Scales for refractometers
Samples and their refractive index (nD)
SCHMIDT + HAENSCH offers a number of different refractometers that can be used to determine the refractive index and liquid concentration of a variety of samples. In order to choose the optimum process refractometer or laboratory refractometer for your specific application, the scale of your sample and desired measuring temperature needs to be determined. This will not only increase the reliability of your measuring results but will also help you to save costs by choosing the right refractometer for you. Programming multiple scales within one refractometer is also possible.
In the table below, the refractive indices of a variety of samples have been precisely determined, measured at 20°C and λ = 589 nm as reference measurement. Different temperatures result in different refractive indexes (nD). Should you miss a sample in the table or need a different temperature reference, please do not hesitate to contact us for further questions.
We offer scale development, application consulting and engineering of new applications to our customers. Our sales team is happy to answer your questions.
| Sample | Formula | Value of refractive index (nD) measured at 20 °C | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | ||||
| 1,2,2-Trifluortrichlorethan / Freon 113 | C2Cl3F3 | 1.354 | ||
| 1,3-Butanediol | C4H10O2 | 1.439-1.441 | ||
| 1-Bromonaphthalene | C10H7Br | 1.657 | ||
| 1-Naphthaldehyd | C10H7CHO | 1.652 | ||
| 1-Propanol | C3H8O | 1.384-1.387 | ||
| 2-Propanol | C3H8O | 1.384-1.387 | ||
| 2,4-Dichlortoluol | 1.545 | |||
| 2-Ethylhexyl laurate | C20H40O2 | 1.440-4.444 | ||
| 2-Ethylnapthalin | C12H12 | 1.600 | ||
| 2H-,3H-Perfluoropentan | 1.300 | |||
| 2-Phenylethanethiol | 1.560 | |||
| 2-Phenylethylchlorid | 1.530 | |||
| 2-Propanol 10% | C3H8O | 1.338-1.341 | ||
| 2-Propanol 20% | C3H80 | 1.345-1.348 | ||
| 2-Propanol 30% | C3H80 | 1.353-1.356 | ||
| 2-Propanol 40% | C3H80 | 1.359-1.361 | ||
| 2-Propanol 50% | C3H80 | 1.363-1.365 | ||
| 2-Propanol 60% | C3H80 | 1.368-1.369 | ||
| 2-Propanol 70% | C3H80 | 1.371-1.372 | ||
| 2-Propanol 80% | C3H80 | 1.374-1.375 | ||
| 2-Propanol 90% | C3H80 | 1.376-1.377 | ||
| Alpha-Methyl-Zimtaldehyd | C10H10O | 1.608 | ||
| Acetic acid | COOH | 1.333-1.372 | ||
| Acetic acid 30% | 1.351 | |||
| Aceton | 1.358 | |||
| Acetyltributylcitrate | C20H34O8 | 1.442-1.445 | ||
| Acryl glass | C5H8O2 | 1.490 | ||
| Acrylnitril | C3H3N | 1.391 | ||
| AdBlue® / Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) | 1.383 | |||
| Aloe extract | 1.334 | |||
| Aluminium | Al2O3 | 1.760 | ||
| Ammonia | 1.333-1.353 | |||
| Ammonia-solution | 1.367-1.377 | |||
| Ammonium-chloride | Cl | 1.333-1.377 | ||
| Ammonium-sulfate | 1.333-1.397 | |||
| Anethole | C10H12O | 1.559-1.561 | ||
