PENETRATION (ASPHALT CEMENT)

Significance:
- determines the consistency/hardness of solid or semi-solid asphalt
- measures the depth in tenths of a millimeter to which a standard needle with a 100-
gram load will penetrate into a sample held at 25 °C after 5 seconds.

Apparatus:
1. Penetrometer with needle
2. Water bath
3. Thermometer
4. Heating device
5. Timer
6. Sample container

Procedures:
1. Heat the sample with care to prevent overheating. With constant stirring, raise the
temperature of the sample to not more than 100ºC above its expected softening point until it
is sufficiently fluid to pour.
2. Pour the heated asphalt in the sample container to ¾ full. Cover each container and its
contents as protection against dust.
3. Allow to cool at room temperature for not less than 1 ½ hours nor more than 2 hours when
the sample is in a 175 mL container, or for not less than 1 hour nor more than 1 ½ hours
when the sample is in a 90 mL container.
4. Place the sample in a water bath with a maintained at 25ºC along with the transfer dish is
used for at least 1 ½ hours nor more than 2 hours when the sample is in a 175 mL container
and for not less than 1 hour nor more than 1 ½ hour when the sample is in a 90 mL
container.
5. Immediately after the curing period, perform the test.
Place the sample in the stand of the penetrometer, adjust the needle to be in contact with the
surface of the sample.
6. Quickly release the needle for exactly 5 seconds and adjust the instrument to measure the
distance of penetration.

Notes:
1. Make at least 3 penetration trials.
2. Test points shall not be less than 10 mm (3/8 in.) from the side of the container and not less
than 10 mm (3/8 in.) apart.
3. If the transfer dish is used, return the dish and sample to the water bath after each
penetration.
4. Before each test, clean the needle with a clean cloth moistened with solvent to remove all
adhering bitumen.
5. For penetration values greater than 200, use at least three needles, leaving them in the
sample until completion of the penetrations.
6. Report to the nearest whole unit the average of at least three penetrations whose values do
not differ by more than the amount shown below:

Penetration 0 to 49 50 to 149 150 to 249 250 or more

Maximum difference between the
2 4 6 8
highest and lowest determination

Example:
 Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average
Penetration (Original) 65 68 69 67
Penetration (After Loss) 49 45 46 46

After Loss
Penetration , % of Original= x 100
Original

46
Penetration , % of Original= x 100
67

Penetration , % of Original=68.657 %