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Designation: E 100 95

Standard Specification for

ASTM Hydrometers1

This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 100; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1. Scope
1.1 This specification covers glass hydrometers graduated in
systems required by the various tests in which their use is
required.

eters manufactured prior to the adoption of the specifications will retain

the same official status as those meeting current specifications.

5. Type
5.1 Hydrometers shall be of the constant-mass, variabledisplacement type. Hydrometers shall be made of glass, except
for the scale, ballasting material, and the thermometric liquid
of thermohydrometers.
5.2 The outer surface of the stem and body shall be
symmetrical about the vertical axis. There shall be no uneven
or unnecessary thickening of the walls, and no abrupt changes
or constrictions that would hinder thorough cleaning or tend to
trap air bubbles when the instrument is immersed.
5.3 The hydrometer shall always float with its axis vertical.
5.4 The hydrometer shall be thoroughly dry on the inside
when sealed. The top of the stem shall be neatly rounded
without unnecessary thickening.
5.5 The glass shall be smooth, transparent, and free of
bubbles, striae, or other imperfections that might interfere with
the use of the hydrometer. The glass shall adequately resist the
reaction of chemical agents to which hydrometers may be
exposed, and also shall have suitable thermal properties to
permit its use over the range of temperatures to which it may
be subjected. In general, glasses suitable for constructing the
bulbs of thermometers are satisfactory for hydrometers.

2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 287 Test Method for API Gravity of Crude Petroleum and
Petroleum Products (Hydrometer Method)2
D 1250 Guide for Petroleum Measurement Tables2
E 1 Specification for ASTM Thermometers3
E 77 Test Method for Inspection and Verification of Thermometers3
E 126 Test Method for Inspection and Verification of Hydrometers3
E 344 Terminology Relating to Thermometry and Hydrometry3
3. Terminology
3.1 DefinitionsThe definitions given in Terminology
E 344 apply.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 length of the scale, nthe length of the nominal range
in the stem, not including graduations extending above and
below the nominal limits.
3.2.2 top of the hydrometer, nthe top of the finished
instrument.
3.2.3 total length, nthe overall length of the finished
hydrometer.

NOTE 2The API hydrometers are intended to be used in conjunction

with Test Method D 287, hydrometer readings being corrected using
Guide D 1250, IP 200. Therefore, these hydrometers shall be made of
glass having a cubical coefficient of expansion of approximately
0.0000128/1F at 60F.

4. Specifications
4.1 Individual hydrometers shall conform to the detailed
specifications in Table 1 and to the general requirements
specified in Sections 5-15.

6. Body
6.1 The preferred shapes for the bodies of hydrometers are
shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
7. Ballast
7.1 Material used for ballast shall be secured to the lower
part of the body, and no loose material of any sort may be
inside a hydrometer. When a cement is used to hold the ballast
securely in place, this cement shall not soften below 105C
(221F).
7.2 When mercury is used for weighting, it shall be placed
in a small bulb below the main bulb of the hydrometer, and
completely separated from the main bulb by means of a glass

NOTE 1Changes in this specification may be made from time to time

which do not affect the basic characteristics of the hydrometers. Hydrom-

1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-20 on
Temperature Measurement and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E20.05
on Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers and Hydrometers.
Current edition approved Feb. 15, 1995. Published April 1995. Originally
published as E 100 53. Last previous edition E 100 94.
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.01.
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.03.

Copyright ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

E 100

(a) Plain Hydrometer

(b) Thermohydrometer with

Thermometer in Body

(c) Thermohydrometer with

Thermometer in Stem

FIG. 1 Typical Hydrometers Designs

FIG. 2 Soil Hydrometers

may be anchored by a design which prevents it from moving;

otherwise it shall be fixed in place with a cement that will not
soften below 105C (221F) and will not deteriorate with time.
The paper shall show no evidence of scorching or charring
when received, or after use at 105C (221F). The scale must
be straight and without twist.

partition or by sealing the small opening between bulbs with a

suitable cement. Solid material, such as shot, also may be
placed in a similar small bulb.
8. Stem
8.1 The stem shall be uniform in cross section, with no
perceptible irregularities. It shall extend above the top graduation at least 15 mm, and remain cylindrical for at least 3 mm
below the lowest graduation.

