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Standard Test Methodfor

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Standard Test Method for Softening Point of Bitumen

Experiment Findings · December 2021

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Ziyad Mode Zmh


Al-Mustansiriya University
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Standard Test Method for
Softening Point of Bitumen
Test No. 4

Written by: Ziad Mahmoud

Date of the test : 14\11\2021


Date of submission of the report : 27\11\2021
Scope
This test method covers the determination of the softening point of
bitumen in the range from 30 to 157°C (86 to315°F) using the ring-and-
ball apparatus immersed in distilled water (30 to 80°C), USP glycerin
.(above 80 to 157°C),or ethylene glycol (30 to 110°C)
The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
Summary of Test Method
Two horizontal disks of bitumen, cast in shouldered brass rings, are
heated at a controlled rate in a liquid bath while each supports a steel
ball. The softening point is reported as the mean of the temperatures at
which the two disks soften enough to allow each ball, enveloped in
bitumen, to fall a distance of 25 mm (1.0 in.)
Significance and Use
bitumen’s are viscoelastic materials without sharply defined melting
points; they gradually become softer and less viscous as the
temperature rises. For this reason, softening points must be determined
by an arbitrary and closely defined method if results are to be
.reproducible
The softening point is useful in the classification of bitumen’s, as one
element in establishing the uniformity of shipments or sources of
supply, and is indicative of the tendency of the material to flow at
elevated temperatures encountered in service
Apparatus
Rings

Pouring Plate

Balls

Ball-Centering Guides

Bath

Ring Holder and Assembly

Thermometers

Reagents and Materials

Bath Liquids

,USP Glycerin

Ethylene Glycol

Release Agents: prevent adhesion of bitumen to the pouring plate when casting
disks.

Precaution

• The water used in the practical should be freshly boiled distilled water. Else
there is a possibility that air bubbles may form in the specimen which will
affect the accuracy of the results
• To obtain accurate results, the rate of heating should be strictly followed as
mentioned
• To prevent the material from sticking to the glass vessel, a conveniently
weighed sheet of filter paper or thin amalgamated sheet can be placed on
the bottom of the glass vessel. This will save time and would provide ease in
cleaning
sample Preparation

1. Take the bitumen sample in a vessel and heat it to a temperature of 75-


100°C- above its approximate softening point. Allow the bitumen to melt
until it is converted completely into a liquid state. Stir the bitumen if
necessary, so that it is melted completely and is free from air bubbles and
water. If the need arises, filter it through IS sieve 30.
2. Prepare a mixture of glycerin and dextrin in equal proportions. Mix it well.
Then coat the surface of the metal or glass plate. This prevents the bitumen
from sticking to the plate.
3. Heat the rings to approximately same temperature as that of the molten
bitumen and place them on the glass or metal plate coated with the mixture
of glycerin and dextrin.
4. Pour the molten bitumen in the rings carefully till the rings are slightly filled
above the top level.
5. Allow the rings to cool at room temperature in air for 30 minutes.
6. Cut the excess bitumen on the surface with the help of hot, straight-edged
putty knife or spatula and level the top surface.
Procedure
1. Fill the water bath with freshly boiled distilled water to such a height that the
water level remains 50 mm above the upper surface of the rings. Maintain
this water bath at 5 °C temperature.
2. Fix the rings filled with bitumen to the ball guide. Assemble the rings in the
support frame.
3. Place the rings fixed in the support frame in the water bath at 5 °C for 15
minutes.
4. Cool the steel balls to a temperature of 5 °C.
5. Place a steel ball on the top of the ring guide of the rings attached to the
support with the help of forceps.
6. Place this assembly in a glass beaker filled with distilled water to such a
height that the water level is at least 50 mm above the top surface of the
ball.
7. Put the beaker on the hotplate and adjust the stirrer. Insert the thermometer
too.
8. Allow the beaker to be heated at a uniform rate of 5 ± 0.5 °C/min. The rate
can be adjusted with the help of the energy regulator.
9. Stir the water continuously to ensure that the water is heated uniformly.
10. Continue the heating till the bitumen filled in the ring softens and the
ball placed on it starts to move down owing to its own weight.
11. Note the temperature when each of the balls touches the bottom plate
while sinking from the thermometer.
Calculation and result
𝑠
The test was conducted under the conditions of (5𝐶 0 − 5 𝑚) and
the reading for the first sample was 48.8𝐶 0 and the reading for the
second sample was 49.2𝐶 0 , meaning that the average readings
were 49𝐶 0
Discussion and conclusions
By performing the softening point test of bitumen, we can determine
whether the given bitumen sample meets the specification requirements for
softening point as given in the standards.

The softening value found out by the practical is compared to the standard value
and thus it can be concluded whether the sample meets the softening point
criteria.

Softening point is one of the measures of the quality of bitumen along with other
measures such as penetration value, ductility value, and so on

The examination was carried out and the result of the examination conformed to
the specifications as shown above in the accounts

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