University of Technology, Baghdad Iraq

Building and Construction

Engineering Department
Structural engineering Branch
Asphalt Laboratory

Kadhim Ali Kadhim :

3rd :

20/3/2017 :

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 Test No. 4

Softening Point Test

Introduction
Bitumen does not melt, but change gradually from
sold to liquid
Softening point is the temperature at which the
bitumen attains particular degree of softening under
specified test conditions
Ring and ball apparatus is used for the test
In principle the balls with a certain weight are placed
on a sample of well-placed bitumen and then
temperature is raised slowly to liquefy the bitumen in
which the temperature at which the bitumen fails to
held the balls in space are recorded and this is taken
as a softening point.
Objectives:
The softening point test is used to measure and
specify the temperature at which bituminous binders
begin to show fluidity.
The softening point is also an indicative of the
tendency of the material to flow at elevated
temperatures encountered in service.
For calculating the penetration index (PI) of the grade
asphalt.
Main Principles:
This test is used for determining the softening point
of bitumen in the range of (30-157PPC) using the
ring-ball apparatus immersed in distilled water (30 to
80 PPC).
The temperature of a sample is raised at a constant
rate and read when the binder has undergone a
specified deformation.

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 A steel ball of 3.5 g is placed on a sample of binder
contained in a brass ring which is suspended in a
water bath. The bath temperature is raised at 5C
per minute, the binder gradually softens and deforms
slowly as the ball falls through the ring.
At the moment the bitumen and steel ball touches a
base plate 25 mm below the ring, the temperature of
the water is recorded.
The higher softening point of the two bituminous
materials of the same penetration value means a
little effect by temperature.
Test Condition:
Select freshly boiled distilled water for softening
point between (30-80) C, and USPglycerin for
softening point (above 80 PC up to 157 PC).
Use ethylene glycol for softening point between 30
C and 110 C.
The temperature of the liquid must raise 5 C/ min.
The maximum variation for any 1-min. after the first
3 minutes shall be 0.5 C.
Calculations:
Temperature when the softened bitumen touches the
metal plate is 50C for two balls.
Apparatus:
1.Standard ring and ball apparatus assembly as Fig.
(4-1) and Fig. (4-2).
2. Heat source
3. Pouring plate treated with a mixture of glycerin
and dextrin
4. Thermometer
5. Forceps

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Procedures:
1. Heat the sample to a temperature that does not
exceed the expected softening point by more than
110C and time must not exceed 2 hours.
2. Pour a heated sample into the preheated ring
which is resting on the pouring plate.
3. Cool the specimen for minimum of 30 min., then
cut the excess material off by a hot knife of spatula.
4. Assemble the apparatus with the ring and
thermometer and fill the container with distilled
water to a depth (102-108) mm.
5. Maintain the container temperature at (5 1) PPC
for 15 min. place the test container in ice water if
necessary.
6. Using forceps place the balls previously adjusted
to 5 PPC then apply heat so that the temperature of
the liquid is raised 5PPC/ min. The maximum
variation for any 1 min after the first 3 min. shall be
0.5 PPC.
7. Record the temperature shown by the
thermometer at the instant the ball touches the
bottom.

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Results and Calculations:

Where:
PI = Penetration index =?
Pen. = Penetration value = 32.75 mm
Trb = softening point value (C) = 50.5 C
T = Penetration test temperature = 25 C.

Pi = -1.9381
Questions:
Q1. Importance of softening point test and
penetration index.
The softening point is useful in the classification of
bitumens.
This test method covers the determination of the
softening point of bitumen in the range from 30 to
157C [86 to 315F] using the ring-and-ball apparatus
immersed in distilled water [30 to 80C] or USP glycerin
(above 80 to 157C).

