SOFTENING POINT OF BITUMEN

Reference Standard: ASTM (1998).ASTM D36-95, Millard, R.S (1993)

INTRODUCTION

Unlike some substances for example water which changes from solid to liquid at 0 bituminous
materials do not have a definite melting point. Instead, as the temperature raises these materials
slowly changes from brittle or very and slow flowing materials to softer and less viscous liquids. For
this reason the determination of softening point must be made by affixed, arbitrary and closely
defined method if results are to be comparable.

Being very simple in concept and equipment the ring and bell has remained a valuable consistency
test for control in refining operations particularly in the production of air blown bitumen. It is also an
indirect measure of viscosity or rather the temperature at which the given viscosity is evident. The
softening point value has particular significance for materials which are to be used as thick films such
as joint and crack fillers and roofing material. A high softening point ensures that they will not flow in
service. For bitumen of a given penetration determined at 25 the higher the softening point the
lower the temperature sensitivity.
OBJECTIVE

The objective of the experiment is to determine the temperature at which given bitumen reaches a
certain degrees of softness.

APPARATUS

i. Steel ball of diameter 9.53mm and weighing 0.05g

ii. Tapered ring made of brass and conforming to the standard BSI
iii. Ball guide and ring holder
iv. Thermometer
v. Beaker
vi. Burner
PROCEDURES

The bitumen was melted and the liquid was poured into a pair of ring placed
1 on plate.

After specimen had cold, ring was suspended in the distilled water in the
2 beaker at 5 2 .

Bath temperature is maintained at that temperature for 15 minutes.

3

The steel balls were put on the surfaced of the bitumen in the ring.
4

The bath liquid was stirred and heated to 5 2 per minutes.

5

Temperature was noted just after the ball was passed and dropped into the base
6 plate.
RESULT

Record the temperature indicated by the thermometer at the beginning of the heating and at the end of
each 1 minute interval.

Timer reading Temperature Timer reading Temperature

(min) (C) (min) (C)
0 5.6 15 29.1
1 7.4 16 30.6
2 8.4 17 32.2
3 9.6 18 33.8
4 11 19 35.4
5 12.5 20 36.9
6 14.2 21 38.4
7 15.8 22 39.8
8 17.6 23 41.3
9 19.3 24 42.9
10 21 25 44.4
11 22.6 26 46
12 24.3 27 47.5
13 25.9 28 49.1
14 27.5 29 -
The mean temperature of the two specimens (which shall not differ by more than 1 ) is recorded as
the softening point.

Number of Test Softening Point ( )

1 48.40

2 49.10

Average 48.75
DISCUSSION

Based on the results that we obtained from the experiment, the temperature of bitumen to
become soft for test number 1 is 48.40 while for the test number 2, the temperature is 49.10
Besides that, the average temperature of softening point that we calculated is 48.75 The theoretical
value of the optimum temperature of bitumen softening point is between 48 to 52 according to
Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) standard. The temperature than we recorded is 48.75 which is situated in
the theoretical standard.

Cause and error during experimental;

i. The bath temperature not maintained for 15minutes.

ii. The bath temperature is not in the 5 2 range.
iii. Surrounding temperature may affect the water temperature.

While doing the experiment, some safety measures have to be follow. Be alert and make sure your
hand doesnt touch the hot burner while taking the reading as it may cause minor severe burn. After
the experiment, the apparatus are washed using hazards chemical. Ensure that you wash the apparatus
in a fume chamber with your gloves on.
CONCLUSION

To conclude, the final temperature of the softening point is 48.75 which match the
theoretical value which is 48 to 52 . The objective of this experiment was achieved. During
conducting the experiment, there are some errors that occurred which will affect the final result. In
order to prevent this from happening, there are methods to improve the experiments result. Before
doing the experiment, make sure the Ring holder does not hold the Ball guide in stationary. Adjust the
ring until the ball can pass through freely. In addition, to get good results, ensure you conduct the
experiment in room temperature condition. The purpose of this test in the industry is to estimate
viscoelastic properties of both asphalt and a paving mixture especially in road design. This is to test
the consistency of bitumen.
REFERENCES

1. http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/ring-and-ball+test
2. http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_do_you_perform_a_ring_and_ball_test_on_bitemun
3. composite.about.com/library/glossary/b/bldef-b523.htm