COMPARISON OF TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS FOR

SOFTENING POINT APPARATUS WITH VARYING

FILLER : BINDER RATIOS
B.L. Pearce
Cape Technikon, Department of Civil Engineering
PO Box 652, Cape Town, 8000.

ABSTRACT
This paper looks into the comparison of the softening points of filler:binder ratios when
conducted on the conventional ring and ball and Wilhelmi apparatus. The main objective of this
study is to ascertain the correlation of the softening point temperatures between the two
apparatus. Samples were tested with varying f:b ratios from 3 sources in the Western Cape.
Further testing is to be undertaken including fractions above the 0,075mm fraction to determine
the effects of these larger fractions. The results are to be used to further assist in understanding
the mastics stiffening effect that has a bearing on the compactability of a HMA layer.
Keywords: Filler:binder ratio, mastic, hot mix asphalt, Wilhelmi, ring and ball softening point

1. INTRODUCTION
Much research has been conducted on the effects of the filler:binder (f:b) ratio and the resultant
stiffening of the bitumen. Tunnicliff (1962), Kandhal (1981), Anderson (1987) and Cooley et al
(1998), among others, have looked into this aspect over many years since the beginning of last
century. In the Western Cape there seems to be an inherent harshness in of the continuously
graded mixes making it more difficult to attain the specified compaction. Most of the research
has been conducted outside of South Africa and this paper looks into making the international
research applicable to the Southern African environment as a result of the different aggregates
and binders common to this region.
Three sources of dust (-4,75mm aggregate fraction) from the Western Cape were selected to
evaluate the effects on the binders based on the softening point test. Comparisons were made
on the increased temperature results obtained when testing similar samples of filler mixed with
binder at varying concentrations on different softening point apparatus, namely the conventional
shouldered ring and ball (R&B) and the Wilhelmi apparatus.
The evaluation of the results of a testing matrix makes use of two different binders and along
with the three different sources of material, each at different concentration from 1:1 up to 2:1
filler:binder ratios by mass. The purpose of conducting the comparison is to obverse how closely
the two apparatus measure the softening point of the same sample. With similar test results, this
will lead to further testing on the Wilhelmi apparatus while including fractions larger than
0,075mm filler fractions to further understand the effects of the larger fractions on the stiffening
of the mastic in HMA.
The paper will discuss the testing methods used as well as the means of analysing the various
filler sources to obtain the coarsest and finest fractions for testing the worst-case scenarios. The
testing matrix will be discussed to validate the selection of testing undertaken. Of the differences
observed during testing for the two apparatus will be discussed which will be of importance in
future testing as well as possible adaptions needed to be undertaken on the Wilhelmi apparatus

Proceedings of the 8th Conference on Asphalt Pavements for Southern Africa (CAPSA'04)
ISBN Number: 1-920-01718-6
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12 16 September 2004
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8th CONFERENCE ON ASPHALT PAVEMENTS FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA

to further improve the test results. The comparison of the actual results will be discussed and
analysed in detail.
This information will be of benefit to members of the HMA industry looking to better understand,
with the assistance of research, the effects of the stiffening of the mastic when looking at
fractions greater than 0,075mm. This further research is to look into the possibility of resolving
of the compaction problems encountered from time to time due to the variability in the finer
fractions grading or fineness including of the larger fraction rather than limiting the decisions
only to the filler fractions.

2. SAMPLING FROM THE SOURCES

Three local suppliers sources were sampled over a 6 month period to assess how consistent
the gradings where for the 4,75mm dust fraction. The results where graded using the wet
sieving method with the finer material being tested using the hydrometer method that applies
Stokes Law. As there was doubt as to the validity of the hydrometer results due to the contention
around the accuracy of such results, the filler material was also tested using the modified
Rigden method (Anderson, 1986) to further validate the hydrometer the results.
It was observed from the various methods used to determine the variability that there were a
large proportion of samples that conformed to an acceptably average range for each source.
There where however a number of samples that where vastly different with the extent of the
variability varied from source to source. The Table 1 gives the three sources data in a
summarised form. The 3 sources have been numbers as 1, 2 and 3 with the finest sample
represented by F and the coarsest by C. e.g. F1 = the finest graded sample from source 1.
The overall average grading for all sources is given on the right hand side of the table as well as
the overall average coarse and fine results for the full 6 months sample process.

