5.1 The mean reflectance of the vitrinite maceral in sedimentary rocks as determined by this test method is used as an indicator of thermal maturity, that is, the progressive geochemical alteration of dispersed organic material experienced during diagenesis, catagenesis, and metagenesis. In the case of hydrocarbon source rocks, three major categories of thermal maturity are defined by vitrinite reflectance: immature (R_oran ≤0.5%), mature (R_oran ≈ 0.5-1.35%), and overmature (R_oran ≥ 1.35%) with respect to the generation of liquid hydrocarbons. Thermal maturity as determined by the reflectance of vitrinite dispersed in sedimentary rocks is similar to the rank classification of coals as presented in Classification D388 and measured similarly to the reflectance of vitrinite in coal as presented in Test Method D2798. The mean reflectance of the vitrinite maceral in sedimentary rocks correlates with geochemically determined parameters of thermal maturity and can be used to characterize thermal maturation history, to calibrate burial history models, and to better understand the processes of hydrocarbon generation, migration, and accumulation in conventional and unconventional petroleum systems.