Glycols and Engine Coolants
Applications for glycols include engine coolants and drying gas products (Rich and Lean Glycols). Presently, the 16 th Edition of the TOL catalog lists eight individual tests and three testing packages for glycols and engine coolants.
Tests in TOL Alphabetical:
Ethylene Glycol Based Engines Coolants (see Packages) |
ASTM D 3306 |
450 |
Ethylene Glycols and Propylene Glycols by Gas Chromatography |
ASTM E 202.b |
200 |
Foaming Tendencies of Engine Coolants |
ASTM D 1881 |
80 |
Freezing Point of Aqueous Engine Coolants |
ASTM D 1177 |
70 |
Freezing Point of Aqueous Engine Coolants, Refractometer Method |
ASTM D 3321 |
30 |
Glycol and/or Alcohol in Water by Gas Chromatography |
ASTM D 3695 |
150 |
Glycol Composition by Gas Chromatography |
ASTM E 202.a |
180 |
Glycol-Base Antifreeze in Used Lubricating Oils |
ASTM D 2982 |
60 |
Testing Packages:
1. Engine Coolant Testing, In-Service Monitoring (p39) No ASTM Reference
2. Engine Coolant Testing, In-Service Monitoring (p38) No Reference, maybe City of Houston
3. Rich and Lean Glycols, (No ASTM Reference).
Glycol based engine coolants is a far more detailed subject than is reflected in the TOL catalog. There are four ASTM Specifications for glycols, plus six (a five depending on where ASTM D 6211 is listed. Pending or discontinued?) specifications for engine coolants, plus six specifications related to glycol additives, glycols as contaminants in oils, and for terminology. In addition there are five withdrawn specifications for glycol base coolants and some of these seem to be under review by ASTM work groups for possible revisions.
Details are summarized below. It is important that we have the latest revisions of all specifications to insure that we have the correct recommendations for test packages.
ASTM Specifications for Glycols and Engine Coolants:
1. Glycols:
ASTM E 202 Analysis of Ethylene Glycols and Propylene Glycols. Includes the basic GC procedure for the characterization test of glycols.
ASTM E 611 Diethylene Glycol in Ethylene Glycol (Withdrawn 1997 but now again active as E-611-03. This specification is for detecting 0.05 to 0.1% DEG in ethylene glycol).
ASTM E 1177 Specification for Ethylene Glycol, Engine Coolant Grade. (Note dated 11-26-03 indicating that the specification now includes redistilled used glycol.)
ASTM D 5223 Specification for Propylene Glycol, Engine Coolant Grade (Withdrawn 2000. Under Work Group review. A note dated 5-15-03 states that it will be reissued.)
2. Engine Coolants:
ASTM D 3306 Specification for Glycol Base Engine Coolant, Light Duty Service (Automobiles, Light Trucks)
ASTM D 6210 Specification for Glycol Base Engine Coolant for Heavy Duty Engines
ASTM D 4985 Specification for Ethylene Glycol Base Engine Coolants, Heavy Duty, with Additives (SCA)
ASTM D 6211 Specification for Propylene Glycol Base Engine Coolants, Heavy Duty, with Additives (SCA
(Withdrawn 2000. Check current status to see if it is under work group review.)
ASTM D 6471 Specification for Recycled Glycol, Predilute, for Light Duty Service
ASTM D 6472 Specification for Recycled Glycol, Concentrate, for Light Duty Service
3. Other Glycol-related Items:
ASTM D 4725 Terminology for Engine Coolants
ASTM D 5752 Specification for Supplemental Coolant Additive (SCA)
ASTM D 3585 Specification for ASTM Reference Fluid for Coolant Tests
ASTM D 2982 Detecting Glycol Base Antifreeze in Used Lubricating Oils
ASTM D 4291 Detecting Trace Ethylene Glycol in Used Engine Oil
ASTM D 6107 Specification for Stop-Leak Additive for Engine Coolants, Light Duty
4. Withdrawn Standards:
ASTM D 4656 Specification for Ethylene Glycol Base Engine Coolant, Pre-diluted 50 vol%, Light Duty
(Withdrawn 2000, no replacement)
ASTM D 5216 Specification for Propylene Glycol Base Engine Coolant, Light Duty
(Withdrawn 2000,No replacement).
ASTM D 5345 Specification for Pre-diluted Ethylene Glycol Base Engine Coolant for Heavy Duty Engines
(Withdrawn 2000, no replacement).
ASTM D 6211 Specification for Propylene Glycol Base Engine Coolants, Heavy Duty
(Withdrawn 2003. Replaced by ASTM D 6210)
ASTM D 6257 Specification for Pre-diluted Glycol Base Engine Coolant, Light Duty
(Withdrawn 2000, No replacement.)
5. ASTM Committies for Glycol Standards:
Committee D15.01: D 3585, D 5223, E 202, E 611, E 1177.
Committee D15.07: D 3306, D 4985, D 5752, D 6107, D 6210.
Committee D15.15: D 6471, D 6472
Committee D15.92: D 4725
Committee D.02.04.02: D 4291
Committee D02.06.0A D 2982
*NOTE: one way to get up to date on this subject is to talk with the committee chairman (4.18.04 RJO )
6 . Terminology:
Engine Coolant - A heat exchange fluid consisting of water or water and glycol engine concentrates plus a corrosion inhibitor. May also contain other additives.
Engine Coolant Concentrate – A formulated liquid product intended to be diluted with water for use in engine cooling systems.
Antifreeze – Marketing name for an engine coolant concentrate.
Glycol Engine Coolant Concentrate – An engine coolant concentrate based on ethylene or propylene glycol with inhibitors to minimize foaming and corrosion.
Antifoam – Additive to engine coolant concentrates to prevent or suppress foam thus improving heat transfer.
Corrosion Inhibitor Package – A combination of inhibitors added to an engine coolant to reduce corrosion, scaling, and foaming.
Scale Suppressant – A substance added to engine coolant concentrates, corrosion inhibitor packages, or supplemental coolant additives that helps prevent the formation of a hard water mineral scale.
Stop Leak Additives – A compound containing particulates that is added to the cooling system to stop or minimize leaks.
Supplemental Coolant Additive (SCA) – Additives used to prevent corrosion, scaling, or pitting in heavy duty engines.
• Precharge Dose – Initial concentration of SCA
• Maintenance Dose – Smaller periodic additions of SCA
Light Duty Engines – One designed to be normally operated at less than its peak output. Typically found in automobiles, pickup trucks, vans, sports utility vehicles, small farm tractors, and lawn maintenance equipment.
Heavy Duty Engines - One designs to operate continuously at close to its peak output. Typically, Class 5 to 8 trucks and buses. Off-the-road machinery for agriculture, earthmoving, construction, and mining, locomotive and mariene applications or stationary engine applications.
Prediluted Aqueous Ethylene Glycol Coolant – A commercially prepared uniform solution (50% by volume minimum) of ethylene glycol based engine coolant concentrate and deionized water. Prediluted coolant is intended for direct addition to a cooling system.
Reserve Alkalinity – A term applied to engine coolant concentrates and antirusts to indicate the amount of alkaline inhibitors present in the product.
Methoxy Propanol – a glycol ether used as an engine coolant concentrate.
Recycled Engine Coolant – a coolant that is formulated with other than virgin materials.
