ASTM D3954-94(1999)

Standard Test Method for Dropping Point of Waxes

SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the ASTM dropping point for waxes.  
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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Sep-1999
• ICS: 71.100.99 - Other products of the chemical industry
• Technical Committee: D21 - Polishes
• Drafting Committee: D21.02 - Raw Materials

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D3954-94(2004) - Standard Test Method for Dropping Point of Waxes
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2004
• Referred By: ASTM D4731-13(2020) - Standard Specification for Hot-Application Filling Compounds for Telecommunications Wire and Cable
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-1999
• Referred By: ASTM D4732-13(2020) - Standard Specification for Cool-Application Filling Compounds for Telecommunications Wire and Cable
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-1999
• Referred By: ASTM D127-19 - Standard Test Method for Drop Melting Point of Petroleum Wax, Including Petrolatum
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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
Designation: D 3954 – 94 (Reapproved 1999)
Standard Test Method for
Dropping Point of Waxes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3954; 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.
1. Scope 5. Apparatus
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the ASTM 5.1 Suitable apparatus that meets the requirements of 5.1.1,
dropping point for waxes. 5.1.2, and 5.1.3 can be used to determine dropping points by
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the this test method. Instruments are available commercially
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the consisting of a control unit with a digital temperature recorder,
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- matched furnace, sample cartridges, and accessories. The
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- control unit automatically maintains the furnace temperature
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. and controls the heating rate with a precision of 0.1°C. The
dropping point is automatically recorded, and the furnace
2. Referenced Documents
heating program is turned off when the sample interrupts the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
light beam and triggers the photocell detector.
D 566 Test Method for Dropping Point of Lubricating 5.1.1 Control Unit—This unit shall provide a continuous
Grease
linear temperature control from 25 to 250°C at a 2°C/min rate.
D 2265 Test Method for Dropping Point of Lubricating A digital readout shall record the softening point with an
Grease Over Wide Temperature Range
accuracy of 0.1°C.
5.1.2 Furnace Unit—This unit shall be capable of heating a
3. Summary of Test Method
sample cup assembly as described in 5.1.3 at 2°C 6 0.3°C/min
3.1 In this test method, the dropping point is defined as the
linear rate from 25 to 250°C. It shall include a sensing system
temperature at which the wax suspended in a cylindrical cup,
capable of detecting the softening point with an accuracy of
with a 2.8-mm diameter hole in the bottom, flows downward a
0.1°C.
distance of 19 mm to interrupt a light beam as the sample is
5.1.3 Sample Cup Assembly—A chromium-plated brass cup
heated at a constant rate in air.
conforming to the dimensions shown in Test Method D 566. It
shall be placed in an assembly so that the sample flows down
4. Significance and Use
a distance of 19 mm to interrupt a light beam to cause digital
4.1 Waxes do not go through a sharp solid-liquid phase
display of the softening point.
change when heated and therefore do not have a true melting
6. Preparation of Sample
point. As the temperature rises, waxes gradually soften or
become less viscous. For this reason, the determination of the
6.1 For waxes heat the sample to 15 to 20°C above its
softening point must be made by an arbitrary but closely
melting point to form a pourable liquid. Place the sample cups
defined method if test values are to be reproducible.
on glass slides and pour the melted sample into the cup to a
4.2 This test is useful in determining the consistency of
level even with the upper rim of the cup. Allow the sample to
waxes, and as one element in establishing the uniformity of
stand at room temperature for 2 h before running.
shipments or source of supply.
7. Preparation of Apparatus
4.3 This test method has been found suitable for all types of
waxes including paraffin, microcrystalline polyethylene, and 7.1 Ensure that the furnace unit and the sample cup assem-
natural waxes.
bly are clean and bright, since tarnished or dirty apparatus will
change the apparent dropping point. After each determination,
check to see if the apparatus requires cleaning.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-21 on
Polishes and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D21.02 on Raw Materials.
Current edition approved Nov. 15, 1994. Published January 1995. Originally
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