Standard Method of Test for

Penetration of Bituminous Materials

AASHTO Designation: T 49-03
ASTM Designation: D 5-97
-~

AASHTO T 49-03is identical to ASTM D 5-97 except for the following provisions:
1. Ail references to ASTM Standard D 36 contained in ASTM D 5 shall be replaced with
AASHTO Standard T 53.
2. The following reference is added:
R16, Regulatory Information for Chemicals Used in AASHTO Tests.
3. AASHTO T 49 requires only one test portion instead of two for each variation in test
conditions.
4. AASHTO T 49 requires the bottom of the thermometer bulb to be immersed to the level of the
perforated shelf in the water bath.
5. In the second sentence of 6.2.1, change “60 mm (24in.)” to “60 mm (2.4 in.)’’.
6. In the thirteenth sentence of 6.2.1, change “50to 55 mm (1.97 to 2.19 in.)” to “50 to 55 mm
(1.97 to 2.17 in.)”.

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TSQb T 49-1 AASHTO

Copyright American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
Provided by IHS under license with AASHTO
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale
 4#b Designation: D 5 - 97

Standard Test Method for

Penetration of Bituminous Materials'
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5; the number immediatelyfollowing the designation indicates the year of onginal
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A supersaiPt
epsilon (E) indicates M editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
ThLr standard has been appmvedfor use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1. Scope TABLE 1 Precision Criteria

1.1 This test method covers determination of the penetration
of semi-solid and solid bituminous materials. Material
1.2 The needles, containers and other conditions described
in this test method provide for the determinations of penetra-
tions up to 500. Cingleoperatorpredsion:
Asphalts at 77°F (25°C)below 50 0.35 1
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be considered penetration, units
standard. Asphalts at 77°F (25°C)60 penetration 1.4 4
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the and above, percent of their mean
Tar pitches at TI'F (25OC)*percent of 5.2 15
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the their mean
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- Multilaboratory precision:
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- Asphalts at 77'F (25°C)below 50 1.4 4
penetration, units
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Asphalts at 77°F (25°C)60 penetration 3.8 11
and above, percent of their mean
2. Referenced Documents Tar nltches at 77°F 125"CI.*Unh 1.4 4
2.1 ASTM Standards: *Estimates oi precision for tar pitches are based on results from 2 pitches with

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penetration of 7 and 24.Estimates may not be applicable to appreciablyharder or
C 670 hzictice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements softer materials.
for Test Methods for Construction Materials'
D 36 Test Method for Softening Point of Bitumen (Ring- 4. Summary of Test Method
and-Ball Apparah~s)~ 4.1 The sample is melted and cooled under controlled
E 1 Specification for ASTM Thermometers4 conditions. The penetration is measured with'a penetrometer
E 77 Test Method for Inspection and Verification of Liquid- by means of which a standard needle is applied to the sample
in-Glass Thermometers4 under specific conditions.
2.2 ANSI Stathrd:
B46.1 Surface Texture' 5. Significance and Use
2.3 I S 0 Standard: 5.1 The penetration test is used as a measure of consis-
IS0 Standard 468 Surface Roughness-Parameters, Their tency. Higher values of penetration indicate softer consistency.
Values and General Rules for Specifying Requirements'
6. Apparatus
3. Terminology
6.1 Penetration Apparatus-Any apparatus that permits the
3.1 Dejìnitions: needle holder (spindle) to move vertically without measurable
3.1.1 penetration, n-consistency of a bituminous material friction and is capable of indicating the depth of penetration to
expressed as the distance in tenths of a millimeter that a the nearest 0.1 111111, will be acceptable. The weight of the
standard needle vertically penetrates a sample of the material spindle shall be 47.5 2 0.05 g. The total weight of the needle
under known conditions of loading, time, and temperature. and spindle assembly shall be 50.0 k 0.05 g. Weights of 50 k
0.05 g and 100 I 0.05g shail also be provided for total loads
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee ~ - on 4 Road of 100 g and 200 g, as required for some conditions of the test.
and Paving Materials and is the direct responsibilityof Subcommittee DO4.44on The surface on which the sample container rests shall be flat
Rheological Tests.
Cumnt edition approved Nov. 10. 1997. Published February 1998. Onginally
and the axis of the plunger shall be at approximately 90° to this
published as D 5 -59 T. Last previous edition D 5 - 95. surface. The spindle shall be easily detached for checking its
'Annual Book of ASTM StMdards. Vol 04.02. weight.
'Annual Book of ASTM Sinndardr, Vol 04.04. 6.2 Penetration Needle:
4Annual Book of ASTM Standanis, Vol 14.03.
'Available from Amcrican National Standards institute. 11 W.42nd St.. 13th 6.2.1 The needle (see Fig. 1) shall be made from fully
Floor, New York. NY 10036. hardened and tempered stainless steel, Grade 440-Cor equal,

cOpyriehI(DAsTM.100 E m Harbor Drive. WaSI Cornhohocken. PA 1942E2959. United States.

