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.   

SampleFormulaValue of refractive index (nD) measured at 20 °C
0
1,2,2-Trifluortrichlorethan / Freon 113C2Cl3F31.354
1,3-ButanediolC4H10O21.439-1.441
1-BromonaphthaleneC10H7Br1.657
1-NaphthaldehydC10H7CHO1.652
1-PropanolC3H8O1.384-1.387
2-PropanolC3H8O1.384-1.387
2,4-Dichlortoluol1.545
2-Ethylhexyl laurateC20H40O21.440-4.444
2-EthylnapthalinC12H121.600
2H-,3H-Perfluoropentan1.300
2-Phenylethanethiol1.560
2-Phenylethylchlorid1.530
2-Propanol 10%C3H8O1.338-1.341
2-Propanol 20%C3H801.345-1.348
2-Propanol 30%C3H801.353-1.356
2-Propanol 40%C3H801.359-1.361
2-Propanol 50%C3H801.363-1.365
2-Propanol 60%C3H801.368-1.369
2-Propanol 70%C3H801.371-1.372
2-Propanol 80%C3H801.374-1.375
2-Propanol 90%C3H801.376-1.377
Alpha-Methyl-ZimtaldehydC10H10O1.608
Acetic acidCOOH1.333-1.372
Acetic acid 30%1.351
Aceton1.358
AcetyltributylcitrateC20H34O81.442-1.445
Acryl glassC5H8O21.490
AcrylnitrilC3H3N1.391
AdBlue® / Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)1.383
Aloe extract1.334
AluminiumAl2O31.760
Ammonia1.333-1.353
Ammonia-solution1.367-1.377
Ammonium-chlorideCl1.333-1.377
Ammonium-sulfate1.333-1.397
AnetholeC10H12O1.559-1.561
AnilinC6H5NH21.586
Antifreeze (GlysantinG40)1.32-1.42
Antifreeze based on ethylene glycol1.33- 1.431
Antifreeze based on propylene glycol1.33- 1.431
Anise oilC14H18O31.552-1.561
AnisolC7H8O1.518
AppleC4H6O51.350
Asphalt / Bitumen1.650
B
BariumchlorideBaCl1.333-1.375
Basic solution, viscose1.393-1.397
Bean jam1.430
Beef curry1.357
Beer1.340
Benzol1.490
Benzyl alcohol1.538-1.541
Benzyl benzoate1.568-1.570
Benzyl nicotinateC13H11NO21.569-1.570
Bean, broccoli, blueberry, blackberry1.345
BenzylbromideBr1.575
BenzylformiatC8H8O21.511
BisabololO1.493-1.499
Bitter fennel oil1.528-1.539
Bitter-fennel herb oil1.487-1.501
Borage oil1.473-1.481
Boric acidH3BO31.333-1.336
Brook mint1.482-1.495
Bunker A / No. 2 fuel oil1.490
Bunker C / No. 6 fuel oil1.560
Butter1.450
C
CaesiumchlorideCsCl1.330-1.416
Calciumchloride1.333-1.403
CalciumfluorideCaF21.430
CampherspiritusC10H16O1.372-1.374
Canned seasoning yogurt1.366
Canned syrup1.372
Canola oil1.470
CaprolactamCPL1.315-1.5
Caramel and Schoko Topping1.3329-1.53
Caraway oil1.484-1.490
Carbon disulfideCS21.630
Carrot1.345
Cassia oil1.600-1.614
Cauliflower, swede, paprika1.342
Cesium chlorideCsCl1.333-1.417
Cetearyl octanoate1.444-1.448
Cetylstearylisononanoat1.440-1.450
Cherry1.345
Chili sauce1.380
Cineol1.456-1.460
Cinnamon leaf oil1.527-1.540
Cinnamon oil1.572-1.591
Citricacid0.9922-1.1346
Citronella oil1.463-1.475
ClofibrateC12H15ClO31.500-1.505
Clove oil1.530
Cocoylcaprylocaprat1.445
Cobaltous chlorideCoCl21.333-1.380
Coconut oil1.440
Cocoyl caprylocaprate1.445