| Anilin | C6H5NH2 | 1.586 | ||
| Antifreeze (GlysantinG40) | 1.32-1.42 | |||
| Antifreeze based on ethylene glycol | 1.33- 1.431 | |||
| Antifreeze based on propylene glycol | 1.33- 1.431 | |||
| Anise oil | C14H18O3 | 1.552-1.561 | ||
| Anisol | C7H8O | 1.518 | ||
| Apple | C4H6O5 | 1.350 | ||
| Asphalt / Bitumen | 1.650 | |||
| B | ||||
| Bariumchloride | BaCl | 1.333-1.375 | ||
| Basic solution, viscose | 1.393-1.397 | |||
| Bean jam | 1.430 | |||
| Beef curry | 1.357 | |||
| Beer | 1.340 | |||
| Benzol | 1.490 | |||
| Benzyl alcohol | 1.538-1.541 | |||
| Benzyl benzoate | 1.568-1.570 | |||
| Benzyl nicotinate | C13H11NO2 | 1.569-1.570 | ||
| Bean, broccoli, blueberry, blackberry | 1.345 | |||
| Benzylbromide | Br | 1.575 | ||
| Benzylformiat | C8H8O2 | 1.511 | ||
| Bisabolol | O | 1.493-1.499 | ||
| Bitter fennel oil | 1.528-1.539 | |||
| Bitter-fennel herb oil | 1.487-1.501 | |||
| Borage oil | 1.473-1.481 | |||
| Boric acid | H3BO3 | 1.333-1.336 | ||
| Brook mint | 1.482-1.495 | |||
| Bunker A / No. 2 fuel oil | 1.490 | |||
| Bunker C / No. 6 fuel oil | 1.560 | |||
| Butter | 1.450 | |||
| C | ||||
| Caesiumchloride | CsCl | 1.330-1.416 | ||
| Calciumchloride | 1.333-1.403 | |||
| Calciumfluoride | CaF2 | 1.430 | ||
| Campherspiritus | C10H16O | 1.372-1.374 | ||
| Canned seasoning yogurt | 1.366 | |||
| Canned syrup | 1.372 | |||
| Canola oil | 1.470 | |||
| Caprolactam | CPL | 1.315-1.5 | ||
| Caramel and Schoko Topping | 1.3329-1.53 | |||
| Caraway oil | 1.484-1.490 | |||
| Carbon disulfide | CS2 | 1.630 | ||
| Carrot | 1.345 | |||
| Cassia oil | 1.600-1.614 | |||
| Cauliflower, swede, paprika | 1.342 | |||
| Cesium chloride | CsCl | 1.333-1.417 | ||
| Cetearyl octanoate | 1.444-1.448 | |||
| Cetylstearylisononanoat | 1.440-1.450 | |||
| Cherry | 1.345 | |||
| Chili sauce | 1.380 | |||
| Cineol | 1.456-1.460 | |||
| Cinnamon leaf oil | 1.527-1.540 | |||
| Cinnamon oil | 1.572-1.591 | |||
| Citricacid | 0.9922-1.1346 | |||
| Citronella oil | 1.463-1.475 | |||
| Clofibrate | C12H15ClO3 | 1.500-1.505 | ||
| Clove oil | 1.530 | |||
| Cocoylcaprylocaprat | 1.445 | |||
| Cobaltous chloride | CoCl2 | 1.333-1.380 | ||
| Coconut oil | 1.440 | |||
| Cocoyl caprylocaprate | 1.445 | |||
| Codliver oil Type-A/B | 1.477-1.484 | |||
| Coffee | 1.340 | |||
| Coffee TDS | 1.3313-1.37 | |||
| Coke | 1.350 | |||
| Concentrated juice | 1.430 | |||
| Condensed milk | 1.450 | |||
| Cooking oil | 1.480 | |||
| Coppersulfate | CuSO4 | 1.3306099-1.3689 | ||
| Coriander oil | 1.462-1.470 | |||
| Corn soup | 1.347 | |||
| Creatinine | C4H7N3O | 1.333-1.349 | ||
| Cupric sulfate | CuSO4 | 1.333-1.367 | ||
| Cutting oil emulsion | 1.334 | |||
| Cyclohexan | C6H12 | 1.426 | ||
| D | ||||
| Dalmatian sage | 1.457-1.473 | |||
| Damascenon | C6H12 | 1.380 | ||
| Decyl oleate | C28H54O2 | 1.456-1.458 | ||
