Standard Procedure For Determination of Softening Point of Bitumen

1. Rings 2. pouring Plate 3.Bath

4. Balls 5.Centering Guide 6. Ring and ball Holder

7.Thermometer

For Taking sample for this test is simply follow the instruction described in Sampling Page.

Be sure to start the test just after complete preparation of all equipments and sample
Do not heat the sample for more than 2 hours
If the test rejected sampling rejected and or repeating the test required ,Do not use the Heated sample again.

Put the sample in oven to get heated ,get (prepare) fresh and if possible distilled water for test, Which has the temperature of 30-80 C ,But the starting point for test is 5°±1 C.
Pour the heated sample into rings and let them to be cool in normal air temperature. after cooling period cut (clean) the extra sample from the top of the rings by using a heated spatula or ant other sharp device , be care full to do not dig the entire filled sample from the ring.
fill up the glass from water ,be sure that the depth of the water in bath must be at least 105 mm (including the placed instrument into water during the filling up the bath).
Put the bath into water or add ice into water if necessary ,put the ring in ring holder and put the balls on top of the rings. install the thermometer .
let the bath temperature get down to desired temperature( 5°±1°),after reaching the goal temperature, start the heating from the bottom of the bath ,whit rate of 5°c /minute, Do not average the rate, be sure that the Total change in rate be less than 0.5°C, other wise the test will be reject.
Record the time of completely fall down of ball and reach to the surface of the holder for each ball.
It is important to know that the result of the test using fresh water and using water and glycerin solution is deferent ,but the most useful method here is using the water and ignore other possibility for this test.