Sieve sizes (mm)

Table 1. Grading analysis for Western Cape sources.

Sources F1
6.7
100
4.75
100
2.36
72
2.00
68
1.18
52
0.850
43
0.600
36
0.425
30
0.300
25
0.250
23
0.150
18
0.075
13
0.060
13
0.050
12
0.030
12
0.020
11
0.010
6
0.006
4
0.005
4
0.002
2

C1
100
80
42
37
25
20
17
14
12
11
9
7
6
5
5
4
3
2
1
1

F2
100
97
67
63
49
41
35
29
24
22
18
14
14
12
10
8
6
4
3
1

C2
100
96
60
55
37
29
23
17
14
12
9
7
7
6
5
4
3
2
2
1

F3
100
99
95
95
65
51
42
34
29
27
22
17
15
13
12
12
10
6
6
4

C3
99
92
51
46
33
26
21
17
15
14
11
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
3
2

Avg. Avg. C Avg. F

99.8 100
100
94.0
89
99
64.5
51
78
60.7
46
75
43.5
32
55
35.0
25
45
29.0
20
38
23.5
16
31
19.8
14
26
18.2
12
24
14.5
10
19
11.2
8
15
10.5
7
14
9.2
6
12
8.3
5
11
7.3
4
10
5.3
3
7
3.5
2
5
3.2
2
4
1.8
1
2

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From Figure 1, the extent of the variability of the samples tested over the 6 month period can be
clearly seen. Only the average grading for each of the three sources is represented for
purposes of clarity. The two most extreme grading from all three source namely the finest
grading (upper most dotted line) and the coarsest grading (lowest solid line) are also depicted to
give a visual picture of the two worst scenarios observed over the 6 month sampling period.
This gives an overall indication of the variability experienced over this time span which could
have dire consequences for the paving contractors trying to compact the hot mix asphalt (HMA).

Percentage Passing (%)

100
80
avg C
60

avg F
AVG 1

40

AVG 2
AVG 3

20
0
0.00

0.01

0.10
Sieve size (mm)

1.00

10.00

Figure 1. Grading plots for dust fractions (-4,74mm fraction).

Figure 2 depicts the grading of only the filler fraction (-0,075mm) as extracted from the Table 1
and Figure 1. This is the filler material used in the f:b ratios after being sieved out and graded by
means of the hydrometer test. Again it can clearly be seen the extent of the variability from the
two extremes. One point to note is that source 3 has a final 0,002mm average fraction finer than
all the other sites with a general grading line flatter than all the other sources.

Percentage Passing (%)

15

avg C

10

avg F
AVG 1
AVG 2

AVG 3
0
0.001

0.01

0.1

Sieve size (mm)

Figure 2. Grading for average fine and coarse fraction (-0,075mm).

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The graphical representation as given in the above Figures gives a clear picture of how the
various sources gradings differ. On a day when the dust fraction lies at the extreme coarse or
fine grading, the resultant effects on compaction could be markedly altered. Ensuring a
constantly acceptable grading day in and day out, at the manufacturing plant is vital to the
rolling patterns and compaction effort calculated by the contractors in obtaining the required
compaction density.

3. SETTING UP THE TESTING MATRIX

The samples chosen where done with deliberate care. The specific samples chosen gave the
widest possible range of temperature results having chosen the coarsest and finest fractions
from each source. The reasoning behind this choice was to reduce the number of tests initially
conducted. Additional tests would be conducted on the average gradings if the temperature
ranges were viewed as being too high.

Increase in R&B temperature (deg

C)

A 60/70 and 80/100 penetration grade binder was used in the tests with the original ring and ball
results of 51,4oC and 48,6oC respectively. The final results where plotted using the increase in
the temperature from the original ring and ball temperatures as well as the ring and ball ratio,
which is calculated by dividing the original ring and ball temperature into the increased
temperature. The former gave a more acceptable result as depicted in the Figure 3.

30.0
25.0
20.0
15.0
10.0
R&B avg
Wil avg

5.0
0.0
1.0

1.3
1.6
f:b ratio (by mass)

2.0

Figure 3. Average increase in R&B and Wilhelmi temperatures for various f:b ratios.

