---
title: "ASTM C338"
url: "https://mat-cs.com/astm-c338/"
description: "This test method covers the determination of the softening point of a glass by determining the temperature at which a round fiber of the glass, nominally 0.65 mm in diameter and 235 mm long with specified tolerances, elongates under its own weight at a rate of 1 mm/min when the upper 100 mm of its length is heated in a specified furnace at the rate of 5 ± 1 °C/min."
---

ASTM Standard

# ASTM C338

Standard Test Method for Softening Point of Glass

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## Significance and Use

2.1 This test method is useful to determine approximately the temperature below which the glass behaves as a rigid solid in glass-forming operations and for a control test to indicate changes in composition. It has been found useful for specification acceptance and for providing information in research and development work with glass.

## Scope

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the softening point of a glass by determining the temperature at which a round fiber of the glass, nominally 0.65 mm in diameter and 235 mm long with specified tolerances, elongates under its own weight at a rate of 1 mm/min when the upper 100 mm of its length is heated in a specified furnace at the rate of 5 ± 1 °C/min.

1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.