ASTM D390-92 (1999) PDF

Full title and description

Designation: ASTM D390-92 (Reapproved 1999) — Standard Specification for Coal‑Tar Creosote for the Preservative Treatment of Piles, Poles, and Timbers for Marine, Land, and Freshwater Use. This specification sets compositional and physical property requirements and references ASTM test methods for sampling and analysis of coal‑tar creosote used in wood preservation.

Abstract

This short specification covers new coal‑tar creosote and creosote in use intended for preservative treatment of piles, poles and timber in marine, land and freshwater environments. It defines allowable ranges for water content, xylene‑insoluble matter, specific gravity and distillation fraction distributions, and cites applicable test methods (for example D38, D95, D246, D367, D368, D369 and D347). The standard was reapproved in 1999 and was later withdrawn (no direct replacement).

General information

• Status: Withdrawn (withdrawn without replacement by committee action in July 2006).
• Publication date: Reapproved 1999 (designation D390‑92; publication listed September–October 1999).
• Publisher: ASTM International (American Society for Testing and Materials).
• ICS / categories: Wood‑protecting chemicals / wood products and bituminous materials (commonly listed under ICS 71.100.50 and related petroleum/bituminous ICS entries).
• Edition / version: D390‑92 (Reapproved 1999).
• Number of pages: 2 pages (brief specification document).

Scope

The specification applies to coal‑tar creosote (both new creosote and creosote in use during treating operations) derived from the carbonization of bituminous coal and intended for preservative treatment of wood products such as piles, poles and timbers in marine, freshwater and land applications. Sampling and testing are performed according to referenced ASTM test methods (for example Test Methods D38 for sampling). The document was maintained under ASTM Committee D07 (Wood) prior to withdrawal.

Key topics and requirements

• Composition and origin: creosote must be a distillate derived from bituminous‑coal tar.
• Physical and chemical limits: specified limits for water content (typical allowable values cited around 1.5–3.0 %), xylene‑insoluble matter (about 0.5–1.5 %), and specified gravity values for whole creosote and fractions (example whole creosote ≈1.050 at 38.0/15.5 °C reference conditions).
• Distillation fraction distribution: percentage ranges for cut fractions (up to 210 °C, 235 °C, 270 °C, 315 °C and 355 °C) are defined to ensure proper fraction makeup for treating performance.
• Referenced test methods: D38 (sampling of wood preservatives), D95 (water in petroleum products), D246 (distillation of creosote), D347 (volume and specific gravity correction), D367 (xylene‑insoluble matter), D368/D369 (specific gravity of creosote and fractions), and related analytical procedures.
• Application notes: allowances are provided for changes in properties of creosote during treating operations (e.g., increases in water and insoluble matter up to allowable maxima).

Typical use and users

Users include wood preservative producers and suppliers, wood‑treating plants and contractors, marine and utility engineers specifying treated timber for piles and poles, regulatory and inspection agencies concerned with preservative quality, and laboratories performing acceptance and compliance testing of creosote materials.

Related standards

Related ASTM documents and test methods commonly referenced with this specification include: Test Methods D38 (sampling of wood preservatives), D95, D246, D347, D367, D368, D369, and associated specifications for creosote‑coal tar solutions (for example ASTM D391 series). Many of these related items were maintained under Committee D07 and several were withdrawn or revised in the same action period.

Keywords

coal‑tar creosote, creosote, wood preservatives, piles, poles, timbers, distillation fractions, xylene‑insoluble, specific gravity, ASTM D390, D07 (Wood), withdrawal

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM D390‑92 (R1999) is a short ASTM specification that defined compositional and physical property requirements for coal‑tar creosote used in preservative treatment of piles, poles and timbers. It was reapproved in 1999 and later withdrawn in 2006.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers new creosote and creosote in use for treating operations and specifies acceptable ranges for water content, xylene‑insoluble matter, specific gravity and distillation fraction distributions, and points to the ASTM test methods used for sampling and analysis.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Wood preservative manufacturers and suppliers, treaters of poles/piles/timber, testing laboratories, specifiers in utilities and marine construction, and regulators or inspectors concerned with preservative quality.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: It is withdrawn (committee action July 2006) and is not an active ASTM specification; users should consult ASTM or national authorities for currently accepted specifications or replacement standards where applicable.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It was issued in the D39x family of standards covering creosote and creosote‑coal tar products and is associated with related test methods and specifications managed by ASTM Committee D07 (Wood). Several related D39x standards (test methods and specifications) were issued or later withdrawn in the same committee program.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: coal‑tar creosote; creosote; wood preservative; piles; poles; timber; distillation; xylene‑insoluble; specific gravity; ASTM D390.