ASTM D4359-90(2019)

Standard Test Method for Determining Whether a Material Is a Liquid or a Solid

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Compliance with regulations often requires the determination of whether a material is a liquid or a solid. A similar test is used by the U.S. Department of Transportation for this purpose.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of whether a viscous material is a liquid or a solid for regulatory purposes.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
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-Jun-2019
• ICS: 87.040 - Paints and varnishes
• Technical Committee: D01 - Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications
• Drafting Committee: D01.21 - Chemical Analysis of Paints and Paint Materials

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D4359-90(2012) - Standard Test Method for Determining Whether a Material Is a Liquid or a Solid
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2019
• Refers: ASTM D3925-02(2010) - Standard Practice for Sampling Liquid Paints and Related Pigmented Coatings
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2010
• Refers: ASTM D3925-02 - Standard Practice for Sampling Liquid Paints and Related Pigmented Coatings
• Effective Date: 10-Aug-2002
• Refers: ASTM D3925-91(1996) - Standard Practice for Sampling Liquid Paints and Related Pigmented Coatings
• Effective Date: 15-Sep-1991
• Referred By: ASTM D7887-20 - Standard Guide for Selection of Substitute, Non-hazardous, Liquid Filling Substances for Packagings Subjected to the United Nations Performance Tests
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2019
• Referred By: ASTM F3159-15(2022) - Standard Safety Specification for Liquid Laundry Packets
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D4919-23 - Standard Guide for Testing of Hazardous Materials (Dangerous Goods) Packagings
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2019
• Referred By: ASTM F3429/F3429M-23 - Standard Specification for Performance of Flame Mitigation Devices Installed in Disposable and Pre-Filled Flammable Liquid Containers
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2019
• Referred By: ASTM F3363-19 - Standard Specification for Unvented Liquid/Gel Fuel-Burning Portable Devices
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2019
• Referred By: ASTM E3277-23 - Standard Test Method for Determining the Liquid or Solid State of a Material by Rheometry
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2019

Overview

ASTM D4359-90(2019) - Standard Test Method for Determining Whether a Material Is a Liquid or a Solid provides a clear and practical method for distinguishing between liquids and solids, particularly for materials that are viscous. This test method is widely used for regulatory compliance, including applications required by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The standard ensures objective, repeatable results when defining material states, which is critical for safety, transport, labeling, and environmental management.

This international standard was developed under the principles recognized by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee, providing global credibility and facilitating trade and regulatory processes across jurisdictions.

Key Topics

• Purpose: The method helps determine if a viscous material should be classified as a liquid or a solid for regulatory, safety, or transport reasons.
• Scope: Applicable to a wide range of materials, particularly those with high viscosity where state determination may be ambiguous.
• Apparatus and Procedures: Utilizes a standardized set of equipment (e.g., paint can, oven, tripod, watchglass) and specifies temperature and handling to ensure consistency.
• Flow Measurement: The key characteristic is whether the material flows more or less than 50 mm (2 inches) from the can within 3 minutes when inverted at a controlled temperature.
  • If the material flows less than or equal to 50 mm, it is considered a solid.
  • If it flows more, it is considered a liquid.
  • If 1 gram or more of liquid is collected regardless of flow, the sample is classified as a liquid.
• SI Units: All measurements follow SI units for international consistency, with equivalencies in U.S. customary units provided for convenience.
• Limitations: The standard emphasizes that users must establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices when applying the test method.

Applications

• Regulatory Compliance: Companies use ASTM D4359 to fulfill transportation, handling, and labeling requirements for hazardous and nonhazardous materials, as mandated by agencies such as the U.S. Department of Transportation.
• Quality Control: Across chemical, coatings, and manufacturing industries, this standard aids in product characterization and quality assurance of viscous materials.
• Material Classification: Plays a critical role in determining storage, shipment, and disposal procedures based on whether a substance is regulated as a liquid or a solid.
• Environmental and Safety Management: Helps organizations manage risks associated with spill control, containment, and cleanup, and ensures proper hazard communication.
• International Trade: Supports organizations involved in cross-border movement of chemicals and materials, helping to clarify state definitions for customs and international regulations.

Related Standards

For enhanced accuracy and cross-verification, ASTM D4359 references and works in conjunction with related standards:

• ASTM D3925 – Practice for Sampling Liquid Paints and Related Pigmented Coatings
• ASTM E300 – Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals

Additional test methods and regulatory documents may reference or complement ASTM D4359 when more detailed analysis or alternative state definitions are required.

---

Keywords: ASTM D4359, liquid or solid determination, viscous material characterization, regulatory compliance, DOT requirements, hazardous material testing, international standards, material state classification, SI units

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: D4359 − 90 (Reapproved 2019)
Standard Test Method for
Determining Whether a Material Is a Liquid or a Solid
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4359; 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 5. Apparatus
1.1 This test method covers the determination of whether a
5.1 Paint Can, 1 L (1 quart), with lid, diameter approxi-
1 3
viscous material is a liquid or a solid for regulatory purposes.
mately 108 mm (4 ⁄4 in.), height 120 mm (4 ⁄4 in.).
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
5.2 Oven, maintained at a temperature of 38°C (100°F).
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
5.3 Tripod or Ring Stand.
only.
5.4 Watchglass, tared.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
5.5 Stopwatch.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5.6 Ruler.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
6. Sampling
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
6.1 Using standard sampling techniques, secure a represen-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
tative sample from the lot or batch being tested, in accordance
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
with Practices D3925 or E300.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
7. Test Specimen
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
7.1 If the sample is supplied in a friction top quart can that
2. Referenced Documents
is at least 85 % full, use the can and material as supplied.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
7.2 If not, place the material to be tested into the quart can,
D3925 Practice for Sampling Liquid Paints and Related
filling it to at least 85 % and allowing enough ullage for
Pigmented Coatings
expansion of the material without displacement of the cover.
E300 Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals
Tightly close the can so that no vapor escapes.
3. Summary of Test Method
NOTE 1—The can is considered 85 % filled when the material level is
3.1 The material under test is held at 38°C (100°F) in a
no more than 20 mm ( ⁄4 in.) below the lip of the can.
tightlyclosedcan.Thelidisremovedandthecaninverted.The
flow of the material from the can is observed to determine
8. Procedure
whether it is a solid or a liquid.
8.1 Place the can with the material in an oven maintained at
4. Significance and Use
38 6 3°C (100 6 5°F). Allow the contents of the can to come
to temperature equilibrium (18 to 24 h).
4.1 Compliance with regulations often requires the determi-
nation of whether a material is a liquid or a solid.Asimilar test
8.2 Place the tripod or ring stand on a level surface.
is used by the U.S. Department of Transportation for this
8.3 After the material has come to temperature equilibrium
purpose.
take the can from the oven and immediately remove the lid.
With the ruler, measure the distance from the surface of the
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint
material to the top of the lip of the can and record.
and Related
...