Softening Point of Bitumen

Objective:
Standard:
Theory:

To make the student acquainted with softening point of bituminous

materials using ring and ball apparatus.
ASTM 36
The viscosity of a bitumen falls rabidly as its temperature rises. The
relation between temperature and viscosity is of important because it is
necessary to be sure that the viscosity of certain bitumen is suitable at
the temperature used in manufacturing asphalt and the temperature
most likely to be encountered on the road. The following method
covers the determination of the softening point of bitumen having a
softening point in the ranges of 80 C or below by means of a ring and
ball apparatus.

Apparatus:

Ring and Ball apparatus.

Thermometers.
Brass pouring plate.
Water bath.

Procedure:
1. After preparing the specimen by heating for a period not more than
30 minutes, pore a slight amount of asphalt preheating to
approximately to the poring temperature into rings. While being
filled, the ring shall rest on the brass pouring plate.
2. Cool the specimen disks for minimum of 30 minutes. In no case
more than 240 minutes elapse before completion of the test.
3. After cooling of the specimen, cut the excess material with a
slightly heated knife.
4. Assemble the apparatus with the rings and fill the water bath with
freshly boil distilled water to a depth between 102-108 mm above
the specimen. Maintain the bath temperature at 5 C (plus or minus
1C) for 15 minutes. If necessary, try to cool the specimen by
placing it in an ice water bath. Using forceps, place a ball
previously adjusted to the bath temperature in each ball-centering
guide.
5. Heat at a rate of 5 C per minute with an acceptable variation of
plus or minus0.5 C within the first 3 minutes.
6. Record the thermometer temperature for each ring and ball at the
instant the specimen touches the bottom plate. Both readings
should not vary more than 1 C.
Report:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Report the two reading of the thermometer.

Sketch the apparatus.
Whats the important of softening point of bitumen?
Write your comments and discussion.
Indicate the sources of errors.