Codliver oil Type-A/B1.477-1.484
Coffee1.340
Coffee TDS1.3313-1.37
Coke1.350
Concentrated juice1.430
Condensed milk1.450
Cooking oil1.480
CoppersulfateCuSO41.3306099-1.3689
Coriander oil1.462-1.470
Corn soup1.347
CreatinineC4H7N3O1.333-1.349
Cupric sulfateCuSO41.333-1.367
Cutting oil emulsion1.334
CyclohexanC6H121.426
D
Dalmatian sage1.457-1.473
DamascenonC6H121.380
Decyl oleateC28H54O21.456-1.458
DextranH(C6H10O5)xOH1.333-1.349
D-Fructose1.333-1.459
D-Glucose1.333-1.439
Dibutyl adipateC14H26O41.435
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)C16H22O41.490-1.495
DichloromethaneCH2Cl21.423-1.425
Diesel oil1.478
Diethyl phthalateC12H14O41.500-1.505
Diethylene glycol monoethyl etherC6H14O31.426-1.428
DiiodbenzolC6H4I21.718
DiiodmethanCH2I21.743
Diiodopropan1.642
Diisopropyl adipateC12H22O41.424
DimercaprolC3H8OS21.568-1.574
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-MannitolC6H14O61.333-1.355
Disodium Ethylenediaminetetra-acetate (EDTA)0.9922-1.0305
E
Egg1.355
Egg yolk1.420
Electrical discharging liquid1.357
Electrolyte1.370
Emulsifying hydrophobic base gel1.473-1.483
Endive, asparagus, pea, salat, tomato, onion1.342
Epoxy1.620
EthanolC2H6O1.333-1.362
EthylenglycolC2H6O21.431
EthylhexylglycerinC11H24O31.449-1.453
Eucalyptus oil1.458-1.470
EugenolC10H12O21.540-1.542
F
Felosan1.32-1.4204
Ferric chlorideFeCl31.333-1.383
Flint glass1.620
Formic acidCH2O21.333-1.365
Formic acid 25%1.352
Formic acid 85%1.369
Formic acid 98%1.371
G
Gelatin liquid1.348
Glucose syrup1.463-1.495
GlycerinC3H8O31.474
GlycerolC3H8O31.470-1.475
Glycerol 85%1.449-1.455
Glycerol diisostearate1.462-1.468
Green tea1.335
Grinding chemical liquid1.334
H
HexetidineC21H45N31.461-1.467
Honey1.520
Honey starch syrup1.495
Human serum or plasma1.333-1.361
HydrochloracidHCl0.9922-1.1977
Hydrogen peroxideH2O21.325244-1.41
Hydrophobic base gel1.475-1.495
Hydroxyethyl salicylateC9H10O41.548-1.551
I
Immersion oil1.512
InulinC6nH10n+2O5n+11.333-1.348
IodbenzolC6H5I1.620
Iodnaphthalin1.701
IsoeugenolC10H12O21.577
Isopropyl myristateC17H34O21.434-1.437
Isopropyl palmitateC19H38O21.436-1.440
J
Japanese plum1.340
Juniper oil1.471-1.483
K
Ketchup1.385
L
Lactic acidC3H6O31.333-1.417
Lactic acid bacteria beverage1.360
LactoseC12H22O111.333-1.359
Lactulose-syrup1.445-1.478
Latex in solvent1.315-1.47
Lavender oil1.455-1.466
Lead NitratePb(NO3)21.333-1.387
Lemon oil1.473-1.476
Lime / Lemon1.346
Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate acidLAS-H1.3231-1.52
Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate sodium saltLAS-Na1.3231-1.42
Lithium chlorideLiCl1.333-1.399
M
Macrogol-20-glycerolmonostearat1.464-1.468
Macrogolglycerolcaprylocaprate~1.400
Macrogolglycerololeate1.470
Macrogolglycerolricinoleat1.470-1.474
