ASTM D3104-14a
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Softening Point of Pitches (Mettler Softening Point Method)
Standard Test Method for Softening Point of Pitches (Mettler Softening Point Method)
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Pitch does not go through a solid-liquid phase change when heated, and therefore does not have a true melting point. As the temperature is raised pitch gradually softens or becomes less viscous. For this reason, the determination of the softening point must be made by an arbitrary, but closely defined, method if the test values are to be reproducible.
4.2 This test method is useful in determining the consistency of pitches as one element in establishing the uniformity of shipments or sources of supply.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the softening point of pitches having softening points in the range from 50 °C to 180 °C by this test method, and gives results comparable to those obtained by Test Method D2319 above 80 °C (176 °F).
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Designation: D3104 − 14a
Standard Test Method for
1
Softening Point of Pitches (Mettler Softening Point Method)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3104; 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* less viscous. For this reason, the determination of the softening
pointmustbemadebyanarbitrary,butcloselydefined,method
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the soft-
if the test values are to be reproducible.
eningpointofpitcheshavingsofteningpointsintherangefrom
50 °C to 180 °C by this test method, and gives results
4.2 This test method is useful in determining the consis-
comparable to those obtained by Test Method D2319 above
tency of pitches as one element in establishing the uniformity
80 °C (176 °F).
of shipments or sources of supply.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
standard. 5. Apparatus
3
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
5.1 A METTLER TOLEDO dropping point cell shall be
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
used to determine pitch softening points by this test method.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
These commercially available instruments consist of a control
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
unit with a digital temperature indicator, with furnace built in
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
or attached, sample cartridges, and accessories. The control
unitautomaticallyregulatestheheatingrateofthefurnace.The
2. Referenced Documents
softening point is indicated on the readout, and the heating
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
program stopped, when the sample flow triggers the softening
A314 Specification for Stainless Steel Billets and Bars for
point detection.Ageneral view of the contents of a METTLER
Forging
TOLEDO dropping point instrument is shown in Fig. 1 (old
D2319 Test Method for Softening Point of Pitch (Cube-in-
instrument) and Fig. 2 (new instrument).
Air Method)
5.1.1 IntegratedorSeparateControlUnit—The control unit
D4296 Practice for Sampling Pitch
shall provide a continuous, linear temperature increase from 25
°C to 250 °C at a rate of 2 °C/min. A digital readout shall
3. Summary of Test Method
indicate the temperature to 0.1 °C throughout.
3.1 In this test method, the softening point is defined as the
5.1.2 Integrated or Separate Furnace Unit—The furnace
temperatureatwhichpitch,suspendedinacylindricalcupwith
unit shall be capable of heating one or two sample cup
a 6.35 mm hole in the bottom, flows downward a distance of
assemblies, as described in 5.1.3, at a linear rate of 2 °C 6
19 mm to interrupt a light beam, as the sample is heated at a
0.3 °C⁄min. It shall include a sensing system capable of
linear rate in air.
detecting the softening point with a precision of 0.1 °C.
5.1.3 Sample Cup Assembly—A cup of chromium-plated
4. Significance and Use
brass, or of aluminum, or of stainless steel conforming to the
4.1 Pitch does not go through a solid-liquid phase change
requirements for Type 303 (UNS S30300) stainless steel as
when heated, and therefore does not have a true melting point.
prescribed in Specification A314, with the dimensions shown
Asthetemperatureisraisedpitchgraduallysoftensorbecomes
in Fig. 3. It shall be placed in the assembly so that the pitch
sample softening point will be detected when it has flowed
down a distance of 19 mm.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricantsand is the direct responsibility of
SubcommitteeD02.05onPropertiesofFuels,PetroleumCokeandCarbonMaterial.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2014. Published November 2014. Originally
3
approved in 1972. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as D3104 – 14. DOI: The sole source of supply of the apparatus known to the committee at this time
10.1520/D3104-14A. is available from Mettler-Toledo, LLC., 1900 Polaris Pkwy, Columbus, OH 43240,
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or www.mt.com. If you are aware of alternative suppliers, please provide this
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM information to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive
1
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible technical committee, which
the ASTM website. you may attend.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshoh
...
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: D3104 − 14 D3104 − 14a
Standard Test Method for
1
Softening Point of Pitches (Mettler Softening Point Method)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3104; 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 softening point of pitches having softening points in the range from 50 °C
to 180°C 180 °C by this test method, and gives results comparable to those obtained by Test Method D2319 above 176°F (80°C).
80 °C (176 °F).
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
A314 Specification for Stainless Steel Billets and Bars for Forging
D2319 Test Method for Softening Point of Pitch (Cube-in-Air Method)
D4296 Practice for Sampling Pitch
3. Summary of Test Method
3.1 In this test method, the softening point is defined as the temperature at which pitch, suspended in a cylindrical cup with a
6.35-mm 6.35 mm hole in the bottom, flows downward a distance of 19 mm 19 mm to interrupt a light beam, as the sample is
heated at a linear rate in air.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 Pitch does not go through a solid-liquid phase change when heated, and therefore does not have a true melting point. As
the temperature is raised pitch gradually softens or becomes less viscous. For this reason, the determination of the softening point
must be made by an arbitrary, but closely defined, method if the test values are to be reproducible.
4.2 This test method is useful in determining the consistency of pitches as one element in establishing the uniformity of
shipments or sources of supply.
5. Apparatus
3
5.1 A Mettler METTLER TOLEDO dropping point cell shall be used to determine pitch softening points by this test method.
These commercially available instruments consist of a control unit with a digital temperature indicator, matched furnace, with
furnace built in or attached, sample cartridges, and accessories. The control unit automatically regulates the heating rate of the
furnace. The softening point is indicated on the readout, and the heating program stopped, when the sample flow triggers a
photocell detector. the softening point detection. A general view of the contents of the Mettler a METTLER TOLEDO dropping
point instrument is shown in Fig. 1. (old instrument) and Fig. 2 (new instrument).
1
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 June 1, 2014Oct. 1, 2014. Published July 2014November 2014. Originally approved in 1972. Last previous edition approved in 20102014 as
D3104 – 99 (2010).D3104 – 14. DOI: 10.1520/D3104-14.10.1520/D3104-14A.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
The sole source of supply of the apparatus known to the committee at this time is available from the Mettler Toledo, Inc., Balances and Instruments, 69
Princeton-Hightstown Rd., Hightstown, NJ 08520-0071. Mettler-Toledo, LLC., 1900 Polaris Pkwy, Columbus, OH 43240, www.mt.com. If you are aware of alternative
suppliers, please provide this information to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible technical
1
committee, which you may attend.
*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
1
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D3104 − 14a
FIG. 1 General View of the Mettler FP-5/53METTLER TOLEDO FP90 Control Unit with Heater FP83HT
5.1.1 Integrated or Separate Control Unit—The control unit shall provide a continuous,
...
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