ASTM Fuel Ethanol Specifications

The American Society for Testing and Materials have established a standard D4806-98 for "Denatured fuel ethanol for blending with gasoline, for use as automotive spark-ignition engine fuel", which is generally accepted throughout the industry.

Property Units Limits

Ethanol % v/v 92.1 min.

Methanol % v/v 0.5 max. (5,000 ppm)

Water % v/v 1.0 max. (10,000 ppm)

Solvent-washed gum mg / 100ml 5 max. (50 ppm)

Chloride ion mg / L 40 max. (40 ppm)

Copper content mg / kg 0.1 max. (0.1 ppm)

Acidity, as acetic acid mg / kg 0.007 max. (70 ppm)

Appearance Visibly free of suspended or precipitated contaminants (clear and bright).

Denaturant A minimum of 1.96% v/v, and a maximum of 4.76% v/v of natural gasoline, gasoline components or unleaded gasoline.

Property	Units	Limits
Ethanol	% v/v	92.1 min.
Methanol	% v/v	0.5 max. (5,000 ppm)
Water	% v/v	1.0 max. (10,000 ppm)
Solvent-washed gum	mg / 100ml	5 max. (50 ppm)
Chloride ion	mg / L	40 max. (40 ppm)
Copper content	mg / kg	0.1 max. (0.1 ppm)
Acidity, as acetic acid	mg / kg	0.007 max. (70 ppm)
Appearance	Visibly free of suspended or precipitated contaminants (clear and bright).
Denaturant	A minimum of 1.96% v/v, and a maximum of 4.76% v/v of natural gasoline, gasoline components or unleaded gasoline.