Macrogololeat~1.466
Magnesium-chlorideMgCl21.333-1.415
Magnesium-fluorideMgF21.381
Magnesium-sulfateMgSO41.333-1.385
MaltoseC12H22O111.333-1.357
Mandarin peel oil1.474-1.478
Manganous-sulfateMnSO41.333-1.373
Marmelade / jam / jelly1.460
Marshmallow syrup1.440-1.455
Medium-chain triglycerides1.440-1.452
Methanesulfonic acidCH4O3S1.429-1.430
MethanolCH3OH1.333-1.340
Methanol in dimethylformamide (DMF)14.305
Methyl salicylateC8H8O31.535-1.538
Methylene IodideCH3I1.744
Milk1.350
Mint oil1.456–1.470
Miso soup1.336
Molasses1.470
MonobromnaphthalinC10H7Br1.650
Mountain pine oil1.474-1.480
Muscatel Sage1.456-1.466
N
Natural rubber1.540
Nectar1.360
Neroli oil1.464-1.474
n-HeptanC7H161.388
Nickel nitrateNiNO31.315-1.47
Nickel sulfatNiSO41.333-1.345
Nikethamide1.524-1.526
Nitric acidHNO31.333-1.387
N-MethylpyrrolidoneC5H9NO1.469
N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP)1.33-1.47
n-OctanC8H131.398
Nutmeg oil1.457-1.485
O
OctyldodecanolC20H42O1.453-1.457
OechsleOe1.32-1.49
Oil1.473-1.478
Oleic acidC18H34O21.457-1.461
Oleyl oleate1.464-1.466
Olive oil1.468
Orange1.348
OxalicacidC2H2O40.9922-1.0355
P
ParaffinC6H12O31.479
Paraldehyde1.403-1.406
Pastry cream1.400
Pentylene glycolC5H12O21.435-1.440
Peppermint oil1.457-1.467
PerfluorodecalinC10F181.315
Phenethyl alcoholC8H10O~1.532
PhenolC6H6O1.541
PhenoxyethanolC8H10O21.537-1.539
PhenylnaphtalinC20H14O41.664
Phosphoric1.333-1.375
Phosphoric acidH3PO41.3306099-1.3735
PhytomenadioneC31H46O2~1.526
Pine needle oil1.465-1.480
Plain yogurt1.345
Plant cell culture1.334
Plastic eyeglasses ruby1.760
PolyacrylmethacrylateC5H8O21.490
Polycarbonate1.585
Polystyrene(C8H8)n1.580
Potassium1.333-1.349
Potassium bicarbonateKH1.3306099-1.3595
Potassium bromideKBr1.333-1.391
Potassium carbonate1.333-1.403
Potassium chlorideKCl1.333-1.367
Potassium chromateK2CrO41.333-1.411
Potassium dichromateK2Cr2O71.333-1.352
Potassium dihydrogenphosphate1.330-1.345
Potassium ferricy anideK3[Fe(CN)6]1.333-1.387
Potassium fluorideKF1.3272-1.36678
Potassium hydrogenphosphate1.330-1.3445
Potassium hydroxideKOH1.330-1.4247
Potassium IodideKI1.333-1.403
Potassium lactateC3H5KO31.402-1.405
Potassium nitrate1.333-1.355
Potassium oxalateC2K2O41.333-1.351
Potassium phosphateK3PO41.333-1.345
Potassium sulfate1.333-1.345
Potassium thiocyanateKSCN1.333-1.475
Procaine hydrochlorideC13H20N2O21.333-1.483
PropofolC12H18O1.512-1.514
Propylene glycolC3H8O21.431-1.433
PropylenglycoldicaprylocaprateC19H36O41.439-1.442
Pudding1.368
Purified terpentine oil1.465-1.478
Purified water1.332-1.334
Powdered alkaline detergent (Dirl LUM603)1.3248-1.3672
Pyrrolidone1.487-1.490
Q
Quartz glassSiO21.460
R
Refined almond oil1.470-1.473
Refined apricot kernel oil1.472
