Yarmouk University

Al-Hijjawi Faculty for Engineering Technology

Civil Engineering Department
Highway Laboratory
CE444

Experiment Title: Flash and Fire Point of Bitumen

Date: 16/11/2021
Student Name: Leen Faisal Ananbeh
Student Number: 2018988103
Instructor’s Name: Dr. Madhar M. Taamneh.
Submission by: Eng. Ahmed Al-Dmour.

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 Content Page Number

Abstract 3

Introduction 4

Objective 4

Materials 4

Procedure 5-6

Results and Discussion 7-8

Conclusions 9

References 10

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 Abstract:

During the heating of flammable or combustible material, vapor is

generated near its surface. The flash point test measures the lowest
temperature at which the vapor burns in the presence of an ignition source
with an instant flame.

At high temperatures depending upon the grades of bitumen, materials

leave out volatiles. And these volatiles catches fire which is very hazardous
and therefore it is essential to qualify this temperature for each bitumen
grade.

Flash and Fire Point Test of Bitumen is used to determine the

safe temperature up to which bitumen sample can be exposed.
This method covers the determination of the flash and fire points, by
Cleveland Open Cup Tester.

The fire point test measures the temperature higher than the flash point. At
the fire point, the flame lasted more than 5 seconds.
The test is started by pouring the sample into the test cup. The sample
temperature rises. At the flash point temperature, the sample vapor is fired
by using a test flame. To determine the fire point, continue heating the
sample until a flame appears above it. The flam must last for at least 5
seconds.

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 Introduction:

Flash point of bitumen is the temperature at which, it’s vapor will ignite
temporarily during heating, when a small flame is brought into contact with the
vapor. The knowledge of this point is of interest mainly to the user, since the
bitumen must not be heated to this point. The flash point tells the critical
temperature at and above which suitable precautions are required to be taken to
eliminate the danger of fire during heating. This temperature, however, is well
below that at which the bitumen will burn. The latter temperature is called the fire
point.

Flash point. It is the lowest temperature at which the vapour of a bituminous

material momentarily takes fire in the form of a flash, under specified conditions of
test.

Fire point. It is the lowest temperature at which bituminous materials ignite and
burn under specific conditions of test.

Bitumen is heated for its application as bitumen binder for road pavements.

While dealing with hot bitumen during the processes like heating, mixing, or
application, the temperature should be kept well below the critical temperatures
determined by flash and fire point.

 Objective:
To determine the flash and fire point of a given bituminous material.

 Materials:
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 Cleveland Open Cup Apparatus, which includes:
 A brass test cup.
 Heating Plate.
 Test flame application.
 Fire source.
 Thermometer support.
 Heating plate support.
 Thermometer.
 Asphalt sample.

Procedure:
 Heat the bitumen to above its softening point generally 75°C to 100°C
and stir this softened bitumen thoroughly to remove air bubbles.
 Fill the cup with softened bitumen up to the filling mark provided on
the cup. Now place the lid and close the cup.

Figure: Melted bitumen is poured into the mold

 Other accessories like thermometer and flame exposure are suitably

fixed in their respective positions. Now lit up the flame and set the
size of flame to 4mm in diameter.
 The bitumen getting heated and preferred rate of heating should be
5°C to 6°C per minute.
 Stirring of sample should be simultaneously done along with heating
using stirrer device.
 The rate of stirring should be approximately 60 revolutions per
minute.

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  Apply the test flame for every 1°C rise from this point and remember
during application of test flame the stirring should be stopped.
 When the sample catches the flame and forms Flash, note town the
temperature at that point which is Flash point of the bitumen.
 Heat the sample further with the same previous rate and apply the test
flame for every 2°C rise when the material catches the fire and burns
at least for 5 seconds, note the temperature at this point which is the
fire point of the bitumen.

Figure: Heating the sample

Results and Discussion:

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Flash Point 250°C

Fire Point 320°C

As the test flame is applied, at a certain temperature, a flash can be

observed. This temperature is noted down as flash point.
Again, the test flame is continued to be applied. At a certain
temperature, the fire occurs for at least 5 seconds. This temperature is
noted down as fire point.

From the experiment that have been done, flash and fire point test we
were able to see the required temperature that are needed in order for it
to reached the flash and fire point. For reaching the flash point, it is
required the sample or the bitumen to be heated until it reaches 320˚c.
We should change temperature within a minute to in order to observe
the required temperature for it to trigger a flash from the bitumen
sample .After that, the bitumen were continuing heated for us to see the
required temperature that were needed in order for it to trigger a fire
point. The procedures were same and only the sample were keep on
heating until it reaches the required temperature that are 320˚c for the
sample or bitumen to start a fire.

Finally, it is now knowing that the required temperature that were

needed for our sample of bitumen to start reached flash and fire point.
Therefore, our sample reached its optimum temperature.

Recommended Values according to ASTM:

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 For any type of Bitumen grade Minimum Flash point value should be =
175oC , Minimum Fire point value should be = 175oC + 5oC.
Our results show that:
 Flash point of the bitumen = 250 OC
 Fire point of the bitumen = 320 OC
So its acceptable values.
 The flash point should be taken as the temperature read on the
thermometer at the time of the flame application that causes a
distinct flash in the interior of the cup.
 The fire point should be taken as the temperature read on the
thermometer at which the application of test flame causes the
material to ignite and burn for at least 5 seconds.
 The flash point should not be below 175°C so the result is
accepted.
 The values of flash and fire points vary according to the type of
asphalt.
 The sample should be just sufficient fill the cup up to the mark
given on it.
 a standard flame source should have been used when testing the
fire point, and fans should also be extinguished to avoid
dispersion of asphalt gases. These factors would affect the test
results.

Conclusion:
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By performing the flash and fire point test of bitumen, we can
determine the flash point and fire point of the bitumen sample.

Flash point and fire point gives a measure of the critical temperatures
beyond which the bitumen should not be exposed to. Thus, these
critical temperatures help in preventing a hazardous situation.

 This test method describes the determination of the flash point and fire point
of petroleum products by a manual Cleveland open cup apparatus or an
automated Cleveland open cup apparatus.
 Determination of flash point for asphalt, gives an indication of the
proportion of volatile and flammable materials.
 At higher temperatures bituminous materials leave out volatiles. These
volatile vapors contain hydro carbons. So, they can catch the fire easily and
will cause flash at one point and if it is further prone to heat the material
may ignite and burn.
 Catching fire is very dangerous during mixing of bitumen especially during
its application. So, it is necessary to recognize the safe temperature values of
bitumen grades for mixing as well as for applying. The limited values of
temperature can be determined by conducting Flash point and Fire point test
on bitumen.
 Determination of flash & fire point of the asphalt helps in identifying the
area most suitable for the use of a particular type of asphalt, depending on
the prevailing temperature.

References:

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  ASTM D92 – 18, Standard Test Method for Flash and Fire Points by
Cleveland Open Cup Tester.
 https://theconstructor.org/practical-guide/flash-and-fire-point-test-
bitumen/2582/
 https://www.engineeringcivil.com/determining-flash-and-fire-point-
of-bitumen.html

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