ASTM D3461-18
(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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.3 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
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This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D3461 − 18
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* cup with a 6.5 mm hole in the bottom and with a lead ball,
8 mm in diameter, centered on top of the sample in the cup,
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the soft-
flows downward a distance of 19 mm to interrupt a light beam,
ening point of asphalt and pitch in the range from 50 °C to
as the sample is heated at a linear rate in air.
180 °C by the cup-and-ball apparatus, and gives results com-
parable to those obtained by Test Method D36.
4. Significance and Use
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
4.1 Asphalt and pitch do not go through a solid-liquid phase
Test Method D36 (ring-and-ball) softening point apparatus as a referee
change when heated, and therefore do not have true melting
method.
points. As the temperature is raised, they gradually soften or
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
become less viscous. For this reason, the determination of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
softening point must be made by an arbitrary, but closely
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
defined, method if the test values are to be reproducible.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
4.2 This test method is useful in determining the consis-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
tency as one element in establishing the uniformity of ship-
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
ments or sources of supply.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
5. Apparatus
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical 5.1 A METTLER TOLEDO dropping point cell can be
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. 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
attached, sample cartridges, and accessories. The control unit
2.1 ASTM Standards:
automatically regulates the heating rate of the furnace. The
A314 Specification for Stainless Steel Billets and Bars for
softening point is indicated on the readout, and the heating
Forging
program stopped, when the sample flow triggers the softening
D36 Test Method for Softening Point of Bitumen (Ring-and-
point detection. A general view of the components of the
Ball Apparatus)
METTLER TOLEDO softening point instrument is shown in
D140 Practice for Sampling Asphalt Materials
Fig. 1 (old instrument) and Fig. 2 (new instrument).
D4296 Practice for Sampling Pitch
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
unit shall be capable of heating one or two sample cup
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
assemblies, as described in 5.1.3, at a linear rate of 2 °C 6
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of
SubcommitteeD02.05onPropertiesofFuels,PetroleumCokeandCarbonMaterial.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2018. Published January 2019. Originally
3
approved in 1976. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as D3461 – 14. DOI: The sole source of supply of the apparatus known to the committee at this time
10.1520/D3461-18. 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 inform
...
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 − 14 D3461 − 18
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*
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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.3 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
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 Asphalt 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 hole in the bottom and with a lead ball, 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 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 with furnace built in or attached,
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D02.05 on Properties of Fuels, Petroleum Coke and Carbon Material.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2014Dec. 1, 2018. Published November 2014January 2019. Originally approved in 1976. Last previous edition approved in 20122014
as D3461 – 97D3461 – 14. (2012). DOI: 10.1520/D3461-14.10.1520/D3461-18.
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
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 comments will receive careful consideration
1
at a meeting of the responsible technical committee, 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 − 18
sample cartridges, and accessories. The control unit automatically regulates the heating rate of the furnace. The softening point is
indicated on the readout, and the heat
...
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