Lab Report Softeing Point G1

OBJECTIVES
 To get the temperature up to which a bituminous binder should be heated for

various road use applications.
 To determine the softening point of bitumen within the range of 30°C to 157°C by
means of the Ring and Ball Apparatus.
 To determine the temperature at which given bitumen (specimen) reaches a certain

degree of softness (melting)
INTRODUCTION
The softening point of bitumen or tar is the temperature at which the substance
attains particular degree of softening. As per IS: 334-1982, ASTM E28-67 or ASTM
D36 or ASTM D6493 – 11, it is the temperature in ºC at which a standard ball passes
through a sample of bitumen in a mould and falls through a height of 2.5 cm, when
heated under water or glycerin at specified conditions of test. The binder should have
sufficient fluidity before its applications in road uses.
The determination of softening point helps to know the temperature up to which

a bituminous binder should be heated for various road use applications. Softening
point is determined by ring and ball apparatus.
The ring and ball test is for determining the softening point of bitumen, softening point
can is defined as the temperature at which a substance attains a particular degree of
softness under specified condition test. The softening point is useful in the
classification of bitumen. The ring and ball softening point test involves heating two
small samples of the bitumen in a container of water. The ring is immersed to a depth
such that its bottom is exactly 25mm (1 inch) above the bottom of the bath. The
temperature of the bath is then gradually increased, causing the ball to sink eventually
to the bottom of the bath. A metal ball is placed on top of each ring sample.
The temperature at which each ball touches a bar the bottom is called the
“softening point”. A high softening point is preferable to a low one. In addition if the two
balls drop at temperatures more than 2 degree Celsius (°C), the test is invalidated and
must be repeated. The ring and ball test is important for testing the bitumen material
for road/highway projects.
EQUIPMENTS
 Steel ball
 Ring
 Pouring plate
 Bath
 Ring holder and assembly
 Thermometer
PROCEDURE
1. The bitumen sample was heated with care, frequently stirred to prevent local
overheating, until it has become sufficiently fluid to pour. It carefully stirred to
avoid incorporation of air bubbles in the sample.
2. If the test is repeated later, this sample does not reheated; a fresh sample was
used in clean container to prepare new test specimens.
3. The two brass rings (but not the pouring plate) was heated to approximate
pouring temperature, they were placed on the pouring plate treated with one of
the release agents.
4. The hot bitumen was poured into the ring and cooled at the room temperature
for about 30 minutes. The sample is the levelled.
5. The ring is then placed on the ring holder. The temperature in the water bath is
maintained at 5 ± 1 for minutes and the sample is kept in water bath level of not
less than 102mm and not more than 108 mm from the bottom of the bath.
6. Forceps was used to place the ball in each ball-centering guide. The heat then
applied at a rate of 5°C per minute and make sure it is increasing uniformly.
7. Each ring and ball temperature shown by the thermometer was recorded when
the specimen surrounding the ball touches the bottom plate as shown in figure
1. If the difference between the two temperatures exceeds 2°C, the test was
repeated.
DATA ANALYSIS
Temperature (°C) Average Temperature (°C)

Sample 1 47 49.5
Sample 2 52
CALCULATION
Average temperature = (47°C + 52°C)/2 = 49.5°C
Temperature difference = 52°C - 47°C = 5°C > 2°C (NOT OK!)

DISCUSSION
Based on the data tabulated and calculated from the previous page, the softening point
of bitumen by means of the Ring and Ball apparatus is determined. However the
temperature for sample 1 is 47°C meanwhile sample 2 is 52°C which vary 5°C. The
allowable difference between the temperatures for the samples is 2°C. Furthermore,
the theoretical value of the optimum temperature of bitumen softening point is between
48°C to 52°C based on Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) Standard. The average temperature
at which the bitumen disks soften and sag downwards at the distance of 25mm under
the weight of the steel ball obtained is 49.5°C. Though, the result obtained are not
acceptable and need to be repeated using new the equipment and samples.
There must be some errors occur while handling this lab that affected the result
obtained. The errors might be come from all this actions.
 The bitumen is not sufficiently fluid to pour as it have thicken in a meantime

 The placement of bitumen in the ring is not done properly. Remove the excess
material on the top of samples by cut off cleanly using palette knife after cooling.
 The water used in the beaker must be distilled and allowed to cool in a
stoppered flask to prevent air bubbles formed on the samples during the test.
 The bath temperature is not in the 5°C ± 2°C range initially.
 The bath temperature not maintained for 15 minutes. The beaker can be placed
in a bath of iced water if necessary.
 Surrounding temperature
 The ball is not placed properly at the center of ring on the bitumen.
The softening point has significance for materials to be used as joint and crack fillers.
Higher softening point ensure they will not flow during service. The higher the softening
point, the susceptibility temperature will get lower. Thus, bitumen with higher softening
point are preferred in warmer places.
CONCLUSION
Based on data we got, the average temperature was 49.5’C and the temperature
difference on experiment was 5’C which is not okay. The temperature difference must
be between 30’C to 157’C. From observation the experiment was made in air cond
condition, so during the cool down it may be wrong. 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.
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.
REFERENCES
http://www.rhd.gov.bd/Documents/ContractDocuments/StandardTestProcedures/Bitu
men%20Softening%20Test.pdf
https://theconstructor.org/practical-guide/ring-ball-softening-point-bitumen-asphalt-
tar/2571/

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OBJECTIVES

 To get the temperature up to which a bituminous binder should be heated for

 To determine the temperature at which given bitumen (specimen) reaches a certain

The determination of softening point helps to know the temperature up to which

Temperature (°C) Average Temperature (°C)

Average temperature = (47°C + 52°C)/2 = 49.5°C

Temperature difference = 52°C - 47°C = 5°C > 2°C (NOT OK!)

 The bitumen is not sufficiently fluid to pour as it have thicken in a meantime

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