Designation: D 5 – 06e1

Standard Test Method for

Penetration of Bituminous Materials1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of original
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A superscript
epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

e1 NOTE—Editorial changes were made to Section 11 clarifing the use of the precision statement in July 2006.

1. Scope B46.1 Surface Texture3

1.1 This test method covers determination of the penetration 2.3 ISO Standard:
of semi-solid and solid bituminous materials. ISO Standard 468 Surface Roughness—Parameters, Their
1.2 The needles, containers and other conditions described Values and General Rules for Specifying Requirements3
in this test method provide for the determinations of penetra- 3. Terminology
tions up to 500.
3.1 Definitions:
NOTE 1—For guidance in preparing and testing emulsion residue 3.1.1 penetration, n—consistency of a bituminous material
specimens for this test method, please refer to Section 35 of Test Method
expressed as the distance in tenths of a millimetre that a
D 244.
standard needle vertically penetrates a sample of the material
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be considered under known conditions of loading, time, and temperature.
standard.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the 4. Summary of Test Method
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 4.1 The sample is melted (if starting at ambient tempera-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- ture) and cooled under controlled conditions. The penetration
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- is measured with a penetrometer by means of which a standard
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. needle is applied to the sample under specific conditions.
2. Referenced Documents 5. Significance and Use
2.1 ASTM Standards: 2 5.1 The penetration test is used as a measure of consis-
D 36 Test Method for Softening Point of Bitumen (Ring- tency. Higher values of penetration indicate softer consistency.
and-Ball Apparatus)
D 244 Test Methods and Practices for Emulsified Asphalts 6. Apparatus
E 1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers 6.1 Penetration Apparatus—Any apparatus that permits the
E 77 Test Method for Inspection and Verification of Ther- needle holder (spindle) to move vertically without measurable
mometers friction and is capable of indicating the depth of penetration to
E 1137/E 1137M Specification for Industrial Platinum Re- the nearest 0.1 mm, will be acceptable. The weight of the
sistance Thermometers spindle shall be 47.5 6 0.05 g. The total weight of the needle
E 2251 Specification for Liquid-in-Glass ASTM Thermom- and spindle assembly shall be 50.0 6 0.05 g. Weights of 50 6
eters with Low-Hazard Precision Liquids 0.05 g and 100 6 0.05 g shall also be provided for total loads
2.2 ANSI Standard: of 100 g and 200 g, as required for some conditions of the test.
The surface on which the sample container rests shall be flat
and the axis of the plunger shall be at approximately 90° to this
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D04 on Road surface. The apparatus shall have a leveling indicator. The
and Paving Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D04.44 on spindle shall be easily detached for checking its weight.
Rheological Tests. 6.1.1 The leveling indicator shall be verified at least annu-
Current edition approved June 1, 2006. Published June 2006. Originally
approved in 1959. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as D 5 – 05a.
ally with a hand-held level.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on 3
Available from American National Standards Institute, 25 W. 43rd St., 4th
the ASTM website. Floor, New York, NY 10036.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 D 5 – 06e1
6.2 Penetration Needle: For penetrations below 40:
Diameter, mm 33–50
6.2.1 The needle (see Fig. 1) shall be made from fully Internal depth, mm 8-16
hardened and tempered stainless steel, Grade 440-C or equal, For penetrations below 200:
HRC 54 to 60. The standard needle shall be approximately 50 Diameter, mm 55
Internal depth, mm 35
mm (2 in.) in length, the long needle approximately 60 mm For penetrations between 200 and 350:
(2.4 in.). The diameter of all needles shall be 1.00 to 1.02 mm Diameter, mm 55–75
Internal depth, mm 45–70
(0.0394 to 0.0402 in.). It shall be symmetrically tapered at one For penetrations 350 to 500
end by grinding to a cone having an angle between 8.7 and 9.7° Diameter, mm 55
over the entire cone length. The cone should be coaxial with Internal depth, mm 70

