The penetration test is the measures of the depth to which a needle with a definite top load penetrates the wax sample. Where the conditions of test are not specifically mentioned, the load, time, and temperature are understood to be 100 g, 5 sec, 25° respectively, and the units of penetration to indicate tenths of a millimeter.  

The penetration test is the measures of the depth to which a needle with a definite top load penetrates the wax sample. Where the conditions of test are not specifically mentioned, the load, time, and temperature are understood to be 100 g, 5 sec, 25° respectively, and the units of penetration to indicate tenths of a millimeter.  

The penetration test is particularly well adapted for microcrystalline waxes, and is more reliable than the durometer test in determining hardness <ref>Warth, A. H.; The Chemistry and Technology of Waxes. Reinhold Publishing Corporation. Second Edition, p. 612 – 614</ref>. A hard wax has a low penetration, whereas a soft wax has a high penetration.  

The penetration test is particularly well adapted for microcrystalline waxes, and is more reliable than the durometer test in determining hardness <ref>Warth, A. H.; The Chemistry and Technology of Waxes. Reinhold Publishing Corporation. Second Edition, p. 612 – 614</ref>.  

This test provides an estimate of the consistency of waxes and their molecular characteristics.  

=Methods=

=Methods=