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D5346-17 – Standard Test Method Technical Guide
ASTM D5346-17 (Reapproved 2021) provides a standardized laboratory method for determining the pour point of petroleum oils destined for use in the leather industry. Specifically, it applies to oils used in the softening and stuffing of leather, as well as those used in the manufacture of fatliquors and other softening or stuffing compounds. This test method is derived from the foundational ASTM D97 standard and ALCA Method H-18.
📜 Scope and Quality Assurance Significance
This test method is intended primarily to measure the pour point of petroleum oils to ensure consistent quality in leather processing applications. The pour point is a critical parameter indicating the lowest temperature at which the oil remains capable of flowing, which is essential for proper storage and application. The standard emphasizes that users must establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices. All values stated in SI units are regarded as the standard for this method.
⚙️ Required Apparatus and Configurations
The equipment specified in ASTM D5346-17 is highly specialized to ensure reproducible results. The core assembly includes a specific test jar, a thermometric device, a jacket, a cork, a gasket, and a disk, all supported firmly in a vertical position within a controlled cooling bath.
| 🛠️ Component | 📐 Specification Details |
|---|---|
| Test Jar | Clear cylindrical glass, flat bottom. Inside diameter: 30–33.5 mm. Height: 115–125 mm. Fill line: 54 mm ± 3 mm above inside bottom. |
| Jacket | Metal or glass, watertight, flat bottom. Depth: 115 mm. Inside diameter: 42–50 mm. Must not project more than 25 mm out of the cooling medium. |
| Disk & Gasket | Disk is cork or felt, 6 mm thick, fitting loosely inside the jacket. Gasket is rubber or leather, fitting snugly around the jar but loosely in the jacket. |
| Cork | Fits the test jar and is bored centrally to hold the test thermometer securely. |
⚠️ Critical Assembly Requirement: The gasket must be elastic enough to cling to the test jar and hard enough to hold its shape. Its specific purpose is to prevent the test jar from touching the jacket, which would create a thermal bridge and invalidate the test conditions.
📏 Thermometer Standards and Calibration
Accurate temperature measurement is paramount. The standard specifies several thermometer ranges depending on the expected pour point, all conforming to ASTM E1 or E2251. Because liquid-in-glass thermometers can suffer from an undetected separation of the liquid column, verification is mandatory.
| 🌡️ Thermometer Type | ♻️ ASTM No. | ♻️ IP No. | 📏 Temperature Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Cloud and Pour | 5C or S5C | 1C | −38 to +50 °C |
| Low Cloud and Pour | 6C | 2C | −80 to +2 °C |
| Melting Point | 61C | 63C | +32 to +127 °C |
💡 Mandatory Pre-Check: ASTM D