ASTM D36/D36M-14(2020)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D36/D36M − 14 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Test Method for
Softening Point of Bitumen (Ring-and-Ball Apparatus)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D36/D36M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
ASTM Test Methods
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the soft-
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
ening point of bitumen in the range from 30 to 157 °C [86 to
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
315 °F] using the ring-and-ball apparatus immersed in distilled
water [30 to 80 °C] or USP glycerin (above 80 to 157 °C).
3. Summary of Test Method
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
3.1 Two horizontal disks of bitumen, cast in shouldered
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
brass rings, are heated at a controlled rate in a liquid bath while
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
each supports a steel ball.The softening point is reported as the
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
mean of the temperatures at which the two disks soften enough
values from the two systems may result in nonconformance
to allow each ball, enveloped in bitumen, to fall a distance of
with the standard.
25 mm [1.0 in.].
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4. Significance and Use
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.1 Bitumens are viscoelastic materials without sharply
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
defined melting points; they gradually become softer and less
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
viscous as the temperature rises. For this reason, softening
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
points must be determined by an arbitrary and closely defined
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
method if results are to be reproducible.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4.2 The softening point is useful in the classification of
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
bitumens, as one element in establishing the uniformity of
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
shipments or sources of supply, and is indicative of the
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
tendency of the material to flow at elevated temperatures
encountered in service.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5. Apparatus
C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements
5.1 Rings—Two square-shouldered brass rings conforming
for Test Methods for Construction Materials
to the dimensions shown in Fig. 1(a).
D92 Test Method for Flash and Fire Points by Cleveland
5.2 Pouring Plate—A flat, smooth, brass plate approxi-
Open Cup Tester
mately 50 by 75 mm [2 by 3 in.].
D140/D140M Practice for Sampling Asphalt Materials
D3461 Test Method for Softening Point ofAsphalt and Pitch
5.3 Balls—Two steel balls, 9.5 mm [ ⁄8 in.] in diameter, each
(Mettler Cup-and-Ball Method)
having a mass of 3.50 6 0.05 g.
E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
5.4 Ball-Centering Guides—Two brass guides for centering
the steel balls, one for each ring, conforming to the general
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D08 on Roofing shape and dimensions shown in Fig. 1(b).
and Waterproofing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D08.03 on
5.5 Bath—A glass vessel, capable of being heated, not less
Surfacing and Bituminous Materials for Membrane Waterproofing and Built-up
Roofing. than 85 mm in inside diameter and not less than 120 mm in
Current edition approved May 1, 2020. Published May 2020. Originally
depth from the bottom of the flare.
approved in 1962. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as D36 – 14. DOI:
10.1520/D0036_D0036M-14R20.
NOTE 1—An 800-mL, low-form Griffin beaker of heat-resistant glass
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
meets this requirement.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
5.6 Ring Holder and Assembly—A brass holder designed to
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. support the two rings in a horizontal position, conforming to
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D36/D36M − 14 (2020)
NOTE 1—All dimensions are in millimetres (60.3 mm except where noted).
FIG. 1 Shouldered Ring, Ball-Centering Guide, Ring Holder, and Assembly of Apparatus Showing Two Rings
the shape and dimensions shown in Fig. 1(c), supported in the thermometer specified in Specification E1,(2) capable of
assembly illustrated in Fig. 1(d). The bottom of the shouldered indicating temperature to within 1 °C [2 °F], and (3) stable to
rings in the ring holder shall be 25 mm [1.0 in.] above the within 1 °C [2 °F] for the duration of the exposure.
upper surface of the bottom plate, and the lower surface of the 5.7.3 The appropriate thermometer shall be suspended in
5 1
bottom plate shall be 16 63mm[ ⁄8 6 ⁄8 in.] from the bottom the assembly as shown in Fig. 1(d) so that the bottom of the
of the bath. bulb is level with the bottom of the rings and within 13 mm
[0.5 in.] of the rings, but not touching them or the ring holder.