| Dextran | H(C6H10O5)xOH | 1.333-1.349 | ||
| D-Fructose | 1.333-1.459 | |||
| D-Glucose | 1.333-1.439 | |||
| Dibutyl adipate | C14H26O4 | 1.435 | ||
| Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) | C16H22O4 | 1.490-1.495 | ||
| Dichloromethane | CH2Cl2 | 1.423-1.425 | ||
| Diesel oil | 1.478 | |||
| Diethyl phthalate | C12H14O4 | 1.500-1.505 | ||
| Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether | C6H14O3 | 1.426-1.428 | ||
| Diiodbenzol | C6H4I2 | 1.718 | ||
| Diiodmethan | CH2I2 | 1.743 | ||
| Diiodopropan | 1.642 | |||
| Diisopropyl adipate | C12H22O4 | 1.424 | ||
| Dimercaprol | C3H8OS2 | 1.568-1.574 | ||
| Dimethicone 1000+ | 1.404-1.406 | |||
| Dimethicon 350+ | 1.404-1.406 | |||
| Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) | 1.478-1.479 | |||
| Dimethylacetamide (DMAC) | 1.435-1.439 | |||
| Dimethylformamide (DMF) | 1.3327-1.447 | |||
| D-Mannitol | C6H14O6 | 1.333-1.355 | ||
| Disodium Ethylenediaminetetra-acetate (EDTA) | 0.9922-1.0305 | |||
| E | ||||
| Egg | 1.355 | |||
| Egg yolk | 1.420 | |||
| Electrical discharging liquid | 1.357 | |||
| Electrolyte | 1.370 | |||
| Emulsifying hydrophobic base gel | 1.473-1.483 | |||
| Endive, asparagus, pea, salat, tomato, onion | 1.342 | |||
| Epoxy | 1.620 | |||
| Ethanol | C2H6O | 1.333-1.362 | ||
| Ethylenglycol | C2H6O2 | 1.431 | ||
| Ethylhexylglycerin | C11H24O3 | 1.449-1.453 | ||
| Eucalyptus oil | 1.458-1.470 | |||
| Eugenol | C10H12O2 | 1.540-1.542 | ||
| F | ||||
| Felosan | 1.32-1.4204 | |||
| Ferric chloride | FeCl3 | 1.333-1.383 | ||
| Flint glass | 1.620 | |||
| Formic acid | CH2O2 | 1.333-1.365 | ||
| Formic acid 25% | 1.352 | |||
| Formic acid 85% | 1.369 | |||
| Formic acid 98% | 1.371 | |||
| G | ||||
| Gelatin liquid | 1.348 | |||
| Glucose syrup | 1.463-1.495 | |||
| Glycerin | C3H8O3 | 1.474 | ||
| Glycerol | C3H8O3 | 1.470-1.475 | ||
| Glycerol 85% | 1.449-1.455 | |||
| Glycerol diisostearate | 1.462-1.468 | |||
| Green tea | 1.335 | |||
| Grinding chemical liquid | 1.334 | |||
| H | ||||
| Hexetidine | C21H45N3 | 1.461-1.467 | ||
| Honey | 1.520 | |||
| Honey starch syrup | 1.495 | |||
| Human serum or plasma | 1.333-1.361 | |||
| Hydrochloracid | HCl | 0.9922-1.1977 | ||
| Hydrogen peroxide | H2O2 | 1.325244-1.41 | ||
| Hydrophobic base gel | 1.475-1.495 | |||
| Hydroxyethyl salicylate | C9H10O4 | 1.548-1.551 | ||
| I | ||||
| Immersion oil | 1.512 | |||
| Inulin | C6nH10n+2O5n+1 | 1.333-1.348 | ||
| Iodbenzol | C6H5I | 1.620 | ||
| Iodnaphthalin | 1.701 | |||
| Isoeugenol | C10H12O2 | 1.577 | ||
| Isopropyl myristate | C17H34O2 | 1.434-1.437 | ||
| Isopropyl palmitate | C19H38O2 | 1.436-1.440 | ||
| J | ||||
| Japanese plum | 1.340 | |||
| Juniper oil | 1.471-1.483 | |||
| K | ||||
| Ketchup | 1.385 | |||
| L | ||||
| Lactic acid | C3H6O3 | 1.333-1.417 | ||
