Chemical propertiesFurther information:Diesel exhaustandGel point (petroleum)
Most diesel fuels freeze at common winter temperatures, while the temperatures greatly vary.Petrodiesel typically freezes around temperatures of −8.1°C (17.5°F), whereas biodiesel freezes between temperatures of 2° to 15°C (35° to 60°F).The viscosity of diesel noticeably increases as the temperature decreases, changing it into a gel at temperatures of −19°C (−2.2°F) to −15°C (5°F), that cannot flow in fuel systems. Conventional diesel fuels vaporise at temperatures between 149°C and 371°C.
Conventional dieselflash pointsvary between 52 and 96°C, which makes it safer than petrol and unsuitable for spark-ignition engines.Unlike petrol, the flash point of a diesel fuel has no relation to its performance in an engine nor to its auto ignition qualities.
Cetane number | Euro 11 January 1993max. 2000 ppmmin. 49Euro 21 January 1996max. 500 ppmmin. 49Euro 31 January 2001max. 350 ppmmin. 51Euro 41. January 2006max. 50 ppmmin. 51Euro 51 January 2009max. 10 ppmmin. 51