ASTM D3461-14
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Softening Point of Asphalt and Pitch (Mettler Cup-and-Ball Method)
Standard Test Method for Softening Point of Asphalt and Pitch (Mettler Cup-and-Ball Method)
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Asphalt and pitch do not go through a solid-liquid phase change when heated, and therefore do not have true melting points. As the temperature is raised, they gradually soften or become less viscous. For this reason, the determination of the softening point must be made by an arbitrary, but closely defined, method if the test values are to be reproducible.
4.2 This test method is useful in determining the consistency as one element in establishing the uniformity of shipments or sources of supply.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the softening point of asphalt and pitch in the range from 50 °C to 180 °C by the cup-and-ball apparatus, and gives results comparable to those obtained by Test Method D36.
Note 1: If the softening point of asphalt by this Mettler cup-and-ball method fails to meet specified requirements, tests may be rerun using the Test Method D36 (ring-and-ball) softening point apparatus as a referee method.
1.2 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.
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Designation: D3461 − 14
Standard Test Method for
Softening Point of Asphalt and Pitch (Mettler Cup-and-Ball
1
Method)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3461; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* 4. Significance and Use
4.1 Asphalt and pitch do not go through a solid-liquid phase
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the soft-
change when heated, and therefore do not have true melting
ening point of asphalt and pitch in the range from 50 °C to
points. As the temperature is raised, they gradually soften or
180 °C by the cup-and-ball apparatus, and gives results com-
become less viscous. For this reason, the determination of the
parable to those obtained by Test Method D36.
softening point must be made by an arbitrary, but closely
NOTE 1—If the softening point of asphalt by this Mettler cup-and-ball
defined, method if the test values are to be reproducible.
method fails to meet specified requirements, tests may be rerun using the
Test Method D36 (ring-and-ball) softening point apparatus as a referee
4.2 This test method is useful in determining the consis-
method.
tency as one element in establishing the uniformity of ship-
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
ments or sources of supply.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5. Apparatus
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3
5.1 A METTLER TOLEDO dropping point cell can be
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
used to determine softening points by this test method. These
commercially available instruments consist of a control unit
2. Referenced Documents
with a digital temperature indicator with furnace built in or
2
2.1 ASTM Standards: attached, sample cartridges, and accessories. The control unit
A314 Specification for Stainless Steel Billets and Bars for automatically regulates the heating rate of the furnace. The
Forging
softening point is indicated on the readout, and the heating
D36 Test Method for Softening Point of Bitumen (Ring-and- program stopped, when the sample flow triggers the softening
Ball Apparatus)
point detection. A general view of the components of the
D140 Practice for Sampling Bituminous Materials METTLER TOLEDO softening point instrument is shown in
D4296 Practice for Sampling Pitch
Fig. 1 (old instrument) and Fig. 2 (new instrument).
5.1.1 IntegratedorSeparateControlUnit—The control unit
3. Summary of Test Method shall provide a continuous, linear temperature increase from
25 °C to 250 °C at a rate of 2 °C/min. A digital readout shall
3.1 In this test method the softening point is defined as the
indicate the temperature to 0.1 °C throughout.
temperature at which the specimen, suspended in a cylindrical
5.1.2 Integrated or Separate Furnace Unit—The furnace
cup with a 6.5 mm hole in the bottom and with a lead ball,
unit shall be capable of heating one or two sample cup
8 mm in diameter, centered on top of the sample in the cup,
assemblies, as described in 5.1.3, at a linear rate of 2 °C 6
flows downward a distance of 19 mm to interrupt a light beam,
0.3 °C⁄min. It shall include a sensing system capable of
as the sample is heated at a linear rate in air.
detecting the softening point with a precision of 0.1 °C.
5.1.3 Sample Cup Assembly—A cup of chromium-plated
brass, or of aluminum, or of stainless steel conforming to the
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
requirements for Type 303 (UNS S30300) stainless steel as
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricantsand is the direct responsibility of
SubcommitteeD02.05onPropertiesofFuels,PetroleumCokeandCarbonMaterial.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2014. Published November 2014. Originally
3
approved in 1976. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as D3461 – 97 (2012). The sole source of supply of the apparatus known to the committee at this time
DOI: 10.1520/D3461-14. is available from Mettler-Toledo, LLC., 1900 Polaris Pkwy, Columbus, OH 43240,
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or www.mt.com. If you are aware of alternative suppliers, please provide this
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM information to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive
1
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible technical committee, which
the ASTM website. you may attend.
*A Summary of Changes section appe
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D3461 − 97 (Reapproved 2012) D3461 − 14
Standard Test Method for
Softening Point of Asphalt and Pitch (Mettler Cup-and-Ball
1
Method)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3461; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Scope*
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the softening point of asphalt and pitch in the range from 5050 °C to
180°C180 °C by the cup-and-ball apparatus, and gives results comparable to those obtained by Test Method D36.
NOTE 1—If the softening point of asphalt by this Mettler cup-and-ball method fails to meet specified requirements, tests may be rerun using the Test
Method D36 (ring-and-ball) softening point apparatus as a referee method.
NOTE 1—If the softening point of asphalt by this Mettler cup-and-ball method fails to meet specified requirements, tests may be rerun using the Test
Method D36 (ring-and-ball) softening point apparatus as a referee method.
1.2 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
A314 Specification for Stainless Steel Billets and Bars for Forging
D36 Test Method for Softening Point of Bitumen (Ring-and-Ball Apparatus)
D140 Practice for Sampling Bituminous Materials
D4296 Practice for Sampling Pitch
3. Summary of Test Method
3.1 In this test method the softening point is defined as the temperature at which the specimen, suspended in a cylindrical cup
with a 6.5-mm 6.5 mm hole in the bottom and with a lead ball,
8 mm 8 mm in diameter, centered on top of the sample in the cup, flows downward a distance of 19 mm to interrupt a light beam,
as the sample is heated at a linear rate in air.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 Asphalt and pitch do not go through a solid-liquid phase change when heated, and therefore do not have true melting points.
As the temperature is raised, they gradually soften or become less viscous. For this reason, the determination of the softening point
must be made by an arbitrary, but closely defined, method if the test values are to be reproducible.
4.2 This test method is useful in determining the consistency as one element in establishing the uniformity of shipments or
sources of supply.
5. Apparatus
3
5.1 A Mettler METTLER TOLEDO dropping point cell can be used to determine softening points by this test method. These
commercially available instruments consist of a control unit with a digital temperature indicator, matched furnace, indicator with
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricantsand is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D02.05 on Properties of Fuels, Petroleum Coke and Carbon Material.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2012Oct. 1, 2014. Published November 2012November 2014. Originally approved in 1976. Last previous edition approved in 20072012
as D3461 – 97 (2007).(2012). DOI: 10.1520/D3461-97R12.10.1520/D3461-14.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from the Mettler Toledo, Inc.,The sole source of supply of the apparatus known to the committee at this time is available from Mettler-Toledo, LLC., 1900
Polaris Pkwy, Columbus, OH 43240, www.mt.com. If you are aware of alternative suppliers, please provide this information to ASTM International Headquarters. Your
1
comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible technical committee, Balances and Instruments, 69 Princeton-Hightstown Rd., Hightstown, NJ
08520-0071.which you may attend.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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D3461 − 14
furnace built in or attached, sample cartridges, and accessories. The control unit automatically regulates the heating r
...
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