Pure bitumen, such as tar bitumen and other types of bitumen, are inflammable and flammable materials, and working with them at high levels can bring many risks, which is why it is necessary to determine their ignition point using the bitumen flammability test. People should be aware of what temperature to keep the bitumens warm. In the following article, the flammability test and the purpose of doing it will be discussed.
What is the ignition degree of bitumen?
The ignition degree of bitumen is the temperature at which if the bitumen reaches that temperature, it will spark and catch fire as soon as the flame approaches its free surface. In fact, all pure bitumen, mineral bitumen, industrial bitumen, tar and their mixtures have the ability to catch fire and only their degree of ignition is different. When working with all kinds of bitumen, it is necessary to have enough information about its flammability in order to determine to what temperature it is allowed to heat it without the bitumen igniting and burning.
Bitumen Flammability Testing Methods
Two main and general methods can be used to test the flammability degree, which includes the use of open flammability degree device and closed flammability degree device. Considering that in the method of using the closed device, all flammable vapors released from bitumen are collected, the degree of ignition calculated in this method can be lower than the value calculated by the open device. Bitumen can lose its properties at temperatures higher than 176 degrees Celsius, so its temperature should not exceed this value.
- Each of the bitumen flammability test methods can be performed in different standards. Testing in the open method with ASTM Methods: D 92-52 and AASHTO Methods: T 48-53 standards and testing in the closed method with ASTM Methods: D 93 and AASHTO Methods: T 73 standards will be performed.
- The most important tools and devices needed to test the degree of ignition of bitumen, mineral bitumen powder, etc. include a bitumen container, holding clamp, heating device, thermometer, flame production equipment, and stopwatch.
How to test the ignition degree of bitumen
To perform this test, it is first necessary to heat the solid or semi-solid bitumen, whose ignition degree is to be calculated, to a temperature of 176 degrees Celsius until it melts. After melting the bitumen, it can be poured into a special container. The bitumen should fill the container so that the trapped air in different parts of the bitumen is released, and then the bitumen surface should be smoothed using a spatula. After the bitumen is smoothed, it should be allowed to cool down and reach the ambient temperature
In the next step, the container containing the cooled bitumen should be mounted on the test device and the thermometer should be placed on its support base so that the lower part of the thermometer touches the bottom of the container. At first, the ignition degree of bitumen should be obtained approximately so that its result can be used in the main test. At this stage, the bitumen must be heated at a constant rate of 12°C per minute regardless of the heating rate, and by passing the flame over the bitumen at a temperature above 250°C, the temperature required to create a spark on the surface of the bitumen is created, and this temperature is The title of the estimated ignition degree of bitumen will be considered.
In the third stage, the main test starts by adjusting the temperature so that it changes 16.7 degrees Celsius every minute. When the bitumen temperature reaches 56°C, its heating rate should be reduced to 5°C/min. When the temperature of the bitumen reaches 28 degrees centigrade, the flame will be passed over the bitumen every three degrees, and this will continue until a spark is formed on the surface of the bitumen. The degree at which it was ignited is recorded as the ignition degree of the bitumen.
Safety tips for conducting the flammability test
In performing this test, like all other tests, one should pay attention to various safety points, the most important of which are as follows:
- The test must be performed under the hood, especially if the open apparatus method is used
- If the bitumen sample catches fire, it should be prevented from reaching oxygen by placing a cap on it.
The final conclusion
Gilsonite powder, mineral bitumen, industrial bitumen, etc., all have flammability and fire, and you must pay attention to temperature and safety points when working with them. By performing the flammability test of bitumen, which can be done in two open and closed methods, it is possible to determine the degree of flammability of all types of bitumen.
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