the straight body of the needle. The total axial variation of the NOTE 2—For referee testing, the container for testing materials with
intersection between the conical and straight surfaces shall not penetrations below 40 shall be 55 3 35 mm.
be in excess of 0.2 mm (0.008 in.). The truncated tip of the 6.4 Water Bath—A bath capable of maintaining a tempera-
cone shall be within the diameter limits of 0.14 and 0.16 mm ture of 25 6 0.1°C (77 6 0.2°F) or any other temperature of
(0.0055 and 0.0063 in.) and square to the needle axis within 2°. test within 0.1°C. The bath shall have a perforated shelf
The entire edge of the truncated surface at the tip shall be sharp supported in a position not less than 50 mm from the bottom
and free of burrs. When the surface texture is measured in and not less than 100 mm below the liquid level in the bath. If
accordance with American National Standard B 46.1 or ISO penetration tests are to be made in the bath itself, an additional
468 the surface roughness height, Ra, of the tapered cone shall shelf strong enough to support the penetrometer shall be
be 0.2 to 0.3 µm (8 to 12 µin.) arithmetic average. The surface provided. Brine may be used in the bath for determinations at
roughness height, Ra, of the needle shank shall be 0.025 to low temperatures.
0.125 µm (1 to 5 µin.). The needle shall be mounted in a NOTE 3—The use of distilled water is recommended for the bath. Take
non-corroding metal ferrule. The ferrule shall be 3.2 6 0.05 care to avoid contamination of the bath water by surface active agents,
mm (0.126 6 0.002 in.) in diameter and 38 6 1 mm (1.50 6 release agents, or other chemicals; as their presence may affect the
penetration values obtained.
0.04 in.) in length. The exposed length of the standard needle
shall be within the limits of 40 to 45 mm (1.57 to 1.77 in.), and 6.5 Transfer Dish—When used, the transfer dish shall have
the exposed length of the long needle shall be 50 to 55 mm a capacity of at least 350 mL and of sufficient depth of water
(1.97 to 2.17 in.). The needle shall be rigidly mounted in the to cover the large sample container. It shall be provided with
ferrule. The run-out (total-indicator reading) of the needle tip some means for obtaining a firm bearing and preventing
and any portion of the needle relative to the ferrule axis shall rocking of the container. A three-legged stand with three-point
not exceed 1 mm (0.04 in.). The weight of the ferrule needle contact for the sample container is a convenient way of
assembly shall be 2.50 6 0.05 g. (A drill hole at the end of the ensuring this.
6.6 Timing Device—For hand-operated-penetrometers any
ferrule or a flat on the side is permissible to control the weight.)
convenient timing device such as an electric timer, a stop
Individual identification markings shall be placed on the ferrule
watch, or other spring activated device may be used provided
of each needle; the same markings shall not be repeated by a
it is graduated in 0.1 s or less and is accurate to within 60.1 s
manufacturer within a 3-year period. for a 60-s interval. An audible seconds counter adjusted to
6.2.2 Needles used in testing materials for conformance to provide 1 beat each 0.5 s may also be used. The time for a
specifications shall be shown to have met the requirements of 11-count interval must be 5 6 0.1 s. Any automatic timing
6.2.1 when tested by a qualified agency. device attached to a penetrometer must be accurately calibrated
6.3 Sample Container—A metal or glass cylindrical, flat- to provide the desired test interval within 60.1 s.
bottom container of essentially the following dimensions shall 6.7 Thermometers—Calibrated liquid–in–glass thermom-
be used: eters of suitable range with subdivisions and maximum scale
error of 0.1°C (0.2°F) or any other thermometric device of
equal accuracy, precision and sensitivity shall be used. Ther-
mometers shall conform to the requirements of Specification
E 1 or Specification E 2251. Other thermometric devices shall
conform to the requirements of Specification E 1137.
6.7.1 Suitable thermometers commonly used are:
ASTM Number Range
17C or 17F 19 to 27°C (66 to 80°F)
63C or 63F −8 to + 32°C (18 to 89°F)
FIG. 1 Needle for Penetration Test 64C or 64F 25 to 55°C (77 to 131°F)

