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भारतीय मानक IS 1203 : 2022

Indian Standard

टार और बिटुमन सामग्रियों

के लिए परीक्षण पद्धतियाँ — भेदन ज्ञात करना
( दसू रा पनु रीक्षण )

Methods for Testing Tar and

Bituminous Materials —
Determination of Penetration
( Second Revision )

ICS 75.140

© BIS 2022

भारतीय मानक ब्रयू ो

B U R E A U O F I N D I A N S TA N D A R D S
मानक भवन, 9 बहादरु शाह ज़फर मार्ग, नई िदल्ली – 110002
MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG
NEW DELHI-110002
         www.bis.gov.in  
www.standardsbis.in

April 2022  Price Group 3

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Bitumen, Tar and Related Products Sectional Committee, PCD 06

FOREWORD
This Indian Standard (Second Revision) was adopted by the Bureau of Indian Standards after the draft finalized
by the Bitumen, Tar and Related Products Sectional Committee had been approved by the Petroleum, Coal and
Related Product Division Council.
This standard was originally published in 1958 as ‘Methods for testing tar and bituminous materials — Sampling’
and first revised in 1978. ‘Methods for testing tar and bituminous materials’ was originally published as series of
22 standards in the form of a booklet, as listed below:
IS No. Title

1201 : 2004 Sampling

1202 : 1978 Determination of specific gravity
1203 : 1978 Determination of penetration
1204 : 1978 Determination of residue of specified penetration
1205 : 1978 Determination of softening point
1206 (Part 1) : 1978 Determination of viscosity: Part 1 Industrial viscosity
1206 (Part 2) : 1978 Determination of viscosity: Part 2 Absolute viscosity
1206 (Part 3) : 1978 Determination of viscosity: Part 3 Kinematic viscosity
1207 : 1978 Determination of equiviscous temperature (EVT)
1208 : 1978 Determination of ductility
1209 : 1978 Determination of flash point and fire point
1210 : 1978 Float test
1211 : 1978 Determination of water content dean and stark method
1212 : 1978 Determination of loss on heating
1213 : 1978 Distillation test
1214 : 1978 Determination of matter insoluble in benzene (withdrawn due to toxic nature of benzene)
1215 : 1978 Determination of matter insoluble in toluene
1216 : 1978 Determination of solubility in carbon disulphide trichloroethylene
1217 : 1978 Determination of mineral matter ash
1218 : 1978 Determination of phenols
1219 : 1978 Determination of naphthalene
1220 : 1978 Determination of volatile matter content
However, the Committee responsible for the formulation of standards in the field of bitumen, tar and related products
decided to publish these Indian standards separately for each test so as to make it user friendly. Accordingly,
second revision of the standard, IS 1203 ‘Methods for testing tar and bituminous materials — Determination of
Penetration’ has been taken up to formulate individual standard.
In this revision, the following major modifications have been made:
The Scope of the standard has been modified to cover semi-solid and solid bituminous materials and reference to
asphaltic bitumen, fluxed native asphalt and blown type bitumen has been removed.

(Continued on third cover)

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IS 1203 : 2022

Indian Standard
METHODS FOR TESTING TAR AND BITUMINOUS
MATERIALS — DETERMINATION OF PENETRATION
( Second Revision )

1 SCOPE 4 APPARATUS
This standard covers the method for the determination 4.1 Container — A metal or glass cylindrical,
of penetration of semi-solid and solid bituminous flat bottom container of essentially the following
materials. dimensions shall be used:
2 REFERENCES For penetrations below 225:
The following standards contain provisions, which Diameter, mm 55
through reference in this text, constitute provisions of Internal depth, mm 35
this standard. At the time of publication, the editions
For penetrations between 225 and 350:
indicated were valid. All standards are subject to
revision, and parties to agreements based on this Diameter, mm 70
standard are encouraged to investigate the possibility Internal depth, mm 45
of applying the most recent editions of the standards
indicated below: 4.2 Needle — A straight, highly polished, cylindrical,
stainless steel (SS 316), rod, with conical and parallel
IS No. Title portions co-axial, having the shape, dimensions and
tolerances given in Fig. 1. The needle is provided with
334 : 2002 Glossary of terms relating to a shank approximately 3 mm in diameter into which it
bitumen and tar (third revision) is immovably fixed. The taper shall be symmetrical and
the point shall be ‘blunted’ by grinding to a truncated
460 (Part 1) : 2020 Specification for test sieves:
cone.
Part 1 Wire cloth test sieves
(third revision) 4.3 Water Bath — A water bath preferably with a
thermostat maintained at 25.0 ± 0.1 containing not less
3 TERMINOLOGY than 10 litres of water. The sample being immersed
For the purpose of this standard, the definitions of all to a depth of not less than 100 mm from the top and
terms as given in IS 334 shall apply. supported on a perforated shelf not less than 50 mm
from the bottom of the bath.

