What is ring and ball softening point?

The ring-and-ball softening point is defined as the temperature at which a disk of the sample held within a horizontal ring is forced downward a distance of 1 in. (25.4 mm) under the weight of a steel ball as the sample is heated at a prescribed rate in a water or glycerol bath.

How do you test a softening point?

The softening point value of the two readings should not exceed 1.0 °C for the softening point of bitumen range 40-60 °C and 1.5 °C for the softening point between 61-80 °C. Else the test is considered invalid and it is repeated….Result.

Paving Grades Softening Point
VG 30 47 °C
VG 40 50 °C

What is the aim of softening point test?

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.

What is softening point test of bitumen?

Softening point test of bitumen is done to determine the consistency of bitumen. This test gives an idea of the temperature at which the bitumen attains certain viscosity.

What is ring and ball test?

Ring and ball test is used to determine the softening point of bitumen, asphalt and coal tar. This test consists of two brass ring and two steel ball, using which the softening point of various bituminous materials are determined. Contents: Softening Point of Bitumen, Asphalt and Coal Tar. Uses of Softening Point.

What is ring and ball method?

The ring and ball method which briefly consists of determin- ing the temperature at which a disk of the material held in a ring and loaded with. a ball will flow through a definite distance when heated at a prescribed rate is one. of the best methods for such tests.

What is the use of ring and ball apparatus?

Ring and Ball Apparatus is used to determine the softening point of bitumen, waxes, LDPE, HDPE/PP blend granules, rosin and solid hydrocarbon resins. The apparatus was first designed way back in the 1910s while ASTM adopted a test method in 1916.

What is the rate of heating in softening point test?

5 + 0.5 0 C per minute
Apply heat to the bath and stir the liquid so that the temperature rises at a uniform rate of 5 + 0.5 0 C per minute until the material softens and allow the balls to pass through the ring.

Why do we use softening point of bitumen?

Bitumens are viscoelastic materials without sharply defined melting points; they gradually become softer and less viscous as the temperature rises. The softening point of bitumen can be determined through the use of a ring-and-ball apparatus immersed in distilled water (30 to 80°C) or USP glycerin (above 80 to 157°C).

What is softening point ring and ball test for bitumen?

The test is usually applied to bituminous binders with softening points ring and ball between 28 °C and 150 °C. Softening Point Ring and Ball is the second oldest test method applied to bitumen, after needle penetration. It is the temperature at which a bitumen sample in a ring has had a deformation of 25 ± 0,4 mm by a ball while heated.

What is softening point ring and ball?

Softening Point Ring and Ball is the arithmetic mean of the results of two samples tested in parallel. At the time of publication of this document, EN 1427:2015 `Bitumen and bituminous binders – Determination of Softening Point – Ring and Ball Method` was the reference for testing.

How do you determine the softening point of a ball?

And carefully record the temperature when the second ball just touches the bottom plate. Then calculate the average of the two readings to the nearest 0.5 ⁰C, that value is the softening point. For the heating medium, the distilled water should be used.

What is the apparatus for softening point test?

Apparatus for Softening Point Test 1. The ring and ball apparatus consisting of: Steel balls-two numbers each of 9.5 mm diameter weighing 3.5 ± 0.05 g.