Yarmouk University

Al-Hijjawi Faculty for Engineering Technology

Civil Engineering Department
Highway Laboratory
CE444
Experiment Title: Softening Point of asphalt binder

Date: 10-11-2022

Student Name: Leen Faisal Ananbeh

Student Number: 2018988103

Instructor’s Name: Dr. Madhar M. Taamneh.

Submission by: Eng. Ahmed Al-Dmour.

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Content Page Number

Abstract 3

Introduction 4
Methods and Materials 5
objective 5

Procedure 6

Results and Discussion 7

Conclusions 8

References 9

Appendices 9

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Abstract:

The softening point is defined as the temperature at which a bitumen sample can
no longer support the weight of a 3.5-g steel ball.
The test results are used to determine the consistency of bitumen and bituminous
binders at elevated service temperatures under defined conditions of heating. The
test is usually applied to bituminous binders with softening points ring and ball
between 28 °C and 150 °C. Softening Point Ring and Ball is the second oldest test
method applied to bitumen, after needle penetration. It is the temperature at which
a bitumen sample in a ring has had a deformation of 25 ± 0,4 mm by a ball while
heated.
Softening Point Ring and Ball: Temperature at which bitumen and bituminous
binders attains a specific consistency under standardized test conditions. Softening
Point Ring and Ball is the arithmetic mean of the results of two samples tested in
parallel.

Introduction:
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 softening point is the temperature at which a material softens beyond some
arbitrary softness which the ring and ball test is used to determine the
softening point of bitumen (in this experiment), asphalt and coal tar. The
softening point is useful in the classification of bitumen. The ring and ball
softening point test involve heating two small samples of the bitumen in a
container of water. The ring is immersed to a depth such that its bottom is
exactly 25 mm above the bottom of the bath. The temperature of the bath is
then gradually increased, causing the bitumen to soften and permitting the
ball to sink eventually to the bottom of the bath. A metal ball is placed on
top of each ring sample. The temperature at which each ball touches a bar
near the bottom is called the “softening point”. A high softening point is
preferable to a low one. In addition, if the two balls drop at temperatures
more than 1 degrees apart, the test is invalidated and must be repeated. The
ring and ball test is important for testing the bitumen material for road or
highway project. Being very simple in concept and equipment the ring and
bell has remained a valuable consistency test for control in refining
operations particularly in the production of air blown bitumen. It is also an
indirect measure of viscosity is evident. The softening point value has
particular significance for materials which are to be used as thick films such
as joint and crack filters and roofing material. A high softening point ensures
that they will not flow in services. For bitumen of a given penetration
determined at 25⁰C. The higher the softening point the lower the
temperature sensitivity.

Methods and Materials:

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 1. Asphalt cement.
2. Distilled water.
3. Steel balls-two numbers each of 9.5 mm diameter weighing 3.5 ± 0.05
g.
4. Brass rings-two numbers each having depth of 6.4 mm. The inside
diameter at bottom and top is 15.9mm and 17.5 mm respectively.
5. Ball guides to guide the movement of steel balls centrally.
6. Support -that can hold rings in position and also allows for suspension
of a thermometer. The distance between the bottom of the rings and
the top surface of the bottom plate of the support is 25mm.
7. Thermometer that can read up to 100° C with an accuracy of 0.2° C.

8. Bath–heat resistant glass beaker not less than 85 mm in diameter

&1220mm deep.

9. Stirrer.

Objective :
To determine the softening point of asphaltic bitumen, and
blown type bitumen in the laboratory.

Procedure:

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1. Heat the material to a temperature between 75-100° C above its
softening point; until, it is completely fluid and free from air bubbles
and water.
2. Place the rings previously heated to a temperature approximating to
that of the molten material, on a metal plate which has been coated
with a mixture of equal parts of glycerin and dextrin.
3. After cooling for 30 minutes in air, level the material in the ring by
removing the excess material with a warmed, sharp knife.
4. Assemble the apparatus with the rings; thermometer and ball guides in
position
5. Fill the bath with distilled water to a height of 50mm above the upper
surface of the rings. The starting temperature should be 5° C.
6. Apply heat to the bath and stir the liquid so that the
temperature rises at a uniform rate of 5 ± 0.5 °C per
minute.
7. As the temperature increases the bituminous material softens and the
balls sink through the rings carrying a portion of the material with it.
8. Note the temperature when any of the steel balls with bituminous
coating touches the bottom plate.
9. Record the temperature when the second ball touches the bottom
plate. The average of the two readings to the nearest 0.5°C is reported
as softening point.

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Results and Discussion:

Ball. Right Ball Left Ball

Temperature(°C) 49.8°C 50.6 °C

Difference 0.9 °C

Average 50.2 °C

Discussion:
The softening point is another important test of bitumen and is
effecting by change of temperature. The determination of softening
point helps to know the temperature up to which a bituminous binder
should be heated for various road use applications.
Bituminous materials do not have a definite melting point. Instead, as
the temperature raises these materials slowly changes from brittle or
very and slow flowing materials to softer and less viscous liquids.
Higher softening point ensures that they will not flow
during service. The higher the softening point, the lesser the
temperature susceptibility. Bitumen with higher softening point is
preferred in warmer places. Based on the results that we obtained
from the experiment, the temperature of bitumen to become soft for
right ball is 49.8°C while for the left ball, the temperature is 50.6°C.
The temperature we recorded is almost reach to the theoretical
standard. Compare to ball 1 and 2 for both sample, we can see that the
ball passes the bitumen at different temperature which is 49.8°C and
50.6°C respectively. Since the difference between the two results is
not exceeding 1.0°C,the test has been performed successfully.
The test gives an idea of the temperature at which the bituminous
materials attain a certain viscosity. Higher softening point indicates
higher resistance to milting on roads which means higher resistance of

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 rutting, Bitumen with higher softening point may be preferred in
warmer places.
Conclusions:
In conclusion, the final temperature of the softening point that obtained was
50.2°C which were taken from the mean of both samples A and B. The value
of this experiment was calculated thorough the lab process and the value was
in accordance with the standard, (from 48°C to 52°C). From what can be
observed, this experiment can be classified as fully achieved. To ensure
improvement during the lab process, some methods need to be taken
seriously in order to prevent any errors or difficulties in doing the
experiment. Firstly, the ball ring needed to be adjusted properly so that the
ball would go pass freely into the ring easily without any interruptions due
to friction. In addition, the temperature plays the role due to the condition of
the bitumen which is sensitive to the temperature surroundings.

Softening point has particular significance for materials to be used as joint

and crack fillers. Higher softening point ensures that they will not flow
during service. Higher the softening point, lesser the temperature
susceptibility. Bitumen with higher softening point is preferred in warmer
places.
We Use glycerin in place of water if the softening point is expected to be
above 80° C; the starting temperature may be kept 35° C.

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References:

1. ASTM D36 / D36M - 14(2020) - Standard Test Method for Softening

Point of Bitumen (Ring-and-Ball Apparatus)
2. https://theconstructor.org/practical-guide/ring-ball-softening-point-
bitumen-asphalt-tar/2571/
3. Laboratory slides.

Appendices:

SP ¿ 49.8+50.6
SP Avg= SP¿ + ¿= = 50.2 °C.
2 2

Where:
SP: Softening Point Temperature.