ASTM D3944-12

Standard Test Method for Solidification Point of Petroleum Wax

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The related methods of determining the melt point of petroleum wax are relatively time-consuming. This method endeavors to reduce the duration of testing significantly and at the same time maintain a reasonable precision. This method can be useful for quality control of petroleum waxes as well as research and product development work on these waxes.  
5.2 For methods used for testing melt points of petroleum waxes, see Tests Method D87, D127, including Petrolatum and Test Method D938.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for rapidly determining the solidification point of petroleum wax. Note 1—This test method is also applicable to similar materials such as synthetic waxes but the precision may vary.  
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 problems, 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-Nov-2012
• 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 D3944-88(2005) - Standard Test Method for Solidification Point of Petroleum Wax
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2012

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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:D3944 −12
Standard Test Method for
1
Solidification Point of Petroleum Wax
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3944; 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* of the wax sample. A thermocouple probe, attached to a
recorder, is inserted into the wax sample, which is allowed to
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for rapidly deter-
cool at room temperature. The thermocouple response of the
mining the solidification point of petroleum wax.
cooling wax traces a curve on the chart paper of the recorder.
NOTE1—Thistestmethodisalsoapplicabletosimilarmaterialssuchas
The first significant change in the slope of the curve is the
synthetic waxes but the precision may vary.
solidification point.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
5. Significance and Use
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
only.
5.1 The related methods of determining the melt point of
petroleum wax are relatively time-consuming. This method
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
endeavors to reduce the duration of testing significantly and at
safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the
the same time maintain a reasonable precision. This method
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
can be useful for quality control of petroleum waxes as well as
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
research and product development work on these waxes.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5.2 For methods used for testing melt points of petroleum
2. Referenced Documents
waxes, seeTests Method D87, D127, including Petrolatum and
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Test Method D938.
D87 Test Method for Melting Point of Petroleum Wax
6. Apparatus
(Cooling Curve)
3
D127 Test Method for Drop Melting Point of Petroleum
6.1 Thermocouple, with an iron-constantan junction.
Wax, Including Petrolatum
6.2 Recorder, capable of recording voltage and equipped
D938 Test Method for Congealing Point of Petroleum
with a time-base module. The recorder should have the
Waxes, Including Petrolatum
following minimum specifications:
E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
6.2.1 Span, 0 to 10 mV or other suitable ranges.
6.2.2 Accuracy, 0.25 % of full scale.
3. Terminology
6.2.3 Step Response Time,1-sfullscale,3-sfullscaleisalso
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
appropriate.
3.1.1 solidification point of petroleum wax, n—thattempera-
6.2.4 Zero Junction/Reference Junction/Temperature Com-
ture in the cooling curve of the wax where the slope of the
pensated Junction—Must be included.
curve first changes significantly as the wax sample changes
6.3 TFE-Fluorocarbon HolderAdapter—SeeFig.1andFig.
from a liquid to a solid state.
4
2.
4. Summary of Test Method
6.4 TFE-Fluorocarbon Disk Centering Guide—See Fig. 1
4
4.1 A 50-mg sample of wax is placed in a test tube at
and Fig. 2.
ambient temperature and heated above the solidification point
3
Suitable thermocouples are available from: Claud S. Gordon Co., 5710
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Kenosha St., Richmond, IL 60071, [phone]. For “J” (iron-constantan)
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of junction the following is suitable: Xactpak Type MM Assembly, Catalog No.
Subcommittee D02.10.0A on Physical/Chemical Properties. 402-1101.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2012. Published February 2013. Originally Junction: grounded (G)
approved in 1980. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as D3944–88 (2005). Transition fitting: TH 2780-020
DOI: 10.1520/D3944-12. Thermocouple wire: J30-1-305
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or L (length of metal sheath)
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM E (lead length): specify length desired.
4
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Not commercially available and hence must be made in a machine shop or
the ASTM website. elsewhere.
*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 ----------------------
D3944−12
FIG. 1 Solidification Point Apparatus
FIG. 2 Apparatus for Heating Wax Sample
6.5 Test Tubes, 6 by 50-mm. 6.8.1 Hot Air Blower at 1000 W, 1200 W, or other suitable
power. This could be a laboratory or a household hair dryer
6.6 Vial, 25 by 52-mm.
...

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: D3944 − 88 (Reapproved 2005) D3944 − 12
Standard Test Method for
1
Solidification Point of Petroleum Wax
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3944; 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 a procedure for rapidly determining the solidification point of petroleum wax.
NOTE 1—This test method is also applicable to similar materials such as synthetic waxes but the precision may vary.
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 problems, 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:
D87 Test Method for Melting Point of Petroleum Wax (Cooling Curve)
D127 Test Method for Drop Melting Point of Petroleum Wax, Including Petrolatum
D938 Test Method for Congealing Point of Petroleum Waxes, Including Petrolatum
E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions: Related to This Standard:
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 solidification point of petroleum wax, n—that temperature in the cooling curve of the wax where the slope of the curve
first changes significantly as the wax sample changes from a liquid to a solid state.
3.2 solidification point of petroleum wax—that temperature in the cooling curve of the wax where the slope of the curve first
changes significantly as the wax sample changes from a liquid to a solid state.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 A 50-mg sample of wax is placed in a test tube at ambient temperature and heated above the solidification point of the wax
sample. A thermocouple probe, attached to a recorder, is inserted into the wax sample, which is allowed to cool at room
temperature. The thermocouple response of the cooling wax traces a curve on the chart paper of the recorder. The first significant
change in the slope of the curve is the solidification point.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 The related methods of determining the melt point of petroleum wax are relatively time-consuming. This method endeavors
to reduce the duration of testing significantly and at the same time maintain a reasonable precision. This method can be useful for
quality control of petroleum waxes as well as research and product development work on these waxes.
5.2 For methods used for testing melt points of petroleum waxes, see Tests Method D87, D127, including Petrolatum and Test
Method D938.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D02.10.0A
on Physical/Chemical Properties.
Current edition approved May 1, 2005Dec. 1, 2012. Published May 2005February 2013. Originally approved in 1980. Last previous edition approved in 20002005 as
D3944 – 88 (2000).D3944–88 (2005). DOI: 10.1520/D3944-88R05.10.1520/D3944-12.
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.
*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 ----------------------
D3944 − 12
FIG. 1 Solidification Point Apparatus
6. Apparatus
3
6.1 Thermocouple, with an iron-constantan junction.
6.2 Recorder, capable of recording voltage and equipped with a time-base module. The recorder should have the following
minimum specifications:
6.2.1 Span, 0 to 10 mV or other suitable ranges.
6.2.2 Accuracy, 0.25 % of full scale.
6.2.3 Step Response Time, 1-s full scale, 3-s full scale is also appropriate.
6.2.4 Zero Junction/Reference Junction/Temperature Compensated Junction—Must be included.
4
6.3 TFE-Fluorocarbon Holder Adapter—See Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.
4
6.4 TFE-Fluorocarbon Disk Centering Guide—See Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.
6.5 Test Tubes, 6 by 50-mm.
6.6 Vial, 25 by 52-m
...