ASTM D3117-96e1

Standard Test Method for Wax Appearance Point of Distillate Fuels

SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the detection of wax in burner fuels, diesel fuels, and turbine engine fuels in the range from -26 to +2°C. It is applicable to a dark-colored oil if the stirrer can be seen under illumination.  
1.2 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statements, see Notes 2 through 5.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-1995
• ICS: 75.160.20 - Liquid fuels
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.07 - Flow Properties

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D3117-03 - Standard Test Method for Wax Appearance Point of Distillate Fuels (Withdrawn 2010)
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F715-07(2023) - Standard Test Methods for Coated Fabrics Used for Oil Spill Control and Storage
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-1996
• Referred By: ASTM D4539-22 - Standard Test Method for Filterability of Diesel Fuels by Low-Temperature Flow Test (LTFT)
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-1996
• Referred By: ASTM D6750-23 - Standard Test Methods for Evaluation of Engine Oils in a High-Speed, Single-Cylinder Diesel Engine—1K Procedure (0.4 % Fuel Sulfur) and 1N Procedure (0.04 % Fuel Sulfur)
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-1996
• Referred By: ASTM D2386-19 - Standard Test Method for Freezing Point of Aviation Fuels
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-1996
• Referred By: ASTM D2864-21a - Standard Terminology Relating to Electrical Insulating Liquids and Gases
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-1996

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
An American National Standard
e1
Designation: D 3117 – 96
Standard Test Method for
Wax Appearance Point of Distillate Fuels
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3117; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
e NOTE— Figure was corrected editorially in October 1997.
1. Scope 6. Apparatus (Fig. 1)
1.1 This test method covers the detection of wax in burner
fuels, diesel fuels, and turbine engine fuels in the range
from − 26 to + 2°C. It is applicable to a dark-colored oil if the
stirrer can be seen under illumination.
1.2 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 appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard
statements, see Notes 2 through 5.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 2386 Test Method for Freezing Point of Aviation Fuels
D 2500 Test Method for Cloud Point of Petroleum Oils
E 1 Specification for ASTM Thermometers
3. Terminology
3.1 Definition of Term Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 wax appearance point—the temperature at which wax
first begins to separate from the liquid when it is cooled under
prescribed conditions.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 A specimen of distillate fuel is cooled under prescribed
conditions while being stirred. The temperature at which wax
first appears is recorded as the wax appearance point.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Wax appearance point is the temperature at which wax
FIG. 1 Complete Assembly
crystals begin to precipitate out of a fuel under specified
cooling conditions. The presence of wax crystals in the fuel
may restrict flow or plug the fuel filter. In critical fuel systems,
6.1 Specimen Tube—A double-walled (Dewar-type) jack-
wax appearance point may define the lower limit of acceptable eted tube with dimensions shown in Fig. 2.
operability. 6.2 Thermometer—Conforming to specifications for ASTM
Thermometer 62C in accordance with Specification E 1.
6.3 Stirrer Assembly—A stainless steel wire configured in
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-2 on
the manner described in Fig. 3 and manipulated by a motor or
Petroleum Products and Lubricantsand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D02.07 on Flow Properties.
other suitable device in a vertical direction. The frequency of
Current edition approved Nov. 10, 1996. Published January 1997. Originally
movement shall be 55 6 5 cycles/min with an amplitude of
e1
published as D3117 – 72. Last previous edition D3117 – 87 (1993) .
2 506 5 mm. The stirrer shall be concentric with the thermom-
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.01.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.03. eter and shall be fitted with the moisture proof collar specified
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D3117
rescent tube shall be mounted behind the specimen to illumi-
nate it with transmitted light. Observations shall be made with
the sample tube between the observer’s eye and the lamp.
6.6 Clock—Use a clock or other timing device readable to
10 s to monitor the cooling rate.
7. Materials
7.1 Carbon Dioxide (Solid) or Dry Ice —(Warning—see
Note 2). A commercial grade of dry ice is suitable for use in the
cooling bath (Note 6).
NOTE 2—Warning: Extremely cold, − 78°C.
7.2 Isopropanol or Isopropyl Alcohol—(Warning—see
Note 3). A commercial or technical grade of isopropanol is
suitable for the cooling bath.
NOTE 3—Warning: Extremely flammable.
7.3 Liquid Nitrogen (Warning—see Note 4). A commercial
or technical grade of liquid nitrogen is suitable for the cooling
bath. See Note 6.
NOTE 4—Warning: Extremely cold, − 196°C.
NOTE 5—Warning: Carbon dioxide (solid) and liquid nitrogen liberate
gases that can cause suffocation. Contact with skin causes burns, freezing,
or both.
8. Procedure
8.1 Check the thermometer each day the test is run by
FIG. 2 Specimen Tube
NOTE 1—Tolerance on all dimensions are + or − 2 mm, except on wire thickness.
FIG. 3 Stirrer
in Test Method D 2386. A No. 3, two-hole neoprene rubber immersing it in an ice-water slurry. An acceptable thermometer
stopper shall be used to seal the top of the specimen tube. will show 06 0.1°C.
6.4 Cooling Bath—Use an unsilvered vacuum flask having
NOTE 6—Because ambient temperatures are well above the range of
minimum dimensions of 200-mm depth and 65-mm internal
Thermometer 62C, the mercury thread will extend upward into the
diameter. The bath temperature, below − 45°C, may be main-
expansion chamber. During cooling, the thermometer must be examined to
tained by refrigeration or suitable freezing mixtures (Note 2). make certain that no mercury separation occurs. If a lo
...