10. Markings
10.1 Graduation lines and inscriptions shall be in a permanent black marking material, such as India ink.
10.2 All graduation lines shall be straight, fine lines not
exceeding one fifth of the graduation interval in thickness, and
in no case more than 0.2 mm. The lines shall be perpendicular

9. Scale
9.1 The material for the scale is optional. If paper is used,
only No. 1 sulfite paper or ledger paper shall be used. The scale
2

E 100
12.6 The thermometer shall be calibrated in accordance
with Test Method E 77.

to the vertical axis of the hydrometer. The lengths of main

division lines, and the subdivision lines, shall be so chosen as
to facilitate readings. The shortest lines shall be at least 2 mm
long.
10.3 All numbers of the API hydrometers must be complete.
The numbers for 0.050 lines on specific gravity and density
hydrometers must include the values for the first three decimal
places, for example: 0.750, 0.900, 1.100; the other numbered
lines may be abbreviated.
10.4 For cemented scales, there shall be a permanent
reference mark on the stem of the hydrometer corresponding to
a designated reference mark on the scale.

13. Special Inscription

13.1 There shall appear on the scale or an extension thereof,
or on a suitable label cemented permanently to the inside of the
instrument, an inscription that indicates the purpose of the
hydrometer. If necessary, this inscription should denote the
liquid for which the hydrometer is intended, the temperature at
which it is to be used, and the character of the indication.
13.2 The designation of standard temperature and reference
temperature may be abbreviated, for example, sp gr 60/60F,
means that the hydrometer indicates at 60F the specific
gravity of the liquid, referred to water at 60F as unity.
13.3 The inscription shall include also the hydrometer
number (1H, 6H, etc.) but not the year designation (62, etc.); a
unique serial number; and the name or trademark of the
manufacturer or vendor.

11. Graduation
11.1 All hydrometers shall be graduated to read correctly
where the plane of the level liquid surface intersects the stem.
11.2 Hydrometers indicating density shall be graduated to
indicate, at the temperature marked on the scale, the density of
liquids in kilograms per cubic metre.
11.3 Specific gravity hydrometers shall be graduated to
indicate the ratio of the mass of a unit volume of the liquid at
the stated temperature to the mass of the same volume of
gas-free distilled water at a stated temperature.
11.4 API hydrometers shall be graduated to give degrees of
API gravity obtained as follows:
API Gravity, deg 5 141.5/~sp gr 60/60F! 2 131.5

14. Standardization
14.1 When tests are made at three scale points, the points
shall include at least 60 % of the graduated interval of the
scale. Neither of the extreme points shall be farther from the
nearest end of the graduated scale than a distance represented
by 25 % of the length of the graduated scale. No two adjacent
points shall be farther apart than a distance represented by
50 % of the length of the graduated scale.

(1)

11.5 A list of liquids suitable for comparison tests of

hydrometers will be found in Table 1 of Test Method E 126.

NOTE 3When testing thermohydrometers, the thermometer in the

instrument shall not be used to determine the temperature of the bath. An
ASTM Gravity Thermometer as prescribed in Specification E 1, or an
instrument of equal sensitivity and accuracy, must be used.

12. Thermohydrometers
12.1 The thermometer shall be of the mercury-in-glass type,
unless otherwise specified.
12.2 The capillary stem shall be essentially parallel to the
hydrometer axis.
12.3 When the thermometer scale is located in the stem of
the hydrometer, the scale shall be in red to distinguish it from
the hydrometer scale.
12.4 When the thermometer scale is in the stem, calibration
and testing of the thermometer shall be based on immersion of
the thermometer scale to the level of the mercury in the
thermometer stem (total immersion).
12.5 The requirements in Section 9 for the scale of the
hydrometer shall apply also to the scale of the thermometer.

15. Case
15.1 The hydrometer shall be supplied in a suitable carton
on which shall appear the ASTM number, name, and range, as
given in Table 1.
16. Method for Inspection, Test, and Standardization
16.1 Hydrometers shall be inspected, tested, and standardized in accordance with Test Method E 126.
17. Keywords
17.1 ballast; body; hydrometers; specific gravity; stem;
thermohydrometers

E 100

TABLE 1 Specifications for ASTM Hydrometers

API Gravity Hydrometers

Specific Gravity
Hydrometers

Specific Gravity
Hydrometers

For Petroleum Products and Other Liquids of

Similar Surface Tensions (33 dynes/cm or less)

For General Use

ASTM
Hydrometer
No.

Nominal
API Gravity
Range, deg

ASTM
Hydrometer
No.

