Compliance Standard : ASTM D36 – Softening Point of Bitumen (Ring & Ball Apparatus), IS 1205 – Methods for testing tar and bituminous materials, IP 58, ISO 4625, DIN 52011.
Application : The Softening Point Apparatus is used to determine the softening point temperature of bitumen, asphalt, pitch, coal tar, and related materials using the Ring and Ball method. Bitumen & asphalt testing laboratories, Petroleum refineries, Road construction quality control labs, Research & educational institutes.
Product Description : The apparatus consists of a brass ring, steel balls, ball centering guides, glass beaker, ring holder assembly, and a controlled heating bath arrangement mounted on a sturdy stand. The sample is placed in brass rings and heated in a liquid bath at a controlled rate. As the temperature rises, the bitumen softens and allows the steel ball to fall a specified distance. The temperature at that point is recorded as the softening point.
The unit is supplied with the following :
- Electric heater with magnetic stirrer for uniform heating.
Technical Specifications :
|
Feature |
Specification |
|
Standard |
ASTM D36 / IS 1205 |
|
Method |
Ring & Ball Method |
|
Temperature Range |
Ambient to 150°C |
| Temperature Resolution | 0.1°C |
|
Heating Rate |
5 ± 0.5 °C per minute |
|
Bath Medium |
Water (up to 80°C) / Glycerin (above 80°C) |
|
Rings |
Brass, precision machined (2 Nos.) |
|
Balls |
Hardened steel balls (9.5 mm dia, 3.5 g) |
|
Beaker |
Borosilicate glass, 600 ml |
|
Thermometer |
ASTM / IP calibrated thermometer |
|
Heating Source |
Electric heater with regulator / gas burner |
|
Stirring |
Manual or magnetic stirrer (model dependent) |
|
Frame |
Powder coated mild steel / stainless steel |
Apparatus Supplied:
- Ring & Ball apparatus frame with stand
- 2 Nos. Brass rings
- 2 Nos. Steel balls
- Ball centering guides
- Ring holder support
- Borosilicate glass beaker (600 ml)
- Vertical Heating arrangement mounted inside the beaker
- Instruction manual
Optional Accessories
- Digital temperature controller with probe
- Magnetic stirrer with speed control
- Additional brass rings & steel balls
- Glycerin bath medium
- Thermometer calibration certificate
- Spare glass beakers
- Automatic softening point apparatus (motorized / digital)
Dimensions & Weight (Approx.)
|
Parameter |
Value |
|
Overall Size |
250 × 200 × 450 mm |
|
Net Weight |
5 – 7 kg (depending on model) |