ASTM D71-94(2019)

Standard Test Method for Relative Density of Solid Pitch and Asphalt (Displacement Method)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method is useful in characterizing pitches and asphalts as one element in establishing uniformity of shipments and sources of supply.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of relative density by water displacement of hard pitches and asphalts with softening points above 70 °C.  
1.2 The relative density of hard pitch and asphalt shall be determined, whenever possible, on homogeneous natural fragments free of cracks. The use of cast cubes is not recommended due to the difficulty of avoiding incorporation of air bubbles.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.4 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.  
1.5 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-Nov-2019
• ICS: 91.100.50 - Binders. Sealing materials
• ICS: 93.080.20 - Road construction materials
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.05 - Properties of Fuels, Petroleum Coke and Carbon Material

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D71-94(2015)e1 - Standard Test Method for Relative Density of Solid Pitch and Asphalt (Displacement Method)
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2019
• Refers: ASTM D4296-24 - Standard Practice for Sampling Pitch
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2024
• Refers: ASTM D61-15(2019) - Standard Test Method for Softening Point of Pitches (Cube-in-Water Method)
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2019
• Refers: ASTM D4296-18 - Standard Practice for Sampling Pitch
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2018
• Refers: ASTM D61-15 - Standard Test Method for Softening Point of Pitches (Cube-in-Water Method)
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2015
• Refers: ASTM D4296-83(2015)e1 - Standard Practice for Sampling Pitch
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2015
• Refers: ASTM D61-75(2010) - Standard Test Method for Softening Point of Pitches (Cube-in-Water Method)
• Effective Date: 15-Feb-2010
• Refers: ASTM D4296-83(2009) - Standard Practice for Sampling Pitch
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2009
• Refers: ASTM D140-01(2007) - Standard Practice for Sampling Bituminous Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2007
• Refers: ASTM D4296-83(2004) - Standard Practice for Sampling Pitch
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2004
• Refers: ASTM D61-75(2004) - Standard Test Method for Softening Point of Pitches (Cube-in-Water Method)
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2004
• Refers: ASTM D140-00 - Standard Practice for Sampling Bituminous Materials
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2001
• Refers: ASTM D140-01 - Standard Practice for Sampling Bituminous Materials
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2001
• Refers: ASTM D4296-83(1999) - Standard Practice for Sampling Pitch
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-1999
• Refers: ASTM D61-75(1999) - Standard Test Method for Softening Point of Pitches (Cube-in-Water Method)
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-1999

Overview

ASTM D71-94(2019) is the Standard Test Method for Relative Density of Solid Pitch and Asphalt (Displacement Method), established by ASTM International. This test method specifies the procedure for determining the relative density of hard pitches and asphalts-materials with softening points above 70°C-by using water displacement. Relative density (specific gravity) is calculated as the ratio between the mass of a test specimen in air and its mass when submerged in water at 25°C. This method provides a consistent and reliable way to characterize pitches and asphalts, thereby supporting uniformity in shipments and ensuring quality across sources of supply.

Key Topics

• Relative Density Measurement: The core of the standard is determining the relative density of solid pitch and asphalt using a displacement method. This involves weighing specimens in air and under water at a controlled temperature.
• Applicability: This method applies only to hard pitch and asphalt samples that are homogeneous and free from cracks. The use of cast cubes is discouraged due to the potential for entrapped air, which can affect accuracy.
• Equipment & Procedure: The standard details necessary equipment, including an analytical balance with a suspension mechanism, a temperature-controlled water bath, and calibration methods to ensure accuracy.
• Sample Preparation: Proper sampling procedures are mandated to avoid contamination and ensure samples are representative of bulk material.
• Health and Safety: Users must implement appropriate safety and environmental practices, as the standard does not address all possible hazards.

