Designation: D 1937 – 03

Standard Test Method for

Carbon Black, Pelleted—Mass Strength1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 1937; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope 5. Apparatus
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the mass 5.1 Mass Strength Tester. 3
strength of pelleted carbon black. It is designed to determine 5.2 Calibrating Block, made from a cylindrical wooden
the force required to pack of a cylindrical column of pelleted shaft, 47 mm (1.8 in.) in diameter and 250 mm (10 in.) long.
carbon black. The results of this test are believed to relate to the 5.3 Platform Scale, 4 to 50-kg (100 lb) capacity with a
ability of the carbon black to flow in bulk handling systems. sensitivity of 0.1 kg (0.02 lb) for air pressure gage calibration.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information 6. Sampling
only. 6.1 Samples shall be taken in accordance with Practices
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the D 1799 or D 1900.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 7. Calibration
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 7.1 Remove the original faceplate from the pressure gage
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. and replace with a blank plate made from aluminum or other
suitable material.
2. Referenced Documents 7.2 Place the platform scale under the cylinder. With the
2.1 ASTM Standards: sliding door in an open position, pass the calibrating block
D 1799 Practice for Carbon Black—Sampling Packaged through the cylinder so it will rest on the platform of the
Shipments2 platform scale. The top of the calibrating block shall be near
D 1900 Practice for Carbon Black—Sampling Bulk Ship- the cylinder top. The calibrating block must fit freely in the
ments2 cylinder and not bind against any inside surface. Adjust the
platform scale for zero position with the calibrating block in
3. Summary of Test Method place. Mark the zero position on the blank plate.
3.1 A sample of carbon black is placed in a cylinder and 7.3 Adjust the air-flow regulator until the needle on the air
pressed with a plunger for 10 s. The force required to pack the pressure gage has moved from rest or zero position, to
carbon black so that it will not fall out of the cylinder is defined one-third or more of total gage capacity.
as the mass strength. 7.4 Activate the timer, allowing the plunger to press against
the calibrating block. Measure the equivalent mass produced
4. Significance and Use by the plunger with the platform scale.
4.1 Mass strength gives an indication of the flowability in 7.5 Repeat 7.4, adjusting the regulator until even multiples
bulk handling. It is affected by pellet properties such as of 50 N or 10 lbf are obtained. Mark the plate at these values.
hardness, size, shape, and especially fines content. Due to the 7.6 Between each 50 N or 10 lbf mark on the plate, place
influence of other variables, the user and the producer must graduations representing each 10 N or 2 lbf. This may be done
determine an acceptable mass strength level. from measurement, since the gage should be linear in calibra-
tion. Check these marks for accuracy with the platform scale.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D24 on Carbon
Black and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D24.51 on Carbon Black
3
Pellet Properties. Available from Titan Specialties, Inc., P.O. Box 2316, Pampa, TX 79066-2316.
Current edition approved Aug. 10, 2003. Published September 2003. Originally Test Method D 1937 – 84 contains details for the construction of this apparatus.
4
approved in 1962. Last previous edition approved in 1998 as D 1937 – 98. A Fairbanks Morse platform scale, Model 41–1000 (beam suffix FM) is suitable
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 09.01 for this purpose.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 D 1937 – 03
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7.7 From this calibrated gage plate, another gage plate may 10. Precision and Bias
be prepared by making the graduations coincide with those 10.1 These precision data are based on duplicate tests of
measured on the calibrated plate. All graduations shall be four samples by four laboratories on two days. The range of
checked with the platform scale for accuracy. samples studied was from about 5 N (1.1 lbf) to about 400 N
7.8 The calibrated air pressure gage shall be recalibrated at (90 lbf). Precision is expressed in relative terms.
least once a month, or more frequently as deemed necessary. 10.2 Repeatability (Single-Operator)—The repeatability
has been estimated to be 68 % of a test result. Two test results
8. Procedure
are significantly different if their difference exceeds 11 % of
8.1 Clean the cylinder with a brush to remove any adhering their average value.
carbon black. With the sliding door closed and the overflow 10.3 Reproducibility (Multilaboratory)—The reproducibil-
cup in position, pour carbon black pellets into the cylinder until ity has been estimated to be 622 % of a test result. Two test
an excess of pellets forms a cone above the rim. Level the results are significantly different if their difference exceeds
surface with a single sweep of a straightedge or spatula held 31 % of their average value.
perpendicular to, and in firm contact with the top of the 10.4 Bias—In test method statistical terminology, bias is the
cylinder. The top surface of the carbon black column shall be difference between an average test value and the reference or
level to prevent unequal pressure on the column. true test property value. Reference values do not exist for this
8.2 Select the force to be applied by adjusting the air-flow test method since the value or level of the test property is
regulator until the calibrated gage indicates the desired value. exclusively defined by this test method. Bias, therefore, cannot
The setting for the initial press is discretionary and is based be determined.
usually on lab experience.
NOTE 3—This precision statement was developed following the guide-
NOTE 1—Soft pellets with irregular shape and high fines tend to have lines presented in Practices D 3051 and D 3396.
low mass strength. For these materials an initial setting of 100 N or 20 lbf
is suggested. More spherical pellets with higher pellet hardness and low 11. Keywords
fines tend to have high mass strength. For these materials an initial setting
of 250 N or 50 lbf is suggested. 11.1 bulk handling systems; carbon black; flow in bulk
handling systems; mass strength; pelleted carbon black
8.3 Press the timer switch activating the mechanism, allow-
ing air flow to the air cylinder. The timer shall be set to allow
a total plunger application time of 10 s on the sample.
8.4 After the plunger returns to the rest position above the
sample, open the sliding door and observe the inside of the
cylinder. If no black remains in the cylinder, the end point has
not been reached. The test is then repeated on untested portions
of the sample using successively higher pressures following the
test sequence in 8.1-8.4
NOTE 2—The increments of increased force are discretionary. Steps of
50 or 100 N (10 or 20 lbf) are appropriate.

8.5 Once a bridge of pressed carbon black is formed, the end

point has been reached or exceeded. An additional test should
be performed at a lower pressure to confirm the end point has
not been exceeded. The end point is the lowest number of
newtons (pounds-force) required to produce a ring or bridge of
pressed carbon black in the cylinder.

9. Report
9.1 Report the following information:
9.1.1 Proper identification of the sample and,
9.1.2 Result obtained from an individual determination 5
Supporting data have been filed at ASTM International Headquarters and may
reported to the nearest newton (pound-force). be obtained by requesting Research Report RR: D24–1009.

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 D 1937 – 03
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