Page 50 - HIGHWAY ENGINEERING LABORATORY_FLIP BUILDER

Page :
WORK INSTRUCTION
Edition :
Checking No.
VISCOSITY TEST AND FLASH
& FIRE POINT
CIVIL ENGINEERING (Reference Standard: Effective Date:
BS 2000 Part 170)
JKA/ DCC30112/ 2021 Amendment Date:

1.0 OBJECTIVE OF EXPERIMENT :

To determine the flash point and fire point of asphaltic bitumen, fluxed native asphalt,
blown type bitumen, or cutback bitumen.

2.0 SUMMARY OF THEORY :

Flash and fire point test of bitumen sample is one of the important tests of bitumen to be
conducted before road construction. Flash and fire point measures the temperature at

which the material is at risk of catching fire. The temperature at which the vapour of the
bituminous material catches an instant fire or the material burns for some seconds is
different for different types and grades of bitumen binders. Bituminous materials are

primarily hydrocarbons and hence at high temperatures, they release various volatile
materials. These liberated volatile compounds catch fire with a flash. And this can prove
hazardous. Bitumen is heated for its application as bitumen binder for road pavements.
While dealing with hot bitumen during the processes like heating, mixing, or application,

the temperature should be kept well below the critical temperatures determined by
flash and fire point.

2.0 EQUIPMENT

1. Bituminous material
2. Solvent for cleaning

Higway Engineering Laboratory page 37