Ring and Ball Apparatus

EN 1427 | ASTM D36 | AASHTO T53
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.

81-PV0144: Automatic ring and ball apparatus
230V, 50-60Hz, 1ph

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 real time 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.

Safety features:
  • Integrated cooling fan
  • Removable front protection cover
  • Temperature warning icon
  • Included PT100 probe holder and drip tray for specimen holder
Standard ring and ball apparatus is used for determining the softening point of bituminous materials.

81-B0145/A: Ring and ball apparatus, including ring holder/assembly, two brass rings, two brass ball centering guides, two steel balls, pouring plate, Glass vessel and glass thermometer.

  • 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-D1200/1 Glass thermometer, -2 +80°C, 0.2°C graduation, ASTM 15C
All the above items can be purchased individually.
 
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.