ASTM D2415-20

Standard Test Method for Ash in Coal Tar and Pitch

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This test method determines the amount of inorganic matter in the sample.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the ash content of tar and pitch.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-May-2020
• ICS: 75.140 - Waxes, bituminous materials and other petroleum products
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.05 - Properties of Fuels, Petroleum Coke and Carbon Material

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D2415-15 - Standard Test Method for Ash in Coal Tar and Pitch
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2020
• Refers: ASTM D4296-24 - Standard Practice for Sampling Pitch
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2024
• Refers: ASTM D4296-18 - Standard Practice for Sampling Pitch
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2018
• Refers: ASTM D4296-83(2015)e1 - Standard Practice for Sampling Pitch
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2015
• Refers: ASTM E11-13 - Standard Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2013
• Refers: ASTM D4296-83(2009) - Standard Practice for Sampling Pitch
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2009
• Refers: ASTM E11-09e1 - Standard Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
• Effective Date: 01-May-2009
• Refers: ASTM D850-03(2008)e1 - Standard Test Method for Distillation of Industrial Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Related Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2008
• Refers: ASTM D4296-83(2004) - Standard Practice for Sampling Pitch
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2004
• Refers: ASTM E11-04 - Standard Specification for Wire Cloth and Sieves for Testing Purposes
• Effective Date: 01-May-2004
• Refers: ASTM D850-03 - Standard Test Method for Distillation of Industrial Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Related Materials
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2003
• Refers: ASTM D850-02e1 - Standard Test Method for Distillation of Industrial Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Related Materials
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2002
• Refers: ASTM D850-00 - Standard Test Method for Distillation of Industrial Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Related Materials
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2002
• Refers: ASTM D850-99A - Standard Test Method for Distillation of Industrial Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Related Materials
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2002
• Refers: ASTM E11-01 - Standard Specification for Wire Cloth and Sieves for Testing Purposes
• Effective Date: 10-May-2001

Overview

ASTM D2415-20: Standard Test Method for Ash in Coal Tar and Pitch outlines procedures for determining the ash content, or the amount of inorganic matter, present in samples of coal tar and pitch. Issued by ASTM International, this standard test method is vital for quality control, material evaluation, and specification compliance in industries utilizing coal tar and pitch products. The method establishes consistent laboratory practices and supports regulatory and trade requirements by providing reliable, repeatable results.

Key Topics

• Ash Content Determination: The method specifies the process for placing a prepared sample in a crucible and gradually heating it in a muffle furnace to oxidize combustible material, leaving an inorganic residue known as "ash."
• Sample Preparation: Samples of both hard and soft pitch, as well as tar, require specific dehydration and preparation steps to ensure representativeness and accuracy of results.
• Precision and Repeatability: The standard includes explicit criteria for repeatability (differences between duplicate results by the same operator) and reproducibility (differences between laboratories), supporting confident decision-making.
• Health and Safety Considerations: Users are responsible for identifying and following appropriate safety, health, and environmental protocols due to the potential hazards present during the test.
• Use of SI Units: All measurements and calculations adhere to SI units, ensuring international compatibility.

Applications

ASTM D2415-20 is applicable across industries where coal tar and pitch are integral to product formulations or manufacturing processes, including:

• Coal Tar and Pitch Production: Enables producers to verify product quality and control inorganic contamination.
• Material Certification: Assists buyers and regulatory agencies in verifying that delivered materials comply with technical specifications.
• Research and Development: Supports ongoing R&D related to carbon materials by providing a standardized procedure to assess purity and performance.
• Quality Assurance in Construction and Paving: Ensures that materials used in roofing, waterproofing, and paving applications meet required chemical and physical properties.
• Compliance with International Trade: Facilitates acceptance of materials shipped internationally by adhering to globally recognized standard test methods.

Related Standards

• ASTM D850: Test Method for Distillation of Industrial Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Related Materials, referenced for tar dehydration steps.
• ASTM D4296: Practice for Sampling Pitch, providing guidance on obtaining representative samples.
• ASTM E11: Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves, referenced for sizing and particle separation.

Practical Value

Adhering to ASTM D2415-20 ensures accurate and consistent measurement of inorganic content in coal tar and pitch. This promotes improved manufacturing efficiency, enhanced material performance, and greater confidence in product safety and compliance. By standardizing test methodology, the document helps laboratories and industry professionals minimize variability in results, meet regulatory requirements, and facilitate communication across supply chains.