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 D 5 – 06e1
6.7.2 The thermometer used for the water bath shall peri- 9.2 If tests are to be made with the penetrometer in the bath,
odically be calibrated in accordance with Test Method E 77. An place the sample container directly on the submerged stand of
alternate thermometric device shall periodically be calibrated the penetrometer. Keep the sample container completely cov-
in accordance with Specification E 1137. ered with water in the bath. If the tests are to be made with the
penetrometer outside the bath, place the sample container in
7. Preparation of Test Specimen the transfer dish, cover the container completely with water
7.1 If the sample is not sufficiently fluid as received, heat the from the constant temperature bath and place the transfer dish
sample with care, stirring when possible to prevent local on the stand of the penetrometer.
overheating, until it has become sufficiently fluid to pour. In no 9.3 Using the level indicator, ensure that the apparatus is
case should the temperature be raised to more than 60°C above level.
the expected softening point for tar pitch in accordance with 9.4 Either note the reading of the penetrometer dial or bring
Test Method D 36, or to more than 90°C above it for petroleum the pointer to zero. Position the needle by slowly lowering it
asphalt (bitumen). Heat samples for the minimum time neces- until its tip just makes contact with the surface of the sample.
sary to ensure that they are sufficiently fluid. Stir to ensure that This is accomplished by bringing the actual needle tip into
the sample is homogeneous. Avoid incorporating bubbles into contact with its image reflected on the surface of the sample
the sample. from a properly placed source of light. Quickly release the
7.2 Pour the sample into the sample container to a depth needle holder for the specified period of time and adjust the
such that, when cooled to the temperature of test, the depth of instrument to measure the distance penetrated in tenths of a
the sample is at least 120% of the depth to which the needle is millimetre. If the container moves, ignore the result.
expected to penetrate. Pour separate portions for each variation 9.5 Make at least three determinations at points on the
in test conditions. If the sample container is less than 65 mm in surface of the sample not less than 10 mm from the side of the
diameter and the expected penetration is greater than 200, pour container and not less than 10 mm apart. If the transfer dish is
three separate portions for each variation in test conditions. used, return the sample and transfer dish to the constant
NOTE 4—If sufficient material is available it is recommended to fill the temperature bath between determinations. Use a clean needle
sample container to near the brim. for each determination. If the penetration is greater than 200,
use at least three needles leaving them in the sample until the
7.3 Allow to cool in air at a temperature between 15 and
three determinations have been completed. If the sample
30°C for 45 min to 1.5 hr for the small (33 3 16 mm or less)
container is less than 65 mm in diameter and the expected
containter, 1 to 1.5 h for the medium (55 3 35 mm) container
penetration is greater than 200, make one penetration in each of
and 1.5 to 2 h for larger containers. Then place the samples
the three separate containers prepared as per section 7.2.
together with the transfer dish, if used, in the water bath
maintained at the prescribed temperature of test. Allow the NOTE 6—With a 55 mm container and a sample with expected
small (33 3 16 mm or less ) container to remain for 45 min to penetration greater than 200, it is often not possible to position the needle
1.5 hr, the medium (55 3 35 mm) container to remain for 1 to holder for a third determination without bumping the other two in-place
needles. For routine testing it is acceptable to use a single container for all
1.5 h and the larger containers to remain for 1.5 to 2 h.
three needle penetrations, moving the first two needles as necessary,
NOTE 5—If conditions warrant, it is appropriate to loosely cover each provided that the difference between the highest and lowest penetration
container as a protection against dust. A convenient way of doing this is values does not exceed the value specified in section 10.1.
by covering with a lipped beaker.
10. Report
8. Test Conditions 10.1 Report to nearest whole unit the average of three
8.1 Where the conditions of test are not specifically men- penetrations whose values do not differ by more than the
tioned, the temperature, load, and time are understood to be following:
25°C (77°F), 100 g, and 5 s, respectively. Other conditions may 0 to 50 to 150 to 250 to
be used for special testing, such as the following: Penetration 49 149 249 500
Maximum difference between highest 2 4 12 20
Temperature, °C (°F) Load, g Time, s and lowest penetration
0 (32) 200 60
4 (39.2) 200 60
45 (113) 50 5 11. Precision and Bias
46.1 (115) 50 5
11.1 Precision estimates for this test were developed using
In such cases the specific conditions of test shall be reported. the AMRL proficiency sample database, which includes paired-
sample data representing approximately 16 000 repetitions of
9. Procedure the penetration test at 25°C, and approximately 4000 repeti-
9.1 Examine the needle holder and guide to establish the tions of the penetration test at 4°C. The materials for the
absence of water and other extraneous materials. If the pen- database are conventional straight run and blended asphalts
etration is expected to exceed 350 use a long needle, otherwise with penetration values ranging from 29 to 286 units measured
use a short needle. Clean a penetration needle with toluene or at 25°C. Analysis of this data indicates that precision of the test
other suitable solvent, dry with a clean cloth, and insert the can be described with the following equations:
needle into the penetrometer. Unless otherwise specified place Symbols: x = penetration test result (units)
the 50-g weight above the needle, making the total weight 100 s = standard deviation
6 0.1 g. of penetration test result (units)

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 D 5 – 06e1
Multilab s = 2.5 + 0.08 (x)
Single if x < 60, then s = 0.8 Precision
Operator at 4°C
Precision
at 25°C 11.2 The acceptable range of two results (95 % confidence)
if x > 60, then s = 0.8 + 0.03
(x–60)
can be determined by multiplying the standard deviation
estimates given in section 11.1 by a factor of 2.83 and rounding
Multilab if x < 60, then s = 2.5 to th enearest whole number.
Precision
at 25°C 11.3 This test method has no bias because the values
if x > 60, then s = 2.5 + 0.05 determined are defined only in terms of the test method.
(x–60)

Single s = 0.8 + 0.02 (x) 12. Keywords

Operator
Precision 12.1 asphalt; bitumen; penetration
at 4°C

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