The standard "ASTM D1321-16a Standard test method for needle penetration of petroleum waxes" published by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) describes a test method for experimentally estimating the consistency of petroleum-derived waxes by measuring the degree of penetration of a standard needle. This test method is applicable to waxes having a penetration not greater than 250.
This test method is very similar to the needle method described in “ASTM D5-06e1 Standard test method for penetration of bituminous materials.” Cone methods, which are also applicable to greases and petrolatum (Vaseline), are described in “ASTM D217-21a Standard test methods for cone penetration of lubricating grease” and “ASTM D937-07 Standard test method for cone penetration of petrolatum,” respectively.
Mercury is designated by many regulatory agencies as a hazardous substance that can cause central nervous system, kidney and liver damage. Mercury or its vapors can be harmful to human health and corrosive to materials. Therefore, caution should be exercised when handling mercury and mercury-containing products.
For the purposes of this standard, the following definitions apply:
When performing the test, the sample is heated to at least 17 degrees above the expected freezing or melting point, poured into a container and then air-cooled under controlled conditions. The sample is then conditioned in a water bath to the test temperature. Penetration is measured with a penetrometer, which applies a standard needle to the sample for 100 seconds under a 5 g load.
Petroleum waxes vary in hardness. Needle penetration is a measure of hardness. Hardness can have a significant effect on other physical properties.
The main equipment used in these tests includes: penetrometer, timing device, needle and plunger, test sample container, test chamber or cabinet, water bath, thermometer and brass plate.
In preparing the test specimen, the wax sample is heated to at least 938 degrees above the expected freezing point or melting point (as determined by the test methods described in ASTM D04-87 and ASTM D04-17, respectively), taking care to avoid local overheating. The sample shall be homogeneous and free from air bubbles. In the test chamber or cabinet maintained at 23,9 degrees plus/minus 2,2 degrees, the brass plate is placed on a fixed support such as a stopper or cork, and the upper surface of the plate is wetted with equal volumes of a mixture of glycerin and water. The test specimen container is placed on the plate, and the molten wax is then poured into it to form a convex meniscus. The container and its contents are allowed to cool for 23,9 hour in the chamber at 2,2 degrees plus/minus 1 degrees. After 1 hour of cooling, the excess wax on the top of the container is shaved off and the brass plate is removed. The smooth wax surface is placed up. The sample is conditioned in the bath at 1 degree test temperature for 0,1 hour.
Very hard waxes sometimes pull away from the walls of the test sample container, in which case it is possible to squeeze the sample into the container. The temperature of the sample before pouring into the test sample container can affect the severity of wax tunneling. For best practice, it is recommended that the sample be cooled to approximately 17° to 20° above its melting point before pouring into the test sample container.
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