BITUME VISCOSITY TESTIG EQUIPMET AD

TEST PROCEDURES

By
Prof. Prithvi Singh Kandhal
Jaipur, India

PROCURIG TEST EQUIPMET

The following testing equipment is needed to measure absolute viscosity of viscosity

graded paving bitumen (IS:73:2006) at 60 C in accordance with IS:1206 (Part II)
(similar to ASTM D 2171), which uses a vacuum capillary viscometer. It should be
noted that any other viscometer such as rotational viscometer cannot be used to
measure the absolute viscosity at 60 C since the bitumen in nonNewtonian in nature at
this temperature.

While obtaining quotations specify the following requirements. Although Asphalt

Institute vacuum viscometer and Modified Koppers vacuum viscometer can also be
used, the following refers to Cannon-Manning vacuum viscometer only.

Complete Absolute Viscosity Testing Equipment conforming to IS:1206 (Part II)

Method for Testing Tar and Bitumen Materials: Determination of Absolute Viscosity
with the following components:

1. Constant Temperature Bath – A suitable bath for immersion of at least 6

vacuum capillary viscometer tubes with a digital temperature controller. The
accuracy of the temperature in the bath should be +/- 0.1 C throughout the
bath.
2. Silicone Bath Oil suitable up to 150 C
3. Vacuum System – Capable of maintaining a vacuum within +/- 0.05 cm of the
desired level up to and including 30 cm of mercury. The system shall consist
of vacuum pump, moisture trap, vacuum regulator, manometer with electronic
controller, bleed valve, all interconnecting tubing/piping, and any other
accessories as needed to complete the vacuum system.
4. Thermometer for Bath – Mercury in glass, range 37.8 to 82 C, and graduations
of 0.2 C.
5. Timing Device – A stop watch or stop clock capable of reading up to ½ second.
6. Cannon-Manning Vacuum Viscometers- With manufacturers’ calibration
certificate, viscometer holder and silicone cork. Size 12 and Size 13 (one each)
[Size 12 is suitable for testing VG-10 and Size 13 is suitable for testing VG-
20, VG-30, and VG-40 bitumen.]
7. Viscometer Stand – for holding 6 viscometers.
8. Installation of the quoted instrument in client’s laboratory and operational
training.

The following were some known suppliers of the preceding test equipment as of year
2005 (explore and add more suppliers):
 1. Texol Innovations, Shivaji Nagar, Pune (Attention: Mr. Pitambre, phone 020-
2563 4726, e-mail: mangesh@texol.in)
2. Avadh Enterprises (India), Jawahar Nagar, Delhi (Phone 011-2385 7648)
3. Labindia Instruments Pvt Ltd, Udyog Bihar, Gurgaon, Haryana (Attention: Mr.
Narang, phone 0124-284 3200).
4. Technical and Scientific Sales (TASS), Mumbai (Phone 022-2407 0480,
website www.tassonline.com).

Only the Cannon-Manning viscometer tubes need to be imported at this time, the
remaining equipment such as bath and vacuum system are available in India. The total
cost is estimated to be Rs. 75, 000. Obviously, the cost will be higher if more
components are imported.

TEST PROCEDURE

Follow the procedure given in IS:1206 (Part II). Some outline is given below:

Preparation of Sample: Heat the bitumen sample to a temperature not more than 90
C above its approx. softening point until is has become sufficiently fluid (like motor
oil) to pour easily (Photo 1). Transfer about 20 ml into a suitable container (Photo 2)
and maintain at a temperature of 135 +/- 5.5 C stirring occasionally to allow entrapped
air to escape.

Pour the hot bitumen in the Canning-Manning vacuum viscometer through the larger
diameter filling tube A so that bitumen is within +/- 2 mm of the fill line E. Place the
charged viscometer in an oven or bath maintained at 135 +/- 5.5 C for a period of 10
+/- 2 minutes to allow larger air bubbles to escape.

Testing: Maintain the test bath temperature at 60 +/- 0.1 C. Place the charged
viscometer vertically in the test bath with the help of a holder so that that the
uppermost timing mark is at least 2 cm below the surface of the bath liquid (Photo 3).

Establish a vacuum of 30 +/- 0.05 cm of mercury in the vacuum system and connect to
the viscometer with the valve closed. After the viscometer has been in the bath for 30
+/- 5 min, open the valve and allow the bitumen to flow in the viscometer. Measure
the time required (to within +/- 0.5 sec) for the leading edge of the meniscus to pass
between successive pairs of timing marks (Photo 4 and 5). Report the first flow time
which exceeds 60 sec between a pair of timing marks, noting the identification of the
pair of the timing marks.

Calculation: Calculate (Photo 6) and report the absolute viscosity in poises to three
significant figures as follows:

Viscosity in poises = K t

Where: K = Calibration factor in poise per second supplied with the viscometer tube
for the pair of timing marks where the flow time exceeded 60 seconds.

t = flow time in seconds

Report: Report the test temperature and vacuum level with the viscosity test results
such as viscosity in poises @ 60 C and 300 mm mercury vacuum.

ote: Kinematic viscosity at 135 C also needs to be determined for the paving
bitumen as specified in IS:73:2006. At this temperature, bitumen flows readily so no
vacuum needs to be applied. Follow IS: 1206 (Part III) Methods for Testing Tar and
Bituminous Materials: Determination of Kinematic Viscosity, to select the proper
viscometer tube given in there. The same oil bath as used for absolute viscosity can be
used, just the viscometer tube will be different (Photo 7). As an alternate, one can also
use a rotational viscometer which will also give the same results because the bitumen
is Newtonian in nature at 135 C. The purchase and use of rotational viscometer is
encouraged because it can also be used for modified binders and also for Superpave
Performance Graded (PG) binders, which are expected to be adopted in the near
future. Again, rotational viscometer cannot be used to measure the absolute viscosity
at 60 C.

March 2009

PHOTOGRAPHS
(Courtesy: The Asphalt Institute)

PHOTO 1. Bitumen sample being heated in oven so that it can be poured

PHOTO 2. Bitumen being poured in small cans

PHOTO 3. Absolute viscosity testing equipment showing bath with viscometers

(left) and vacuum controller with manometer (right)
PHOTO 4. Flow time being measured with a stop watch

PHOTO 5. Close up of two Cannon-Manning vacuum viscometers; flow is taking

place in the left viscometer under vacuum
PHOTO 6. Sample calculation for absolute viscosity

PHOTO 7. Kinematic viscometer tubes in oil bath for measuring viscosity

at 135 C