ASTM D87-87(1999)

Standard Test Method for Melting Point of Petroleum Wax (Cooling Curve)

SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the melting point (cooling curve) of petroleum wax. It is unsuitable for waxes of the petrolatum group, microcrystalline waxes, or blends of such waxes with paraffin wax or scale wax.  Note 1-For additional methods used for testing petroleum waxes, see Test Method D127 and Test Method D938. Results may differ, depending on the method used. For pharmaceutical petrolatum, Test Method D127 usually is used.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values in parentheses are for information only.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Apr-1999
• ICS: 75.140 - Waxes, bituminous materials and other petroleum products
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.10.0A - Physical/Chemical Properties

Relations

• Referred By: ASTM D612-88(2017) - Standard Test Method for Carbonizable Substances in Paraffin Wax
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1999
• Referred By: ASTM D4419-90(2021) - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Transition Temperatures of Petroleum Waxes by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1999
• Referred By: ASTM D1465-10(2021) - Standard Test Method for Blocking and Picking Points of Petroleum Wax
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1999
• Referred By: ASTM D127-19 - Standard Test Method for Drop Melting Point of Petroleum Wax, Including Petrolatum
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1999
• Referred By: ASTM D3944-12(2017) - Standard Test Method for Solidification Point of Petroleum Wax
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1999
• Referred By: ASTM D1321-16a - Standard Test Method for Needle Penetration of Petroleum Waxes
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1999
• Referred By: ASTM F3418-20 - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Transition Temperatures of Slack Waxes used in Equine Sports Surfaces by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1999

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
An American National Standard
Designation:D87–87(Reapproved1999) Technical Association of Pulp
and Paper Industry
Standard Method T 630 m-61
Method 1402-Federal Test
Method Standard No. 791b
British Standard 4695
Designation: 55/77(83)
Standard Test Method for
Melting Point of Petroleum Wax (Cooling Curve)
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationD 87;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginal
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This test method was adopted as a joint ASTM-IP standard in 1966.
NOTE 2—The so-called “American Melting Point” is arbitrarily 1.65°C
1. Scope
(3°F) above the Melting Point (Cooling Curve) of Petroleum Wax.
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the melting
point (cooling curve) of petroleum wax. It is unsuitable for
4. Summary of Test Method
waxes of the petrolatum group, microcrystalline waxes, or
4.1 A specimen of molten wax in a test tube fitted with a
blends of such waxes with paraffin wax or scale wax.
thermometer is placed in an air bath, which in turn is
NOTE 1—For additional methods used for testing petroleum waxes, see surrounded by a water bath held at 16 to 28°C (60 to 80°F).As
Test Method D 127 andTest Method D 938. Results may differ, depending
the molten wax cools, periodic readings of its temperature are
on the method used. For pharmaceutical petrolatum, Test Method D 127
taken. When solidification of the wax occurs, the rate of
usually is used.
temperature decreases, yielding a plateau in the cooling curve.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
The temperature at that point is recorded as the melting point
standard. The values in parentheses are for information only.
(cooling curve) of the sample.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
5. Significance and Use
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5.1 Melting point (cooling curve) is a test that is widely
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- used by wax suppliers and consumers. it is particularly applied
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
to petroleum waxes that are rather highly paraffinic or crystal-
line in nature. A plateau occurs with specimens containing
2. Referenced Documents
appreciable amounts of hydrocarbons that crystallize at the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
same temperature, giving up heat of fusion, thus temporarily
D 127 Test Method for Drop Melting Point of Petroleum
retarding the cooling rate. In general, petroleum waxes with
Wax, Including Petrolatum
large amounts of non-normal hydrocarbons or with amorphous
D 938 Test Method for Congealing Point of Petroleum
solid forms will not show the plateau.
Waxes, Including Petrolatum
6. Apparatus
E 1 Specification for ASTM Thermometers
6.1 The necessary apparatus is described in Annex A1.
3. Terminology
7. Test Specimen
3.1 Definition:
3.1.1 melting point (cooling curve) of petroleum wax— 7.1 Obtain a sample of wax representative of the shipment
temperature at which melted petroleum wax first shows a
to be tested. From each test unit obtain a portion of wax
minimum rate of temperature change when allowed to cool weighing at least 25 g for each melting point determination.
under prescribed conditions.
8. Procedure
8.1 Support the air bath in its proper position in the water
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-2 on
bath.Fillthewaterbathtowithin13mm( ⁄2in.)ofthetopwith
Petroleum Products and Lubricantsand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
water at a temperature of 16 to 28°C (60 to 80°F). The bath
D02.10on Properties of Petroleum Wax.
In the IP, this test method is under the jurisdiction of the Standardization temperature is kept within these limits throughout the test.
Committee.
8.2 Heat the wax sample to at least 8°C (15°F) above its
Current edition approved Oct. 30, 1987. Published December 1987. Originally
expected melting point (see Note 3). To heat the wax sample
published as D 87 – 21 T. Last previous edition D 87 – 77 (1982).
use a suitable container in an oven or water bath which is held
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.01.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.03.
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D87
at a temperature not exceeding 93°C (200°F).Avoid the use of 10. Precision and Bias
direct heat such as flame or hot plate. Do not keep the sample
10.1 Precision—The precision of this test method as deter-
in the molten state longer than 1 h.
mined by statistical examination of interlaboratory results is as
NOTE 3—If no estimate of the melting point is available, heat the wax
follows:
sample to 10°C (15°F) above the temperature at which the wax is
completely molten, or to from 90 to 93°C (195 to 200°F) before
NOTE 5—This method is considered suitable for waxes of melting point
proceeding to the next step.
between 38°C (100°F) and 82°C (180°F). The precision data below were
obtained in interlaboratory studies byASTM Committee D-2 using waxes
8.3 Fill the test tube to a height of 51 mm (2 in.) with the
in 127 to 144°F range and by IP using waxes in 108 to 151°F range.
melted sample. Insert the melting point thermometer through
the center of a cork so that the 79-mm (3 ⁄8-in.) immersion l
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