Standard Test Method for Softening Point of Bitumen (Ring-and-Ball Apparatus)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Bitumens 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 bitumens, 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.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the softening point of bitumen in the range from 30 to 157°C [86 to 315°F] using the ring-and-ball apparatus immersed in distilled water [30 to 80°C] or USP glycerin (above 80 to 157°C).  
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

Status
Historical
Publication Date
30-Apr-2012
Current Stage
Ref Project

Relations

Buy Standard

Standard
ASTM D36/D36M-12 - Standard Test Method for Softening Point of Bitumen (Ring-and-Ball Apparatus)
English language
4 pages
sale 15% off
Preview
sale 15% off
Preview
Standard
REDLINE ASTM D36/D36M-12 - Standard Test Method for Softening Point of Bitumen (Ring-and-Ball Apparatus)
English language
4 pages
sale 15% off
Preview
sale 15% off
Preview

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D36/D36M − 12
StandardTest Method for
1
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.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope meanofthetemperaturesatwhichthetwodiskssoftenenough
to allow each ball, enveloped in bitumen, to fall a distance of
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the soft-
25 mm [1.0 in.].
ening point of bitumen in the range from 30 to 157°C [86 to
315°F] using the ring-and-ball apparatus immersed in distilled
4. Significance and Use
water [30 to 80°C] or USP glycerin (above 80 to 157°C).
4.1 Bitumens are viscoelastic materials without sharply
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
defined melting points; they gradually become softer and less
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
viscous as the temperature rises. For this reason, softening
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
points must be determined by an arbitrary and closely defined
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
method if results are to be reproducible.
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
with the standard.
4.2 The softening point is useful in the classification of
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the bitumens, as one element in establishing the uniformity of
shipments or sources of supply, and is indicative of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- tendency of the material to flow at elevated temperatures
encountered in service.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5. Apparatus
2. Referenced Documents
5.1 Rings—Two square-shouldered brass rings conforming
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
to the dimensions shown in Fig. 1(a).
C670Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements
5.2 Pouring Plate—A flat, smooth, brass plate approxi-
for Test Methods for Construction Materials
mately 50 by 75 mm [2 by 3 in.].
D92Test Method for Flash and Fire Points by Cleveland
3
Open Cup Tester
5.3 Balls—Twosteelballs,9.5mm[ ⁄8in.]indiameter,each
D140Practice for Sampling Bituminous Materials
having a mass of 3.50 6 0.05 g.
D3461TestMethodforSofteningPointofAsphaltandPitch
5.4 Ball-Centering Guides—Two brass guides for centering
(Mettler Cup-and-Ball Method)
the steel balls, one for each ring, conforming to the general
E1Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
shape and dimensions shown in Fig. 1 (b).
3. Summary of Test Method
5.5 Bath—A glass vessel, capable of being heated, not less
than 85 mm in inside diameter and not less than 120 mm in
3.1 Two horizontal disks of bitumen, cast in shouldered
depth from the bottom of the flare.
brassrings,areheatedatacontrolledrateinaliquidbathwhile
eachsupportsasteelball.Thesofteningpointisreportedasthe
NOTE 1—An 800-mL, low-form Griffin beaker of heat-resistant glass
meets this requirement.
5.6 Ring Holder and Assembly—Abrass holder designed to
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD08onRoofing
support the two rings in a horizontal position, conforming to
and Waterproofing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D08.03 on
the shape and dimensions shown in Fig. 1 (c), supported in the
Surfacing and Bituminous Materials for Membrane Waterproofing and Built-up
Roofing.
assemblyillustratedinFig.1(d).Thebottomoftheshouldered
Current edition approved May 1, 2012. Published June 2012. Originally
rings in the ring holder shall be 25 mm [1.0 in.] above the
approved in 1962. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as D36–09. DOI:
upper surface of the bottom plate, and the lower surface of the
10.1520/D0036_D0036M-12.
5 1
2
bottomplateshallbe16 63mm[ ⁄8 6 ⁄8in.]fromthebottom
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
of the bath.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. 5.7 Thermometers:
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D36/D36M − 12
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
5.7.1 AnASTM Low Softening PointThermometer, having an alternative, any other thermometric device us
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:D36/D36M–09 Designation: D36/D36M – 12
Standard Test Method for
1
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.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the softening point of bitumen in the range from 30 to 157°C [86 to 315°F]
using the ring-and-ball apparatus immersed in distilled water [30 to 80°C] or USP glycerin (above 80 to 157°C).
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each
system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the
two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements for Test Methods for Construction Materials
D92 Test Method for Flash and Fire Points by Cleveland Open Cup Tester
D140 Practice for Sampling Bituminous Materials
D3461 Test Method for Softening Point of Asphalt and Pitch (Mettler Cup-and-Ball Method)
E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
3. Summary of Test Method
3.1 Two horizontal disks of bitumen, cast in shouldered brass rings, are heated at a controlled rate in a liquid bath while each
supportsasteelball.Thesofteningpointisreportedasthemeanofthetemperaturesatwhichthetwodiskssoftenenoughtoallow
each ball, enveloped in bitumen, to fall a distance of 25 mm [1.0 in.].
4. Significance and Use
4.1 Bitumens 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.
4.2 The softening point is useful in the classification of bitumens, 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.
5. Apparatus
5.1 Rings—Two square-shouldered brass rings conforming to the dimensions shown in Fig. 1(a).
5.2 Pouring Plate—A flat, smooth, brass plate approximately 50 by 75 mm [2 by 3 in.].
3
5.3 Balls—Two steel balls, 9.5 mm [ ⁄8 in.] in diameter, each having a mass of 3.50 6 0.05 g.
5.4 Ball-Centering Guides—Two brass guides for centering the steel balls, one for each ring, conforming to the general shape
and dimensions shown in Fig. 1 (b).
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D08 on Roofing andWaterproofing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D08.03 on Surfacing
and Bituminous Materials for Membrane Waterproofing and Built-up Roofing.
Current edition approved Dec. 15, 2009. Published January 2010. Originally approved in 1962. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D36–06. DOI:
10.1520/D0036_D0036M-09.
Current edition approved May 1, 2012. Published June 2012. Originally approved in 1962. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as D36–09. DOI:
10.1520/D0036_D0036M-12.
2
ForreferencedASTMstandards,visittheASTMwebsite,www.astm.org,orcontactASTMCustomerServiceatservice@astm.org.ForAnnualBookofASTMStandards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D36/D36M – 12
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
5.5 Bath—Aglass vessel, capable of being heated, not less than 85 mm in inside diameter and not less than 120 mm in depth
from the bottom of the flare.
NOTE 1—An 800-mL, low-form Griffin beaker of heat-resistant glass
...

Questions, Comments and Discussion

Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.