ASTM D87-09(2018)

Standard Test Method for Melting Point of Petroleum Wax (Cooling Curve)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Melting point (cooling curve) is a test that is widely used by wax suppliers and consumers. it is particularly applied to petroleum waxes that are rather highly paraffinic or crystalline in nature. A plateau occurs with specimens containing appreciable amounts of hydrocarbons that crystallize at the same temperature, giving up heat of fusion, thus temporarily retarding the cooling rate. In general, petroleum waxes with large amounts of non-normal hydrocarbons or with amorphous solid forms will not exhibit a plateau.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the melting point (cooling curve) of petroleum wax. It is unsuitable for waxes of the petrolatum group, microcrystalline waxes, or blends of such waxes with paraffin wax or scale wax.  
Note 1: For additional methods used for testing petroleum waxes, see Test Method D127 and Test Method D938. Results may differ, depending on the method used. For pharmaceutical petrolatum, Test Method D127 usually is used.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for information only and are not considered 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

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2018
• ICS: 75.140 - Waxes, bituminous materials and other petroleum products
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.10 - Properties of Petroleum Waxes and Alternative Wax-like Materials

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D6299-17a - Standard Practice for Applying Statistical Quality Assurance and Control Charting Techniques to Evaluate Analytical Measurement System Performance
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2017
• Refers: ASTM D6299-17b - Standard Practice for Applying Statistical Quality Assurance and Control Charting Techniques to Evaluate Analytical Measurement System Performance
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2017
• Refers: ASTM D127-08(2015) - Standard Test Method for Drop Melting Point of Petroleum Wax, Including Petrolatum
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2015
• Refers: ASTM D6299-17 - Standard Practice for Applying Statistical Quality Assurance and Control Charting Techniques to Evaluate Analytical Measurement System Performance
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2017

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: D87 − 09 (Reapproved 2018) Technical Association of Pulp
and Paper Industry
Standard Method T 630m-61
Method 1402-Federal Test
Method Standard No. 791b
British Standard 4695
Designation: 55/77(83)
Standard Test Method for
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Melting Point of Petroleum Wax (Cooling Curve)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D87; 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 D127 Test Method for Drop Melting Point of Petroleum
Wax, Including Petrolatum
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the melting
D938 Test Method for Congealing Point of Petroleum
point (cooling curve) of petroleum wax. It is unsuitable for
Waxes, Including Petrolatum
waxes of the petrolatum group, microcrystalline waxes, or
D6299 Practice for Applying Statistical Quality Assurance
blends of such waxes with paraffin wax or scale wax.
and Control Charting Techniques to Evaluate Analytical
NOTE 1—For additional methods used for testing petroleum waxes, see
Measurement System Performance
Test Method D127 and Test Method D938. Results may differ, depending
E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
on the method used. For pharmaceutical petrolatum, Test Method D127
usually is used.
3. Terminology
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3.1 Definitions:
standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are
3.1.1 melting point (cooling curve) of petroleum wax—
provided for information only and are not considered standard.
temperature at which melted petroleum wax first shows a
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
minimum rate of temperature change when allowed to cool
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
under prescribed conditions.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1.1.1 Discussion—The so-called “American Melting
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
Point” is arbitrarily 1.65 °C (3 °F) above the Melting Point
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
(Cooling Curve) of Petroleum Wax.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
4. Summary of Test Method
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4.1 In Procedure A (Manual Method), a specimen of molten
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
wax in a test tube fitted with a thermometer or equivalent
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
temperature measuring device is placed in an air bath, which in
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
turn is surrounded by a water bath held at 16 °C to 28 °C (60 °F
to 80 °F). As the molten wax cools, periodic readings of its
2. Referenced Documents
temperature are taken. When solidification of the wax occurs,
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the rate of temperature change decreases, yielding a plateau in
2.1 ASTM Standards:
the cooling curve. The temperature at that point is recorded as
the melting point (cooling curve) of the sample.
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This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
4.2 In Procedure B, an automatic analyzer is used. As the
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of
molten wax cools, the sample temperature decrease is mea-
Subcommittee D02.10 on Properties of Petroleum Waxes and Alternative Wax-like
Materials.
sured every 15 s in 0.01 °C (0.1 °F) readings. The melting
In the IP, this test method is under the jurisdiction of the Standardization
point is considered to be reached when five consecutive
Committee. This test method was adopted as a joint ASTM-IP standard in 1966.
measurements are constant within a given temperature interval,
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2018. Published November 2018. Originally
approved in 1921. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as D87 – 09 (2014). DOI: usually 0.1 °C (0.2 °F).
10.1520/D0087-09R18.
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or 5. Significance and Use
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
5.1 Melting point (cooling curve) is a test that is widely
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. used by wax suppliers and consumers. it is particularly applied
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