1.1 This test method covers the direct determination of water in the range of 10 mg/kg to 25 000 mg/kg entrained water in petroleum products and hydrocarbons using automated instrumentation. This test method also covers the indirect analysis of water thermally removed from samples and swept with dry inert gas into the Karl Fischer titration cell. Mercaptan, sulfide (S⁻ or H₂S), sulfur, and other compounds are known to interfere with this test method (see Section 5).

1.2 This test method is intended for use with commercially available coulometric Karl Fischer reagents and for the determination of water in additives, lube oils, base oils, automatic transmission fluids, hydrocarbon solvents, and other petroleum products. By proper choice of the sample size, this test method may be used for the determination of water from mg/kg to percent level concentrations.

1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.