Designation: D127 − 08 (Reapproved 2015) Technical Association of Pulp and Paper Industry

Tentative Method T 634ts-64

Designation: 133/79 (87)

Standard Test Method for

Drop Melting Point of Petroleum Wax, Including Petrolatum1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D127; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.

1. Scope 3. Terminology
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the drop 3.1 Definitions:
melting point of petroleum wax. It is used primarily for 3.1.1 drop melting point of petroleum wax—the temperature
petrolatums and other microcrystalline wax. at which material becomes sufficiently fluid to drop from the
NOTE 1—Additional methods used for petroleum waxes are Test
thermometer used in making the determination under definite
Method D87 and Test Method D938. Results obtained may differ, prescribed conditions.
depending on the method used. For pharmaceutical petrolatum, Test
Method D127 usually is used. 4. Summary of Test Method
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the 4.1 Specimens are deposited on two thermometer bulbs by
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information dipping chilled thermometers into the sample. The thermom-
only. eters bearing the specimens are placed in test tubes and heated
by means of a water bath until the specimens melt and the first
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
drop falls from each thermometer bulb. The average of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
temperatures at which these drops fall is the drop melting point
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
of the sample.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 5. Significance and Use
2. Referenced Documents 5.1 Melting point is a wax property that is of interest to most
2 wax consumers. It can be an indication of the performance
2.1 ASTM Standards:
properties of the wax. Drop melting point, Test Method D127,
D87 Test Method for Melting Point of Petroleum Wax
is often used to measure the melting characteristics of petro-
(Cooling Curve)
latums and other high viscosity petroleum waxes.
D938 Test Method for Congealing Point of Petroleum
Waxes, Including Petrolatum 6. Apparatus
E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
6.1 Test Tubes—Standard test tubes, 25-mm (1-in.) in out-
side diameter and 150-mm (6-in.) long. The test tubes shall
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on utilize stoppers, such as corks, grooved at the sides to permit
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of air circulation and bored in the center to receive the thermom-
Subcommittee D02.10.0A on Physical/Chemical Properties.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2015. Published February 2015. Originally
eter.
approved in 1922. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D127 – 08. 6.2 Bath—A transparent container of not less than 1500-mL
This test method is sponsored jointly by the Technical Association of Pulp and
Paper Industry and ASTM International.
capacity, that will permit the immersion of the test tubes to a
This test method was adopted as a joint ASTM-IP standard in 1964. In the IP, this depth of at least 90 mm and still leave a depth of approximately
test method is under the jurisdiction of Standardization Committee. 15 mm of water below the bottoms of the test tubes.
In 1963, the title, scope, and definition were changed to define the determination
of “drop melting point.” Sections on procedure, report, and precision were revised, 6.3 Thermometer, having a range as shown below and
and a new section on significance was added. conforming to the requirements as prescribed in Specification
In 1964, minor editorial changes and additions to this method were made for its E1 or in specifications for IP Standard Thermometers:
publication as a joint ASTM-IP standard. DOI: 10.1520/D0127-08R15.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Thermometer Number
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM Thermometer Range ASTM IP
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on 32 to 127°C 61C 63C
the ASTM website. 90 to 260°F 61F ...

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

1
 D127 − 08 (2015)
6.4 Bath Thermometer, any suitable type, accurate to 0.5°C 8. Report
(1°F) throughout the required range. 8.1 Report the average of the two determinations as the drop
melting point of the sample under test.
7. Procedure
9. Precision and Bias
7.1 Secure a sample of sufficient size that is representative
9.1 Precision—The precision of this test method as deter-
of the material under inspection. Use a fresh portion of the mined by statistical examination of interlaboratory results is as
sample for each set of two determinations. Melt the sample follows:
slowly until the temperature reaches at least 11°C (20°F) above 9.1.1 Repeatability—The difference between two test
the expected drop melting point. Place sufficient sample in a results, obtained by the same operator with the same apparatus
flat bottom container to give a sample depth of 12 6 1 mm. under constant operating conditions on identical test material,
Adjust the temperature of the sample to at least 6°C (10°F) would in the long run, in the normal and correct operation of
(Note 2) above its drop melting point using any general the test method, exceed the following values only in one case
laboratory thermometer for measurement. Chill one of the test in twenty:
thermometer bulbs to approximately 4°C (40°F). Wipe dry, 0.8°C (1.4°F)
and, quickly but carefully, immerse the chilled bulb vertically
9.1.2 Reproducibility—The difference between two single
into the heated sample until it touches the bottom of the
and independent results obtained by different operators work-
container (about 12 mm submerged) and withdraw it immedi-
ing in different laboratories on identical test material would, in
ately. Hold the thermometer vertically away from the heat until
the long run, in the normal and correct operation of the test
the surface dulls, and then place it for at least 5 min in water
method, exceed the following values only in one case in
having a temperature of 16 6 1°C (60 6 2°F). Prepare another
twenty:
specimen from the same sample using this procedure.
1.3°C (2.4°F)
NOTE 2—A dipping temperature of 11°C (20°F) above the congealing NOTE 3—The following information on the precision of this test method
point in accordance with Test Method D938 usually will be 6 to 11°C (10 was developed by the Institute of Petroleum (now Energy Institute) in
to 20°F) above the actual drop melting point. London and is being investigated:
(1) Results of duplicate tests should not differ by more than the
7.2 Securely fix the thermometers in the test tubes by means following amounts:
of suitable stoppers, such as corks, so that the tip of each Repeatability Reproducibility
thermometer is approximately 15 mm above the bottom of its 1°C (2°F) 1.2°C (2.2°F)
test tube. Insert the test tubes in the water bath which is at 16 (2) These precision values were obtained in 1954 by statistical
6 1°C (60 6 2°F) and adjust the height of the test tubes so that examination of interlaboratory test results.
the immersion marks on the thermometers are level with the 9.2 Bias—The procedure in this test method has no bias
top surface of the water. Raise the temperature of the bath at a because the value of drop melting point can be defined only in
rate of approximately 2°C (3°F)/min to 38°C (100°F), then at terms of a test method.
a rate of approximately 1°C (2°F)/min until the first drop of
material leaves each thermometer. Record in each case the 10. Keywords
temperature at which the first drop falls from the thermometer. 10.1 drop melting point; petrolatum; petroleum wax; wax

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