ASTM_D_61_-_15_2019.pdf

Designation:D6115(Reapproved 2019)Standard Test Method forSoftening Point of Pitches(Cube-in-Water Method)1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D61;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of originaladoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscriptepsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This test method covers the determination of the soft-ening point of pitches below 176 F(80 C).Pitches of highersoftening point should be tested by Test Method D2319 or TestMethod D3104.1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regardedas standard.The values given in parentheses are mathematicalconversions to SI units that are provided for information onlyand are not considered standard.1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety,health,and environmental practices and deter-mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-ization established in the Decision on Principles for theDevelopment of International Standards,Guides and Recom-mendations issued by the World Trade Organization TechnicalBarriers to Trade(TBT)Committee.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D140 Practice for Sampling Asphalt MaterialsD2319 Test Method for Softening Point of Pitch(Cube-in-Air Method)D3104 Test Method for Softening Point of Pitches(MettlerSoftening Point Method)E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass ThermometersE563 Practice for Preparation and Use of an Ice-Point Bathas a Reference TemperatureE1137 Specification for Industrial Platinum Resistance Ther-mometersE2251 Specification for Liquid-in-Glass ASTM Thermom-eters with Low-Hazard Precision LiquidsE2877 Guide for Digital Contact Thermometers3.Terminology3.1 Definitions:3.1.1 Digital Contact Thermometer(DCT),nan electronicdevice consisting of a digital display and associated tempera-ture sensing probe.3.1.1.1 DiscussionThis device consists of a temperaturesensor connected to a measuring instrument;this instrumentmeasures the temperature-dependent quantity of the sensor,computes the temperature from the measured quantity,andprovides a digital output or display,or both,of the temperature.The temperature sensing probe is in contact with the materialwhose temperature is being measured.This device is some-times referred to as a digital thermometer.NOTE1Portable electronic thermometers(PET)is an acronym some-times used to refer to a subset of the devices covered by this definition.4.Summary of Test Method4.1 Two cubes of pitch,supported on wire hooks,are heatedat a controlled rate in water in a glass container.The softeningpoint is defined as the mean of the temperatures at which thecubes sag downwards a distance of 25 mm.5.Significance and Use5.1 Pitch does not go through a solid-liquid phase changewhen heated,and therefore it does not have a true meltingpoint.As the temperature rises,pitch softens and becomes lessviscous.The softening point is arbitrarily defined and shall beestablished by a closely controlled method which shall becarefully followed if test results are to be reproducible.5.2 This test is useful in determining the consistency ofpitch as one element in establishing the uniformity of ship-ments or sources of supply.6.Apparatus6.1 MoldA mold suitable for forming two12in.(12.7 mm)cubes of pitch,having cylindrical core pins 12gauge(2.05 mm)in diameter located in the base plate of theassembly to produce accurately centered suspension holes inthe cubes.(See Fig.1.)1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 onPetroleum Products,Liquid Fuels,and Lubricantsand is the direct responsibility ofSubcommittee D02.05 on Properties of Fuels,Petroleum Coke and Carbon Material.Current edition approved Dec.1,2019.Published December 2019.Originallyapproved in 1919.Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D61 15.DOI:10.1520/D0061-15R19.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United StatesThis international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for theDevelopment of International Standards,Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade(TBT)Committee.16.2 HooksTwo L-shaped hooks,made of 12 gauge(2.05 mm)copper wire.The foot of the hook shall be 1 in.(25 mm)long and at a right angle to the