ASTM Biodiesel Specifications

These tables show selected ASTM International requirements for B100 and B6 to B20. Note that the specifications are routinely updated and modified. Check with your fuel provider to ensure they are storing biodiesel meeting the most recent fuel quality standards. To learn more about biodiesel, visit the Fuel Basics or Blends pages, or reference the Biodiesel Handling and Use Guide (Sixth Edition).

The National Biodiesel Accreditation Program takes fuel quality a step further with the voluntary BQ-9000 program combining ASTM standards and a quality systems program, which includes biodiesel production through end-use.

B100

This table shows selected requirements for 100% biodiesel (B100), as listed in ASTM D6751. The full standard can be purchased from ASTM International.

Property Reference Test Methods* Grade No.1-B S15 Grade No.1-B S500 Grade No.2-B S15 Grade No.2-B S500
Sulfur, % mass (ppm), max D5453 0.0015 (15) 0.05 (500) 0.0015 (15) 0.050 (500)
Cold soak filterability, s, max D7501 200 200 360 360
Monoglycerides, % mass, max D6584 0.40 0.40 - -
Requirements for All Grades
Calcium and Magnesium, combined, ppm, max EN14538 5 5 5 5
Flash point (closed cup), °C, min D93 93 93 93 93
Alcohol Control:
One of the following must be met
(1) Methanol content, mass %, max EN14110 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2
(2) Flash point, °C, min D93 130 130 130 130
Water and sediment, % volume, max D2709 0.050 0.050 0.050 0.050
Kinematic viscosity, mm2/s, 40°C D445 1.9-6.0 1.9-6.0 1.9-6.0 1.9-6.0
Sulfated ash, % mass, max D874 0.020 0.020 0.020 0.020
Copper strip corrosion D130 No. 3 No. 3 No. 3 No. 3
Cetane number, min D613 45 45 45 45
Cloud point, °C D2500 Report Report Report Report
Carbon residuea, % mass, max D4530 0.050 0.050 0.050 0.050
Acid number, mg KOH/g, max D664 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50
Free glycerin, % mass, max D6584 0.020 0.020 0.020 0.020
Total glycerin, % mass, max D6584 0.240 0.240 0.240 0.240
Phosphorus content, % mass, max D4951 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001
Distillation temperature, 90% recovered (T90)b, °C, max D1160 360 360 360 360
Sodium and potassium, combined, ppm, max EN14538 5 5 5 5
Oxidation stability, hrs, min EN15751 3 3 3 3

 * Other test methods may be used.
 a Carbon residue shall be run on the 100% sample.
 b Atmospheric equivalent temperature.

B6 to B20

This table shows requirements for 6% biodiesel (B6) to 20% biodiesel (B20) as listed in ASTM D7467. The full standard can be purchased from ASTM International.

Property Reference Test Methods* Grade
B6 to B20 S15 B6 to B20 S500 B6 to B20 S5000
Acid number, mg KOH/g, max D664 0.3 0.3 0.3
Viscosity, mm2/s at 40°C D445 1.9-4.1a 1.9-4.1a 1.9-4.1a
Flash point, °C, min D93 52b 52b 52b
Cloud point, °C, max or LTFT/CFPP, °C, max D2500 c c c
Sulfur content, (μg/g or ppm)
 mass %, max
 mass %, max
D5453
D2622
D129
15


0.05


0.50
Distillation temperature, °C, 90% evaporated, max D86 343 343 343
Ramsbottom carbon residue on 10% bottoms, mass %, max D524 0.35 0.35 0.35
Cetane number, min D613 40 40 40
One of the following must be met:
(1) Cetane index, min D976-80 40 40 40
(2) Aromaticity, vol %, max D1319-03 35 35
Ash content, mass %, max D482 0.01 0.01 0.01
Water and sediment, vol %, max D2709 0.05 0.05 0.05
Copper corrosion, 3 h @ 50°C, max D130 No. 3 No. 3 No. 3
Biodiesel content, % (V/V) D7371 6.–20. 6.–20. 6.–20.
Oxidation stability, hours, min EN15751 6 6 6
Lubricity, HFRR @ 60°C, (μm), max D6079 520 520 520
Conductivity (pS/m) or conductivity units (C.U.), min D2624/D4308 25 25 25

 * Other test methods may be used.
 a If Grade No. 1-D or blends of Grade No. 1-D and Grade No. 2-D diesel fuel are used, the minimum viscosity shall be 1.3 mm2/s.
 b If Grade No. 1-D or blends of Grade No. 1-D and Grade No. 2-D diesel fuel are used, or a cloud point of less than -12°C) is specified, the minimum flash point shall be 38°C.
 c It is unrealistic to specify low-temperature properties that will ensure satisfactory operation at all ambient conditions. However, satisfactory operation below the cloud point (or wax appearance point) may be achieved depending on equipment design, operating conditions, and the use of flow-improver additives as described in X3.1.2. Appropriate low-temperature operability properties should be agreed upon between the fuel supplier and purchaser for the intended use and expected ambient temperatures. Test Methods D 4539 and D 6371 may be useful to estimate vehicle low temperature operability limits when flow improvers are used, but their use with Bxx blends from a full range of biodiesel feedstock sources has not been validated. Due to fuel delivery system, engine design, and test method differences, low-temperature operability tests may not provide the same degree of protection in various vehicle operating classes. Tenth percentile minimum air temperatures for U.S. locations are provided in Appendix X3 as a means of estimating expected regional temperatures. The tenth percentile minimum air temperatures may be used to estimate expected regional target temperatures for use with Test Methods D 2500, D 4539, and D 6371. Refer to X3.1.3 for further general guidance on test application.