Bitumen is a mixture of hydrocarbons with their metal-containing, sulfurous, oxygen, and nitrogenous derivatives, these are resinous, solid products that do not dissolve in water. They are capable of partially or completely dissolving in carbon disulfide, chloroform, benzene, and other organic solvents. The resinous products in question are used in construction, they must have certain properties. Therefore, Bitumen Testing Methods require a serious approach to the matter.
The Need for Bitumen Testing Methods:
This necessity is connected with the main properties of this material:
- The ability to thicken again when the temperature drops below twenty degrees or when the solvents evaporate. Thus, they again form a single material and also adhere to other materials introduced into them, coated or impregnated.
- The ability to transform into a viscous liquid state when exposed to temperatures above 80 degrees. This allows them to bond with building materials such as stone.
- Ability to impart water-repellent properties to other materials.
- When choosing liquid bitumen, you should pay attention to the fractional composition and viscosity.
- When choosing semi-solid or solid bitumen, pay attention to such properties as plasticity, brittleness, and softening temperature, as well as viscosity. Check the Bitumen Testing Equipment Price once.
The need for bitumen testing arises when it is necessary to check the properties of these materials. The information presented below will allow you to familiarize yourself with the key features of bitumen testing according to each characteristic, as well as with the laboratory equipment that is used.
Method of testing bitumen hardness
When testing for hardness understand the Types of Bitumen Testing. The depth of penetration of the penetrometer needle into the material itself is determined. Penetrometers with an automatic or manual needle, equipped with an additional weight in the form of a 100 g washer, can be used.
The vessel with the pre-treated sample must be placed on the column of the device, and the sharp end of the needle must be brought to the surface of the bitumen. Within five seconds, the needle enters the composition, and then the device readings are noted according to the instructions. Measurements must be repeated at least three times.
Bitumen softening point tests
In this case, the laboratory technique for bitumen testing methods “Ring and Ball” is used. The sample of the material is melted, then dehydrated, and filtered using a metal mesh. Then the material must be mixed until the oxygen bubbles completely disappear.
Two rings are filled with the resulting liquid, and they must be installed on a piece of smooth glass in a horizontal position. The surface of the glass is covered with a layer of a mixture of glycerin and talc.
The bitumen should rise above the rings by a maximum of two millimeters. The next step is to cool the rings and cut off the excess alloy with a hot knife at the level of the edges of the rings. After preparation, the rings are inserted into the device and further actions are carried out. The softening temperature corresponds to the temperature at which the bitumen ball will eventually fall to the bottom shelf.
Bitumen tensile testing
The procedure of Bitumen Testing Features in question is carried out using a ductilometer. The material is first dehydrated and melted to a mobile state.
Then the bitumen must be filtered using a metal sieve and poured into three forms, which after cooling are placed in the bath of the device. After an hour, the objects must be removed and fixed on the ceilometer. The side parts of the forms are removed. The device itself is filled with water, and the motor is turned on.
The speed of stretching the bitumen is 5 cm/min and to measure the stretchability itself, it is necessary to measure the length of the bitumen thread in centimeters. The measurements are repeated at least three times, and the arithmetic mean is determined.
Flashpoint tests of bitumen
A special laboratory bitumen testing methods with a sand bath and an internal and external crucible is used. Bitumen is poured into the internal crucible, a thermometer is installed. The external crucible is heated, and then the heating rate is reduced.
The flame of the ignition device is passed along the edge of the crucible. The temperature shown by the thermometer when a blue flame appears is the flash point.
You can purchase all the Bitumen Testing Equipment necessary for bitumen testing from the HEICO company, which sells only high-quality certified devices. At each stage of their production, strict quality control is carried out, so you can be sure of the safety and impeccable quality of the devices.
Also read: Bitumen Testing Equipment Price: Best Tips for Buyers
