ASTM D3104-99(2010)

Standard Test Method for Softening Point of Pitches (Mettler Softening Point Method)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
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.
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 to 180°C by this test method, and gives results comparable to those obtained by Test Method D2319 above 176°F (80°C).  
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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2010
• ICS: 93.080.10 - Road construction
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.05 - Properties of Fuels, Petroleum Coke and Carbon Material

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D3104-99(2005) - Standard Test Method for Softening Point of Pitches (Mettler Softening Point Method)
• Effective Date: 01-May-2010
• Replaced By: ASTM D3104-14 - Standard Test Method for Softening Point of Pitches (Mettler Softening Point Method)
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2014
• Referred By: ASTM D2319/D2319M-20 - Standard Test Method for Softening Point of Pitch (Cube-in-Air Method)
• Effective Date: 01-May-2010
• Referred By: ASTM D4616-95(2018) - Standard Test Method for Microscopical Analysis by Reflected Light and Determination of Mesophase in a Pitch
• Effective Date: 01-May-2010
• Referred By: ASTM D127-19 - Standard Test Method for Drop Melting Point of Petroleum Wax, Including Petrolatum
• Effective Date: 01-May-2010
• Referred By: ASTM D1763-00(2021) - Standard Specification for Epoxy Resins
• Effective Date: 01-May-2010
• Referred By: ASTM D5018-18 - Standard Test Method for Shear Viscosity of Coal-Tar and Petroleum Pitches
• Effective Date: 01-May-2010
• Referred By: ASTM D61-15(2019) - Standard Test Method for Softening Point of Pitches (Cube-in-Water Method)
• Effective Date: 01-May-2010
• Referred By: ASTM C781-20 - Standard Practice for Testing Graphite Materials for Gas-Cooled Nuclear Reactor Components
• Effective Date: 01-May-2010

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: D3104 − 99(Reapproved 2010)
Standard Test Method for
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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 pointmustbemadebyanarbitrary,butcloselydefined,method
if the test values are to be reproducible.
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the soft-
eningpointofpitcheshavingsofteningpointsintherangefrom
4.2 This test method is useful in determining the consis-
50 to 180°C by this test method, and gives results comparable
tency of pitches as one element in establishing the uniformity
to those obtained by Test Method D2319 above 176°F (80°C).
of shipments or sources of supply.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
5. Apparatus
standard.
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1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the 5.1 A Mettler dropping point cell shall be used to deter-
mine pitch softening points by this test method. These com-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- mercially available instruments consist of a control unit with a
digital temperature indicator, matched furnace, sample
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. cartridges, and accessories. The control unit automatically
regulates the heating rate of the furnace. The softening point is
2. Referenced Documents
indicated on the readout, and the heating program stopped,
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when the sample flow triggers a photocell detector. A general
2.1 ASTM Standards:
view of the contents of the Mettler is shown in Fig. 1.
A314 Specification for Stainless Steel Billets and Bars for
5.1.1 Control Unit—This unit shall provide a continuous,
Forging
linear temperature increase from 25 to 250°C at a rate of
D2319 Test Method for Softening Point of Pitch (Cube-in-
2°C/min. A digital readout shall indicate the temperature to
Air Method)
0.1°C throughout.
D4296 Practice for Sampling Pitch
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 a linear rate of
2 6 0.3°C/min. It shall include a sensing system capable of
3.1 In this test method, the softening point is defined as the
detecting the softening point with a precision of 0.1°C.
temperatureatwhichpitch,suspendedinacylindricalcupwith
5.1.3 Sample Cup Assembly—A cup of chromium-plated
a 6.35-mm hole in the bottom, flows downward a distance of
brass, or of stainless steel conforming to the requirements for
19 mm to interrupt a light beam, as the sample is heated at a
Type 303 (UNS S30300) as prescribed in Specification A314,
linear rate in air.
with the dimensions shown in Fig. 2. It shall be placed in the
assembly so that the pitch sample will flow downward a
4. Significance and Use
distance of 19 mm before interrupting a light beam and
4.1 Pitch does not go through a solid-liquid phase change
stopping the heating program as the softening point is reached.
when heated, and therefore does not have a true melting point.
Asthetemperatureisraisedpitchgraduallysoftensorbecomes
6. Reagents
less viscous. For this reason, the determination of the softening
6.1 Xylene, industrial grade.
6.2 Benzoic Acid.
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This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
Petroleum Products and Lubricantsand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D02.05 on Properties of Fuels, Petroleum Coke and Carbon Material.
Current edition approved May 1, 2010. Published May 2010. Originally
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approved in 1972. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as D3104 – 99 (2005). The sole source of supply of the apparatus known to the committee at this time
DOI: 10.1520/D3104-99R10. is available from the Mettler Toledo, Inc., Balances and Instruments, 69 Princeton-
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Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible
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the ASTM website. technical committee, which you may attend.
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