All dimensions in millimetres

Fig. 1 Needle for Penetration Test

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IS 1203 : 2022

4.4 Transfer Dish — A small dish or tray provided with 5.2.2.1 This may be accomplished by placing the needle
some means which ensure a firm bearing and prevent point in contact with its image reflected by the surface
the rocking of the container and of such capacity as will of the material from a suitably placed source of light.
ensure complete immersion of the container during the
test. 5.2.2.2 Unless otherwise specified, load the needle
holder with the weight required to make a total moving
4.5 Penetration Apparatus — Any apparatus that weight (that is, the sum of the weights of the needle,
will allow the needle to penetrate without appreciable carrier and superimposed weights) of 100 ± 0.25 g.
friction, and that is accurately calibrated to yield results
in tenths of millimetre shall be adopted. 5.2.3 Note the reading of the dial or bring the pointer
to zero. Release the needle and adjust the points, if
4.6 Thermometer — It shall conform to the following necessary to measure the distance penetrated. Make
requirements: at least three determinations at points on the surface
of the sample not less than 10 mm apart and not less
Characteristic Requirement than 10 mm from the side of the dish. After each test,
Range 0 to 44 °C return the sample and transfer dish to the water bath,
Least Count 0.1 °C and wash the needle clean with toluene and dry. In the
case of material of penetration greater than 225, three
4.7 Time Device — For hand-operated penetrometers, determinations on each of two identical test specimens
any convenient timing device, such as electric timer, using a separate needle for each determination shall be
stop watch, or any other spring actuated device may made, leaving the needle in the sample on completion
be used provided it is graduated 0.1 s or less and is of each determination to avoid disturbance of the
accurate to within ± 0.1 s for a 60 s interval. An audible specimen.
seconds counter adjusted to provide 1 beat each 0.5 s
may also be used. The time for a l l-count interval shall 5.2.4 For determining the penetration ratio, testing
be 5 ± 0.1 s. Any automatic timing device attached to a shall also be carried out a 4.0° ± 0.1 °C.
penetrometer shall be accurately calibrated to provide
NOTE — For test at 4 °C, the total weight on the penetration
the desired test interval within ± 0.1 s. needle shall be 200 ± 0.25 g and the time of penetration shall
be 60 s.
5 PROCEDURE 6 REPORT
5.1 Preparation of Test Sample 6.1 Express the depth of penetration of the needle in
5.1.1 Soften the material to a pouring consistency at a tenths of millimetre.
temperature not more than 60 °C for tars and pitches and 6.2 The value of penetration reported shall be the mean
not more than 90 °C for bitumen above the respective of not less than three determinations whose values do
approximate softening point and stir it thoroughly not differ by more than the amount given below:
until it is homogeneous and is free from air bubbles
and water. Pour the melt into the container to a depth Penetration Maximum Difference
at least 10 mm in excess of the expected penetration. 0 to 49 2
Protect the sample from dust and allow it to cool in an
atmosphere at a temperature between 15 to 30 °C for 1 50 to 149 4
to 2 h for 45 mm deep container and 1 to l h when the 150 to 249 6
container of 35 mm depth is used. Then place it along
250 and above 8
with the transfer dish in the water bath at 25.0 ± 0.1 °C
and allow it to remain for 1 to 2h and 1 to 1 h for 45 mm 6.3 Determine the penetration ratio as under:
and 35 mm deep container respectively.
pen. at 4 C. 200 ɡ . 60 s
Penetration ratio =  100
5.2 Testing pen. at 25 C. 100 ɡ . 60 s
5.2.1 Unless otherwise specified, testing shall be carried
7 PRECISION
out at 25.0 ± 0.1 °C.
5.2.2 Fill the transfer dish with water from the water 7.1 The duplicate results should not differ by more than
bath to a depth sufficient to cover the container the following:
completely; place the sample in it and put it upon the Penetration Repeatability Reproducibility
stand of the penetration apparatus. Adjust the needle
(previously washed clean with toluene, carefully dried, Below 50 1 Unit 4 Units
and loaded with the specified weight) to make contact Above 50 3 percent of 8 percent of their
with the surface of the sample. their mean mean

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IS 1203 : 2022

8 PRECAUTIONS 8.2 To avoid overheating at the bottom of the container,

use of an air oven or sand bath is recommended.
8.1 If the sample contains extraneous matter, it should
be sieved through IS Sieve 30 (see IS 460). 8.3 While the needle is penetrating into the sample,
if there is any movement of the container, that
determination shall be discarded.

