What is ASTM? Fuel Testing Standards
ASTM International (formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials) sets the technical standards that define fuel quality in the United States. ASTM specifications establish the minimum requirements for properties like sulfur content, cetane number, flash point, water content, and dozens of other characteristics that ensure fuel performs safely and reliably.
How It Relates to Fuel Delivery
The key ASTM fuel specifications include: ASTM D975 for diesel fuel (including ULSD), ASTM D4814 for automotive gasoline, ASTM D1655 for aviation turbine fuel (Jet A), and ASTM D7545 for biodiesel blends. Each specification defines dozens of measurable properties and their acceptable ranges.
Fuel is tested at the refinery, at distribution terminals, and sometimes at the point of delivery. Common tests include sulfur content (must be below 15 ppm for ULSD), cetane number (minimum 40 for diesel), flash point (minimum 100°F for diesel), water and sediment content, cloud point and pour point (cold weather performance), and oxidation stability.
When a fuel terminal certifies that its product 'meets ASTM D975,' it means every measurable property falls within the specified ranges. This certification travels with the fuel via the BOL and ensures that any engine designed to run on that fuel will perform as expected.
Why It Matters for BettyJet Customers
ASTM standards are your guarantee of fuel quality. BettyJet sources exclusively from terminals that provide ASTM-certified fuel, and we can provide certificates of analysis (COA) upon request for any delivery — giving you confidence in every gallon.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my fuel meets ASTM standards?
Fuel purchased from licensed terminals and reputable distributors like BettyJet meets ASTM standards by default — terminals test every batch. You can request a Certificate of Analysis (COA) from BettyJet for any delivery to verify compliance.
What happens if fuel doesn't meet ASTM specs?
Off-spec fuel can cause engine damage, poor performance, increased emissions, and warranty voidance. If you suspect fuel quality issues, stop using the fuel and contact your supplier. BettyJet will arrange testing and replacement if any delivery falls out of spec.
Related Terms
ULSD stands for Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel — a cleaner-burning diesel fuel containing no more than 15 parts per million (ppm) of sulfur. Since 2006, the EPA has required all on-road diesel sold in the United States to meet the ULSD standard, replacing Low Sulfur Diesel (LSD) which contained up to 500 ppm of sulfur.
Dyed DieselDyed diesel — also called red diesel or off-road diesel — is standard ULSD fuel that has been dyed red to indicate it is exempt from federal and state road taxes. It is chemically identical to on-road diesel but costs significantly less because the tax (typically $0.40-0.60/gallon) is not applied.
Wet HosingWet hosing is the practice of fueling vehicles or equipment directly from a mobile fuel truck rather than from a stationary storage tank. The fuel truck pulls up to each vehicle and fills it on-site — no bulk tank, no pump, no infrastructure required.
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