Test on Bitumen

Tests on bi tumen

There are a number of tests to assess the properties of bituminous materials. The following tests are
usually conducted to evaluate different properties of bituminous materials.

1. Penetration test

2. Ductility test

3. Softening point test

4. Specific gravity test

5. Viscosity test

6. Flash and Fire point test

7. Float test

8. Water cont ent test

9. Loss on heating t est

1. Penetration test

It measures the hardness or softness of bitumen by measuring the depth in tenths of a millimeter to which a
standard loaded needle will penetrate vertically in 5 seconds. BIS had standardized the equipment and test
procedure. The penetrometer consists of a needle assembly with a total weight of 100g and a device for releasing
and locking in any position. The bitumen is softened to a pouring consistency, stirred thoroughly and poured
into containers at a depth at least 15 mm in excess of the expected penetration. The test should be conducted at
a specified temperature of 25
o
C. It may be noted that penetration value is largely influenced by any inaccuracy
with regards to pouring temperature, size of the needle, weight placed on the needle and the test temperature.
A grade of 40/50 bitumen means the penetration value is in the range 40 to 50 at standard test conditions. In
hot climates, a lower penetration grade is preferred. The Figure 23:1 shows a schematic Penetration Test setup.



Penetration









Penetration Test Setup








2. Ductility test

Ductility is the property of bitumen that permits it to undergo great deformation or elongation. Ductility is
defined as the distance in cm, to which a standard sample or briquette of the material will be elongated without
breaking. Dimension of the briquette thus formed is exactly 1 cm square. The bitumen sample is heated and
poured in the mould assembly placed on a plate. These samples with moulds are cooled in the air and then in
water bath at 27
o
C temperature. The excess bitumen is cut and the surface is leveled using a hot knife. Then
the mould with assembly containing sample is kept in water bath of the ductility machine for about 90 minutes.
The sides of the moulds are removed, the clips are hooked on the machine and the machine is operated. The
distance up to the point of breaking of thread is the ductility value which is reported in cm. The ductility value
gets affected by factors such as pouring temperature, test temperature, rate of pulling etc. A minimum ductility
value of 75 cm has been specified by the BIS. Figure 23:2 shows ductility moulds to be filled with bitumen.

3. Softening point test

Softening point denotes the temperature at which the bitumen attains a particular degree of softening under
the specifications of test. The test is conducted by using Ring and Ball apparatus. A brass ring containing test
sample of bitumen is suspended in liquid like water or glycerin at a given temperature. A steel ball is placed
upon the bitumen sample and the liquid medium is heated at a rate of 5
o
C per minute. Temperature is noted
when the softened bitumen touches the metal plate which is at a specified distance below. Generally, higher
softening point indicates lower temperature susceptibility and is preferred in hot climates. Figure 23:3 shows
Softening Point test setup.




Ductility

Starting Point




End Point




Ductility Moulds

Thermometer


Softening
Point



Bitumen


Strarting Point
End Point

Softening Point Test Setup

4. Specific gravity test

In paving jobs, to classify a binder, density property is of great use. In most cases bitumen is weighed, but
when used with aggregates, the bitumen is converted to volume using density values. The density of bitumen is
greatly influenced by its chemical composition. Increase in aromatic type mineral impurities cause an increase
in specific gravity.


The specific gravity of bitumen is defined as the ratio of mass of given volume of bitumen of known content
to the mass of equal volume of water at 27
o
C. The specific gravity can be measured using either pycnometer or
preparing a cube specimen of bitumen in semi solid or solid state. The specific gravity of bitumen varies from
0.97 to 1.02.


5. Viscosity test

Viscosity denotes the fluid property of bituminous material and it is a measure of resistance to flow. At the
application temperature, this characteristic greatly influences the strength of resulting paving mixes. Low or
high viscosity during compaction or mixing has been observed to result in lower stability values. At high
viscosity, it resist the compactive effort and thereby resulting mix is heterogeneous, hence low stability values.
And at low viscosity instead of providing a uniform film over aggregates, it will lubricate the aggregate particles.
Orifice type viscometers are used to indirectly find the viscosity of liquid binders like cutbacks and emulsions.
The viscosity expressed in seconds is the time taken by the 50 ml bitumen material to pass through the orifice
of a cup, under standard test conditions and specified temperature. Viscosity of a cutback can be measured
with either 4.0 mm orifice at 25
o
C or 10 mm orifice at 25 or 40
o
C.

Bitumen Sample










50 cc Flask





Viscosity apparatus

6. Flash and fire point test

At high temperatures depending upon the grades of bitumen materials leave out volatiles. And these volatiles
catches fire which is very hazardous and therefore it is essential to qualify this temperature for each bitumen
grade. BIS defined the flash point as the temperature at which the vapour of bitumen momentarily catches fire
in the form of flash under specified test conditions. The fire point is defined as the lowest temperature under
specified test conditions at which the bituminous material gets ignited and burns.

7. Float test

Normally the consistency of bituminous material can be measured either by penetration test or viscosity test.
But for certain range of consistencies, these tests are not applicable and Float test is used. The apparatus
consists of an aluminum float and a brass collar filled with bitumen to be tested. The specimen in the mould
is cooled to a temperature of 5
o
C and screwed in to float. The total test assembly is floated in the water bath
at 50
o
C and the time required for water to pass its way through the specimen plug is noted in seconds and is
expressed as the float value.

8. Water content test

It is desirable that the bitumen contains minimum water content to prevent foaming of the bitumen when it
is heated above the boiling point of water. The water in a bitumen is determined by mixing known weight
of specimen in a pure petroleum distillate free from water, heating and distilling of the water. The weight of


the water condensed and collected is expressed as percentage by weight of the original sample. The allowable
maximum water content should not be more than 0.2% by weight.

9. Loss on heating test

When the bitumen is heated it loses the volatility and gets hardened. About 50gm of the sample is weighed and
heated to a temperature of 163
0
C for 5hours in a specified oven designed for this test. The sample specimen is
weighed again after the heating period and loss in weight is expressed as percentage by weight of the original
sample. Bitumen used in pavement mixes should not indicate more than 1% loss in weight, but for bitumen
having penetration values 150-200 up to 2% loss in weight is allowed.

Type of test Test Method
Penetration Test IS: 1203-1978
Ductility test IS: 1208-1978
Softening Point test IS: 1205-1978
Specific gravity test IS: 1202-1978
Viscosity test IS: 1206-1978
Flash and Fire Point test IS: 1209-1978
Float Test IS: 1210-1978
Determination of water content IS: 1211-1978
Determination of Loss on heating
IS:1212-1978

Tests for Bitumen with IS codes