| Lactic acid bacteria beverage | 1.360 | |||
| Lactose | C12H22O11 | 1.333-1.359 | ||
| Lactulose-syrup | 1.445-1.478 | |||
| Latex in solvent | 1.315-1.47 | |||
| Lavender oil | 1.455-1.466 | |||
| Lead Nitrate | Pb(NO3)2 | 1.333-1.387 | ||
| Lemon oil | 1.473-1.476 | |||
| Lime / Lemon | 1.346 | |||
| Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate acid | LAS-H | 1.3231-1.52 | ||
| Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate sodium salt | LAS-Na | 1.3231-1.42 | ||
| Lithium chloride | LiCl | 1.333-1.399 | ||
| M | ||||
| Macrogol-20-glycerolmonostearat | 1.464-1.468 | |||
| Macrogolglycerolcaprylocaprate | ~1.400 | |||
| Macrogolglycerololeate | 1.470 | |||
| Macrogolglycerolricinoleat | 1.470-1.474 | |||
| Macrogololeat | ~1.466 | |||
| Magnesium-chloride | MgCl2 | 1.333-1.415 | ||
| Magnesium-fluoride | MgF2 | 1.381 | ||
| Magnesium-sulfate | MgSO4 | 1.333-1.385 | ||
| Maltose | C12H22O11 | 1.333-1.357 | ||
| Mandarin peel oil | 1.474-1.478 | |||
| Manganous-sulfate | MnSO4 | 1.333-1.373 | ||
| Marmelade / jam / jelly | 1.460 | |||
| Marshmallow syrup | 1.440-1.455 | |||
| Medium-chain triglycerides | 1.440-1.452 | |||
| Methanesulfonic acid | CH4O3S | 1.429-1.430 | ||
| Methanol | CH3OH | 1.333-1.340 | ||
| Methanol in dimethylformamide (DMF) | 14.305 | |||
| Methyl salicylate | C8H8O3 | 1.535-1.538 | ||
| Methylene Iodide | CH3I | 1.744 | ||
| Milk | 1.350 | |||
| Mint oil | 1.456–1.470 | |||
| Miso soup | 1.336 | |||
| Molasses | 1.470 | |||
| Monobromnaphthalin | C10H7Br | 1.650 | ||
| Mountain pine oil | 1.474-1.480 | |||
| Muscatel Sage | 1.456-1.466 | |||
| N | ||||
| Natural rubber | 1.540 | |||
| Nectar | 1.360 | |||
| Neroli oil | 1.464-1.474 | |||
| n-Heptan | C7H16 | 1.388 | ||
| Nickel nitrate | NiNO3 | 1.315-1.47 | ||
| Nickel sulfat | NiSO4 | 1.333-1.345 | ||
| Nikethamide | 1.524-1.526 | |||
| Nitric acid | HNO3 | 1.333-1.387 | ||
| N-Methylpyrrolidone | C5H9NO | 1.469 | ||
| N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) | 1.33-1.47 | |||
| n-Octan | C8H13 | 1.398 | ||
| Nutmeg oil | 1.457-1.485 | |||
| O | ||||
| Octyldodecanol | C20H42O | 1.453-1.457 | ||
| Oechsle | Oe | 1.32-1.49 | ||
| Oil | 1.473-1.478 | |||
| Oleic acid | C18H34O2 | 1.457-1.461 | ||
| Oleyl oleate | 1.464-1.466 | |||
| Olive oil | 1.468 | |||
| Orange | 1.348 | |||
| Oxalicacid | C2H2O4 | 0.9922-1.0355 | ||
| P | ||||
| Paraffin | C6H12O3 | 1.479 | ||
| Paraldehyde | 1.403-1.406 | |||
| Pastry cream | 1.400 | |||
| Pentylene glycol | C5H12O2 | 1.435-1.440 | ||
| Peppermint oil | 1.457-1.467 | |||
| Perfluorodecalin | C10F18 | 1.315 | ||
| Phenethyl alcohol | C8H10O | ~1.532 | ||
| Phenol | C6H6O | 1.541 | ||
| Phenoxyethanol | C8H10O2 | 1.537-1.539 | ||
| Phenylnaphtalin | C20H14O4 | 1.664 | ||
| Phosphoric | 1.333-1.375 | |||
