---
title: "ASTM D4419"
url: "https://mat-cs.com/astm-d4419/"
description: "This test method covers the transition temperatures of petroleum waxes, including microcrystalline waxes, by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)."
---

ASTM Standard

# ASTM D4419

Standard Test Method for Measurement of Transition Temperatures of Petroleum Waxes by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)

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## Significance and Use

5.1 DSC in a convenient and rapid method for determining the temperature limits within which a wax undergoes during transitions. The highest temperature transition is a solid-liquid transition associated with complete melting; it can guide the choice of wax storage and application temperatures. The solid-solid temperature transition is related to the properties of the solid, that is, hardness and blocking temperature.

Note 2: For a relatively narrow cut petroleum wax, the lowest transition will be a solid-solid transition. A narrow cut wax is one obtained by deoiling a single petroleum distillate with a maximum range of 120 °F between its 5 % and 95 % vol in accordance with Test Method D1160 boiling points (converted to 760 torr). The DSC method cannot differentiate between solid-liquid and solid-solid transitions. Such information must be predetermined by other techniques. In the case of blends, the lower temperature transition may be envelopes of both solid-liquid and solid-solid transitions.

5.2 Since petroleum wax is a mixture of hydrocarbons with different molecular weights, its transitions occur over a temperature range. This range is one factor that influences the width, expressed in °C, of the DSC peaks. The highest temperature transition is a first-order transition. If, for a series of waxes, there is supporting evidence that the highest temperature transition of each wax is the major first-order transition, its relative width should correlate with the relative width of the wax’s molecular weight distribution.

## Scope

1.1 This test method covers the transition temperatures of petroleum waxes, including microcrystalline waxes, by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). These transitions may occur as a solid-solid transition or as a solid-liquid transition.

1.2 The normal operating temperature range extends from 15 °C to 150 °C (Note 1).

1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.