ASTM D4985-10(2023) PDF

Overview

ASTM D4985-10(2023) is a standard specification developed by ASTM International that outlines the requirements for low silicate ethylene glycol base engine coolants used in heavy-duty engines. These coolants are vital for systems operating in demanding applications, such as off-highway machinery in agriculture, mining, earth-moving, and construction, as well as in Class 5 to 8 trucks and buses, locomotive, marine, and stationary engine installations.

This specification ensures that both coolant concentrates and prediluted formulations provide reliable protection against corrosion, freezing, and overheating when properly used alongside a supplemental coolant additive (SCA). The standard sets benchmarks for essential physical, chemical, and performance properties, supporting the long-term efficiency and durability of heavy-duty engine cooling systems.

Key Topics

• Applicability: Covers low silicate ethylene glycol base coolants designed for heavy-duty engines requiring an SCA pre-charge.
• Formulations: Applies to both concentrates (intended for dilution with water, generally 40% to 60%) and prediluted coolants (at least 50% ethylene glycol, used without further dilution).
• Performance Requirements: Ensures protection to at least −36.4 °C (−33.5 °F) for freezing and 108 °C (226 °F) for boiling, when properly prepared.
• Quality Factors: Specifies criteria for relative density, boiling and freezing points, ash content, pH, reserve alkalinity, water and chloride content, silicon content, corrosion protection, foaming, cavitation resistance, and visual aspects such as color and effects on non-metals.
• Maintenance Needs: Highlights the requirement for an initial SCA charge and ongoing maintenance doses to sustain corrosion and cavitation protection, especially in wet cylinder liner engines.

Applications

ASTM D4985-compliant coolants are used in:

• Off-highway vehicles for agriculture, construction, earth-moving, and mining
• Medium and heavy-duty over-the-road trucks and buses (Class 5-8)
• High-output stationary engine installations
• Locomotive and marine engines

These engine coolants are specifically designed to:

• Provide robust coolant formulations that resist corrosion, cavitation, and overheating in harsh environments and prolonged use.
• Ensure compatibility with SCAs, vital for systems featuring wet cylinder liners susceptible to pitting and deposits.
• Support the maintenance and longevity of heavy-duty diesel and gasoline engines by maintaining proper engine temperature and minimizing system scale and deposits.
• Allow for easy use with prediluted products or proper dilution using quality-controlled water for field and service operations.
• Comply with U.S. Department of Defense and international requirements, facilitating adoption across a wide range of sectors and geographies.

Related Standards

This standard references and aligns with several other ASTM standards critical to engine coolant evaluation and performance, including but not limited to:

• ASTM D3306 - Specification for glycol-based engine coolant for automobiles and light-duty service
• ASTM D6210 - Specification for fully-formulated glycol base engine coolant (including those from recycled or reprocessed glycols)
• ASTM D1384, D2570, D2809 - Test methods for corrosion and cavitation resistance
• ASTM D1119, D1120, D1121, D1122, D1177, D1287, D1293, D6130, D1126 - Methods for testing physical and chemical properties such as boiling point, ash, pH, hardness, and silicon content

By adhering to ASTM D4985-10(2023), manufacturers and end-users can ensure heavy-duty engine coolants deliver optimal performance, safety, and engine protection, supporting uptime and equipment longevity across critical operations.