| Phosphoric acid | H3PO4 | 1.3306099-1.3735 | ||
| Phytomenadione | C31H46O2 | ~1.526 | ||
| Pine needle oil | 1.465-1.480 | |||
| Plain yogurt | 1.345 | |||
| Plant cell culture | 1.334 | |||
| Plastic eyeglasses ruby | 1.760 | |||
| Polyacrylmethacrylate | C5H8O2 | 1.490 | ||
| Polycarbonate | 1.585 | |||
| Polystyrene | (C8H8)n | 1.580 | ||
| Potassium | 1.333-1.349 | |||
| Potassium bicarbonate | KH | 1.3306099-1.3595 | ||
| Potassium bromide | KBr | 1.333-1.391 | ||
| Potassium carbonate | 1.333-1.403 | |||
| Potassium chloride | KCl | 1.333-1.367 | ||
| Potassium chromate | K2CrO4 | 1.333-1.411 | ||
| Potassium dichromate | K2Cr2O7 | 1.333-1.352 | ||
| Potassium dihydrogenphosphate | 1.330-1.345 | |||
| Potassium ferricy anide | K3[Fe(CN)6] | 1.333-1.387 | ||
| Potassium fluoride | KF | 1.3272-1.36678 | ||
| Potassium hydrogenphosphate | 1.330-1.3445 | |||
| Potassium hydroxide | KOH | 1.330-1.4247 | ||
| Potassium Iodide | KI | 1.333-1.403 | ||
| Potassium lactate | C3H5KO3 | 1.402-1.405 | ||
| Potassium nitrate | 1.333-1.355 | |||
| Potassium oxalate | C2K2O4 | 1.333-1.351 | ||
| Potassium phosphate | K3PO4 | 1.333-1.345 | ||
| Potassium sulfate | 1.333-1.345 | |||
| Potassium thiocyanate | KSCN | 1.333-1.475 | ||
| Procaine hydrochloride | C13H20N2O2 | 1.333-1.483 | ||
| Propofol | C12H18O | 1.512-1.514 | ||
| Propylene glycol | C3H8O2 | 1.431-1.433 | ||
| Propylenglycoldicaprylocaprate | C19H36O4 | 1.439-1.442 | ||
| Pudding | 1.368 | |||
| Purified terpentine oil | 1.465-1.478 | |||
| Purified water | 1.332-1.334 | |||
| Powdered alkaline detergent (Dirl LUM603) | 1.3248-1.3672 | |||
| Pyrrolidone | 1.487-1.490 | |||
| Q | ||||
| Quartz glass | SiO2 | 1.460 | ||
| R | ||||
| Refined almond oil | 1.470-1.473 | |||
| Refined apricot kernel oil | 1.472 | |||
| Refined corn oil | 1.472–1.476 | |||
| Refined evening primrose oil | 1.476-1.480 | |||
| Refined grape seed oil | 1.474-1.477 | |||
| Refined jojoba wax | 1.466 | |||
| Refined macadamia oil | 1.466-1.470 | |||
| Refined olive oil | 1.467-1.471 | |||
| Refined peanut oil | 1.468-1.473 | |||
| Refined rapeseed oil | 1.470-1.474 | |||
| Refined safflower oil (Type1) | 1.476 | |||
| Refined safflower oil (Type2) | 1.472 | |||
| Refined sesamum oil | 1.470-1.476 | |||
| Refined soya oil | 1.472-1.478 | |||
| Refined sunflower oil | 1.473-1.476 | |||
| Refined sunflower oil containing oleic acid | 1.470 | |||
| Raspberry | 1.345 | |||
| Ricinus oil | 1.480 | |||
| Rosemary oil | 1.464-1.473 | |||
| S | ||||
| Salat | 1.342 | |||
| Saline | 1.333 | |||
| Sea water | 1.333-1.353 | |||
| Sesame oil | 1.478 | |||
| Sevoflurane | C4H3F7O | 1.274-1.276 | ||
| Silicone oil | 1.406 | |||
| Silicone solution | 1.360 | |||
| Silver nitrate | AgNO3 | 1.333-1.391 | ||
| Sodium acetate | C2H3NaO2 | 1.333-1.375 | ||