Nominal
Specific Gravity
Range

1H-62

1 to + 11

82H-62

0.650 to 0.700

2H-62

9 to

21

83H-62

0.700 to 0.750

3H-62

19 to

31

84H-61

0.750 to 0.800

4H-62
5H-62
6H-62
7H-62
8H-62
9H-62
10H-62

29 to
39 to
49 to
59 to
69 to
79 to
89 to

41
51
61
71
81
91
101

85H-62
86H-62
87H-62
88H-62
89H-62
90H-62

0.800
0.850
0.900
0.950
1.000
1.050

Standard temperature, F
Subdivisions
Intermediate lines at
Main (numbered) lines at
Scale error at any point not to exceed
Total length
Length of nominal scale, mm
Scale extension beyond nominal range
limits, max
Body diameter, mm
Stem diameter min, mm

to
to
to
to
to
to

0.850
0.900
0.950
1.000
1.050
1.100

ASTM
Hydrometer
No.

Nominal
Specific
Gravity
Range

For AlcoholsA
98H-62

0.950 to 1.000

For Heavy LiquidsA

111H-62
112H-62
113H-62
114H-62
115H-62
116H-62
117H-62
118H-62
119H-62
120H-62

1.000 to 1.050
1.050 to 1.100
1.100 to 1.150
1.150 to 1.200
1.200 to 1.250
1.250 to 1.300
1.300 to 1.350
1.350 to 1.400
1.400 to 1.450
1.450 to 1.500

60
0.1 API
0.5 API
1.0 API
0.1 API
325 to 335
125 to 145
0.2

60/60
0.0005
0.001
0.005
0.0005
325 to 335
125 to 145
0.0025

60/60
0.0005
0.001
0.005
0.0005
325 to 335
125 to 145
0.0025

23 to 27
4.0

23 to 27
5.0

23 to 27
4.0

API Gravity Hydrometers

For Petroleum Products and Other Liquids of Similar Surface Tensions (33 dynes/cm or less)
ASTM Hydrometer No.

Nominal API Gravity

Range, deg

ASTM Hydrometer No.

Nominal API Gravity

Range, deg

21H-62
22H-62
23H-62
24H-62
25H-62
26H-62
27H-62
28H-62
29H-62
30H-62

0 to 6
5 to 11
10 to 16
15 to 21
20 to 26
25 to 31
30 to 36
35 to 41
40 to 46
45 to 51

31H-62
32H-62
33H-62
34H-62
35H-62
36H-62
37H-62
38H-62
39H-62
40H-62

50 to 56
55 to 61
60 to 66
65 to 71
70 to 76
75 to 81
80 to 86
85 to 91
90 to 96
95 to 101

Standard temperature, F
Subdivision, API
Intermediate lines at, API
Main (numbered) lines at, API
Scale error at any point not to exceed, API
Total length, mm
Length of nominal scale, mm
Scale extension beyond nominal range limits, max
Body diameter, mm
Stem diameter min, mm

60
0.1
0.5
1.0
0.2
158 to 168
48 to 61
0.2 API
12 to 15
2.5

E 100
TABLE 1 Continued
API Gravity Thermohydrometers
For Petroleum Products and Other Liquids of Similar Surface Tensions (33 dynes/cm or less)
Thermometer Scale in Body
ASTM Hydrometer No.

Nominal API Gravity Range, deg

41H-66
42H-66
43H-66
44H-66
45H-66

15
22
29
36
43

to
to
to
to
to

23
30
37
44
51

Hydrometer
Total length, mm
Body diameter, mm
Stem diameter, min, mm

374 to 387
18 to 25
4.0
Hydrometer Scale

Standard temperature, F
Subdivisions, API
Intermediate lines at, API
Main (numbered) lines at, API
Scale error at any point not to exceed, API
Length of nominal scale, mm

60
0.1
0.5
1.0
0.1
125 to 145
Thermometer Scale

Range, FB

0 to 150 Designation L
30 to 180 Designation M
60 to 220 Designation H
total
2
10
20
1
80 to 110

Immersion
Subdivisions, F
Intermediate lines at, F
Main (numbered) lines at, F
Scale error at any point not to exceed, F
Scale length, mm

API Gravity Thermohydrometers

For Petroleum Products and Other Liquids of Similar Surface Tensions (33 dynes/cm or less)
Thermometer Scale in Body
ASTM Hydrometer No.

Nominal API Gravity

Range, deg

51H-62
52H-62
53H-62
54H-62
55H-62
56H-62
57H-62
58H-62
59H-62
60H-62

1 to + 11
9 to
21
19 to
31
29 to
41
39 to
51
49 to
61
59 to
71
69 to
81
79 to
91
89 to
101

Thermometer Scale in Stem

ASTM Hydrometer No.

