BITUMEN VISCOSITY TESTING EQUIPMENT AND

TEST PROCEDURES

By

Prof. Prithvi Singh Kandhal

Jaipur, India

PROCURING TEST EQUIPMENT

The following testing equipment is needed to measure absolute viscosity of viscosity

graded paving bitumen (IS:73:2006) at 60 C in accordance with IS:1206 (Part II)

(similar to ASTM D 2171), which uses a vacuum capillary viscometer. It should be

noted that any other viscometer such as rotational viscometer cannot be used to

measure the absolute viscosity at 60 C since the bitumen in nonNewtonian in nature at

this temperature.

While obtaining quotations specify the following requirements. Although Asphalt

Institute vacuum viscometer and Modified Koppers vacuum viscometer can also be

used, the following refers to Cannon-Manning vacuum viscometer only.

Complete Absolute Viscosity Testing Equipment conforming to IS:1206 (Part II)

Method for Testing Tar and Bitumen Materials: Determination of Absolute Viscosity

with the following components:

1. Constant Temperature Bath – A suitable bath for immersion of at least 6

vacuum capillary viscometer tubes with a digital temperature controller. The

accuracy of the temperature in the bath should be +/- 0.1 C throughout the

bath.

2. Silicone Bath Oil suitable up to 150 C

3. Vacuum System – Capable of maintaining a vacuum within +/- 0.05 cm of the

desired level up to and including 30 cm of mercury. The system shall consist

of vacuum pump, moisture trap, vacuum regulator, manometer with electronic

controller, bleed valve, all interconnecting tubing/piping, and any other

accessories as needed to complete the vacuum system.

4. Thermometer for Bath – Mercury in glass, range 37.8 to 82 C, and graduations

of 0.2 C.

5. Timing Device – A stop watch or stop clock capable of reading up to ½ second.

6. Cannon-Manning Vacuum Viscometers- With manufacturers’ calibration

certificate, viscometer holder and silicone cork. Size 12 and Size 13 (one each)

[Size 12 is suitable for testing VG-10 and Size 13 is suitable for testing VG-

20, VG-30, and VG-40 bitumen.]

7. Viscometer Stand – for holding 6 viscometers.

8. Installation of the quoted instrument in client’s laboratory and operational

training.

Note: Only the Cannon-Manning viscometer tubes need to be imported at this time,

the remaining equipment such as bath and vacuum system are available in India.

However, be aware of water bath and vacuum control systems manufactured in India,

many do not give the accuracy and consistency needed for the test (viscosity is very

sensitive to small variations in temperature and vacuum level). Try them out carefully

before buying them. If not satisfactory, these systems may have to be imported.

TEST PROCEDURE

Follow the procedure given in IS:1206 (Part II). Some outline is given below:

Preparation of Sample: Heat the bitumen sample to a temperature not more than 90

C above its approx. softening point until is has become sufficiently fluid (like motor

oil) to pour easily (Photo 1). Transfer about 20 ml into a suitable container (Photo 2)

and maintain at a temperature of 135 +/- 5.5 C stirring occasionally to allow

entrapped air to escape.

Pour the hot bitumen in the Canning-Manning vacuum viscometer through the larger

diameter filling tube A so that bitumen is within +/- 2 mm of the fill line E. Place the

charged viscometer in an oven or bath maintained at 135 +/- 5.5 C for a period of 10

+/- 2 minutes to allow larger air bubbles to escape.

Testing: Maintain the test bath temperature at 60 +/- 0.1 C. Place the charged

viscometer vertically in the test bath with the help of a holder so that that the

uppermost timing mark is at least 2 cm below the surface of the bath liquid (Photo 3).

Establish a vacuum of 30 +/- 0.05 cm of mercury in the vacuum system and connect

to the viscometer with the valve closed. After the viscometer has been in the bath for

30 +/- 5 min, open the valve and allow the bitumen to flow in the viscometer.

Measure the time required (to within +/- 0.5 sec) for the leading edge of the meniscus

to pass between successive pairs of timing marks (Photo 4 and 5). Report the first

flow time which exceeds 60 sec between a pair of timing marks, noting the

identification of the pair of the timing marks.

Calculation: Calculate (Photo 6) and report the absolute viscosity in poises to three

significant figures as follows:

Viscosity in poises = K t

Where: K = Calibration factor in poise per second supplied with the viscometer tube

for the pair of timing marks where the flow time exceeded 60 seconds.

t = flow time in seconds

Report: Report the test temperature and vacuum level with the viscosity test results

such as viscosity in poises @ 60 C and 300 mm mercury vacuum.

Note: Kinematic viscosity at 135 C also needs to be determined for the paving

bitumen as specified in IS:73:2006. At this temperature, bitumen flows readily so no

vacuum needs to be applied. Follow IS: 1206 (Part III) Methods for Testing Tar and

Bituminous Materials: Determination of Kinematic Viscosity, to select the proper

viscometer tube given in there. The same oil bath as used for absolute viscosity can be

used, just the viscometer tube will be different (Photo 7). As an alternate, one can also

use a rotational viscometer which will also give the same results because the bitumen

is Newtonian in nature at 135 C. The purchase and use of rotational viscometer is

encouraged because it can also be used for modified binders and also for Superpave

Performance Graded (PG) binders, which are expected to be adopted in the near

future. Again, rotational viscometer cannot be used to measure the absolute viscosity

at 60 C.

18 November 2013

PHOTOGRAPHS

(Courtesy: The Asphalt Institute)

PHOTO 1. Bitumen sample being heated in oven so that it can be poured

PHOTO 2. Bitumen being poured in small cans

PHOTO 3. Absolute viscosity testing equipment showing bath with viscometers

(left) and vacuum controller with manometer (right)

PHOTO 4. Flow time being measured with a stop watch

PHOTO 5. Close up of two Cannon-Manning vacuum viscometers; flow is taking

place in the left viscometer under vacuum

PHOTO 6. Sample calculation for absolute viscosity

PHOTO 7. Kinematic viscometer tubes in oil bath for measuring viscosity

at 135 C