ASTM D3642-13(2021)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Softening Point of Certain Alkali-Soluble Resins
Standard Test Method for Softening Point of Certain Alkali-Soluble Resins
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 In general, with materials of this type, softening does not take place at a definite temperature. As the temperature rises, these materials gradually and imperceptibly change from brittle solids to soft, viscous liquids. For this reason, the determination of the softening point must be made by a fixed, arbitrary, and closely defined methods if the results are to be comparable.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the softening point of certain alkali-soluble resins having uniform plastic flow characteristics as the melting point is approached.
1.2 The resin manufacturer should specify whether or not this test method may be used for his product(s).
1.3 This test method is not suitable for styrene-maleic anhydride resins.
Note 1: For testing rosin and other resins, see Test Method E28. For testing asphalts, tars, and pitches, see Test Method D2398.
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
- 28-Feb-2021
- Technical Committee
- D21 - Polishes
- Drafting Committee
- D21.02 - Raw Materials
Relations
- Effective Date
- 01-May-2011
- Effective Date
- 01-Nov-2010
- Effective Date
- 01-Jun-2009
- Effective Date
- 01-Nov-2007
- Effective Date
- 01-Jun-2004
- Effective Date
- 01-Nov-2003
- Effective Date
- 10-Jan-2003
- Effective Date
- 10-Dec-1999
Overview
ASTM D3642-13(2021): Standard Test Method for Softening Point of Certain Alkali-Soluble Resins provides a reliable, repeatable procedure for determining the softening point of selected alkali-soluble resins as they transition from solid to viscous liquid with increasing temperature. Since these resins do not have a sharp melting point but instead soften gradually, this standard ensures results are consistent and comparable by using a defined test method. The procedure is especially relevant for resins exhibiting uniform plastic flow approaching their melting point and is widely referenced in quality assurance, product development, and specification compliance within the chemical materials and coatings industries.
Key Topics
- Scope and Relevance: This standard applies to alkali-soluble resins, except for styrene-maleic anhydride resins, which require a different test method. The resin manufacturer should confirm if this method is suitable for their product.
- Softening Point Definition: The temperature at which a disc of resin, contained within a brass ring, is forced downward by a steel ball in a heated glycerin bath, signifying the transition from a solid to a softened state.
- Controlled Procedure: Rigorous adherence to specified apparatus, heating rates, and sample preparation is critical for reproducibility and accuracy of results.
- Safety and Compliance: Users are responsible for implementing suitable safety, health, and environmental practices and ensuring compliance with applicable regulations.
- International Standardization: Developed in accordance with WTO TBT Committee principles, facilitating global acceptance and consistency.
Applications
- Product Specification and Quality Control: Manufacturers and users of alkali-soluble resins use this test to verify product quality, compare batches, and ensure materials meet performance requirements before use in coatings, adhesives, inks, and related applications.
- Research and Development: Critical for formulation scientists to determine thermal properties, assess suitability for new product development, and document resin performance characteristics.
- Material Selection: Provides a measured, comparable parameter (softening point) that helps end-users select the right resin for specific environments where thermal behavior is key.
- Compliance and Documentation: Ensures laboratory and production processes adhere to recognized international methods, supporting traceability and regulatory requirements.
Related Standards
- ASTM E28 - Test Methods for Softening Point of Resins Derived from Pine Chemicals and Hydrocarbons, by Ring-and-Ball Apparatus: Used for testing rosin and other similar resins.
- ASTM D2398 - Test Method for Softening Point of Bitumen in Ethylene Glycol (Ring-and-Ball): Applicable for asphalts, tars, and pitches, though now withdrawn.
- ASTM E2251 - Specification for Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers with Low-Hazard Precision Liquids: Specifies thermometer requirements for this and similar test methods.
By implementing ASTM D3642-13(2021), organizations benefit from consistent, repeatable measurement of softening points for alkali-soluble resins, enhancing quality control, documentation, and international standards compliance. This promotes reliability in manufacturing and product performance across global supply chains.
Get Certified
Connect with accredited certification bodies for this standard
Smithers Quality Assessments
US management systems and product certification.
DIN CERTCO
DIN Group product certification.
Sponsored listings
Frequently Asked Questions
ASTM D3642-13(2021) is a standard published by ASTM International. Its full title is "Standard Test Method for Softening Point of Certain Alkali-Soluble Resins". This standard covers: SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 4.1 In general, with materials of this type, softening does not take place at a definite temperature. As the temperature rises, these materials gradually and imperceptibly change from brittle solids to soft, viscous liquids. For this reason, the determination of the softening point must be made by a fixed, arbitrary, and closely defined methods if the results are to be comparable. SCOPE 1.1 This test method covers the determination of the softening point of certain alkali-soluble resins having uniform plastic flow characteristics as the melting point is approached. 1.2 The resin manufacturer should specify whether or not this test method may be used for his product(s). 1.3 This test method is not suitable for styrene-maleic anhydride resins. Note 1: For testing rosin and other resins, see Test Method E28. For testing asphalts, tars, and pitches, see Test Method D2398. 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.
