The standard ash fusion test is criticised widely due to its subjective nature. Interlaboratory exercises showed that operators could differ up to 400 degrees C in initial deformation temperature determination in the standard ash fusion test. The improved ash fusion test proved to be a useful tool to resolve ambiguous results from the standard ash fusion test. Good correlations were found between the ash chemistry and major movement temperatures in the new ash fusion test for this data set. Moreover, initial deformation as well as spherical and flow temperatures from the standard ash fusion test showed good correlations with major movement and 85% movement temperatures from the new ash fusion test for this data set. A coal washing exercise showed that ash fusion temperatures in the new test improved significantly. Further, ply blending was found to alter the ash fusion characteristics. Major movement temperatures from the improved ash fusion test were found to be additive in ply blending.