Refined corn oil1.472–1.476
Refined evening primrose oil1.476-1.480
Refined grape seed oil1.474-1.477
Refined jojoba wax1.466
Refined macadamia oil1.466-1.470
Refined olive oil1.467-1.471
Refined peanut oil1.468-1.473
Refined rapeseed oil1.470-1.474
Refined safflower oil (Type1)1.476
Refined safflower oil (Type2)1.472
Refined sesamum oil1.470-1.476
Refined soya oil1.472-1.478
Refined sunflower oil1.473-1.476
Refined sunflower oil containing oleic acid1.470
Raspberry1.345
Ricinus oil1.480
Rosemary oil1.464-1.473
S
Salat1.342
Saline1.333
Sea water1.333-1.353
Sesame oil1.478
SevofluraneC4H3F7O1.274-1.276
Silicone oil1.406
Silicone solution1.360
Silver nitrateAgNO31.333-1.391
Sodium acetateC2H3NaO21.333-1.375
Sodium bicarbonateNaHCO31.333-1.340
Sodium bromideNaBr1.333-1.400
Sodium carbonateNa2CO31.333-1.367
Sodium chlorideNaCl1.333-1.379
Sodium diatrizoateC11H8I3N2NaO41.333-1.417
Sodium dichromateNa2Cr2O71.333-1.513
Sodium ferrocyanideNa4[Fe(CN)6]1.333-1.373
Sodium dihydrogenphosphateNaH2PO41.330-1.3869
Sodium hydrogenphosphateNa2HPO41.330-1.3433
Sodium hydroxideNaOH1.333-1.433
Sodium hypochloriteNaOCl1.333-1.380
Sodium molybdateNa2MoO41.333-1.349
Sodium nitrateNaNO31.333-1.379
Sodium phosphate1.3306-1.3532
Sorbital solution 70% non crystalizing1.455-1.465
Sodium sulfateNa2SO41.333-1.355
Sodium tartradeC4H4Na2O61.333-1.381
Sodium thiosulfateNa2S2O31.333-1.423
Sodium tungstateNa2WO41.333-1.430
Sorbitan and glycerolmonooleat1.474-1.480
Sorbitan trioleateC60H108O81.473-1.477
Soy bean1.430
Soy milk1.350
Soy sauce1.395
Spanish sage1.457-1.473
Spike oil1.461-1.468
SqualanC30H621.450-1.454
Star anise oil1.553-1.556
StarchC6H10O51.376
Stevia1.3326-1.3334
Strontium chlorideSrCl21.333-1.407
StyrenC8H81.546
SucroseC12H22O110.9717-1.4512
Sulfuric acid1.333-1.403
Sweet orange oil1.470-1.476
T
Tea tree oil1.475-1.482
TetrachlorethyleneC2Cl41.505
ThamC4H11NO31.333-1.397
Thyme oilC50H82O41.490-1.505
ToluolC7H81.497
Tomato1.342
Trans-DecalinC10H181.470
TriacetinC9H14O61.429-1.432
Trichloracetic acidC2HCl3O20.9922-1.2682
Trichlorfluormethan / Freon 11CCl3F1.375
Triethyl citrateC12H20O71.440-1.446
TrolamineC6H15NO31.482-1.485
Tris(hydroxymethyl)methylamineTRIS1.3306-1.397
Turpentine oil beach Pine-Type1.465-1.475
U
Urea1.333-1.403
Urine solida human1.333-1.348
UrineSpecificGravity1.332-1.349
V
Valproic acidC8H16O21.422-1.425
Vinyl acetatC4H6O21.396
Virgin avocado oil / Refined avocado oil~1.479
Virgin castor oil~1.479
Virgin jojoba wax1.466
Virgin linseed oil1.478-1.482
Virgin olive oil1.467-1.471
Virgin Safflower oil1.476
Virgin wheatgerm oil~1.475
W
Water1.333
Watermelon, wineberry1.350
X
XylenC8H101.500
Z
Zimtacetat1.541
Zink sulfateZnSO41.333-1.365

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