Applications

ASTM D71-94(2019) is valuable in a range of industrial and commercial contexts where pitch and asphalt products are produced, distributed, or used, including:

• Quality Assurance: Ensures the consistency and uniformity of pitch and asphalt shipments by verifying density across batches and suppliers.
• Materials Characterization: Supports the selection and specification of asphalts and pitches in construction and manufacturing, where physical properties like density are critical.
• Regulatory Compliance: Facilitates adherence to industry norms and quality control requirements, especially in sectors dealing with petroleum products and construction materials.
• Laboratory Testing: Provides a repeatable laboratory procedure for measuring density, which can aid in product development, research, and process optimization for asphalt and pitch products.

Related Standards

• ASTM D61: Standard Test Method for Softening Point of Pitches (Cube-in-Water Method) - referenced for specimen preparation.
• ASTM D140: Practice for Sampling Asphalt Materials - provides best practices for sampling, directly applicable for bulk samples.
• ASTM D4296: Practice for Sampling Pitch - outlines procedures for taking representative samples of pitch.

These related ASTM standards supplement the displacement method for determining relative density by offering guidelines on sampling techniques and testing additional physical properties.

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By following ASTM D71-94(2019), professionals in relevant industries ensure reliable determination of relative density for hard pitch and asphalt, helping to maintain product uniformity and support regulatory and contractual specifications. This standard is critical for laboratories, production facilities, and quality assurance teams focused on material consistency and compliance.

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: D71 − 94 (Reapproved 2019)
Standard Test Method for
Relative Density of Solid Pitch and Asphalt (Displacement
Method)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D71; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope 3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
1.1 This test method covers the determination of relative
3.1.1 relative density—the ratio of a given volume of
density by water displacement of hard pitches and asphalts
materialat25 °Ctothemassofanequalvolumeofwateratthe
with softening points above 70 °C.
same temperature (specific gravity).
1.2 The relative density of hard pitch and asphalt shall be
determined, whenever possible, on homogeneous natural frag- 4. Summary of Test Method
mentsfreeofcracks.Theuseofcastcubesisnotrecommended
4.1 The sample is suspended from a thin wire and weighed,
due to the difficulty of avoiding incorporation of air bubbles.
first in air, then submerged in water at 25.0 °C. The relative
density is calculated from these masses.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
5. Significance and Use
standard.
5.1 This test method is useful in characterizing pitches and
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
asphaltsasoneelementinestablishinguniformityofshipments
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
and sources of supply.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
6. Apparatus
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
6.1 Pan Straddle, suitable for use with an analytical bal-
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
ance.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
6.2 Analytical Balance, equipped with a hook above the pan
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
and capable of weighing a 20 g specimen to 1 mg.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
6.3 Water Bath, maintained at 25.0 °C 6 0.2 °C and pro-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
vided with mechanical stirring/circulation.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
6.4 Thermometer, capable of measuring water temperature
of 25.0 °C 6 0.2 °C (or other suitable temperature measuring
2. Referenced Documents
instrument).
2.1 ASTM Standards:
6.5 Nichrome Wire, 0.127 mm diameter or monofilament
D61 Test Method for Softening Point of Pitches (Cube-in-
nylon fishing line of about the same diameter for attaching
Water Method)
specimen to the balance pan hook.
D140 Practice for Sampling Asphalt Materials
D4296 Practice for Sampling Pitch
7. Bulk Sampling
7.1 Samples from shipments shall be taken in accordance
with Practice D140 or Practice D4296, and shall be free of
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
foreign substances. Thoroughly mix the sample before remov-
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of
ing a representative portion for the determination.
SubcommitteeD02.05onPropertiesofFuels,PetroleumCokeandCarbonMaterial.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2019. Published December 2019. Originally
8. Test Specimens
ɛ1
approved in 1920. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D71 – 94 (2015) .
DOI: 10.1520/D0071-94R19.
8.1 Select two fragments of the bulk sample weighing
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
between 5 g and 20 g each. Inspect the fragments carefully to
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
ensure the use of specimens free of cracks and other surface
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. defects.
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D71 − 94 (2019)
8.2 If the nature of the material is such that specimens c
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