| Sodium bicarbonate | NaHCO3 | 1.333-1.340 | ||
| Sodium bromide | NaBr | 1.333-1.400 | ||
| Sodium carbonate | Na2CO3 | 1.333-1.367 | ||
| Sodium chloride | NaCl | 1.333-1.379 | ||
| Sodium diatrizoate | C11H8I3N2NaO4 | 1.333-1.417 | ||
| Sodium dichromate | Na2Cr2O7 | 1.333-1.513 | ||
| Sodium ferrocyanide | Na4[Fe(CN)6] | 1.333-1.373 | ||
| Sodium dihydrogenphosphate | NaH2PO4 | 1.330-1.3869 | ||
| Sodium hydrogenphosphate | Na2HPO4 | 1.330-1.3433 | ||
| Sodium hydroxide | NaOH | 1.333-1.433 | ||
| Sodium hypochlorite | NaOCl | 1.333-1.380 | ||
| Sodium molybdate | Na2MoO4 | 1.333-1.349 | ||
| Sodium nitrate | NaNO3 | 1.333-1.379 | ||
| Sodium phosphate | 1.3306-1.3532 | |||
| Sorbital solution 70% non crystalizing | 1.455-1.465 | |||
| Sodium sulfate | Na2SO4 | 1.333-1.355 | ||
| Sodium tartrade | C4H4Na2O6 | 1.333-1.381 | ||
| Sodium thiosulfate | Na2S2O3 | 1.333-1.423 | ||
| Sodium tungstate | Na2WO4 | 1.333-1.430 | ||
| Sorbitan and glycerolmonooleat | 1.474-1.480 | |||
| Sorbitan trioleate | C60H108O8 | 1.473-1.477 | ||
| Soy bean | 1.430 | |||
| Soy milk | 1.350 | |||
| Soy sauce | 1.395 | |||
| Spanish sage | 1.457-1.473 | |||
| Spike oil | 1.461-1.468 | |||
| Squalan | C30H62 | 1.450-1.454 | ||
| Star anise oil | 1.553-1.556 | |||
| Starch | C6H10O5 | 1.376 | ||
| Stevia | 1.3326-1.3334 | |||
| Strontium chloride | SrCl2 | 1.333-1.407 | ||
| Styren | C8H8 | 1.546 | ||
| Sucrose | C12H22O11 | 0.9717-1.4512 | ||
| Sulfuric acid | 1.333-1.403 | |||
| Sweet orange oil | 1.470-1.476 | |||
| T | ||||
| Tea tree oil | 1.475-1.482 | |||
| Tetrachlorethylene | C2Cl4 | 1.505 | ||
| Tham | C4H11NO3 | 1.333-1.397 | ||
| Thyme oil | C50H82O4 | 1.490-1.505 | ||
| Toluol | C7H8 | 1.497 | ||
| Tomato | 1.342 | |||
| Trans-Decalin | C10H18 | 1.470 | ||
| Triacetin | C9H14O6 | 1.429-1.432 | ||
| Trichloracetic acid | C2HCl3O2 | 0.9922-1.2682 | ||
| Trichlorfluormethan / Freon 11 | CCl3F | 1.375 | ||
| Triethyl citrate | C12H20O7 | 1.440-1.446 | ||
| Trolamine | C6H15NO3 | 1.482-1.485 | ||
| Tris(hydroxymethyl)methylamine | TRIS | 1.3306-1.397 | ||
| Turpentine oil beach Pine-Type | 1.465-1.475 | |||
| U | ||||
| Urea | 1.333-1.403 | |||
| Urine solida human | 1.333-1.348 | |||
| UrineSpecificGravity | 1.332-1.349 | |||
| V | ||||
| Valproic acid | C8H16O2 | 1.422-1.425 | ||
| Vinyl acetat | C4H6O2 | 1.396 | ||
| Virgin avocado oil / Refined avocado oil | ~1.479 | |||
| Virgin castor oil | ~1.479 | |||
| Virgin jojoba wax | 1.466 | |||
| Virgin linseed oil | 1.478-1.482 | |||
| Virgin olive oil | 1.467-1.471 | |||
| Virgin Safflower oil | 1.476 | |||
| Virgin wheatgerm oil | ~1.475 | |||
| W | ||||
| Water | 1.333 | |||
| Watermelon, wineberry | 1.350 | |||
| X | ||||
| Xylen | C8H10 | 1.500 | ||
| Z | ||||
| Zimtacetat | 1.541 | |||
| Zink sulfate | ZnSO4 | 1.333-1.365 |
