ASTM D3104-14a(2018)
(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 °C to 180 °C by this test method, and gives results comparable to those obtained by Test Method D2319 above 80 °C (176 °F).
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
Relations
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: D3104 − 14a (Reapproved 2018)
Standard Test Method for
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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 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
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the soft-
linear rate in air.
eningpointofpitcheshavingsofteningpointsintherangefrom
50 °C to 180 °C by this test method, and gives results
4. Significance and Use
comparable to those obtained by Test Method D2319 above
80 °C (176 °F). 4.1 Pitch does not go through a solid-liquid phase change
when heated, and therefore does not have a true melting point.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
Asthetemperatureisraisedpitchgraduallysoftensorbecomes
standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are
less viscous. For this reason, the determination of the softening
provided for information only and are not considered standard.
pointmustbemadebyanarbitrary,butcloselydefined,method
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
if the test values are to be reproducible.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.2 This test method is useful in determining the consis-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
tency of pitches as one element in establishing the uniformity
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
of shipments or sources of supply.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
5. Apparatus
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
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ization established in the Decision on Principles for the 5.1 A METTLER TOLEDO dropping point cell shall be
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- used to determine pitch softening points by this test method.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical These commercially available instruments consist of a control
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. unit with a digital temperature indicator, with furnace built in
or attached, sample cartridges, and accessories. The control
unitautomaticallyregulatestheheatingrateofthefurnace.The
2. Referenced Documents
2 softening point is indicated on the readout, and the heating
2.1 ASTM Standards:
program stopped, when the sample flow triggers the softening
A314 Specification for Stainless Steel Billets and Bars for
point detection.Ageneral view of the contents of a METTLER
Forging
TOLEDO dropping point instrument is shown in Fig. 1 (old
D2319 Test Method for Softening Point of Pitch (Cube-in-
instrument) and Fig. 2 (new instrument).
Air Method)
5.1.1 IntegratedorSeparateControlUnit—The control unit
D4296 Practice for Sampling Pitch
shall provide a continuous, linear temperature increase from 25
°C to 250 °C at a rate of 2 °C/min. A digital readout shall
3. Summary of Test Method
indicate the temperature to 0.1 °C throughout.
3.1 In this test method, the softening point is defined as the
5.1.2 Integrated or Separate Furnace Unit—The furnace
temperatureatwhichpitch,suspendedinacylindricalcupwith
unit shall be capable of heating one or two sample cup
assemblies, as described in 5.1.3, at a linear rate of 2 °C 6
0.3 °C⁄min. It shall include a sensing system capable of
1 detecting the softening point with a precision of 0.1 °C.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricantsand is the direct responsibility of
SubcommitteeD02.05onPropertiesofFuels,PetroleumCokeandCarbonMaterial.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2018. Published December 2018. Originally
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approved in 1972. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as D3104 – 14a. DOI: The sole source of supply of the apparatus known to the committee at this time
10.1520/D3104-14AR18. is available from Mettler-Toledo, LLC., 1900 Polaris Pkwy, Columbus, OH 43240,
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