TS-2b T 49-2 AASHTO

Copyright American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
Provided by IHS under license with AASHTO
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale
 other temperature of test within 0.1"C. The bath shall have a
perforated shelf supported in a position not less than 50 mm
from the bottom and not less than 100 mm below the liquid
level in the bath. If penetration tests are to be made in the bath
itself, an additional shelf strong enough to support the pen-
etrometer shall be provided. Brine may be used in the bath for
determinations at low temperatures.
NOTEI-The use of distilled water is recommended for the bath. Take
HRC 54 to 60. The standard needle shall be approximately 50 care to avoid contamination of the bath water by surface active agents,
release agents, or other chemicals; as their presence may affect the
mm (2 in.) in length, the long needle approximately 60 mm (24 penetration values obtained.
in.).6 The diameter of all needles shall be 1.00 to 1.02 mm
6.5 Transfer Dish-When used, the transfer dish shall have

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(0.0394 to 0.0402 in.). It shall be symmetrically tapered at one
end by grinding to a cone having an angle between 8.7 and 9.7" a capacity of at least 350 mL and of sufficient depth of water
over the entire cone length. The cone should be coaxial with to cover the large sample container. It shall be provided with
the straight body of the needle. The total axial variation of the some means for obtaining a firm bearing and preventing
intersection between the conical and straight surfaces shall not rocking of the container. A three-legged stand with three-point
be in excess of 0.2 mm (0.008 in.). The truncated tip of the contact for the sample container is a convenient way of
cone shall be within the diameter limits of 0.14 and 0.16 mm ensuring this.
(0.0055 and 0.0063 in.) and square to the needle axis within 2". 6.6 ïïming Device-For hand-operated-penetrometers any
The entire edge of the truncated surface at the tip shall be sharp convenient timing device such as an electric timer, a stop
and free of burrs. When the surface texture is measured in watch, or other spring activated device may be used provided
accordance with American National Standard B 46.1 or IS0 it is graduated in 0.1 s or less and is accurate to within 50.1 s
468 the surface roughness height, Ra, of the tapered cone shall for a 60-s interval. An audible seconds counter adjusted to .
be 0.2 to 0.3 pm (8 to 12 pin.) arithmetic average. The surface provide 1 beat each 0.5 s may also be used. The time for a
roughness height, Ra, of the needle shank shall be 0.025 to 11-count interval must be 5 t 0.1 s. Any automatic timing
0.125 pm (1 to 5 pin.). The needle shall be mounted in a device attached to a penetrometer must be accurately calibrated
non-corroding metal ferrule. The ferrule shall be 3.2 I0.05 to provide the desired test interval within '0.1 s.
mm (0.126 I0.002in.) in diameter and 38 t 1 mm (1.50 2 6.7 Thermometers-Calibrated liquid-in-glass thermom-
0.04 in.) in length. The exposed length of the standard needle eters of suitable range with subdivisions and maximum scale
shali be within the limits of 40 to 45 mm (1.57 to 1.77 in.), and error of 0.1"C (0.2"F) or any other thermometric device of
the exposed length of the long needle shall be 50 to 55 mm equal accuracy, precision and sensitivity shall be used. Ther-
(1.97 to 2.19 in.). The needle shall be rigidly mounted in the mometers shall conform to the requirements of Specification
ferrule. The run-out (total-indicator reading) of the needle tip E 1.
and any portion of the needle relative to the femle axis shall 6.7.1 Suitable thermometers commonly used are:
not exceed 1 mm (0.04 in.). The weight of the ferrule needle ASTM Number Range
17C or 17F 19 to 27°C (66 to 80°F)
assembly shall be 2.50 t 0.05 g. (A drill hole at the end of the 63C or 63F -8 to + 32°C (18 io 89°F)
ferrule or a flat on the side is permissible to control the weight.) 64C or 64F 25 to 55°C (77 to t31OF)
Individual identification markings shall be placed on the ferrule
6.7.2 The thermometer used for the water bath shall pen-
of each needle; the same markings shall not be repeated by a
manufacturer within a 3-year period. odically be calibrated in accordance with Test Method E 77.
6.2.2 Needles used in testing materials for conformance to 7. Preparation of Test Specimen
specifications shall be shown to have met the requirements of 7.1 Heat the sample with care, stimng when possible to
6.2.1 when tested by a qualified agency. prevent local overheating, until it has become sufficiently fluid
6.3 Sample Container7-A metal or glass cylindrical, flat- to pour. In no case should the temperature be raised to more
bottom container of essentially the following dimensions shall than 60°C above the expected softening point for tar pitch in
be used: accordance with Test Method D36, or to more than 90°C
For penetrations below 200: above it for petroleum asphalt (bitumen). Do not heat samples
Diameter, mm 55
Intemal depth, mrn 35 for more than 30 min. Avoid incorporating bubbles into the
For penetraticm between 200 and 350: sample.
Diameter, nun 55 7.2 Pour the sample into the sample container to a depth
Internal depth, mm 70
such that, when cooled to the temperature of test, the depth of
6.4 Water Bath-A bath having a capacity of at least 10 L the sample is at least 10 mm greater than the depth to which the
and capable of maintaining a temperature of 25 t O. 1°C or any needle is expected to penetrate. Pour two separate portions for
each variation in test conditions.
7.3 Loosely cover each container as a protection against
Long needies are available from Stanhope-Seta,Park Close. Engiefield Green.
Egham, Surrey. U.K. TW20 OXD. dust (a convenient way of doing this is by covering with a
'Sample Container8 are available from Eilisco Inc., 6301 Eastern Ave., Balti- lipped beaker) and allow to cool in air at a temperature between
more MD.21224 and Freund Can Co., 155 West 84th St.. Chicago IL, 606204298. 15 and 30°C for 1 to 1.5 h for the small container and 1.5 to 2

