01How Reference Densities Are Selected
Every substance in the 700+ item catalogue is assigned a nominal reference density (ρ) in metric kilograms per litre (kg/L), numerically identical to grams per cubic centimetre (g/cm³). Nominal values represent the most common commercial grade or purest chemical state of the substance encountered in industry practice.
Assigned IUPAC standard densities for specified assay purities (e.g. 98% Sulfuric Acid, 99.5% Acetone).
Derived from USDA FoodData Central averages for typical water/fat/sugar ratios at room temperature.
Standardized to mid-point values governed by international refining standards (EN 590, ASTM D975).
02Temperature Baselines & Assumptions
Because volumetric thermal expansion causes density to decrease as temperature increases, all values are indexed to explicit baseline reference temperatures:
| Domain | Reference Temperature | Governing Standard / Baseline |
|---|---|---|
| Pure Water Standard | 4.0°C (39.2°F) | Maximum density baseline: exactly 1.0000 kg/L |
| Culinary & General Liquids | 20.0°C (68.0°F) | Standard Room Temperature (IUPAC Ambient) |
| Automotive & Marine Fuels | 15.0°C (59.0°F) | Custody transfer standard: EN 590 / ASTM D1298 / API Gravity |
| Laboratory Reagents | 25.0°C (77.0°F) | NIST Standard Temperature and Pressure (STP) |
03Approximate vs. Exact Values & Density Ranges
In real-world applications, material density exists across an acceptable tolerance range due to variable factors:
Dry ingredients such as all-purpose flour range from 0.52 kg/L (sifted/aerated) to 0.65 kg/L (settled/compacted). Our baseline uses 0.59 kg/L.
Dry silica sand averages 1.60 kg/L (1,600 kg/m³), but damp or compacted sand can exceed 1.90 kg/L.
Commercial EN 590 diesel legal density permits a range of 0.820 to 0.845 kg/L (standardized to 0.832 kg/L).
04Primary Data Sources & Literature
Our catalogue values are compiled from peer-reviewed scientific literature, government research agencies, and governing industry standard organizations:
- •NIST Chemistry WebBook: Thermophysical Properties of Fluid Systems (SRD 69).
- •CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics: 104th Edition (Physical Constants of Organic & Inorganic Compounds).
- •ASTM International: Standards D1298 (Fuel Density), D975 (Diesel), and C29 (Aggregate Bulk Density).
- •European Committee for Standardization: EN 590 Automotive Fuels Specifications.
- •USDA FoodData Central: Standard Reference Legacy Database for Food and Agricultural Products.
05Update Schedule & Data Review
The database is maintained on a Quarterly Continuous Review Schedule. Corrections, newly characterized bio-fuel formulations, and laboratory density submissions undergo verification against published safety data sheets before deployment to the production static endpoints.