surface and affect
the reading.
Refractive Index Measurement
The measuring prism of Abbemat must be kept clean.
The instrument should be calibrated against a refractive
index standard provided by Anton Paar.
The temperature control of the liquid being examined
and the cleanliness of the prism should be checked
frequently by determining the refractive index of distilled
water, which is 1.3329860.00002 (Abbemat HP model,
or 0.00004 (Abbemat WR(-MW) model) at 20 C and
589 nm wavelength.
The AbbematPC software will record all the data
required by the ASTM standard, e.g. type of hydro-
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 ::: Abbemat WR / WR-MW Application Note

Standard Test Method ASTM D1218-02

International Standard ISO 5661:1983

carbon (needs to be manually input), refractive index, - Take/record the reading

wavelength and temperature of analysis.
- Switch to the next required wavelength, e.g.
589 nm (nd)
The required accuracy (four decimals or better)
repeatability (0.00012) and reproducibility (0.00012) are - Wait until reading has stabilized
fulfilled by the Abbemat.
- Take/record the reading
- Calculate the dispersion, e.g.
| (ng nd) | x 10 000 at 20.00C
- Select the refractive index scale
- Select the measuring temperature, e.g. 20.00C Advantage
- Select the required wavelength, e.g. 589 nm
The Abbemat will give a better repeatability and
- Apply a few drops of the hydrocarbon on the accuracy than an Abbe-type refractometer. Due to its
measuring prism of the Abbemat measuring principle, the Abbemat operates indepen-
dent of the operator.
- Wait until temperature has stabilized
- Take/record the reading
Hydrocarbons
Refractive Dispersion Measurement
Alkanes CnH2n+2 RI boiling point
The measuring prism of Abbemat must be kept clean.
[589 nm] [C]
The instrument should be calibrated against a refractive
index standard provided by Anton Paar. n-Hexane 1.3748 69
The temperature control of the liquid being examined n-Octane 1.3980 126
and the cleanliness of the prism should be checked
Iso-Octane 1391467 99
frequently by determining the refractive index of distilled
water, which is 1.3329860.00004 (Abbemat WR-MW) Dodecane 1.421718 216
model) at 20 C and 589 nm wavelength.
Cycloalkanes CnH2n
The AbbematPC software will record all the data Cyclohexane 1.426476 81
required by the ASTM standard, e.g. type of hydro-
carbon (needs to be manually input), refractive index, Alkenes CnH2n
wavelength and temperature of analysis. The dispersion
1-Heptene 1.3998 94
must be calculated manually.
1-Octene 1.4087 121
The required accuracy (four decimals or better)
repeatability (0.00012) and reproducibility (0.00012) are Arenes
fulfilled by the Abbemat.
Benzene 1.5011 80
- Select the refractive index scale
Toluene 1.4960 111
- Select the measuring temperature, e.g. 20.00C
1-Bromonaphtalene 1.657838 > 218
- Select the required wavelength, e.g. 546 nm (ng)
Hydrocarbyls
- Apply a few drops of the hydrocarbon on the
measuring prism of the Abbemat Acetone 1.3586 56
- Wait until temperature has stabilized

D01IA008EN-B Page 2/3

 ::: Abbemat WR / WR-MW Application Note

Standard Test Method ASTM D1218-02

International Standard ISO 5661:1983

Ethanol 1.3614 78
Ethyl acetate 1.3724 77

Literature and References

ASTM D 1218-02 (2002), Standard Test Method for Refractive
Index and Refractive Dispersion of Hydrocarbon Liquids
ASTM D 1193, Specification for Reagent Water
ASTM D 1500, Test Method for ASTM Color of Petroleum
Products (ASTM Color Scale)
ASTM D 6299, Practice for Applying Statistical Quality Assur-
ance Techniques to Evaluate Analytical Measurement System
Performance
ASTM D 6300, Practice for the Determination of Precision and
Bias Data for Use in Test Methods for Petroleum Products and
Lubicants
ASTM E 1, Specification for ASTM Thermometers
ISO 5661:1983 (E), Petroleum Products Hydrocarbon Li-
quids Determination of Refractive Index, First Edition 1983-
10-15
ISO 2049, Petroleum Products Determination of Colour

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