ASTM D61-15

Standard Test Method for Softening Point of Pitches (Cube-in-Water Method)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Pitch does not go through a solid-liquid phase change when heated, and therefore it does not have a true melting point. As the temperature rises, pitch softens and becomes less viscous. The softening point is arbitrarily defined and shall be established by a closely controlled method which shall be carefully followed if test results are to be reproducible.  
5.2 This test is useful in determining the consistency of pitch 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 below 176 °F (80 °C). Pitches of higher softening point should be tested by Test Method D2319 or Test Method D3104.  
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Jun-2015
• ICS: 75.140 - Waxes, bituminous materials and other petroleum products
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.05 - Properties of Fuels, Petroleum Coke and Carbon Material

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D61-75(2010) - Standard Test Method for Softening Point of Pitches (Cube-in-Water Method)
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2015
• Replaced By: ASTM D61-15(2019) - Standard Test Method for Softening Point of Pitches (Cube-in-Water Method)
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D2319/D2319M-20 - Standard Test Method for Softening Point of Pitch (Cube-in-Air Method)
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2015
• Referred By: ASTM D71-94(2019) - Standard Test Method for Relative Density of Solid Pitch and Asphalt (Displacement Method)
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2015

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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
Designation: D61 − 15
Standard Test Method for
1
Softening Point of Pitches (Cube-in-Water Method)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D61; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of original
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* 3.1.1 Digital Contact Thermometer (DCT), n—an electronic
device consisting of a digital display and associated tempera-
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the soft-
ture sensing probe.
ening point of pitches below 176 °F (80 °C). Pitches of higher
3.1.1.1 Discussion—This device consists of a temperature
softening point should be tested by Test Method D2319 or Test
sensor connected to a measuring instrument; this instrument
Method D3104.
measures the temperature-dependent quantity of the sensor,
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
computes the temperature from the measured quantity, and
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
provides a digital output or display, or both, of the temperature.
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
The temperature sensing probe is in contact with the material
and are not considered standard.
whose temperature is being measured. This device is some-
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
times referred to as a digital thermometer.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
NOTE 1—Portable electronic thermometers (PET) is an acronym some-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
times used to refer to a subset of the devices covered by this definition.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4. Summary of Test Method
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.1 Two cubes of pitch, supported on wire hooks, are heated
2. Referenced Documents at a controlled rate in water in a glass container. The softening
2
point is defined as the mean of the temperatures at which the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
cubes sag downwards a distance of 25 mm.
D140 Practice for Sampling Bituminous Materials
D2319 Test Method for Softening Point of Pitch (Cube-in-
5. Significance and Use
Air Method)
5.1 Pitch does not go through a solid-liquid phase change
D3104 Test Method for Softening Point of Pitches (Mettler
when heated, and therefore it does not have a true melting
Softening Point Method)
point.As the temperature rises, pitch softens and becomes less
E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
viscous. The softening point is arbitrarily defined and shall be
E563 Practice for Preparation and Use of an Ice-Point Bath
established by a closely controlled method which shall be
as a Reference Temperature
carefully followed if test results are to be reproducible.
E1137 SpecificationforIndustrialPlatinumResistanceTher-
5.2 This test is useful in determining the consistency of
mometers
pitch as one element in establishing the uniformity of ship-
E2251 Specification for Liquid-in-Glass ASTM Thermom-
ments or sources of supply.
eters with Low-Hazard Precision Liquids
E2877 Guide for Digital Contact Thermometers
6. Apparatus
1
6.1 Mold—A mold suitable for forming two ⁄2 in.
3. Terminology
(12.7 mm) cubes of pitch, having cylindrical core pins 12
3.1 Definitions:
gauge (2.05 mm) in diameter located in the base plate of the
assembly to produce accurately centered suspension holes in
the cubes. (See Fig. 1.)
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricantsand is the direct responsibility of 6.2 Hooks—Two L-shaped hooks, made of 12 gauge
SubcommitteeD02.05onPropertiesofFuels,PetroleumCokeandCarbonMaterial.
(2.05 mm) copper wire. The foot of the hook shall be 1 in.
Current edition approved July 1, 2015. Published July 2015. Originally approved
(25 mm) long and at a right angle to the upright portion for
in 1919. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as D61 – 75 (2010). DOI:
insertion into the center hole of the pitch cube.
10.1520/D0061-15.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
6.3 Container—A glass vessel that can be heated, not less
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
than85 mmindiameterand105 mmdeep.(Astandard600 mL
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. low-form beaker meets these requirements).
*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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D
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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: D61 − 75 (Reapproved 2010) D61 − 15
Standard Test Method for
1
Softening Point of Pitches (Cube-in-Water Method)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D61; 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 below 176°F (80°C).176 °F (80 °C). Pitches of
higher softening point should be tested by Test Method D2319 or Test Method D3104.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D140 Practice for Sampling Bituminous Materials
D2319 Test Method for Softening Point of Pitch (Cube-in-Air Method)
D3104 Test Method for Softening Point of Pitches (Mettler Softening Point Method)
E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
E563 Practice for Preparation and Use of an Ice-Point Bath as a Reference Temperature
E1137 Specification for Industrial Platinum Resistance Thermometers
E2251 Specification for Liquid-in-Glass ASTM Thermometers with Low-Hazard Precision Liquids
E2877 Guide for Digital Contact Thermometers
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 Digital Contact Thermometer (DCT), n—an electronic device consisting of a digital display and associated temperature
sensing probe.
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 Feb. 15, 2010July 1, 2015. Published March 2010July 2015. Originally approved in 1919. Last previous edition approved in 20042010 as
D61–75(2004).D61 – 75 (2010). DOI: 10.1520/D0061-75R10.10.1520/D0061-15.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3.1.1.1 Discussion—
This device consists of a temperature sensor connected to a measuring instrument; this instrument measures the temperature-
dependent quantity of the sensor, computes the temperature from the measured quantity, and provides a digital output or display,
or both, of the temperature. The temperature sensing probe is in contact with the material whose temperature is being measured.
This device is sometimes referred to as a digital thermometer.
NOTE 1—Portable electronic thermometers (PET) is an acronym sometimes used to refer to a subset of the devices covered by this definition.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 Two cubes of pitch, supported on wire hooks, are heated at a controlled rate in water in a glass container. The softening point
is defined as the mean of the temperatures at which the cubes sag downwards a distance of 25 mm.25 mm.
*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

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D61 − 15
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Pitch does not go through a solid-liquid phase change when heated, and therefore it does not have a true melting point. As
the temperature rises, pitch softens and becomes less viscous. The softening point is arbitrarily defined and shall be established
by a closely controlled method which shall be carefully followed if test results are to be reproducible.
5.2 This test is useful in determining the consistency of pitch as one element in establishing the uniformity of shipments or
sources of supply.
6. Apparatus
1
6.1 Mold—A mold suitable for forming two ⁄2-in. (12.7-mm) in. (12.7 mm) cubes of pitch, having cylindrical core pins 12
gauge (2.05 mm) (2.05 mm) in diameter located in the base plate of the assembly to produc
...