ASTM D86 Distillation: How to Read the Curve

ASTM D86 is a laboratory distillation method used to characterize the boiling range of petroleum products. The result is commonly reported as a distillation curve showing recovered volume versus temperature.

Key points to record

• Initial boiling point (IBP)
• Temperatures at 10%, 50% and 90% recovered volume
• Final boiling point (FBP)
• Residue and loss

For interpretation, always compare the result with the product specification and the laboratory method conditions. The curve can help identify changes in volatility, blending, contamination or process performance.