Softening Point

Automatic Ring and Ball Tester

The softening point falls in with the temperature at which the binder softens beyond a fixed limit (a deformation of 25mm under the weight of a steel ball). The apparatus to measure this property is the Ring and Ball apparatus, available both in manual and automatic configurations. It is able to control the temperature gradient of the test liquid (air or glycerol) and to detect the binder specimen deformation.

 

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Automatic Ring and Ball Tester

Used to automatically determine the softening point of asphalt binders.

Standards EN 1427 ASTM D36 AASHTO T53 JIS K 2207 IP 58

Automatic Ring and Ball Tester
Description

 

The Automatic Ring and Ball Tester allows fully automatic performance of softening point determination of binders conforming to most common international Standards.

Two binder specimens, cast in shouldered brass rings, are heated at a controlled temperature rate in a water or glycerol bath while each supports a steel ball. The softening point corresponds to the average temperature at which the two specimens soften enough to allow each ball, enveloped in binder, to fall 25mm, automatically detected by a calibrated light barrier.

Full Conformity
The Automatic Ring and Ball Tester fully complies with the temperature heating rate, displaying in real time the gradient and its deviation from the theoretical one. The tester saves the gradient and softening point results on the internal memory or onto a USB pen drive. You can export the temperature / time data in real-time to your PC or manage it with the optional PC software.

Improved Safety
The hotplate is fully sealed, so it cannot be damaged or affected by possible water or glycerol leakages, or if the beaker breaks. At the end of the test, the hotplate is automatically switched off and the integrated cooling fan enabled, improving the beaker cooling operations and reducing risks for the operator. The front transparent cover reduces the risks coming from accidental water or glycerol spilling from the beaker.

Standard Outfit
The apparatus is supplied complete with outfit for softening point of bituminous materials (two rings, two steel balls, two centering devices, support frame, 600ml beaker, PT100 probe, sample preparation plate and magnetic stirrer).

 

Main Features
  • Fully automatic softening point determination. The apparatus automatically applies the temperature gradient and detects the specimen position with light barriers, recording the softening point.  
  • 7’’ color touchscreen display, with multiple preset and custom testing procedures, allowing realtime display of the temperature / time graph on display or PC (with optional software).
  • Inbuilt cooling fan, automatically enabled at the end of the test, to reduce the beaker cooling time.
  • Removable transparent front cover, protecting the operator from accidental hot water or glycerol splashing or accidental contact with the hot beaker and plate.
  • PT100 probe holder and drip tray for specimen holder, complete with handle, improving beaker positioning operations.
  • Possibility to perform user-defined tests with maximum temperature up to 250°C.
Products

 

81-PV0144

Automatic ring and ball apparatus. 230V, 50-60Hz, 1ph

 
81-PV0144/Z

Automatic ring and ball apparatus. 110V, 60Hz, 1ph

 

Technical Specifications

Test places: 2

Temperature range: up to 250°C

Temperature probes:

  • PT100 probe, , range -30 +350°C, 0.1°C resolution, ±0.2 °C accuracy
  • K thermocouple for hotplate monitoring range from 0°C to +1000°C, 0.1° resolution


Stirrer speed: from 0 to 200 rpm

Safety features:

  • Integrated cooling fan
  • Removable front protection cover
  • Temperature warning icon
  • Included PT100 probe holder and drip tray for specimen holder


Electronic controller specifications:

  • 7” color capacitive touch screen graphical display, 16M color and 800 x 480 px resolution
  • Possibility to set up to 10 personalized test profiles
  • Possibility to program used custom tests with user defined end test conditions (up to 250°C) and temperature gradient up to 6°C/min
  • Display of temperature/time graph in real-time, and softening point temperature of the two specimens
  • Possibility the set the language among 14 pre-set languages


Connections and memory:

  • RS232 for PC connection (optional software)
  • USB for memory stick
  • Internal memory, storage up to thousands tests.


Power supply: 110 V or 230 V, 50 Hz/60 Hz, 1600W Dimensions: 295 mm x 465 mm x 430 mm (W x D x H)

Weight: approx. 13.7 kg

Accessories

 

81-PV0143/1

600 ml beaker for 81-B0143, PV0144 and B0145/A

 
81-PV0145/1
Brass ring (one piece)
 
81-PV0145/2
Steel ball
 
81-PV0145/3
Ball centering guide (single piece)
 
82-P0172/1
Serial cable for printer connection.
 
81-PV0144/2

Ring holder assembly for 81-PV0144 and 81-PV0144/Z

 

Standard Ring and Ball Apparatus

Used for determining the softening point of bituminous materials.

Standards EN 1427 ASTM D36 AASHTO T53

Electro-mechanically operated Asphalt Mixture Performance Tester AMPTQube
Description
Used for determining the softening point of bituminous materials. Comprising:
  • 81-PV0145/1 Brass rings (2 pieces included in set)
  • 81-PV0145/2 Steel balls 9.5 mm dia. (2 pieces included in set)
  • 81-PV0145/3 Ball centering guide (2 pieces included in set)
  • 81-PV0143/1 Glass vessel
  • 81-PV0145/5 Pouring plate
  • 81-PV0145/6 Ring holder/assembly
  • 82-D1200/1MF Glass thermometer, -2 +80°C, 0.2°C graduation, ASTM 15C, mercury-free

All the above items can be purchased individually.
Total weight: 1 kg approx.
 
The test has to be performed using the specific liquids and the suitable hot plate listed within the accessories. We propose three hot plate solutions:

  • 10-D1402/D Standard hot plate, 185 mm dia., 1500 W. More economical solution thus conforming to ASTM standards.
  • 81-B0145/C1 Hot plate with centering/protection device for 81-B0145 Ring and Ball apparatus. More professional solution.
  • 10-B0145/E Hot plate with magnetic stirrer, conforming either to ASTM or to EN 1427 Standards which require the water stirring for more temperature uniformity.

We also propose a fully automatic model. See \#automatic-ring-and-ball-apparatus\#. 

Products

 

81-B0145/A
Ring and ball apparatus to EN 1427 and ASTM D36
Accessories
81-B0145/C1
Hot plate only with cartering/protection device for 81-B145/C 230V/50-60Hz/1Ph.
 
81-B0145/C1Z
Hot plate only with cartering/protection device for 81-B145/C 110V/60Hz/1Ph.
 
81-PV0143/1

600 ml beaker for 81-B0143, PV0144 and B0145/A

 
81-PV0145/1
Brass ring (one piece)
 
81-PV0145/2
Steel ball
 
81-PV0145/3
Ball centering guide (single piece)
 
10-D1402/D

Hot plate, 185 mm dia. with thermostat. 1500 W. 230V/50-60Hz/1ph

 
82-D1200/1MF
Thermometer IP 60C ASTM 15C, range -2 to +80°C, mercury free with alternative liquid
 
82-D1200/2MF
Thermometer IP 61C ASTM 16C, range +30 to +200°C, mercury free with alternative liquid
 
10-B0145/E

Hot plate maximum temperature 280°C and magnetic stirrer, 100 to 1500 rpm. capacity 3 liters.     
200-240V. 50-60 Hz, 1 ph         

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