VEE GEE 6603DS-13 is a dual-scale borosilicate glass hydrometer reading both Specific Gravity (0.600 to 1.000) and Baumé Light (10° to 100°) simultaneously on the same stem, 305 mm overall length. This is the light-liquid Baumé dual-scale instrument — covering petroleum products, solvents, alcohols, oils, and other liquids with densities below that of water. The dual-scale design delivers both the direct specific gravity reading and the Baumé Light reading used in petroleum, petrochemical, and solvent industries, all calibrated at 15°C (60°F). Subdivisions: 0.005 SG / 1° Baumé. Autoclavable.
Features & Benefits
- Dual Scale — Specific Gravity and Baumé Light on One Stem: Both SG (0.600–1.000) and Baumé Light (10–100°) scales are printed on the same stem. Read the SG for gravimetric calculations and the Baumé Light value for petroleum, solvent, and light-chemical process control — without conversion tables or a second instrument.
- Light-Liquid Baumé Scale (SG < 1.000): The light-liquid Baumé formula (°Bé = 140/SG − 130) covers liquids less dense than water. At SG 1.000, Baumé Light reads 10°; at SG 0.600, it reads approximately 103°. The 6603DS-13 scale runs from 10° (water, SG 1.000) to 100° (very light solvents, SG ~0.609). This is the correct Baumé scale for petroleum distillates, gasoline, kerosene, mineral spirits, alcohol solutions, and lightweight organic solvents.
- Subdivisions: 0.005 SG / 1° Baumé: The SG scale is graduated in 0.005 increments and the Baumé scale in 1° increments — providing practical resolution for process and QC measurements of light liquids without requiring a precision densitometer.
- Calibrated at 15°C (60°F): Factory-calibrated at the standard reference temperature for petroleum and chemical density measurement, consistent with ASTM and international standards.
- 305 mm Overall Length: Full-size laboratory hydrometer format for stable, precise readings in standard hydrometer cylinders.
- Borosilicate Glass Construction: Chemically resistant to solvents, petroleum products, and alcohols; transparent for clear meniscus reading; autoclavable.
- 1-Year Warranty: Backed by VEE GEE Scientific's standard instrument warranty.
Specifications
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| SKU | 6603DS-13 |
| Measuring Scales | Specific Gravity and Baumé Light |
| Specific Gravity Range | 0.600 to 1.000 |
| Baumé Range | 10° to 100° Bé (Light scale) |
| Subdivisions | 0.005 SG / 1° Baumé |
| Overall Length | 305 mm (12 in) |
| Calibration Temperature | 15°C (60°F) |
| Construction | Borosilicate Glass |
| Color | Clear |
| Autoclavable | Yes |
| Dimensions (L × W × H) | 13.75" × 1.2" × 1.2" (34.9 × 3.1 × 3.1 cm) |
| Quantity | 1 Each |
| Country of Origin | United States |
| Brand | VEE GEE Scientific |
| Warranty | 1 Year |
6603DS Series — Complete Dual-Scale SG/Baumé Hydrometer Selection
| SKU | SG Range | Baumé Range | Length | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6603DS-13 (this item) | 0.600–1.000 | 10–100° Bé Light | 305 mm | Solvents, oils, liquids lighter than water |
| 6603DS-1 | 1.000–1.220 | 0–26° Bé Heavy | 305 mm | Dilute brines, sugar solutions, weak acids |
| 6603DS-1S | 1.000–1.225 | 0–26° Bé Heavy | 165 mm | Same range, compact short-form |
| 6603DS-2 | 1.200–1.420 | 24–42° Bé Heavy | 305 mm | Concentrated brines, phosphoric acid |
| 6603DS-2S | 1.200–1.425 | 24–42° Bé Heavy | 165 mm | Same range, compact short-form |
| 6603DS-3 | 1.400–1.620 | 42–55° Bé Heavy | 305 mm | Concentrated sulfuric/nitric acid |
| 6603DS-4 | 1.600–1.820 | 55–65° Bé Heavy | 305 mm | High-density acids and electrolytes |
| 6603DS-5 | 1.800–2.020 | 64–72° Bé Heavy | 305 mm | Fuming sulfuric acid, dense solutions |
| 6603DS-7 | 1.000–2.000 | 0–72° Bé Heavy | 305 mm | Wide-range screening across all densities |
Laboratory Applications
The 6603DS-13 is the only instrument in the 6603DS series using the Baumé Light scale — specifically designed for materials with densities below water. Common applications include petroleum products (gasoline SG ~0.72, kerosene SG ~0.80, diesel SG ~0.84), mineral spirits, naphtha, ethanol solutions, isopropyl alcohol, and lightweight organic solvents. In the petroleum industry, Baumé Light (and its related API gravity scale) has long been used as a quick practical measure of fuel grade and purity. Food and fragrance labs use it for alcohol and essential oil characterization. For solutions denser than water (SG ≥ 1.000), the Baumé Heavy-scale models beginning with 6603DS-1 are the appropriate instruments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the 6603DS-13 different from all the other 6603DS models?
It is the only model in the 6603DS series that uses the Baumé Light formula (°Bé = 140/SG − 130) for liquids less dense than water. Every other model in the series — 6603DS-1, -1S, -2, -2S, -3, -4, -5, -7 — uses the Baumé Heavy formula (°Bé = 145 − 145/SG) for liquids at or above the density of water. The 6603DS-13 is the correct instrument when your sample is a solvent, petroleum product, alcohol, or other liquid that floats on water.
How does Baumé Light relate to API gravity used in the petroleum industry?
API gravity is closely related to Baumé Light but uses a slightly different formula: °API = 141.5/SG − 131.5. Both scales express light-liquid density in degrees, with higher values indicating lighter (less dense) liquids. Baumé Light and API gravity are not directly interchangeable, but both increase as SG decreases. Laboratories requiring API gravity specifically should use a dedicated API hydrometer; the 6603DS-13 provides the Baumé Light reading.
Ordering
Authorized dealer, ships from USA inventory. Serving academic, government, and research laboratories nationwide.