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 4.1 In general, with materials of this type, softening does not take place at a definite temperature. As the temperature rises, these materials gradually and imperceptibly change from brittle solids to soft, viscous liquids. For this reason, the determination of the softening point must be made by a fixed, arbitrary, and closely defined methods if the results are to be comparable. SCOPE 1.1 This test method covers the determination of the softening point of certain alkali-soluble resins having uniform plastic flow characteristics as the melting point is approached. 1.2 The resin manufacturer should specify whether or not this test method may be used for his product(s). 1.3 This test method is not suitable for styrene-maleic anhydride resins. Note 1: For testing rosin and other resins, see Test Method E28. For testing asphalts, tars, and pitches, see Test Method D2398. 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.
ASTM D3642-13(2021) is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 83.080.10 - Thermosetting materials. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
ASTM D3642-13(2021) has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ASTM E2251-11, ASTM E2251-10, ASTM E28-99(2009), ASTM E2251-07, ASTM E28-99(2004), ASTM E2251-03a, ASTM E2251-03, ASTM E28-99. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
ASTM D3642-13(2021) is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
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: D3642 − 13 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Test Method for
Softening Point of Certain Alkali-Soluble Resins
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3642; 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 3. Terminology
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the soft- 3.1 Definitions:
ening point of certain alkali-soluble resins having uniform 3.1.1 softening point—thetemperatureatwhichadiskofthe
sample held within a horizontal ring is forced downward a
plastic flow characteristics as the melting point is approached.
distance of 1 in. (25.4 mm) under the weight of a steel ball as
1.2 The resin manufacturer should specify whether or not
the sample is heated at a prescribed rate in a glycerin bath.
this test method may be used for his product(s).
1.3 This test method is not suitable for styrene-maleic
4. Significance and Use
anhydride resins.
4.1 In general, with materials of this type, softening does
NOTE 1—For testing rosin and other resins, see Test Method E28. For
not take place at a definite temperature. As the temperature
testing asphalts, tars, and pitches, see Test Method D2398.
rises, these materials gradually and imperceptibly change from
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the brittle solids to soft, viscous liquids. For this reason, the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the determination of the softening point must be made by a fixed,
arbitrary, and closely defined methods if the results are to be
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- comparable.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5. Apparatus
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
5.1 Ring—A brass-shouldered ring conforming to the di-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
mensions shown in Fig. 1(a).
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
5.2 Ball—Asteel ball, 9.53 mm ( ⁄8 in.) in diameter, weigh-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
ing between 3.45 and 3.55 g.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
5.3 Ball-Centering Guide—A guide for centering the ball,
constructed of brass and having the general shape and dimen-
2. Referenced Documents
sions illustrated in Fig. 1(c).
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5.4 Container—Aglass vessel, capable of being heated, not
D2398 Test Method for Softening Point of Bitumen in
less than 85 mm (3.34 in.) in diameter and not less than 127
Ethylene Glycol (Ring-and-Ball) (Withdrawn 1984)
mm (5 in.) in depth from the bottom of the flare. (An 800-mL,
E28 Test Methods for Softening Point of Resins Derived
low-form Griffin beaker of heat-resistant glass meets this
from Pine Chemicals and Hydrocarbons, by Ring-and-
requirement.)
Ball Apparatus
E2251 Specification for Liquid-in-Glass ASTM Thermom-
5.5 Support for Ring and Thermometer, as shown in Fig.
eters with Low-Hazard Precision Liquids
1(d). Note the following requirements:
5.5.1 The ring shall be supported in a horizontal position.
5.5.2 The bottom of the ring shall be 25.4 mm (1 in.) above
1 the horizontal plate below it.
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D21 on Polishes
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D21.02 on Raw Materials.
5.5.3 The bottom surface of the horizontal plate shall be at
Current edition approved March 1, 2021. Published March 2021. Originally
least 12.5 mm (0.5 in.) and not more than 19 mm (0.75 in.)
approved in 1978. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D3642 – 13. DOI:
above the bottom of the beaker.
10.1520/D3642-13R21
5.5.4 The depth of liquid in the beaker shall be not less than
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
102 mm (4 in.).
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
5.5.5 The thermometer shall be suspended so that the
the ASTM website.
bottom of the bulb is level with the bottom of the ring and
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
www.astm.org. within 12.7 mm (0.5 in.) but not touching the ring.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D3642 − 13 (2021)
FIG. 1 Shouldered Ring, Ring Holder, Ball-Centering Guide, and Assembly of Apparatus Showing Two Rings
5.6 Thermometer—An ASTM High Softening Point ity of this test metho
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.
Loading comments...