ASTM_D_4892_-_14.pdf

Designation:D489214Standard Test Method forDensity of Solid Pitch(Helium Pycnometer Method)1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4892;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript 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*1.1 This test method covers the determination of pitchdensity by helium pycnometer.It is applicable at a range ofroom temperatures of 15 to 35C.1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard.No other units of measurement are included in thisstandard.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 and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D71 Test Method for Relative Density of Solid Pitch andAsphalt(Displacement Method)D2320 Test Method for Density(Relative Density)of SolidPitch(Pycnometer Method)D2962 Practice for Calculating Volume-Temperature Cor-rection For Coal-Tar PitchesD4296 Practice for Sampling PitchE11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and TestSieves3.Terminology3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.1.1 density,as determined by this test method the massper unit volume and shall be reported as follows:density,25C,g/cm3grams per cubic centimeter!(1)4.Summary of Test Method4.1 The sample is pulverized and screened to a givenfraction,then the volume of a weighed portion of the fractionis determined using a helium pycnometer.5.Significance and Use5.1 This test method is useful in characterizing pitches asone element in establishing uniformity of shipments andsources of supply.With this method,the density is determinedto two decimal places,which is sufficient for most applications.If a more precise measurement is required(three decimalplaces),use Test Methods D2320 or D71.6.Apparatus6.1 Helium Pycnometer.36.2 Balance,capable of weighing a 150-g specimen towithin 1 mg.6.3 Sieves,U.S.Standard 2.36-mm(No.8),600-m(No.30),conforming to Specification E11.6.4 Thermometer,for measuring room temperature.7.Bulk Sampling7.1 Samples from shipments shall be taken in accordancewith Practice D4296 and shall be free of foreign substances.8.Dehydration8.1 All bulk samples suspected of having free moistureshould be air-dried or oven-dried at 50C in a convection orforced-air oven before analyzing.9.Preparation of Test Specimen9.1 Crush a 50 to 200-g representative portion of the drypitch until all of it passes the 2.36 mm(No.8 sieve).Avoid1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 onPetroleum Products,Liquid Fuels,and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility ofSubcommittee D02.05 on Properties of Fuels,Petroleum Coke and Carbon Material.Current edition approved May 1,2014.Published May 2014.Originallyapproved in 1989.Last previous edition approved in 2009 as D4892 89(2009).DOI:10.1520/D4892-14.2For 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.3Helium pycnometers available from the following suppliers have been foundsatisfactory for this purpose:(a)Beckman 2500 Harbor Blvd.,Fullerton,CA,(b)Micromeritics,5680 Goshen Springs Rd.,Norcross,GA,and(c)Quantachrome,5Aerial Way,Syosset,NY.If you are aware of alternative suppliers,please providethis information to ASTM International Headquarters.Your comments will receivecareful consideration at a meeting of the responsible technical committee1,whichyou may attend.*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standardCopyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 grinding the pitch.Remove the fines by screening through the600 m(No.30 sieve)and use the pitch retained on this sieveas the test specimen.10.Calibration of Helium Pycnometer10.1 Calibrate daily or before using,following instrumentmanufacturers instructions.11.Procedure11.1 Place 10 to 150 g(80 to 90%of the maximum capacityof the particular holder being used)of the prepared crushed andsized fraction into the required specimen holder provided withthe instrument.Weigh to the nearest milligram.11.2 Determine volume of pitch following manufacturersinstructions.11.3 Weigh specimen container after determination;if thisweight is lower than the initial weight,the specimen has lostmoisture or volatiles during the density determination.Use thelower weight in determining the density.Also,if the specimenappears to have free moisture,dry the specimen as speci