ASTM D36/D36M-09

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] or USP glycerin (above 80 to 157°C).  
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with 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: 14-Dec-2009
• 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 D36-06 - Standard Test Method for Softening Point of Bitumen (Ring-and-Ball Apparatus)
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2009
• Replaced By: ASTM D36/D36M-12 - Standard Test Method for Softening Point of Bitumen (Ring-and-Ball Apparatus)
• Effective Date: 01-May-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D3791/D3791M-11(2018) - Standard Practice for Evaluating the Effects of Heat on Asphalts
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2009
• Referred By: ASTM D7116-16(2021) - Standard Specification for Joint Sealants, Hot Applied, Jet Fuel Resistant Types, for Portland Cement Concrete Pavements
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2009
• Referred By: ASTM D3019/D3019M-17 - Standard Specification for Lap Cement Used with Asphalt Roll Roofing, Non-Fibered, and Fibered
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2009
• Referred By: ASTM D312/D312M-16a(2023) - Standard Specification for Asphalt Used in Roofing
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2009
• Referred By: ASTM D6690-21 - Standard Specification for Joint and Crack Sealants, Hot Applied, for Concrete and Asphalt Pavements
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2009
• Referred By: ASTM D6455-11(2018) - Standard Guide for the Selection of Test Methods for Prefabricated Bituminous Geomembranes (PBGMs)
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2009
• Referred By: ASTM D3462/D3462M-23 - Standard Specification for Asphalt Shingles Made from Glass Felt and Surfaced with Mineral Granules
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2009
• Referred By: ASTM C990M-09(2019) - Standard Specification for Joints for Concrete Pipe, Manholes, and Precast Box Sections Using Preformed Flexible Joint Sealants (Metric)
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2009
• Referred By: ASTM C647-19 - Standard Guide to Properties and Tests of Mastics and Coating Finishes for Thermal Insulation
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2009
• Referred By: ASTM D7942-15(2023) - Standard Specification for Thermoplastic Pavement Markings in Non Snow Plow Areas
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2009
• Referred By: ASTM D6154-15(2021)e1 - Standard Specification for Chemically Modified Asphalt Cement for Use in Pavement Construction
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2009
• Referred By: ASTM D6152/D6152M-12(2018) - Standard Specification for SEBS-Modified Mopping Asphalt Used in Roofing
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2009
• Referred By: ASTM D5/D5M-20 - Standard Test Method for Penetration of Bituminous Materials
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2009

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/D36M–09
Standard Test Method for
1
Softening Point of Bitumen (Ring-and-Ball Apparatus)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D36/D36M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript 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] or USP glycerin (above 80 to 157°C).
4.1 Bitumens are viscoelastic materials without sharply
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
defined melting points; they gradually become softer and less
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
viscous as the temperature rises. For this reason, softening
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
points must be determined by an arbitrary and closely defined
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
method if results are to be reproducible.
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
4.2 The softening point is useful in the classification of
with the standard.
bitumens, as one element in establishing the uniformity of
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
shipments or sources of supply, and is indicative of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
tendency of the material to flow at elevated temperatures
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
encountered in service.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5. Apparatus
5.1 Rings—Two square-shouldered brass rings conforming
2. Referenced Documents
2
to the dimensions shown in Fig. 1(a).
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5.2 Pouring Plate—A flat, smooth, brass plate approxi-
C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements
mately 50 by 75 mm [2 by 3 in.].
for Test Methods for Construction Materials
3
5.3 Balls—Twosteelballs,9.5mm[ ⁄8in.]indiameter,each
D92 Test Method for Flash and Fire Points by Cleveland
having a mass of 3.50 6 0.05 g.
Open Cup Tester
5.4 Ball-Centering Guides—Two brass guides for centering
D140 Practice for Sampling Bituminous Materials
the steel balls, one for each ring, conforming to the general
D3461 Test Method for Softening Point of Asphalt and
shape and dimensions shown in Fig. 1 (b).