TSPb T 49-3 AASHTO

Copyright American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
Provided by IHS under license with AASHTO
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale
 D5
h for the taller. Then place the two samples together with the NOTE %The positioning of the needle can be materially aided by using
transfer dish, if used, in the water bath maintained at the an illuminated poly-methyl methacrylate tube.
prescribed temperature of test. Allow the smaller container to 9.4 Make at least three determinations at points on the
remain for 1 to 1.5 h and the taller (6 oz) container to remain surface of the sample not less than i o mm from the side of the
for 1.5 to 2 h. container and not less than 10 mm apart. If the transfer dish is
used, return the sample and transfer dish to the constant
8. Test Conditions temperature bath between determinations. Use a clean needle
8.1 Where the conditions of test are not specifically men- for each determination. If the penetration is greater than 200,
tioned, the temperature, load; and time are understood to be use at least three needles leaving them in the sample until the
25°C (77OF), 100 g, and 5 s, respectively. Other conditions may three determinations have been completed.
be used for special testing, such as the following:
10. Report
Temperature, "C ("F) L W g Time, s
0 (32) 200 60 10.1 Report to nearest whole unit the average of three
4 (39.2) 200 60 penetrations whose values do not differ by more than the
45 (113) 50 5
48.1 (115) 50 5 following:
Oto 5010 15010 250to
In such cases the specific conditions of test shall be reported. Penetration 49 149 249 500
Maximum difference between highest 2 4 12 20
9. Procedure and lowest penetration

9.1 Examine the needle holder and guide to establish the 11. Precision and Bias
absence of water and other extraneous materials. If the pen- 11.1 Use the following criteria for judging the acceptability
etration is expected to exceed 350 use a long needle, otherwise of penetration results for asphalt at 25°C. The precision at other
use a short needle. Clean a penetration needle with toluene or temperatures is being determined.
other suitable solvent, dry with a clean cloth, and insert the 11.1.1 Single Operator Precision-The single operator co-
needle into the penetrometer. Unless otherwise specified place efficient of variation has been found to be 1.4 % for penetra-
the 50-g weight above the needle, making the total weight 100 tions above 60, and the single operator standard deviation has
? 0.1 g. been found to be 0.35 % for penetrations below 50. Therefore,
9.2 If tests are to be made with the penetrometer in the bath, the results of two properly conducted tests by the same
place the sample container directly on the submerged stand of operator on the same material of any penetration, using the
the penetrometer (Note 2). Keep the sample container com- same equipment, should not differ from each other by more
pletely covered with water in the bath. If the tests are to be than 4 % of their mean, or 1 unit, whichever is larger.
made with the penetrometer outside the bath, place the sample 11.1.2 Multilaborutory Precision-The multilaboratory co-
container in the transfer dish, cover the container completely efficient of variation has been found to be 3.8 % for penetra-
with water from the constant temperature bath and place the tions above 60, and the multilaboratory standard deviation has
transfer dish on the stand of the penetrometer. been found to be 1.4 for penetrations below 50. Therefore, the
NOIE2-For refereetests, penetrations at temperatures other than 25°C results of two properly conducted tests on the same material of
(77'F) should be made without removing the sample from the bath. any penetration, in two different laboratories, should not differ
from each other by more than 11 % of their mean, or 4 units,
9.3 Position the needle by slowly lowering it until its tip just
whichever is larger.
makes contact with the surface of the sample. This is accom-
plished by bringing the actual needle tip into contact with its Nom &These values represent, respectively, the d l s (or dls %) and
image reflected on the surface of the sample from a properly d2s (or d 2 s %) limits as described in Practice C 670.
placed source of light (Note 3). Either note the reading of the 11.1.3 Bias-This test method has no bias because the
penetrometer dial or bring the pointer to zero. Quickly release values determined are defined only in terms of the test method.
the needle holder for the specified period of time and adjust the
insînunent to measure the distance penetrated in tenths of a 12. Keywords
millimetre. If the container. moves, ignore the result. 12.1 asphalt; bitumen; penetration ,

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TS-2b T 49-4 AASHTO

Copyright American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
Provided by IHS under license with AASHTO
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale