ASTM D5798-17 - 1.7.2017
 
1. Scope

1.1 This specification covers the requirements for automotive fuel blends of ethanol and gasoline for use in ground vehicles equipped with ethanol fuel blend flexible-fuel spark-ignition engines. Fuel produced to this specification contains 51 % to 83 % by volume ethanol. This fuel is for use in flexible-fuel vehicles and is sometimes referred to at retail as “Ethanol Flex-Fuel.” Appendix X1 discusses the significance of the properties specified.

1.2 The vapor pressure of ethanol fuel blends is varied for seasonal climatic changes. Vapor pressure is increased at lower temperatures to ensure adequate flexible-fuel vehicle operability. Ethanol content and selection of hydrocarbon blendstock are adjusted by the blender to meet these vapor pressure requirements.

1.3 This specification formerly covered Fuel Ethanol (Ed70-Ed85) for Automotive Spark-Ignition Engines, also known commercially as E85. The nomenclature “fuel ethanol” has been changed to “ethanol fuel blends” to distinguish this product from denatured fuel ethanol Specification D4806. To facilitate blending of ethanol fuel blends that meet seasonal vapor pressure requirements, a new lower minimum ethanol content has been established.

1.4 The United States government has established various programs for alternative fuels. Many of the definitions of alternative fuel used by these programs may be more restrictive than the requirements of this specification. See 4.1.2.1 for additional information on alternative fuels containing ethanol.

1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.

1.5.1 Exception—The values given in parentheses are for information only.

1.6 The following safety hazard caveat pertains only to the test method portion, 8.1.8, of this specification. 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

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.

 
2. Referenced Documents

D4806-21a

Standard Specification for Denatured Fuel Ethanol for Blending with Gasolines for Use as Automotive Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel (Includes all amendments and changes 10/19/2021).

D1613-17(2023)

Standard Test Method for Acidity in Volatile Solvents and Chemical Intermediates Used in Paint, Varnish, Lacquer, and Related Products

D4953-20

Standard Test Method for Vapor Pressure of Gasoline and Gasoline-Oxygenate Blends (Dry Method)

D5191-22

Standard Test Method for Vapor Pressure of Petroleum Products and Liquid Fuels (Mini Method)

D5453-19a

Standard Test Method for Determination of Total Sulfur in Light Hydrocarbons, Spark Ignition Engine Fuel, Diesel Engine Fuel, and Engine Oil by Ultraviolet Fluorescence (Includes all amendments and changes 8/13/2019).

D5501-20

Standard Test Method for Determination of Ethanol and Methanol Content in Fuels Containing Greater than 20 % Ethanol by Gas Chromatography

E1064-24

Standard Test Method for Water in Organic Liquids by Coulometric Karl Fischer Titration

United States Code of Federal Regulations,

SAE 2007–01–4006

D4814-23a

Standard Specification for Automotive Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel (Includes all amendments and changes 12/14/2023).

D130-19

Standard Test Method for Corrosiveness to Copper from Petroleum Products by Copper Strip Test

D5854-19a

Standard Practice for Mixing and Handling of Liquid Samples of Petroleum and Petroleum Products (Includes all amendments and changes 8/13/2019).

D1688-17

Standard Test Methods for Copper in Water

D3231-24

Standard Test Method for Phosphorus in Gasoline

D4057-22

Standard Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products

D4175-23a

Standard Terminology Relating to Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants (Includes all amendments and changes 12/21/2023).

D4177-22e1

Standard Practice for Automatic Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products (Includes all amendments and changes 3/24/2023).

D4306-20

Standard Practice for Aviation Fuel Sample Containers for Tests Affected by Trace Contamination

D7795-15(2022)e1

Standard Test Method for Acidity in Ethanol and Ethanol Blends by Titration (Includes all amendments and changes 5/4/2022).

E203-24

Standard Test Method for Water Using Volumetric Karl Fischer Titration

D6423-20a

Standard Test Method for Determination of pHe of Denatured Fuel Ethanol and Ethanol Fuel Blends (Includes all amendments and changes 7/17/2020).

D7039-15a(2020)

Standard Test Method for Sulfur in Gasoline, Diesel Fuel, Jet Fuel, Kerosine, Biodiesel, Biodiesel Blends, and Gasoline-Ethanol Blends by Monochromatic Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (Includes all amendments and changes 6/11/2020).

D7319-22

Standard Test Method for Determination of Existent and Potential Sulfate and Inorganic Chloride in Fuel Ethanol and Butanol by Direct Injection Suppressed Ion Chromatography

D7328-23

Standard Test Method for Determination of Existent and Potential Inorganic Sulfate and Total Inorganic Chloride in Fuel Ethanol by Ion Chromatography Using Aqueous Sample Injection

D7667-21

Standard Test Method for Determination of Corrosiveness to Silver by Automotive Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel—Thin Silver Strip Method

D7671-21

Standard Test Method for Corrosiveness to Silver by Automotive Spark–Ignition Engine Fuel–Silver Strip Method

D7757-22

Standard Test Method for Silicon in Gasoline and Related Products by Monochromatic Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry

D381-22

Standard Test Method for Gum Content in Fuels by Jet Evaporation

D525-12a(2019)

Standard Test Method for Oxidation Stability of Gasoline (Induction Period Method) (Includes all amendments and changes 12/12/2019).

D86-23ae1

Standard Test Method for Distillation of Petroleum Products and Liquid Fuels at Atmospheric Pressure (Includes all amendments and changes 2/9/2024).