Rationale

ASTM D3241 specifies in section 9 of the test method the use of a coarse 12 mm borosilicate glass gas dispersion tube or sparger to aerate the fuel prior to testing. Instrument models, however, beginning with the 230 Mk III (a.k.a. Mk III) have utilized sintered stainless steel gas dispersion tubes. In fact, the instruments utilized in the successful Mk III equivalence test program were equipped with sintered stainless steel gas dispersion tubes. This important detail was mistakenly not included in the Mk III equivalency research report, RR:D02-1631. To correct (and capture this information for posterity), a short, supplemental research report to RR:D02-1631 has been developed which supports the proposed modification to D3241 which follows. Per ASTM staff, it isn’t possible to ballot a change to RR:D02-1631 and retain the existing research report number. Either the new information has to be added to the existing research report and a new research report number assigned or a new short, supplemental research report has to be created and the new reference added to D3241. The latter option was thought to be least problematic.