5.7 Thermometers:
Substitution of other thermometers shall not be permitted. As
5.7.1 AnASTM Low Softening Point Thermometer, having
an alternative, any other thermometric device used shall be at
a range from –2 to +80 °C or 30 to 180 °F, and conforming to
least: (1) of equal accuracy to that of the thermometer specified
the requirements for Thermometer 15C or 15F as prescribed in
in Specification E1,(2) capable of indicating temperature to
Specification E1. As an alternative, any other thermometric
within 0.5 °C [1.0 °F], and (3) stable to within 0.5 °C [1.0 °F]
device used shall be at least: (1) of equal accuracy to that of the
for the duration of the exposure.
thermometer specified in Specification E1,(2) capable of
indicating temperature to within 1 °C [2 °F], and (3) stable to
6. Reagents and Materials
within 1 °C [2 °F] for the duration of the exposure.
6.1 Bath Liquids:
5.7.2 AnASTM High Softening PointThermometer, having
6.1.1 Freshly Boiled Distilled Water.
a range from 30 to 200 °C or 85 to 392 °F, and conforming to
the requirements for Thermometer 16C or 16F as prescribed in
NOTE 2—The use of freshly boiled distilled water is essential to avoid
Specification E1. As an alternative, any other thermometric
trapping air bubbles on the surface of the specimen which may affect the
device used shall be at least: (1) of equal accuracy to that of the results.
D36/D36M − 14 (2020)
6.1.2 USP Glycerin. (Warning—Glycerin has a flash point cool the specimens for at least 30 min at an air temperature at
of 160 °C [320 °F] in accordance with Test Method D92.) least 10 °C [18 °F] below the expected softening point. From
the time the specimen disks are poured, no more than 240 min
6.2 Release Agents:
shall elapse before completion of the test.
6.2.1 To prevent adhesion of bitumen to the pouring plate
when casting disks, the surface of the brass pouring plate may 9.4 When the specimens have cooled, cut away the excess
be thinly coated just before use with silicone oil or grease, a bitumen cleanly with a slightly heated knife or spatula, so that
mixture of glycerin and dextrin, talc, or china clay. each disk is flush and level with the top of its ring.
(Warning—Isolate silicones from other bituminous testing
10. Procedure
equipment and samples to avoid contamination, and wear
10.1 Select one of the following bath liquids and thermom-
disposable rubber gloves whenever handling silicones or ap-
paratus coated with them. Silicone contamination can produce eters appropriate for the expected softening point:
10.1.1 Freshly boiled distilled water for softening points
erroneous results in other tests such as those for penetration
and flash point.) between 30 and 80 °C [86 and 176 °F]; use Thermometer 15C
or 15F. The starting bath temperature shall be 5 6 1 °C [41 6
7. Hazards
2 °F].
10.1.2 USP glycerin for softening points above 80 °C
7.1 Warning—Mercury has been designated by EPA and
[176 °F] and up to 157 °C [315 °F]; use Thermometer 16C or
many state agencies as a hazardous material that can cause
16F or the thermometric device. The starting bath temperature
central nervous system, kidney, and liver damage. Mercury, or
shall be no higher than 30 6 1 °C [86 6 2 °F].
its vapor, may be hazardous to health and corrosive to
10.1.3 For referee purposes, all softening points up to 80 °C
materials. Caution should be taken when handling mercury and
[176 °F] shall be determined in a water bath and all softening
mercury-containing products. See the applicable product Ma-
points above 80 °C [176 °F] shall be determined in a glycerin
terial Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for details and EPA’s website,
bath or as agreed to by seller and buyer.
http://www.epa.gov/mercury/faq.htm, for additional informa-
tion. Users should be aware that selling mercury or mercury-
10.2 Assemble the apparatus in the laboratory hood with the
containingproducts,orboth,inyourstatemaybeprohibitedby
specimen rings, ball-centering guides, and thermometer in
state law.
position, and fill the bath so that the liquid depth will be 105 6
1 1
3mm[4 ⁄8 6 ⁄8 in.] with the apparatus in place. Using forceps,
8. Sampling
place the two steel balls in the bottom of the bath for at least
8.1 Samp
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