DUCTILITY TESTING APPARATUS:

AS PER IS: 1028 - 1958, ASTM: D 113, IP 32, 55.

Introduction:

• In flexible pavement construction, bitumen binders are used. It is important that bituminous material forms ductile thin film around the aggregates, which serves as a binder.
• The binder material not of sufficient ductility renders pervious pavement surface and leads to development of cracks.
• Therefore it is important to carry out the ductility tests on bituminous material.
• Ductility is defined as distance in cms to which a standard briquette of bitumen can be stretched before the thread breaks.
• The briquette is stretched at a rate of 50 mm/minute ±2.5 mm per minute at a temperature of 27°C ± 0.5°C.

General Description & Specifications:

• The apparatus consists of a Water bath with a thermostatic heater, and a circulating pump to maintain uniform water temperature.
• One half of the briquette moulds is fixed on a fixed plate in the water bath, the other half of the briquette mould is fixed to a carrier which slides over a rotating threaded shaft with a clutch.
• The motor and gears to rotate the shaft are housed in a cabinet fixed above the other and of the bath.
• A pointer fixed to the carrier moves over a scale graduated from 0-110 cm x 1mm fixed on the bath with “0” (zero) of the scale towards the fixed plate slide.
• The rotating shaft has 2 speeds of travel for the bracket, 5 cm/min. and 1 cm/min, selected by a clutch.
• Water bath inside is aluminum, it is an insulated water bath. Water bath is provided with a drain.
• A heater with thermostatic control is fixed inside the water bath. Control switches for motor, stirrer, heater and indicator lamps are fixed at a convenient place on the water bath.
• Complete with three briquette moulds and one base plate, all made of brass. Operates on 230 Volts A.C. single phase.

Accessories:

• Thermometer IP 38 C, range 23°C to 27°C
• Ductility mould with base plate.