ASTM D 5: Bituminous Materials Penetration Test

Standard Test Method for Penetration of Bituminous Materials

• This standard is designated as D 5 and has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
• The standard covers the determination of the penetration of semi-solid and solid bituminous materials.

Scope

• The test method determines the penetration of bituminous materials up to 500.
• The values stated in SI units are considered standard.

Referenced Documents

• ASTM Standards: C 670, D 36, E 1, and E 77
• ANSI Standard: B46.1 Surface Texture
• ISO Standard: ISO 468 Surface Roughness—Parameters, Their Values and General Rules for Specifying Requirements

Terminology

• Penetration is defined as the consistency of a bituminous material expressed as the distance in tenths of a millimeter that a standard needle vertically penetrates a sample of the material under known conditions of loading, time, and temperature.

Test Method

• The sample is melted and cooled under controlled conditions.
• The penetration is measured with a penetrometer by means of which a standard needle is applied to the sample under specific conditions.

Significance and Use

• The penetration test is used as a measure of consistency.
• Higher values of penetration indicate softer consistency.

Apparatus

• The penetration apparatus must permit the needle holder (spindle) to move vertically without measurable friction and be capable of indicating the depth of penetration to the nearest 0.1 mm.
• The weight of the spindle must be 47.5 ± 0.05 g, and the total weight of the needle and spindle assembly must be 50.0 ± 0.05 g.
• The surface on which the sample container rests must be flat, and the axis of the plunger must be at approximately 90° to this surface.
• The spindle must be easily detached for checking its weight.
• The penetration needle must be made from fully hardened and tempered stainless steel, Grade 440-C or equal.