ASTM D482-12

4.1 Knowledge of the amount of ash-forming material present in a product can provide information as to whether or not the product is suitable for use in a given application. Ash can result from oil or water-soluble metallic compounds or from extraneous solids such as dirt and rust.

1.1 This test method covers the determination of ash in the range 0.001–0.180 mass %, from distillate and residual fuels, gas turbine fuels, crude oils, lubricating oils, waxes, and other petroleum products, in which any ash-forming materials present are normally considered to be undesirable impurities or contaminants (Note 1). The test method is limited to petroleum products which are free from added ash-forming additives, including certain phosphorus compounds (Note 2).