Automatic Equipment For The Determination Of The Softening Point Of The Ball And Ring Bitumen Method

The apparatus, in acc. with ASTM D 36 - IP 58 - ISO 4625 is a benchtop model which houses the components and a Panel PC with touch screen. A software running under Microsoft Windows embedded permits to select the test method and the test parameters, run the test automatically, store, retrieve and print data, diagnose and calibrate the instrument offering in the meanwhile all the features of Windows systems such as LAN connectivity. Besides, a unique cooling system, not fitted on other instruments permits to quickly cool down the sample allowing to handle the glassware and to perform a greater number of tests during a day by reducing the dead times between two analysis. The apparatus is suitable also to test coating mixtures and other materials different from bitumen. The softening point is the temperature at which a disk of the sample held within a horizontal ring is forced downward a distance of 25.4 mm under the mass of a steel ball as the sample is heated at a prescribed rate in a water or glycerine bath.