Chapter 10 Standard Test Procedures

Tests For Bitumen & Bituminous Materials

10.8 Float Test of Bitumen

10.8.1 Scope

This test is used to determine the floating time of bituminous materials.

10.8.2 Apparatus

a) Float - The float (Figure 10.8.1 is made of aluminium or aluminium alloy in

accordance with the following requirements :

Min. Normal Max.

Weight of float, g ................................. 37.70 37.90 38.10
Total height of float, mm ..................... 34.00 35.0 36.0
Height of rim above lower side of
shoulder mm ........................................ 26.5 27.0 27.5
Thickness of shoulder, mm ................. 1.3 1.4 1.5
Diameter of opening, mm ..................... 11.0 11.1 11.2

b) Collar - The collar (Figure 10.8.1) is made of brass in accordance with the
following requirements :

Min. Normal Max.

Weight of collar, g ................................ 9.60 9.80 10.00
Over all height of collar, mm ................ 22.3 22.5 22.7
Inside diameter at bottom, mm ............. 12.72 12.82 12.92
Inside diameter at top, mm ............. 9.65 9.70 9.75

The top of the collar shall screw up tightly against the lower side of the shoulder.

c) Calibration of Assembly - The assembled float and collar, with the collar filled flush
with the bottom and weighted to a total weight of 53.2 g, shall float upon water with
the rim 8.5 ± 1.5 mm above the surface of the water. This adjustment of the total
weight of the assembly is for the purpose only of calibrating the depth of
immersion in the testing bath. Dimension of the apparatus additional to those
required above are given in Figure 10.8.1.
d) Thermometer - Having a rang of - 2 to + 80 0C or + 30 to + 180 0F.
e) Water Bath - 185 or more millimetres in its smallest lateral dimension and
containing water 185 or more millimetres in depth. The height of the container
above the water shall be 100 or more millimetres. The bath may be heated by
either a gas or electric heater. A stand or other suitable support shall be
available to hold the thermometer in the proper position in the bath during the
test.
f) Water bath at 5 0C - A water bath of suitable dimensions maintained at 5.0 ± 1.0
0
C, which may be accomplished by means of melting ice.
g) Heater - An oven or hot plate, heated by electricity or gas, for melting samples for
testing.
h) Trimmer - A spatula or steel knife of convenient size.
i) Plate - The plate shall be made of non-absorbent material of convenient size and
of sufficient thickness to prevent deformation. The plate shall be flat so that the
bottom surface of the collar touches it throughout.
j) Timer - A stop watch or other timer graduated in divisions of 1 s or less.

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Chapter 10 Standard Test Procedures
Tests For Bitumen & Bituminous Materials

Methods of sampling and testing

d. m
Ra .6 m
53
92.0± 2.0 mm

27.0±0.5 mm
Thermometer

Hot Float Tapered

11.1± 0.1 mm

35.0±1.0
Bath Tester to make

mm
Weight

m 1.4± 0.1 mm
m
95 ad.
R 12.0±0.5 mm
Float
(Aluminum)
9.70
1.40±0.10 mm ± 0.05
mm

22.5± 0.2 mm
Tapered

3 mm
to make
Weight
Tripod Standard
Support 1.40 ±0.10 12.12
Bunsen mm ±0.10
Burner mm
Collar
(Brass)

Weight of Float, 37.90±0.20 g

Weight of Collar, 9.80±0.20 g

Assembly

Figure 10.8.1 Float Test Apparatus

10.8.3 Procedure

a) The brass collar is placed with the smaller end down on the plate which has been
previously coated with a suitable release agent (Note 1).

Note 1. Mixtures of glycerine and dextrine or talc (3 grams glycerine to about 5

grams dextrine or talc has been used satisfactorily), Dow-Corning
Silicone Stop-Cock Grease, or castor oil-Versamid 900 [100:1 mixture
by weight heated to 204 to 232 0C (400 to 450 0F) and stirred until
homogeneous] have proven suitable. Other release agents may be
used provided results obtained are comparable to those obtained when
using one of the above .

b) The sample shall be completely melted at the lowest possible temperature that
will bring it to a sufficiently fluid condition for easy pouring, excepting creosote-oil

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Chapter 10 Standard Test Procedures
Tests For Bitumen & Bituminous Materials

residues, which shall be mixed and poured at a temperature of 100 to 125 0C. Stir
the sample thoroughly until it is homogeneous and free from air bubbles then
pour it into the collar in any convenient manner until slightly more than level with
the top.
c) Asphalt and Asphalt Products - Asphalt and asphalt products are cooled to room
temperature for 15 to 60 min. then place them for 5 min in the water bath at 5 0C,
after which trim the surplus material flush with the top of the collar by means of a
spatula or steel knife that has been slightly heated. Then the collar and plate are
placed in the water bath at 5 0C and leave them in this bath for not less than 15
nor more than 30 min.
d) The water is heated in the testing bath to the temperature at which the test is to
be made. This temperature shall be accurately maintained without stirring, and
shall at no time throughout the test be allowed to very more than 0.5 0C from the
temperature specified. The temperature shall be determined by immersing the
thermometer with the bottom of the bulb at a depth of 40 ± 2 mm below the water
surface.
e) After the material to be tested has been kept in the water bath at 5 0C for not
less than 15 nor more than 30 min remove the collar with its contents from the
plate and screw into the aluminum float. The assembly is completely immersed for
1 min in the water bath at 5 0C. Then the water is removed inside of the float and
immediately float the assembly on the testing bath. Lateral drift of the assembly
shall be permitted, but no spinning motion shall be intentionally imparted thereto.
As the plug of material becomes warm and fluid, it is forced upward and out of the
collar until the water gains entrance into the saucer and causes it to sink.
f) The time, in seconds, between placing the apparatus in the water and the water
breaking through the material shall be determined by means of a stop watch or
other timer, and shall be taken as a measure of the consistency of the material
under examination.

10.8.4 Precautions

Special precautions should be taken to insure that the collar fits tightly into the float
and to see that there is no seepage of water between the collar and float during the
test.

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