ASTM D3104-14
(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 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.
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Designation: D3104 − 14
StandardTest 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* 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.
3
5.1 A Mettler dropping point cell shall be used to deter-
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
mine pitch softening points by this test method. These com-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
mercially available instruments consist of a control unit with a
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
digital temperature indicator, matched furnace, sample
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
cartridges, and accessories. The control unit automatically
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
regulates the heating rate of the furnace. The softening point is
indicated on the readout, and the heating program stopped,
2. Referenced Documents
when the sample flow triggers a photocell detector. A general
2
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 and Furnace Unit—This shall provide a
Forging
continuous, linear temperature increase from 25 to 250°C at a
D2319 Test Method for Softening Point of Pitch (Cube-in-
rateof2°C/min.Adigitalreadoutshallindicatethetemperature
Air Method)
to 0.1°C throughout. This shall be capable of heating one or
D4296 Practice for Sampling Pitch
two sample cup assemblies, as described in 5.1.2, at a linear
rateof2 60.3°C/min.Itshallincludeasensingsystemcapable
3. Summary of Test Method
of detecting the softening point with a precision of 0.1°C.
5.1.2 Sample Cup Assembly—A cup of chromium-plated
3.1 In this test method, the softening point is defined as the
brass, or of stainless steel, or of aluminum, conforming to the
temperatureatwhichpitch,suspendedinacylindricalcupwith
requirements for Type 303 (UNS S30300) as prescribed in
a 6.35-mm hole in the bottom, flows downward a distance of
Specification A314, with the dimensions shown in Fig. 2.It
19 mm to interrupt a light beam, as the sample is heated at a
shall be placed in the assembly so that the pitch sample
linear rate in air.
softening point will be detected when it has flowed down a
4. Significance and Use
distance of 19 mm.
4.1 Pitch does not go through a solid-liquid phase change
6. Reagents
when heated, and therefore does not have a true melting point.
6.1 Xylene, industrial grade.
Asthetemperatureisraisedpitchgraduallysoftensorbecomes
less viscous. For this reason, the determination of the softening 6.2 Benzoic Acid.
7. Calibration of the Mettler Apparatus
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
7.1 This step, required only occasionally, is designed to
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricantsand is the direct responsibility of
establish that the temperature indicated by the instrument is in
SubcommitteeD02.05onPropertiesofFuels,PetroleumCokeandCarbonMaterial.
CurrenteditionapprovedJune1,2014.PublishedJuly2014.Originallyapproved
3
in 1972. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as D3104 – 99 (2010). DOI: The sole source of supply of the apparatus known to the committee at this time
10.1520/D3104-14. is available from the Mettler Toledo, Inc., Balances and Instruments, 69 Princeton-
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Hightstown Rd., Hightstown, NJ 08520-0071. If you are aware of alternative
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM suppliers, please provide this information to ASTM International Headquarters.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible
1
the ASTM website. technical committee, which you may attend.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Dri
...
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 − 99 (Reapproved 2010) D3104 − 14
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 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.
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 hole in the bottom, flows downward a distance of 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 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, 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. A general view of the contents of the Mettler
is shown in Fig. 1.
5.1.1 Control Unit—This unit shall provide a continuous, linear temperature increase from 25 to 250°C at a rate of 2°C/min.
A digital readout shall indicate the temperature to 0.1°C throughout.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products 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 May 1, 2010June 1, 2014. Published May 2010July 2014. Originally approved in 1972. Last previous edition approved in 20052010 as
D3104 – 99 (2010). (2005). DOI: 10.1520/D3104-99R10.10.1520/D3104-14.
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. If you are aware of alternative suppliers, please provide this information to ASTM International Headquarters. Your
1
comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible technical 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 − 14
FIG. 1 General View of the Mettler FP-5/53
5.1.1 Control and Furnace Unit—This unit shall shall provide a continuous, linear temperature increase from 25 to 250°C at
a rate of 2°C/min. A digital readout shall indicate the temperature to 0.1°C thr
...
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