ASTM D852-20

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of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D852 − 16 D852 − 20
Standard Test Method for
Solidification Point of Benzene
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D852; 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.
1. Scope*
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the solidification point of benzene.
1.2 In The following applies for the purposes of determining the conformance of the test results using this test method to
applicable specifications, results shall be rounded off in accordance with the rounding-off method of Practice E29.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.4 Warning—Mercury has been designated by many regulatory agencies as a hazardous substance that can cause serious
medical issues. Mercury, or its vapor, has been demonstrated to be hazardous to health and corrosive to materials. Caution should
be taken when handling mercury and mercury containing products. See the applicable product Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for
additional information. Users should be aware that selling mercury and/or mercury containing products into your state or country
may be prohibited by law.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statements, see Section 7.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1015 Test Method for Freezing Points of High-Purity Hydrocarbons (Withdrawn 2019)
D1016 Test Method for Purity of Hydrocarbons from Freezing Points (Withdrawn 2019)
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D3437 Practice for Sampling and Handling Liquid Cyclic Products
D6809 Guide for Quality Control and Quality Assurance Procedures for Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Related Materials
E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D16 on Aromatic Hydrocarbons Aromatic, Industrial, Specialty and Related Chemicals and is the direct
responsibility of Subcommittee D16.01 on Benzene, Toluene, Xylenes, Cyclohexane and Their Derivatives.
Current edition approved June 1, 2016Oct. 1, 2020. Published July 2016October 2020. Originally approved in 1945. Last previous edition approved in 20132016 as
D852 – 13.D852 – 16. DOI: 10.1520/D0852-16.10.1520/D0852-20.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
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2.2 Other Document:
OSHA Regulations, 29 CFR paragraphs 1910.1000 and 1910.1200
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 solidification point, n—an empirical constant defined as the temperature at which the liquid phase of a substance is in
approximate equilibrium with a relatively small portion of the solid phase.
3.1.1.1 Discussion—
Solidification point is distinguished from freezing point which is described in Test Method D1015. An interpretation of mol percent
purity in terms of freezing point is given in Test Method D1016.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 Solidification point is measured by noting the maximum temperature reached during a controlled cooling cycle after the
appearance of a solid phase.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This test method may be used as a criteria for determining the purity of benzene. The closer the solidification point reaches
that of pure benzene, the purer the sample.
6. Apparatus
6.1 Benzene Container (Air Jacketed):
6.1.1 Inner Container, a test tube 15 mm in outside diameter and 125 mm in length.
6.1.2 Air Jacket, a standard test tube 25 mm in outside diameter and 150 mm in length.
6.1.3 Insulation—Dry absorbent cotton or glass wool.
6.2 Benzene Container (thick walled), a glass test tube 18 mm in outside diameter, 14 mm in inside diameter and 150 mm in
length. The thick walled tube is only compatible with the thermistor.
6.3 Ice Bath, a 1-L beaker, or similar suitable container, having an effective depth of at least 127 mm and filled with chipped or
shaved ice.
6.4 Stirrer, consisting of a 1-mm wire (copper or stainless steel) or a 2-mm glass rod with one end bent into a circular form at
right angles to the shaft so that it will move freely in the annular space between the thermometer stem and the wall of the smaller
test tube.
6.5 Temperature Measurement Device, either device described below has been found satisfactory.
6.5.1 Thermometer, an ASTM Benzene Freezing Point Thermometer having a range from 4.0 to 6.0°C and conforming to the
requirements for Thermometer 112C as prescribed in Specification E1.
6.5.2 Thermistor, in stainless steel housing with resistance greater than 2K ohms at 25°C. Calibration accuracy 0.01°C. Drift in
resistance equivalent to less than 60.01°C/year. Thermistor shall be calibrated to cover the range it is used.
6.6 Stirring Apparatus (Optional), the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1 has been demonstrated to be an acceptable replacement for
manually stirring the benzene solution.
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www.access.gpo.gov.
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FIG. 1 Benzene Solidification Point Apparatus Set Up
6.7 Ohmeter, capable of measuring resistance to the nearest 0.1 ohm in the range 1000 to 10 000 ohms with direct temperature
readout.
7. Hazards
7.1 Consult current OSHA regulations, supplier’s Safety Data Sheets, and local regulations for all materials used in this test
method.
7.2 Warning—WarningMercury—Mercury has been designated by EPA and many state agencies as a hazardous material that can
cause central nervous system, kidney, and liver damage. Mercury, or its vapor, may be hazardous to health and corrosive to
materials. Caution should be taken when handling mercury and mercury-containing products. See the applicable product l Safety
Data Sheet (SDS) for details and EPA’s website (http://www.epa.gov/mercury/faq.htm) for additional information. Users should be
aware that selling mercury or mercury-containing products, or both, in your state may be prohibited by state law.
8. Sampling
8.1 Sample the material in accordance with Practice D3437.
9. Preparation of Apparatus
9.1 Fit the benzene container with a two-hole stopper. Through one hole insert the temperature measurement device. The
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thermometer should be inserted up to the 4.0°C mark. The thermistor should be inserted, so as to contact the benzene solution.
Through the other hole insert the shaft of the stirrer.
9.2 If using the benzene container (air jacketed), place a 3.2-mm layer of dry absorbent cotton or glass wool in the bottom of the
larger test tube and insert the inner contai
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