4. DETAILED RESULTS ANALYSIS

The 60/70 mastics f:b ratios increase in temp is always greater than 80/100 which is expected
due to the softer binder having a lower softening point. The finer material tends to have a
greater effect on the temperature increase than the coarse material leading one to assume that
the finer fractions have a far greater stiffening or bonding effect than the coarser fractions. This
aspect related to the effects of the fineness of the grading will be dealt with in greater detail later
in the paper.
The Belgium specification refers to the stiffening effect being limited by an increase in the R&B
temperature of between 12 16oC. Kandhal (1981) refers to the fact that keeping the increase
in the R&B softening point below 12oC is a far more acceptable maximum increase in stiffening
rather than allowing the increase to move up as high as 16oC. As can be seen from the results
given in Table 2 the 2:1 ratio is all well above the maximum of 16oC with an average increase of
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around 27oC. Such high ratio are never used in HMA but were included to get an indication for
the effect of such a high concentration. The values obtained for the 1,6:1 ratios fall both below
and above the recommended maximum of 16oC. It could be argued that should the filler varied
to such extremes unexpectedly, it could result in having an increase in excess of the
recommended 16oC which could in turn result in an unexpected increase in the required
compactive effort needed to attain the specified density. The loss or reduced density would lead
to reduced life span of the wearing course and unnecessary maintenance costs earlier than
expected. Such occurrences should be avoided in the Southern African region due to the limited
financial resources available for the construction and maintenance of the road network.
Table 2. Increase in R&B and Wilhelmi temperatures at various f:b ratios.
R&B
f:b ratio 1:1

Wilhelmi

1,3:1

1,6:1

2:1

1:1

1,3:1

1,6:1

2:1

C3 60/70

2.1

7.6

13.6

26.1

-1.2

4.7

10.7

19.8

C2 60/70

3.4

7.5

13.2

25.8

1.7

5.2

10.5

19.5

C1 60/70

4.1

9.6

16.1

27.1

4.0

5.9

12.8

22.5

F3 60/70

2.1

7.1

17.1

33.1

0.3

5.1

13.6

22.5

F2 60/70

3.7

9.8

15.2

27.0

1.6

7.5

11.8

23.1

F1 60/70

3.1

9.5

16.3

24.4

2.0

6.7

12.1

23.0

C3 80/100

1.9

6.9

13.9

24.9

0.2

4.9

9.8

19.5

C2 80/100

4.4

7.7

15.0

27.0

1.1

5.1

10.5

20.0

C1 80/100

5.4

10.4

18.4

26.9

0.9

6.4

14.4

22.9

F3 80/100

2.4

7.9

16.9

32.4

-0.6

7.9

15.9

26.3

F2 80/100

3.6

7.8

15.9

26.4

3.2

6.5

13.3

21.6

F1 80/100

2.0

6.8

12.0

24.0

0.3

2.9

10.4

20.8

From Table 2 it can be seen that the finer fractions all tend to be closer to or in excess of the
16oC increase in temperature with the exception of one of the results, which could be deemed
questionable. The courser fractions at two of the sources lie within the recommended increase
in temperature while the third source still lies above the 16oC increase in temperature. This
implies that the fineness of the material needs to be closely controlled and tested to ensure that
the f:b ratio will result in an increase in temperature of the mastic that limits it to as close to a
maximum of a 12oC increase as possible. The range of increases for all the sources R&B
results at an increased temperature of 12oC lies between a f:b ratio of 1,42 and 1,48 as can be
interpolated from Figure 2. At present the new SA HMA design manual allows a maximum f:b
ratio of up to 1,5. This will result in temperature increases of between 12,5oC 14,0oC which
although it still lies within the recommendations of the Belgium specification, it is would possibly
be more acceptable keeping the values closer to the 12oC region.
Figure 4 depicts the variation between the average coarse and fine test results for each
apparatus. Again it can be seen that the Wilhelmi results are below that of the R&B apparatus.
In both cases the result show a tendency that the finer material has a greater effect on the
stiffening of the mastic than the coarse fractions. This ties in with the all the cited literature on
the research related to f:b ratios. There also seems to be a tendency between both apparatuses
results that the higher the f:b ratio, the greater the deviation from the coarser average. Further
testing on the fractions coarser than the 0,075mm fraction will give a clearer picture as to the
stiffening effects of a combined grading consisting of both finer material as well as the coarser
fraction.

