ASTM D3954-15(2022)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Dropping Point of Waxes
Standard Test Method for Dropping Point of Waxes
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Waxes do not go through a sharp solid-liquid phase change when heated and therefore do not have a true melting point. As the temperature rises, waxes gradually soften or become less viscous. For this reason, the determination of the softening point must be made by an arbitrary but closely defined method if test values are to be reproducible.
4.2 This test is useful in determining the consistency of waxes, and as one element in establishing the uniformity of shipments or source of supply.
4.3 This test method has been found suitable for all types of waxes including paraffin, microcrystalline polyethylene, and natural waxes.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the ASTM dropping point for waxes.
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
Relations
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: D3954 − 15 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Test Method for
Dropping Point of Waxes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3954; 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 softening point must be made by an arbitrary but closely
defined method if test values are to be reproducible.
1.1 This test method covers the determination of theASTM
dropping point for waxes.
4.2 This test is useful in determining the consistency of
waxes, and as one element in establishing the uniformity of
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
shipments or source of supply.
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
4.3 This test method has been found suitable for all types of
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
waxes including paraffin, microcrystalline polyethylene, and
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
natural waxes.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
5. Apparatus
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5.1 Suitable apparatus that meets the requirements of 5.1.1,
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
5.1.2, and 5.1.3 can be used to determine dropping points by
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
this test method. Instruments are available commercially
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
consisting of a control unit with a digital temperature recorder,
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
matched furnace, sample cartridges, and accessories. The
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
control unit automatically maintains the furnace temperature
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
and controls the heating rate with a precision of 0.1 °C. The
2. Referenced Documents dropping point is automatically recorded, and the furnace
2 heating program is turned off when the sample interrupts the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
light beam and triggers the photocell detector.
D566 TestMethodforDroppingPointofLubricatingGrease
5.1.1 Control Unit—This unit shall provide a continuous
3. Summary of Test Method linear temperature control from 25 °C to 250 °C at a 2 °C⁄min
rate. A digital readout shall record the softening point with an
3.1 In this test method, the dropping point is defined as the
accuracy of 0.1 °C.
temperature at which the wax suspended in a cylindrical cup,
5.1.2 Furnace Unit—This unit shall be capable of heating a
with a 2.8 mm diameter hole in the bottom, flows downward a
sample cup assembly as described in 5.1.3 at 2 °C 6
distance of 19 mm to interrupt a light beam as the sample is
0.3 °C⁄min linear rate from 25 °C to 250 °C. It shall include a
heated at a constant rate in air.
sensing system capable of detecting the softening point with an
4. Significance and Use accuracy of 0.1 °C.
5.1.3 Sample Cup Assembly—Achromium-plated brass cup
4.1 Waxes do not go through a sharp solid-liquid phase
conforming to the dimensions shown in Test Method D566.It
change when heated and therefore do not have a true melting
shall be placed in an assembly so that the sample flows down
point. As the temperature rises, waxes gradually soften or
a distance of 19 mm to interrupt a light beam to cause digital
become less viscous. For this reason, the determination of the
display of the softening point.
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD21onPolishes
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D21.02 on Raw Materials.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2022. Published December 2022. Originally To the knowledge of the committee at this time, the only instruments which
approved in 1980. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D3954 – 15. DOI: satisfy the requirements of 5.1.1, 5.1.2, and 5.1.3 are Mettler-Toledo model DP70
10.1520/D3954-15R22. and model DP90 fitted with FP83HT sample cup. These are available from
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Mettler-Toledo, LLC, 1900 Polaris Parkway, Columbus, OH 43240, www.mt.com.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM If you are aware of alternative suppliers, please provide this information to ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page
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