ASTM D2319/D2319M-20

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of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
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Designation: D2319/D2319M − 14 D2319/D2319M − 20
Standard Test Method for
Softening Point of Pitch (Cube-in-Air Method)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2319/D2319M; 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.
ε NOTE—Editorial changes were made throughout the test method in September 2014.
1. Scope*
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the softening point above 80 °C [176 °F] of pitch. Test Method D3104 gives
comparable results.
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each
system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the
two systems may result in non-conformance with the 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D61 Test Method for Softening Point of Pitches (Cube-in-Water Method)
D3104 Test Method for Softening Point of Pitches (Mettler Softening Point Method)
D4296 Practice for Sampling Pitch
E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
3. Summary of Test Method
3.1 Two cubes of pitch, supported on wire hooks, are heated in a standardized air oven at a linear rate. The softening point is
the mean of the temperatures at which the cubes sag downwards a distance of 60 mm [2.4 in.].
4. 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 softens and becomes less viscous. The softening point is arbitrarily defined and must be determined
by a closely controlled method that must be carefully followed if test results are to be reproducible.
4.2 This test method is useful in determining the consistency of pitch as one element in establishing the uniformity of shipments
and sources of supply.
5. Apparatus
5.1 Air Oven—The oven shall be cylindrical, 150 mm [6 in.] in inside diameter by 155 mm [6.2 in.] in height. It shall have two
75 mm [3 in.] diameter windows of mica, centered vertically on opposite sides, and shall be fitted with a cover having a central
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
D02.05 on Properties of Fuels, Petroleum Coke and Carbon Material.
Current edition approved May 1, 2014June 1, 2020. Published May 2014June 2020. Originally approved in 1964. Last previous edition approved in 20132014 as
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D2319/D2319M – 98 (2013).– 14 . DOI: 10.1520/D2319_D2319M-14E01.10.1520/D2319_D2319M-20.
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 Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
The sole source of supply of the softening point apparatus items, obtainable as a unit on special order, known to the committee at this time is Humboldt Manufacturing
Co., 7302 W. Agatite Ave., Chicago, IL 60656. If you are aware of alternative suppliers, please provide this information to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments
will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible technical committee, which you may attend. All other apparatus items described may be obtained from any
regular laboratory equipment supply house.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
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D2319/D2319M − 20
opening 25 mm [1 in.] in diameter to hold a thermometer, and a concentric ring suspended below to support the hooks with attached
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specimens. The ring shall be made of 6 mm [[0.25 in.] ⁄4 in.] brass, shall be 54 mm [2[2.125 in.] ⁄8 in.] in outside diameter, and
shall be centrally suspended 30 mm [1.2 in.] below the cover. The cover shall have two 3 mm [0.12 in.] holes on a diagonal 50
mm [2 in.] from the center. On the bottom of the oven, an inner pan 140 mm [5.6 in.] in diameter shall rest on three brass legs
5 mm [0.2 in.] in height fastened to the bottom of the pan to provide an air space between the pan and the bottom of the oven.
The side wall, cover, and pan shall be made of 0.7 mm [0.028 in.] thick or 22 gauge (BWG) copper sheet, and the bottom of 0.8
mm [0.032 in.] thick or 21 gauge copper.
5.2 Tripod for Use with Gas Burner—The tripod ring shall be approximately 125 mm [5 in.] in inside diameter so that the oven
is supported only on its outer edges. It shall be 200 mm [8 in.] in height.
5.3 Shield for Oven:
5.3.1 For Use with Electric Heater—The shield shall be cylindrical, 216 mm or [8.64 in.] in inside diameter by 181 mm or
[7[7.250 in.] ⁄4 in.] in height. It shall have two 76 mm or [3 in.] diameter mica windows on opposite sides, positioned to coincide
with the windows of the oven when both are placed on the electric heater. It shall be made of 0.7 mm [0.028 in.] thick or 22 gauge
sheet metal, painted inside and out with aluminum paint.
5.3.2 For Use with Gas Burner—The shield shall be identical with that described in 5.3.1 except that it shall be 375 mm [15
in.] in height and the windows shall coincide when the shield is standing on the bench and the oven on the tripod described in 5.2.
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A door 115 mm by 115 mm [4[4.5 in. ⁄2 in. by 44.5 in.] ⁄2 in.] shall be provided at the bottom to give access to the burner.
5.4 Mold—A mold suitable for forming two 12.7 mm [[0.5 in.] ⁄2 in.] cubes of pitch, having cylindrical core pins 12 gauge
[2.05 mm to 2.07 mm] in diameter located in the base plate of the assembly to produce accurately centered suspension holes in
the cubes. See Fig. 1 of Test Method D61 for details.
5.5 Hooks—Two L-shaped hooks made of 2.06 mm or 12 gauge copper wire. The foot of the hook shall be 25 mm [1 in.] in
length and at a right angle to the upright portion for insertion into the central hole of the pitch cube. The upright portion shall have
a partial loop at the top to fit over the support ring, and shall be of the proper length, approximately 50 mm [2 in.], to position
the foot on an imaginary line running horizontally through the center of the windows.
5.6 Thermometer—ASTM High-Softening Point Thermometer, having a range from 30 °C to 200 °C [80 °F to 400 °F], and
conforming to the requirements for Thermometer 16C as described in Specification E1. Temperature measuring devices such as
precision thermocouples, resistance temperature detectors (RTDs), and liquid-in-glass thermometers with equal or better accuracies
in the appropriate temperature range may be used.
5.7 Heat Source:
5.7.1 Electric Heater—A hot plate provided with a variable transformer or other device for regulating the temperature of the
heating element. It should be shielded from drafts on three sides.
5.7.2 Gas Burner, bunsen-type, with a chimney and a sensitive valve for regulating the size of the flame.
6. Bulk Sampling
6.1 Samples from shipments shall be taken in accordance with Practice D4
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