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30.0
25.0

R&B avg C
Wil avg C

20.0

R&B avg F

15.0

Wil avg F

10.0
5.0
0.0
1.0

1.3
1.6
f:b ratio (by mass)

2.0

Figure 4. Average increase in temperature for coarse and fine material using the R&B and
Wilhelmi apparatus.

5. OBSERVED DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TWO APPARATUS

5.1 Differences in Geometries
The main difference in the apparatus is obviously the size of the ring as well as the shape of the
inside of the ring. The standard R&B ring has an inside diameter less than that of the Wilhelmi
ring as well as a shoulder to assist in restraining the sample within the ring. The ball size for the
Wilhelmi is also larger than that of the R&B ball in relation to the larger diameter sample.

5.2 Sample Preparation Problems

At first it was not certain if the bitumen sample in the Wilhelmi ring would stay in place during
the test as the sides are vertical with no step or taper to assist in retaining the bitumen plug as is
the case with the conventional rings. This was not a problem although during the preparation it
was noted that the Wilhelmi plug did tend to be dawn out of the ring while slicing off the excess
mastic. This resulted in a slightly concave sample that contains a slightly smaller volume of
binder than if the sample did not get drawn up by the heated spatula. By reheating the spatula
during the removal of the excess mastic, it was found that this phenomenon did not occur.

5.3 Possible Revised Geometries

It was also noted that at the higher concentrations of 2:1, there was a tendency for the Wilhelmi
sample to pull away at the top of the ring while still remaining attached to the lower section of
the vertical sides. It has been contemplated that the sides of the ring need to be either tapered
to overcome this phenomenon or stepped, as is the case for the conventional ring. This will be
looked into in more detail as a separate study to determine possibilities for improving on the
geometry of the Wilhelmi ring.

5.4 Temperature Differences

Due to the size of the Wilhelmi ring and the flask diameter it is difficult to get a reading of the
fluid medium at the underside of the sample. Readings are either taken at the top of the mastic
plug or at the side close to the walls of the beakers. This could result in the recorded lower
temperature readings than is obtained by the conventional method where the thermometer
reading is taken level with the underside of the mastic plugs in the centre of the beaker. Further
testing is required to confirm this observation.
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6. CONCLUSIONS
All the Wilhelmi results recorded are lower in temperature than those obtained from the
conventional ring and ball method. This could be due to a number of reasons.

Firstly it could be as a result of pulling away from the top of the ring reducing the restraining
effects and thus resulting in an earlier failure due and thus a lower recorded temperature.

Secondly, it could be due to the larger surface area and added weight of the ball used for
test.

Finally it could be as a result of the temperature not being read level with the underside of
the bitumen sample due to the constrains of the beaker size and the larger ring.

One must bear this difference in mind when comparing the results with the conventional ring
and ball results.
The Wilhelmi apparatus does correlate well with the R&B results and further testing can be
undertaken to further understand effects of a greater percentage of the asphalt graded material
than is presently the case. This information can be used to further understand the effects of
stiffening as a result of the added material.

7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thanks to R. Mollentze, D. Rogers and C Paulse for their assistance in undertaking the majority
of the laboratory testing.
To the NRF, STCD and Cape Technikon for assisting in the sponsorship to undertake this
research project.

8. REFERENCES
Tunnicliff D.G., 1962. A review of mineral filler. Proceedings of the Association of Asphalt
Paving Technologists. Vol. 31. 118150.
Kandhal P.S., 1981. Evaluation of baghouse fines in bituminous paving mixtures.
Proceedings of the Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists. Vol. 50. 150210.
Anderson D.A., 1987. Guidelines for use of dust in hot-mix asphalt concrete mixtures.
Proceedings of the Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists. Vol. 56. 492516.
Cooley, L.A., Stroup-Gardiner, M., Brown, E.R., Hanson, D.I. and Fletcher, M.O., 1998.
Characterisation of asphalt-filler mortars with Superpave binder tests. Proceedings of the
Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists. Vol. 67. 4265.
Anderson, D.A. and Edu D., 1986. Effects of baghouse fines on on mixyure dsign
properties, Phase II. National Asphalt Paving Association.

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