ASTM D4296-24a PDF

Full title and description

ASTM D4296-24a — Standard Practice for Sampling Pitch. This practice defines procedures for taking representative samples of pitch (both liquid and solid forms) at points of manufacture, storage, and delivery, and incorporates amendment “a” issued in 2024.

Abstract

Provides standardized methods for obtaining representative incremental and composite samples of pitch for quality control and laboratory testing. The practice covers sampling locations (process lines, storage tanks, shipment containers), recommended sampling equipment and techniques (including thief/tube samplers and weighted sample bottles), guidance on sample sizes and preparation, and notes on safety and documentation. The standard is written with SI units as the primary units.

General information

• Status: Current (active) — amended edition D4296-24a (2024).
• Publication date: 1 May 2024 (amendment a published May 1, 2024; original D4296-24 appeared earlier in 2024 and was updated by the 24a amendment).
• Publisher: ASTM International.
• ICS / categories: 91.100.50 — Binders, sealing materials (industrial pitches).
• Edition / version: D4296-24a (2024). DOI: 10.1520/D4296-24A.
• Number of pages: 11 pages.

Scope

This practice covers procedures for sampling pitch at points of manufacture, storage, and delivery, addressing both liquid and solid pitches. It specifies incremental and composite sampling techniques, recommended sample sizes and containers, sampling equipment, and precautions to ensure samples are representative for subsequent testing. SI units are the standard of record (values in parentheses for information). The practice does not replace safety responsibilities; users must apply appropriate health, safety, and environmental measures.

Key topics and requirements

• Definitions and terminology for increments, composite samples, and representative samples.
• Sampling locations and timing: process lines, storage tanks, tank cars/trucks, drums and bulk shipments.
• Recommended sampling equipment and methods (thief/tube samplers, weighted sample bottles, dip samplers) and techniques for both liquid and solid pitches.
• Sample sizes and aliquot guidance for typical situations (process lines, bulk storage, drums/barrels) to produce representative composite samples.
• Composite preparation, mixing, labeling, chain-of-custody, and documentation to preserve representativeness and traceability.
• Safety, handling, and environmental considerations specific to pitch sampling (see standard Section on hazards and precautions).

Typical use and users

Used by petrochemical and carbon-material manufacturers, quality-control and analytical laboratories, inspection personnel, purchasers and suppliers of industrial pitch, and regulators overseeing material specifications. The practice is applied when samples are required for acceptance testing, product specification verification, or forensic analysis of pitch products.

Related standards

Revises and replaces earlier editions of D4296 (for example D4296‑18) and is itself the amended 24a edition. The practice is linked or referred to by related ASTM test methods and practices that use pitch samples, for example standards covering density of solid pitch, quinoline insolubles, softening point, and toluene-insoluble content (examples of related references appear in the standard’s references section). DOI and revision history are recorded in the standard metadata.

Keywords

pitch; sampling; representative sample; composite sample; thief sampler; weighted sample bottle; sample size; quality control; binders; sealing materials.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM D4296-24a is the ASTM practice that specifies procedures for sampling industrial pitch (both liquid and solid) to obtain representative samples for laboratory testing and quality control.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers where and how to take increments and composite samples from process lines, storage tanks, shipments and containers; recommended sample sizes and equipment; handling, labeling, and documentation; and safety considerations. SI units are the base units used in the document.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Producers and users of pitch (petroleum and carbon industries), QA/QC and laboratory personnel, inspectors, suppliers, purchasers, and regulatory agencies that require standardized sampling procedures.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The D4296-24a edition (2024, amendment a) is the current, amended edition of the practice. The 2024 revision cycle included an earlier D4296-24 edition that was updated by the 24a amendment; earlier editions such as D4296-18 have been superseded. Users should check the standard’s metadata for amendment dates and effective/withdrawal dates when applying the practice.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: D4296 is part of the ASTM D02 (Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants) family of standards and is cross‑referenced by several ASTM test methods and practices that require representative pitch samples. The designation uses the fixed base number D4296 with revision year and amendment letter to indicate the edition.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: pitch; sample; sampling practice; representative sample; composite sample; thief sampler; binders; sealing materials.