Q2 Find the value of PI, and then compare it with

the specifications.
Bitumen type PI
Blown Bitumen <2
Conventional Paving Bitumen -2 to +2
Temperature Susceptible Bitumen (Tars) <-2

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Q3. Explain the relation between penetration and
softening point under the effect of temperature.
The relationship between the penetration and the
softening point is that the softness penetration
measures the consistency of asphalt either checking
softening point measures the temperature at which the
liquid asphalt becomes the greater the softening
greater penetration.
bituminous materials do not have a definite melting
point. Instead, as the temperature rises, these
materials slowly change from brittle or very thick and
slow-flowing materials to softer and less viscous liquids.
For this reason, the determination of 'softening point'
must be made by a fixed, arbitrary and closely defined
method if results are to be comparable. Being very
simple in concept and equipment, the Ring-and-Ball
Test has remained a valuable consistency test for
control in refining operations, particularly in the
production of air-blown bitumens. It is also an indirect
measure of viscosity or, rather, the temperature at
which a 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 materials. A high softening point ensures
that they will not flow in service. For a bitumen of a
given penetration (determined at 25 C), the higher the
softening point the lower the temperature sensitivity.

Q4. What is the representation of using the balls in

the test?
The representation in this experiment the ball because
they are easier to get off the asphalt in the model
because it does not contain the corners or deviations as
to form a homogeneous from all regions.

Q5. If you have two types of bitumen, which they

have softening points of 55 C and 60 C; which one
is most affected by temperature, why? Explain that

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55 C is most affected by temperature due to reaches
softening point faster than another type which reach
softening point in 60C.

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DISCUSSION:
The softening point is another important test of bitumen
bind and is effecting by change in temperature. This test
assures the engineer that the binder being test will have
properties similar to this of another binder that has
already served successfully. Carefully control of testing
temperature and change in temperature must be 5 C/mm
and must be calibrated before making the test until to get
the resultant more accuracy. Many factor effect on
softening point:
1. The water temperature must increase 5 C/mm.
2. The water must be distilled without air voids or
salts because air bubble may assemblages under
the sample during heating.

RECOMMENDED VALUE:
Softening point indicates the temperature at which binders
possess the same viscosity. Bituminous materials do not
have a melting point. Rather, the change of state from
solid to liquid is gradual over a wide range of temperature.
Softening point has particular significance for materials to
be used as joint and crack fillers. Higher softening point
ensures that they will not flow during service. Higher the
softening point, lesser the temperature susceptibility.
Bitumen with higher softening point is preferred in warmer
places.

PRECAUTIONS:
(i) Distilled water should be used as the heating
medium.

(ii) During the conduct of test, the apparatus should

not be subjected to vibrations. (iii)The bulb of the
thermometer should be at about the same level as
the rings.

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Safety, Health and Precaution:
a. Lab Coat To prevent the harmful chemical expose to
body when accident happened.
b. Safety Shoes - Safety footwear is designed to protect
feet against a variety of injuries. Impact,
compression, chemical splashes and puncture are
most common types of injuries. Footwear should be
chosen according to the hazard and should be
properly rated.
c. Safety Glove To protect hand from expose to
harmful chemical.

Conclusion:
1. If the difference between the two samples in the
same test exceeds 10 C, the test must be
repeated.
2. As we looking for our sample we can see that it has a
low viscosity.
3. When we change the liquid in the bath there will be
different in the results because every liquid has a
different boiling point and that affected the softening
point, so the lower boiling point need low
temperature.
4. Because the water has a boiling point @ 1000C; we
cannot use it as a liquid for testing material having
high softening points.
5. When we increasing the rate of heating, the softening
point will be less than the standard (original).
6. If there is sand in the sample the boiling point will be
increase, then the softening point will be increase.
7. When we use the same sample many times in this
test (reheating and retesting) the results will have an
error in the softening point because that will make
the material less viscous and we will get error in the
results.
References

Millard, R.S. (1993). Road building in the Tropics.

ASTM D36- 95 and AASHTOT53- 06:" Standard test
Transport Research
method for
Laboratory State-of-the-art Review 9, HMSO, London. softening point bitumen (Ring and Ball Apparatus)"

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PWD (1992). PWD General Specification. Public Works Department, Singapore 1987 (with
amendments, 1992).

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