ASTM D36-06

Standard Test Method for Softening Point of Bitumen (Ring-and-Ball Apparatus)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Bitumens are viscoelastic materials without sharply defined melting points; they gradually become softer and less viscous as the temperature rises. For this reason, softening points must be determined by an arbitrary and closely defined method if results are to be reproducible.  
The softening point is useful in the classification of bitumens, as one element in establishing the uniformity of shipments or sources of supply, and is indicative of the tendency of the material to flow at elevated temperatures encountered in service.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the softening point of bitumen in the range from 30 to 157°C (86 to 315°F) using the ring-and-ball apparatus immersed in distilled water (30 to 80°C), USP glycerin (above 80 to 157°C), or ethylene glycol (30 to 110°C).  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Nov-2006
• ICS: 75.140 - Waxes, bituminous materials and other petroleum products
• Technical Committee: D08 - Roofing and Waterproofing
• Drafting Committee: D08.03 - Surfacing and Bituminous Materials for Membrane Waterproofing and Built-up Roofing

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D36-95(2000)e1 - Standard Test Method for Softening Point of Bitumen (Ring-and-Ball Apparatus)
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2006
• Replaced By: ASTM D36/D36M-09 - Standard Test Method for Softening Point of Bitumen (Ring-and-Ball Apparatus)
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2009
• Referred By: ASTM D3666-16 - Standard Specification for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Testing and Inspecting Road and Paving Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2006
• Referred By: ASTM E28-18(2022) - Standard Test Methods for Softening Point of Resins Derived from Pine Chemicals and Hydrocarbons, by Ring-and-Ball Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2006
• Referred By: ASTM D3461-18 - Standard Test Method for Softening Point of Asphalt and Pitch (Mettler Cup-and-Ball Method)
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2006
• Referred By: ASTM D6493-11(2022) - Standard Test Methods for Softening Point of Hydrocarbon Resins and Rosin Based Resins by Automated Ring-and-Ball Apparatus
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2006

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation:D36–06
Standard Test Method for
1
Softening Point of Bitumen (Ring-and-Ball Apparatus)
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationD36;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginal
adoptionor,inthecaseofrevision,theyearoflastrevision.Anumberinparenthesesindicatestheyearoflastreapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope meanofthetemperaturesatwhichthetwodiskssoftenenough
to allow each ball, enveloped in bitumen, to fall a distance of
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the soft-
25 mm (1.0 in.).
ening point of bitumen in the range from 30 to 157°C (86 to
315°F) using the ring-and-ball apparatus immersed in distilled
4. Significance and Use
water (30 to 80°C), USP glycerin (above 80 to 157°C), or
4.1 Bitumens are viscoelastic materials without sharply
ethylene glycol (30 to 110°C).
defined melting points; they gradually become softer and less
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
viscous as the temperature rises. For this reason, softening
standard.
points must be determined by an arbitrary and closely defined
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
method if results are to be reproducible.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.2 The softening point is useful in the classification of
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
bitumens, as one element in establishing the uniformity of
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
shipments or sources of supply, and is indicative of the
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
tendency of the material to flow at elevated temperatures
2. Referenced Documents encountered in service.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5. Apparatus
C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements
5.1 Rings—Two square-shouldered brass rings conforming
for Test Methods for Construction Materials
to the dimensions shown in Fig. 1(a).
D92 Test Method for Flash and Fire Points by Cleveland
5.2 Pouring Plate— A flat, smooth, brass plate approxi-
Open Cup Tester
mately 50 by 75 mm (2 by 3 in.).
D140 Practice for Sampling Bituminous Materials
3
5.3 Balls—Twosteelballs,9.5mm( ⁄8in.)indiameter,each
D3461 Test Method for Softening Point of Asphalt and
having a mass of 3.50 6 0.05 g.
Pitch (Mettler Cup-and-Ball Method)
5.4 Ball-Centering Guides—Two brass guides for centering
E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
the steel balls, one for each ring, conforming to the general
3. Summary of Test Method shape and dimensions shown in Fig. 1 (b).
5.5 Bath—A glass vessel, capable of being heated, not less
3.1 Two horizontal disks of bitumen, cast in shouldered
than 85 mm in inside diameter and not less than 120 mm in
brassrings,areheatedatacontrolledrateinaliquidbathwhile
depth from the bottom of the flare.
eachsupportsasteelball.Thesofteningpointisreportedasthe
NOTE 1—An 800-mL, low-form Griffin beaker of heat-resistant glass
meets this requirement.
1
5.6 Ring Holder andAssembly—Abrass holder designed to
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD08onRoofing
and Waterproofing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D08.03 on support the two rings in a horizontal position, conforming to
Surfacing and Bituminous Materials for Membrane Waterproofing and Built-up
the shape and dimensions shown in Fig. 1 (c), supported in the
Roofing.
assemblyillustratedinFig.1(d).Thebottomoftheshouldered
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2006. Published December 2006. Originally
´1
rings in the ring holder shall be 25 mm (1.0 in.) above the
approved in 1962. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as D36–95(2000) .
DOI: 10.1520/D0036-06.
upper surface of the bottom plate, and the lower surface of the
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
5 1
bottomplateshallbe16 63mm( ⁄8 6 ⁄8in.)fromthebottom
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
of the bath.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
5.7 Thermometers:
the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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D36–06
NOTE 1—All dimensions are in millimetres.
FIG. 1 Shouldered Ring, Ball-Centering Guide, Ring Holder, and Assembly of Apparatus Showing Two Rings
5.7.1 AnASTM Low Softening PointThermometer, having Substitution of other thermometers shall not be permitted. As
a range from−2 to+80°C or 30 to 180°F, and conforming to an alternative, any other thermometric device used shall be at
the requirements forThermometer 15C or 15F as prescribed in least:
...