ASTM_D_36_-_D_36M_-_14_2020.pdf

Designation:D36/D36M14(Reapproved 2020)Standard Test Method forSoftening Point of Bitumen(Ring-and-Ball Apparatus)1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D36/D36M;the number immediately following the designation indicates the yearof 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.Scope1.1 This test method covers the determination of the soft-ening point of bitumen in the range from 30 to 157 C 86 to315 F using the ring-and-ball apparatus immersed in distilledwater 30 to 80 C or USP glycerin(above 80 to 157 C).1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound unitsare to be regarded separately as standard.The values stated ineach system may not be exact equivalents;therefore,eachsystem shall be used independently of the other.Combiningvalues from the two systems may result in nonconformancewith the standard.1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety,health,and environmental practices and deter-mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-ization established in the Decision on Principles for theDevelopment of International Standards,Guides and Recom-mendations issued by the World Trade Organization TechnicalBarriers to Trade(TBT)Committee.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statementsfor Test Methods for Construction MaterialsD92 Test Method for Flash and Fire Points by ClevelandOpen Cup TesterD140/D140M Practice for Sampling Asphalt MaterialsD3461 Test Method for Softening Point ofAsphalt and Pitch(Mettler Cup-and-Ball Method)E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass ThermometersE177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias inASTM Test MethodsE691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study toDetermine the Precision of a Test Method3.Summary of Test Method3.1 Two horizontal disks of bitumen,cast in shoulderedbrass rings,are heated at a controlled rate in a liquid bath whileeach supports a steel ball.The softening point is reported as themean of the temperatures at which the two disks soften enoughto allow each ball,enveloped in bitumen,to fall a distance of25 mm 1.0 in.4.Significance and Use4.1 Bitumens are viscoelastic materials without sharplydefined melting points;they gradually become softer and lessviscous as the temperature rises.For this reason,softeningpoints must be determined by an arbitrary and closely definedmethod if results are to be reproducible.4.2 The softening point is useful in the classification ofbitumens,as one element in establishing the uniformity ofshipments or sources of supply,and is indicative of thetendency of the material to flow at elevated temperaturesencountered in service.5.Apparatus5.1 RingsTwo square-shouldered brass rings conformingto the dimensions shown in Fig.1(a).5.2 Pouring PlateA flat,smooth,brass plate approxi-mately 50 by 75 mm 2 by 3 in.5.3 BallsTwo steel balls,9.5 mm 38in.in diameter,eachhaving a mass of 3.50 6 0.05 g.5.4 Ball-Centering GuidesTwo brass guides for centeringthe steel balls,one for each ring,conforming to the generalshape and dimensions shown in Fig.1(b).5.5 BathA glass vessel,capable of being heated,not lessthan 85 mm in inside diameter and not less than 120 mm indepth from the bottom of the flare.NOTE1An 800-mL,low-form Griffin beaker of heat-resistant glassmeets this requirement.5.6 Ring Holder and AssemblyA brass holder designed tosupport the two rings in a horizontal position,conforming to1This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D08 on Roofingand Waterproofing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D08.03 onSurfacing and Bituminous Materials for Membrane Waterproofing and Built-upRoofing.Current edition approved May 1,2020.Published May 2020.Originallyapproved in 1962.Last previous edition approved in 2014 as D36 14.DOI:10.1520/D0036_D0036M-14R20.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United StatesThis international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for theDevelopment of International Standards,Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade(TBT)Committee.the shape and dimensions shown in Fig.1(c),supported in theassembly illustrated in Fig.1(d).The