5.1 This test method provides an indication of thermal oxidative stability of distillate fuels when heated to high temperatures that simulate those that may occur in some types of recirculating engine or burner fuel delivery systems. Results have not been substantially correlated to engine or burner operation. The test method can be useful for investigation of operational problems related to fuel thermal stability.

5.2 When the test method is used to monitor manufacture or storage of fuels, changes in filter rating values can indicate a relative change in inherent stability. Storage stability predictions are more reliable when correlated to longer-term storage tests, for example, Test Method D4625, or other lower temperature, long-term tests. When fuel samples are freshly produced, aging for 180 min, instead of the traditional 90 min interval, tends to give a result correlating more satisfactorily with the above methods (see Appendix X2).

5.3 The test method uses a filter paper with a nominal porosity of 11 μm, which will not capture all of the sediment formed during aging but allows differentiation over a broad range. Reflectance ratings are also affected by the color of filterable insolubles, which may not correlate to the mass of the material filtered from the aged fuel sample. Therefore, no quantitative relationship exists between the pad rating and the gravimetric mass of filterable insolubles.