Nominal API Gravity

Range, deg

71H-62
72H-62
73H-62
74H-62

1 to + 11
9 to
21
19 to
31
29 to
41

Hydrometer
Total length, mm
Body diameter, mm
Stem diameter, min, mm

374 to 387
18 to 25
4.0

374 to 387
23 to 27
6.0

Hydrometer Scale
Standard temperature, F
Subdivisions, API
Intermediate lines at, API
Main (numbered) lines at, API
Scale error at any point not to exceed, API
Length of nominal scale, mm

60
0.1
0.5
1.0
0.1
125 to 145
Thermometer Scale

Range, FC

Immersion

0 to 150 Designation L
30 to 180 Designation M
60 to 220 Designation H
total

30 to 220

total

E 100
TABLE 1 Continued
Subdivisions, F
Intermediate lines at, F
Main (numbered) lines at, F
Scale error at any point not to exceed, F
Scale length, mm

2
10
20
1
80 to 110

2
10
20
1
105 to 145
Specific Gravity Thermohydrometer
For Petroleum Products and Other Liquids of Similar Surface
Tensions (33 dynes/cm or less)
Thermometer Scale in Body
ASTM Hydrometer No.

Nominal Specific Gravity

Range

101H-62

0.500 to 0.650

Hydrometer
Total length, mm
Body diameter, mm
Stem diameter min, mm
Working pressure min, psi

354 to 366
19 to 22
10.5
200
Hydrometer Scale

Standard temperature, F
Subdivisions
Intermediate lines at
Main (numbered) lines at
Scale error at any point not to exceed
Length of nominal scale, mm

60/60
0.001
0.005
0.010
0.001
125 to 145
Thermometer Scale

Range, F
Immersion
Subdivisions, F
Intermediate lines at, F
Main (numbered) lines at, F
Scale error at any point not to exceed, F
Scale length, mm

30 to 90
total
1
5
10
0.5
50 to 70

Specific Gravity Hydrometers

For Petroleum Products and Other Liquids of Similar
Surface Tensions (33 dynes/cm or less)
ASTM
Hydrometer No.

Nominal Specific Gravity

Range

102H-62
103H-62
104H-62
105H-62
106H-62
107H-62
108H-62

0.650
0.700
0.750
0.800
0.850
0.900
0.950

Standard temperature, F
Subdivisions
Intermediate lines at
Main (numbered) lines at
Scale error at any point not to exceed
Total length, mm
Length of nominal scale, mm
Scale extension beyond nominal
range limits, max
Body diameter, mm

to
to
to
to
to
to
to

For General Use

ASTM
Hydrometer No.

Nominal Specific
Gravity Range

125H-62
126H-62
127H-62
128H-62
129H-62
130H-62
131H-62
132H-62
133H-62
134H-62
135H-62
136H-62
137H-62
138H-62
139H-62
140H-62
141H-62

1.000 to 1.050
1.050 to 1.100
1.100 to 1.150
1.150 to 1.200
1.200 to 1.250
1.250 to 1.300
1.300 to 1.350
1.350 to 1.400
1.400 to 1.450
1.450 to 1.500
1.500 to 1.550
1.550 to 1.600
1.600 to 1.650
1.650 to 1.700
1.700 to 1.750
1.750 to 1.800
1.800 to 1.850

0.700
0.750
0.800
0.850
0.900
0.950
1.000

60/60
0.001
0.005
0.010
0.001
250 to 270
70 to 85
0.005
20 to 24

E 100
TABLE 1 Continued
Stem diameter min, mm

4.0
Soil Hydrometers
ASTM Hydrometer
No.

Nominal Specific
Gravity Range

151H-62

0.995 to 1.038
sp gr

Standard temperature, F
Divisions
Intermediate lines at
Main (numbered) lines at
Scale error at any point not to exceed
Length of nominal scale
Total length, mm
Body diameter
Stem diameter

ASTM Hydrometer No.

Nominal Range

152H-62

5 to + 60 g/L

68/68
0.001 sp gr
0.005 sp gr
0.010 sp gr
0.001 sp gr
See Fig. 2
278 to 282
See Fig. 2
See Fig. 2

68/68
1 g/L
5 g/L
10 g/L
1 g/L
See Fig. 2
278 to 282
See Fig. 2
See Fig. 2
Pounds Per Gallon Hydrometers

For Petroleum Products and Other Liquids of Similar Surface Tensions (33 dynes/cm or less)
ASTM Number

Nominal Range,
lb/gal

293H-68
294H-68
295H-68
296H-68
297H-68
298H-68

5.83
6.24
6.66
7.08
7.50
7.91

Standard temperature, F
Subdivisions
Intermediate lines at
Main (numbered) lines at
Scale error at any point not to exceed
Total length, mm
Length of nominal scale, mm
Scale extension beyond nominal range limits
Body diameter, mm
Stem diameter min, mm

to
to
to
to
to
to

Calibration Liquids

6.24
6.66
7.08
7.50
7.91
8.33

isopropyl ether-ethyl alcohol

ethyl alcohol-water
ethyl alcohol-water
ethyl alcohol-water
ethyl alcohol-water
ethyl alcohol-water

60F
0.005
0.01
0.05
0.005
325 to 335
125 to 145
0.025
23 to 27
5.0
Thermohydrometers
ASTM Hydrometer No.