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IS 1203 : 2022

ANNEX A
( Foreword )

COMMITTEE COMPOSITION
Bitumen,Tar and Related Products Sectional Committee, PCD 06

Organization Representative(s)

CSIR-Central Road Research Institute, New Delhi Prof Satish Chandra (Chairman)
Airports Authority of India, New Delhi Shri Suprio Gosh
Shri Vinod Kumar Sharma (Alternate)
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, R & D Ms Sonal Maheshwari
Centre,Noida
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, Mumbai Shri C. Shanmuganathan
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, Kochi Shri Adalazhagan K.
Refinery
Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani Shri Sridhar Raju
CSIR-Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee Ms Rajani Lakhani
CSIR-Central Road Research Institute, New Delhi Dr Ambica Behl
CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology, Dr Shashi D. Baruah
Jorhat Dr B. P. Baruah (Alternate)
Central Public Works Department, New Delhi Shri Divakar Agrawal
Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited, Chennai Shri H. Ramakrishnan
Dr V. Selvavathi (Alternate)
Dilip Buildcon Limited, Bhopal Shri B. B. Kameswara Rao
Shri Anush K. C. (Alternate)
Directorate General Border Roads, New Delhi Shri Umakant Kumar
Shri Ashok Kumar (Alternate)
Directorate General of Quality Assurance, Ministry of Shri Vivekanand
Defence, New Delhi Shri Anil Kumbhare (Alternate I)
Shri Sachin Vinayak Zope (Alternate II)
Engineer in Chief Branch, New Delhi Shri O. P. Srivatava
Shri R. Jayaprasad (Alternate)
G R Infra-Projects Limited, Gurugram Shri U. C. Gupta
GP Global Asphalt Private Limited, New Delhi Shri Rajesh Kumar Jain
Highways Research Station, Chennai Shri T. S. Sundar
Shri R. Geetha (Alternate)
Hindalco Industries Limited, Mumbai Shri Harshad Kumar Pandit
Hindustan Colas Private Limited, Mumbai Shri K. G. Ranganatha
Shri T. K. Subhaash (Alternate)
Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited Shri B. Ravi
(HP Green R & D Center), Bengaluru Shri K. R. Krishna (Alternate )
Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, Mumbai Shri Santosh Dhaku Bhogale
Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dehradun Shri Manoj Srivastava
Dr Kamal Kumar (Alternate)
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai Dr Dharamveer Singh
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi Dr Aravind Swamy

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IS 1203 : 2022

Organization Representative(s)

Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai Dr J. Murali Krishnan

Dr A. Veeraraghavan (Alternate)
Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee Shri Sham Sundar Ravindranath
Indian Oil Corporation (R & D Centre), Faridabad Shri Dhanesh Kumar
Dr I. Devotta (Alternate)
Indian Oil Corporation Limited-Refineries and Shri S. B. Lahkar
Pipelines Division, New Delhi Shri K. Medhi (Alternate I)
Ms K. Geethashree (Alternate II)
Indian Oil Corporation Limited, New Delhi Shri N. S. Raman
Indian Road Congress, New Delhi Shri S. K. Nirmal
Shri R. V. Patil (Alternate)
Indian Oil Total Private Limited, Mumbai Shri Gaurav Gogne
Dr Pankaj Kumar Jain (Alternate)
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Shri Varun Aggarwal
New Delhi Shri Sanjeev Kumar (Alternate)
National Rural Roads Development Agency, Shri B. C. Pradhan
New Delhi
National Test House, Kolkata Shri Vinay kumar
Nayara Energy Limited, Mumbai Shri Dhiraj Gondalia
Shri Mriganka Tarafdar (Alternate)
Om Infracon Private Limited, Guwahati Shri A. N. Das
Shri Manish Bajaj (Alternate I)
Shri Digambar Deka (Alternate II)
Ooms Polymer Modified Bitumen Private Limited, Shri B. R. Tyagi
Gurugram Shri Palash Kathal (Alternate)
Shell Bitumen India Private Limited, Gurugram Shri Nilanjan Sarker
Zydex Industries Limited Shri Vishal Saluja
Shri Himanshu Agarwal (Alternate I)
Shri Ajay Ranka (Alternate II)
In Personal Capacity Dr P. S. Kandhal
BIS Directorate General Shrimati Nagamani T., Scientist ‘E’ and Head (PCD)
[ Representing Director General ( Ex-officio ) ]

Member Secretary
Shrimati D. Uma
Scientist ‘D’ (PCD), BIS

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(Continued from second cover)

The definition of the term penetration has been removed from the standard and definition of the term as given in
the IS 334 shall apply.
Due to the toxic nature of benzene, the usage of benzene as solvent for cleaning the needle has been replaced with
toluene.
The Composition of the Committee responsible for formulation of this standard is given at Annex A.
In reporting the results of a test or analysis made in accordance with this standard, if the final value, observed or
calculated, is to be rounded off, it shall be done in accordance with IS 2 : 2022 ‘Rules for rounding off numerical
values ( second revision )’.
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This Indian Standard has been developed from Doc No.: PCD 06 (16150).

Amendments Issued Since Publication

Amend No. Date of Issue Text Affected

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