Pitch (Mettler Cup-and-Ball Method)
5.5 Bath—A glass vessel, capable of being heated, not less
E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
than 85 mm in inside diameter and not less than 120 mm in
3. Summary of Test Method depth from the bottom of the flare.
3.1 Two horizontal disks of bitumen, cast in shouldered
NOTE 1—An 800-mL, low-form Griffin beaker of heat-resistant glass
brassrings,areheatedatacontrolledrateinaliquidbathwhile
meets this requirement.
eachsupportsasteelball.Thesofteningpointisreportedasthe
5.6 Ring Holder andAssembly—Abrass holder designed to
support the two rings in a horizontal position, conforming to
1
the shape and dimensions shown in Fig. 1 (c), supported in the
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD08onRoofing
and Waterproofing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D08.03 on assemblyillustratedinFig.1(d).Thebottomoftheshouldered
Surfacing and Bituminous Materials for Membrane Waterproofing and Built-up
rings in the ring holder shall be 25 mm [1.0 in.] above the
Roofing.
upper surface of the bottom plate, and the lower surface of the
Current edition approved Dec. 15, 2009. Published January 2010. Originally
5 1
bottomplateshallbe16 63mm[ ⁄8 6 ⁄8in.]fromthebottom
approved in 1962. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D36–06. DOI:
10.1520/D0036_D0036M-09.
of the bath.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
5.7 Thermometers:
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
5.7.1 AnASTM Low Softening PointThermometer, having
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. a range from−2 to+80°C or 30 to 180°F, and conforming to
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D36/D36M–09
NOTE 1—All dimensions are in millimetres (60.3 mm except where noted)
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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:D36–06 Designation: D36/D36M – 09
Standard Test Method for
1
Softening Point of Bitumen (Ring-and-Ball Apparatus)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D36/D36M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript 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
1.1Thistestmethodcoversthedeterminationofthesofteningpointofbitumenintherangefrom30to157°C(86to315°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).
1.2The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
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] or USP glycerin (above 80 to 157°C).
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each
system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the
two systems may result in non-conformance with 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements for Test Methods for Construction Materials
D92 Test Method for Flash and Fire Points by Cleveland Open Cup Tester
D140 Practice for Sampling Bituminous Materials
D3461 Test Method for Softening Point of Asphalt and Pitch (Mettler Cup-and-Ball Method)
E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
3. Summary of Test Method
3.1 Two horizontal disks of bitumen, cast in shouldered brass rings, are heated at a controlled rate in a liquid bath while each
supportsasteelball.Thesofteningpointisreportedasthemeanofthetemperaturesatwhichthetwodiskssoftenenoughtoallow
each ball, enveloped in bitumen, to fall a distance of 25 mm (1.0 in.). [1.0 in.].
4. Significance and Use
4.1 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.
4.2 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.
5. Apparatus
5.1 Rings—Two square-shouldered brass rings conforming to the dimensions shown in Fig. 1(a).
5.2 Pouring Plate—A flat, smooth, brass plate approximately 50 by 75 mm (2[2 by 3 in.). in.].
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D08 on Roofing andWaterproofing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D08.03 on Surfacing
and Bituminous Materials for Membrane Waterproofing and Built-up Roofing.
´1
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2006. Published December 2006. Originally approved in 1962. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as D36–95(2000) . DOI:
10.1520/D0036-06.
Current edition approved Dec. 15, 2009. Published January 2010. Originally approved in 1962. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D36–06. DOI:
10.1520/D0036_D0036M-09.
2
ForreferencedASTMstandards,visittheASTMwebsite,www.astm.org,[e-mail]ards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D36/D36M – 09
NOTE 1—All dimensions are in millimetres (60.3 mm except where noted).
FIG. 1 Shouldered Ring, Ball-Centering Guide, Ring Holder, and Assembly of Apparatus Showing Two Rings
3
5.3 Balls—Two steel balls, 9.5 mm ([ ⁄8 in.)in.] in diameter, each having a mass of 3.50 6 0.05 g.
5.4 Ball-Centering Guides—Two brass g
...