ASTM D1321-16

Standard Test Method for Needle Penetration of Petroleum Waxes

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Petroleum waxes differ in hardness. Needle penetration is a measurement of hardness. Hardness may have a significant effect upon other physical properties.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the empirical estimation of the consistency of waxes derived from petroleum by measurement of the extent of penetration of a standard needle. This test method is applicable to waxes having a penetration of not greater than 250.  
Note 1: This test method is similar to the needle method for determining the penetration of bituminous material, Test Method D5. Cone methods applicable to greases and to petrolatum are described in Test Methods D217 and Test Method D937, respectively.  
1.2 WARNING—Mercury has been designated by many regulatory agencies as a hazardous material that can cause central nervous system, kidney and liver damage. Mercury, or its vapor, may be hazardous to health and corrosive to materials. Caution should be taken when handling mercury and mercury containing products. See the applicable product Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for details and EPA’s website—http://www.epa.gov/mercury/faq.htm—for additional information. Users should be aware that selling mercury and/or mercury containing products into your state or country may be prohibited by law.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.  
1.3.1 Exception—The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-May-2016
• 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 D1321-10(2015) - Standard Test Method for Needle Penetration of Petroleum Waxes
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2016
• Referred By: ASTM D4872-14(2020) - Standard Test Method for Dielectric Testing of Wire and Cable Filling Compounds
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2016
• Referred By: ASTM D4730-13(2020) - Standard Specification for Flooding Compounds for Telecommunications Wire and Cable
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2016
• Referred By: ASTM C782-13(2023) - Standard Test Method for Softness of Preformed Tape Sealants
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2016
• Referred By: ASTM F3401-19 - Standard Test Method for Wax Binder Removal from Equestrian Synthetic Track Surfaces
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2016

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: D1321 − 16
StandardTest Method for
1
Needle Penetration of Petroleum Waxes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1321; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope* 2. Referenced Documents
2
1.1 This test method covers the empirical estimation of the 2.1 ASTM Standards:
D5 Test Method for Penetration of Bituminous Materials
consistency of waxes derived from petroleum by measurement
D87 Test Method for Melting Point of Petroleum Wax
of the extent of penetration of a standard needle. This test
(Cooling Curve)
method is applicable to waxes having a penetration of not
D217 Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating
greater than 250.
Grease
NOTE 1—This test method is similar to the needle method for
D937 Test Method for Cone Penetration of Petrolatum
determining the penetration of bituminous material, Test Method D5.
D938 Test Method for Congealing Point of Petroleum
Cone methods applicable to greases and to petrolatum are described in
Test Methods D217 and Test Method D937, respectively. Waxes, Including Petrolatum
E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
1.2 WARNING—Mercury has been designated by many
E2251 Specification for Liquid-in-Glass ASTM Thermom-
regulatory agencies as a hazardous material that can cause
eters with Low-Hazard Precision Liquids
central nervous system, kidney and liver damage. Mercury, or
its vapor, may be hazardous to health and corrosive to
3. Terminology
materials. Caution should be taken when handling mercury and
3.1 Definitions:
mercury containing products. See the applicable product Ma-
3.1.1 penetration, n—of petroleum wax, the depth in tenths
terial Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for details and EPA’s
of a millimetre to which a standard needle penetrates into the
website—http://www.epa.gov/mercury/faq.htm—for addi-
wax under defined conditions.
tional information. Users should be aware that selling mercury
3.1.1.1 Discussion—As an example, a penetration reading
and/or mercury containing products into your state or country
of 85 from the indicator scale corresponds to a penetration
may be prohibited by law.
depth of 8.5 mm.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
3.1.2 penetrometer, n—an instrument that measures the
standard.
consistency or hardness of semiliquid to semisolid materials by
1.3.1 Exception—The values given in parentheses are for
measuring the depth to which a specified cone or needle under
information only.
a given force falls into the material.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.2.1 Discussion—In this test method, a standard pen-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
etrometer needle (6.3) is used to determine the hardness of
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
petroleum wax. The penetration force is determined by the
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
total mass (100 g) of the needle, plunger, and 50 g weight.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 The sample is heated to at least 17 °C (30 °F) above its
expected congealing point or melting point, poured into a
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of
2
Subcommittee D02.10.0A on Physical/Chemical Properties. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
CurrenteditionapprovedJune1,2016.PublishedJuly2016.Originallyapproved contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
in 1954. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D1321 – 10 (2015). DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D1321-16. the ASTM website.
*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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D1321 − 16
container, and then air cooled under controlled conditions. The 6.3 Needle and Plunger—Theneedleshallbeapproximately
sample then is conditioned at test temperature in a water bath. 83 mm in length and conform to the dimensions shown in Fig.
Penetration is measured with a penetrometer, which applies a 2. It shall be symmetrically tapered at one end to a cone whose
standard needle to the sample for 5 s under a load of 100 g. angle shall be within the ra
...

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: D1321 − 10 (Reapproved 2015) D1321 − 16
Standard Test Method for
1
Needle Penetration of Petroleum Waxes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1321; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope Scope*
1.1 This test method covers the empirical estimation of the consistency of waxes derived from petroleum by measurement of
the extent of penetration of a standard needle. This test method is applicable to waxes having a penetration of not greater than 250.
NOTE 1—This test method is similar to the needle method for determining the penetration of bituminous material, Test Method D5. Cone methods
applicable to greases and to petrolatum are described in Test Methods D217 and Test Method D937, respectively.
1.2 WARNING—Mercury has been designated by many regulatory agencies as a hazardous material that can cause central
nervous system, kidney and liver damage. Mercury, or its vapor, may be hazardous to health and corrosive to materials. Caution
should be taken when handling mercury and mercury containing products. See the applicable product Material Safety Data Sheet
(MSDS) for details and EPA’s website—http://www.epa.gov/mercury/faq.htm—for additional information. Users should be aware
that selling mercury and/or mercury containing products into your state or country may be prohibited by law.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.3.1 Exception—The values given in parentheses are for information only.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D5 Test Method for Penetration of Bituminous Materials
D87 Test Method for Melting Point of Petroleum Wax (Cooling Curve)
D217 Test Methods for Cone Penetration of Lubricating Grease
D937 Test Method for Cone Penetration of Petrolatum
D938 Test Method for Congealing Point of Petroleum Waxes, Including Petrolatum
E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
E2251 Specification for Liquid-in-Glass ASTM Thermometers with Low-Hazard Precision Liquids
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 penetration, n—of petroleum wax, the depth in tenths of a millimetre to which a standard needle penetrates into the wax
under defined conditions.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D02.10.0A on Physical/Chemical Properties.
Current edition approved April 1, 2015June 1, 2016. Published June 2015July 2016. Originally approved in 1954. Last previous edition approved in 20102015 as
D1321 – 10.D1321 – 10 (2015). DOI: 10.1520/D1321-10R15.10.1520/D1321-16.
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—
As an example, a penetration reading of 85 from the indicator scale corresponds to a penetration depth of 8.5 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 ----------------------
D1321 − 16
3.1.2 penetrometer, n—an instrument that measures the consistency or hardness of semiliquid to semisolid materials by
measuring the depth to which a specified cone or needle under a given force falls into the material.
3.1.2.1 Discussion—
In this test method, a standard penetrometer needle (6.3) is used to determine the hardness of petroleum wax. The penetration force
is determined by the total mass (100 g) of the needle, plunger, and 50 g weight.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 The sample is heated to at least 17 °C (30 °F) above its expected congealing point or melting point, poured into a container,
and then air c
...