Bitumen Solubility Test
Bitumen Solubility Test
The solubility test of bitumen is used to measure the percentage of soluble bitumen
content in an organic solvent. Also, based on this test the bitumen purity is
determined.
To perform the solubility test, bitumen is solved in a specific solvent. Then the
mixture is filtered. After that, insoluble materials are washed, dried, and then
weighed. A measure of how much bitumen dissolves in the solvent is reported as
bitumen solubility.
Different solvents can be used for this test. The most famous one is carbon
disulfide, but generally, bitumen is soluble in carbon disulfide and
trichloroethylene.
Although these days use of carbon disulfide is becoming very rare because of its
high flammability.
Additionally, recent studies have shown that trichloroethylene can cause cancer
and has been implicated in the destruction of the ozone layer. As a result, it is
possible to replace trichloroethylene with a less harmful solvent.
Bitumen solubility test apparatus
Place the gooch crucible and the glass fiber pad in the oven at 110 °C for 15
minutes to ensure that it is completely dry. Let them cool at room temperature.
Weigh them and name this mass as A.
b) Sample Preparation
If the sample is not liquid, it should be heated to liquefy. The sample should not be
heated more than 110 degrees Celsius above its softening point.
c) Procedure