Density, Range, kg/m3

300H-82
301H-82
302H-82
303H-82
304H-82
305H-82
306H-82
307H-82
308H-82
309H-82

600 to 650
650 to 700
700 to 750
750 to 800
800 to 850
850 to 900
900 to 950
950 to 1000
1000 to 1050
1050 to 1100

Hydrometer
Total length, mm
Body diameter, mm
Stem diameter, min, mm

374 to 387
18 to 25
4.0
Hydrometer Scale

Standard temperature C
Subdivisions, kg/m3
Short intermediate lines at, kg/m3
Long intermediate lines at, kg/m3
Main (numbered) lines at kg/m3
Scale error at any point not to exceed, kg/m3
Length of nominal scale, mm
Scale extension beyond nominal range limits, kg/m3

15
0.5
1
5
10
0.5
125 to 145
2.5
Thermometer Scale

E 100
TABLE 1 Continued
Range, C

designation
20 to + 65 L
0 to + 85 M
+ 20 to + 105 H
Thermometer Scale

Immersion
Subdivisions, C
Intermediate lines at, C
Main (numbered) lines at, C
Scale error at any point not to exceed, C
Scale length, mm

total
1.0
5
10
1.0
80 to 100

Thermohydrometer (Pressure)
ASTM Hydrometer No.

Density Range, kg/m3

310H

500650

Hydrometer
Nominal length, mm
Body diameter, mm
Nominal stem diameter, mm
Working pressure, kPa

387
16 to 22
10.5
1400
Hydrometer Scale

Standard temperature, C
Subdivisions, kg/m3
Intermediate lines at, kg/m3
Main (numbered) lines at, kg/m3
Scale error at any point not to exceed, kg/m3
Length of nominal scale, mm

15
1
5
10
1
125 to 145

Thermometer Scale
Range, C
Immersion
Subdivisions, C
Short intermediate lines at, C
Long intermediate lines at, C
Main (numbered) lines at, C
Scale error at any point not to exceed, C
Scale length, mm

0 to 35
total
0.5
1
5
10
0.5
50 to 80

Hydrometers
Hydrometer No.

Density, Range, kg/m3

311H-82
312H-82
313H-82
314H-82
315H-82
316H-82
317H-82
318H-82
319H-82
320H-82

600 to 650
650 to 700
700 to 750
750 to 800
800 to 850
850 to 900
900 to 950
950 to 1000
1000 to 1050
1050 to 1100

Hydrometer
Total length, mm
Body diameter, mm
Stem diameter, min, mm

325 to 335
21 to 27
4.5
Hydrometer Scale

Standard temperature C
Subdivisions, kg/m3
Short intermediate lines at, kg/m3
Long intermediate lines at, kg/m3
Main (numbered) lines at kg/m3
Scale error at any point not to exceed, kg/m3
Length of nominal scale, mm
Scale extension beyond nominal range limits, kg/m3

15
0.5
1
5
10
0.5
125 to 145
2.5

For specific gravities less than 0.950, alcoholic solutions may be tested with hydrometers 84H to 87H
Indication of the thermometer range is made by the use of the listed designation used as a suffix to the ASTM hydrometer number. For example, 42HL is an instrument

E 100
with API gravity range of 22 to 30 API and thermometer range 0 to 150F. An instrument with the same gravity range, but a thermometer range of 60 to 220F would be
designated 42HH. The number 45HM would identify an instrument with API gravity range of 43 to 51 API and a thermometer range of 30 to 180F.
C
Indication of the thermometer range is made by the use of the listed designation used as a suffix to the ASTM hydrometer number. For example, 54HL is an instrument
with API gravity range of 29 to 41 API and thermometer range 0 to 150F. An instrument with the same gravity range, but a thermometer range of 60 to 220F would be
designated 54HH. The number 57HM would identify an instrument with API gravity range of 59 to 71 API and a thermometer range of 30 to 180F

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