ASTM D3944-88(2000)

Standard Test Method for Solidification Point of Petroleum Wax

SCOPE
1.1 This test method describes a procedure for rapidly determining the solidification point of petroleum wax.  
Note 1-This test method is also applicable to similar materials such as synthetic waxes but the precision may vary.
1.2 The values in acceptable metric units are to be regarded as the standard. The values in parentheses are for information only.
1.3  This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, 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: 31-Dec-1999
• ICS: 75.140 - Waxes, bituminous materials and other petroleum products
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.10.0A - Physical/Chemical Properties

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D3944-88(1993)e1 - Standard Test Method for Solidification Point of Petroleum Wax
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2000
• Replaced By: ASTM D3944-88(2005) - Standard Test Method for Solidification Point of Petroleum Wax
• Effective Date: 01-May-2005

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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
An American National Standard
Designation: D 3944 – 88 (Reapproved 2000)
Standard Test Method for
Solidification Point of Petroleum Wax
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3944; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope cool at room temperature. The thermocouple response of the
cooling wax traces a curve on the chart paper of the recorder.
1.1 This test method describes a procedure for rapidly
The first significant change in the slope of the curve is the
determining the solidification point of petroleum wax.
solidification point.
NOTE 1—Thistestmethodisalsoapplicabletosimilarmaterialssuchas
synthetic waxes but the precision may vary.
5. Significance and Use
1.2 The values in acceptable metric units are to be regarded
5.1 The related methods of determining the melt point of
as the standard. The values in parentheses are for information
petroleum wax are relatively time-consuming. This method
only.
endeavors to reduce the duration of testing significantly and at
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
the same time maintain a reasonable precision. This method
safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the
can be useful for quality control of petroleum waxes as well as
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
research and product development work on these waxes.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
5.2 For methods used for testing melt points of petroleum
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
waxes, see Tests Method D 87, D 127, including Petrolatum
and Test Method D 938.
2. Referenced Documents
6. Apparatus
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D87 Test Method for Melting Point of Petroleum Wax
6.1 Thermocouple, with an iron-constantan junction.
(Cooling Curve)
6.2 Recorder capable of recording voltage and equipped
D 127 Test Method for Drop Melting Point of Petroleum
with a time-base module. The recorder should have the
Wax Including Petrolatum
following minimum specifications:
D 938 Test Method for Congealing Point of Petroleum
6.2.1 Span, 0 to 10 mV or other suitable ranges.
Waxes Including Petrolatum
6.2.2 Accuracy, 0.25 % of full scale.
E 1 Specification for ASTM Thermometers
6.2.3 Step Response Time,1-sfullscale,3-sfullscaleisalso
appropriate.
3. Terminology
6.2.4 Zero Junction/Reference Junction/Temperature Com-
3.1 Definition:
pensated Junction—Must be included.
3.2 solidification point of petroleum wax—that temperature
6.3 TFE-Fluorocarbon Holder Adapter—See Fig. 1 and
in the cooling curve of the wax where the slope of the curve
Fig. 2.
first changes significantly as the wax sample changes from a
6.4 TFE-Fluorocarbon Disk Centering Guide—See Fig. 1
liquid to a solid state.
and Fig. 2.
6.5 Test Tubes, 6 by 50-mm.
4. Summary of Test Method
6.6 Vial, 25 by 52-mm.
4.1 A 50-mg sample of wax is placed in a test tube at
6.7 Apparatus for Calibrating Temperature Recorder:
ambient temperature and heated above the solidification point
of the wax sample. A thermocouple probe, attached to a
recorder, is inserted into the wax sample, which is allowed to
Suitable thermocouples are available from: Claud S. Gordon Co., 5710
Kenosha St., Richmond, IL 60071, [phone].
For “J” (iron-constantan) junction the following is suitable: Xactpak Type MM
Assembly, Catalog No. 402-1101.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Junction: grounded (G)
Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee Transition fitting: TH 2780-020
D02.10 on Properties of Petroleum Wax (Joint ASTM – TAPPI). Thermocouple wire: J30-1-305
Current edition approved Oct. 31, 1988. Published January 1989. Originally L (length of metal sheath)
e1
published as D 3944 – 80. Last previous edition D 3944 – 80 (1985) . E (lead length): specify length desired.
2 5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.01. Not commercially available and hence must be made in a machine shop or
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.03. elsewhere.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D 3944 – 88 (2000)
FIG. 1 Solidification Point Apparatus
FIG. 2 Apparatus for Heating Wax Sample
6.7.1 Stainless Steel Beaker, 1000-mL. tube and another hole adjacent to it to accommodate a 110-V,
6.7.2 Heating Mantle,tofit 6.7.1. 30-W cartridge heater, about 9 by 38 mm, commercially
6.7.3 Autotransformer to control heat to 6.7.2. available (see Fig. 2).
6.7.4 Variable-Speed-Stirrer. 6.8.2.1 Autotransformer, to control heat in 6.8.2.
6.7.5 Thermometer,ASTM No. 61C or 61F, 79-mm immer-
7. Procedure
sion.
6.8 Methods for Heating Specimen: 7.1 Calibrate the recorder at least every 60 days when in
6.8.1 Hot Air Blower at 1000 W, 1200 W, or other suitable frequent use (see Annex A1).
power. This could be a laboratory or a household hair dryer 7.2 Obtain a wax sample representative of the material to be
type. tested.
6.8.2 Aluminum Heating Block, about 50 by 50 by 50 mm. 7.3 Using a balance accurate
...