Keywords: ASTM D2415-20, ash content, coal tar, pitch, inorganic matter, muffle furnace, quality control, SI units, material testing.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D2415 − 20
Standard Test Method for
Ash in Coal Tar and Pitch
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2415; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* 5. Apparatus
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the ash
5.1 Muffle Furnace—A muffle furnace with good air circu-
content of tar and pitch.
lation and capable of having its temperature regulated at
900 °C 6 10 °C.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
5.2 Dish or Crucible, porcelain, silica, or platinum, having
standard.
a capacity of 35 mL to 45 mL and a diameter at the top of
55 mm to 60 mm.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
5.3 Sieve, U.S. Standard 600 µm (No. 30), conforming to
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Specification E11.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
6. Bulk Sampling
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
6.1 Samples from shipments shall be taken in accordance
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
with Practice D4296 and shall be free of foreign substances.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Thoroughly mix the sample immediately before removing a
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
representative portion for the determination or for dehydration.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
7. Dehydration of Sample
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
7.1 Hard Pitch—If the solid bulk sample contains free
2. Referenced Documents
water, air-dry a representative portion in a forced draft oven at
2.1 ASTM Standards:
50 °C.
D850 Test Method for Distillation of Industrial Aromatic
7.2 Soft Pitch—If the presence of water is indicated by
Hydrocarbons and Related Materials
surface foam on heating, maintain a representative portion of
D4296 Practice for Sampling Pitch
thebulksampleatatemperaturebetween125 °Cand150 °Cin
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
an open container until the surface is free of foam. Take care
Sieves
not to overheat, and remove heat source immediately when
3. Summary of Test Method foam subsides.
3.1 The sample is carefully volatilized and burned in a 7.3 Tar—Dehydrate a representative portion of the bulk
muffle furnace or by other suitable means, after which the sample in accordance with Test Method D850, but stop the
carbonaceousresidueiscompletelyoxidizedandtheremaining distillation when the temperature reaches 170 °C. Separate any
ash stabilized at 900 °C 6 10 °C in the muffle furnace. oil from the water which has distilled over (if crystals are
present, warm sufficiently to ensure their solution), and thor-
4. Significance and Use
oughly mix the oil with the residual tar in the still after the
4.1 This test method determines the amount of inorganic
latter has cooled to a moderate temperature.
matter in the sample.
8. Preparation of Working Sample
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
8.1 Hard Pitch—If the pitch can be crushed at room
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricantsand is the direct responsibility of
temperature, prepare a 20 g working sample by suitable
SubcommitteeD02.05onPropertiesofFuels,PetroleumCokeandCarbonMaterial.
crushing, mixing, and quartering of a representative portion of
Current edition approved June 1, 2020. Published June 2020. Originally
the dry sample. The crushing can be done with a small jaw
approved in 1965. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D2415 – 15. DOI:
10.1520/D2415-20.
crusher and a mullite mortar and pestle. No particle in the
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
representative sample shall be larger than 5 mm in any dimen-
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
sion. Crush this sample so that all of it will pass the 600 µm
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. (No. 30) sieve.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D2415 − 20
8.2 SoftPitch—If the pitch is too soft to grind and too sti
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D2415 − 15 D2415 − 20
Standard Test Method for
Ash in Coal Tar and Pitch
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2415; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope*
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the ash content of tar and pitch.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D850 Test Method for Distillation of Industrial Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Related Materials
D4296 Practice for Sampling Pitch
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
3. Summary of Test Method
3.1 The sample is carefully volatilized and burned in a muffle furnace or by other suitable means, after which the carbonaceous
residue is completely oxidized and the remaining ash stabilized at 900 °C 6 10 °C in the muffle furnace.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 This test method determines the amount of inorganic matter in the sample.
5. Apparatus
5.1 Muffle Furnace—A muffle furnace with good air circulation and capable of having its temperature regulated at 900 °C 6
10 °C.
5.2 Dish or Crucible, porcelain, silica, or platinum, having a capacity of 35 mL to 45 mL and a diameter at the top of 55 mm
to 60 mm.
5.3 Sieve, U.S. Standard 600 μm (No. 30), conforming to Specification E11.
6. Bulk Sampling
6.1 Samples from shipments shall be taken in accordance with Practice D4296 and shall be free of foreign substances.
Thoroughly mix the sample immediately before removing a representative portion for the determination or for dehydration.
7. Dehydration of Sample
7.1 Hard Pitch—If the solid bulk sample contains free water, air-dry a representative portion in a forced draft oven at 50 °C.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricantsand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D02.05 on Properties of Fuels, Petroleum Coke and Carbon Material.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2015June 1, 2020. Published December 2015June 2020. Originally approved in 1965. Last previous edition approved in 20122015 as
D2415 – 98 (2012).D2415 – 15. DOI: 10.1520/D2415-15.10.1520/D2415-20.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D2415 − 20
7.2 Soft Pitch—If the presence of water is indicated by surface foam on heating, maintain a representative portion of the bulk
sample at a temperature between 125 °C and 150 °C in an open container until the surface is free of foam. Take care not to
overheat, and remove heat source immediately when foam subsides.
7.3 Tar—Dehydrate a representative portion of the bulk sample in accordance with Test Method D850, but stop the distillation
when the temperature reaches 170 °C. Separate any oil from the water which has distilled over (if crystals are present, warm
sufficiently to ensure their solution), and thoroughly mix the oil with the residual tar in the still after the latter has cooled to a
moderate temperature.
8. Preparation of Working Sample
8.1 Hard Pitch—If the pitch can be crushed at room temperature, prepare a 20 g working sample by suitable crushing, mixing,
and quartering of a representative portion of the dry sample. The crushing can be done with a small jaw crusher and a mullite
mortar and pestle. No particle in the representative sample shall be larger than 5 mm in any dimension. Crush this sample so that
all of it will pass the 600 μm (No. 30) sieve.
8.2 Soft Pitch—If the pitch is too soft to grind and too sticky to mix, heat a representative portion of the dry sample to the lowest
temperature that wil
...