ZGD50 Dropping Point and Softening Point Tester (Cup-and-Ball Method)

Main Application:

• To determine the drop points and softening points of noncrystallographic polymer compounds, to determine their concentration density, polymerization degree, heat resistance and other physical and chemical characteristics; 

• for use in the component detection or quality control of coal tar, asphalt, rosin, vaseline, lubricating oil, synthetic resin and various ointments; 

• can replace the traditional Ubbelohde Method dropping point measurement and ring-and-ball softening point measurement. 

• Photoelectric detection, temperature program control, digital display reading, high accuracy, stable performance, using GB8728-88 standard, GBT3498, in accordance with the Chinese Pharmacopoeia the 2020 edition,and ASTM (D3204, D3461, D3954, D6090), DIN (51920), ISO 4625-2 and European Pharmacopoeia.

Main Technical Parameters:

Operation Steps and Use Methods of Dropping Point / Softening Point

1. Introduction of the heating furnace body structure

Shanghai Zhuoguang automatic drop point softening point instrument, the structure diagram of heating furnace body is as shown in Fig. 13:

graph 13

（1） Heating furnace structure: the heating furnace includes the heating body, embedded heating sheet and platinum resistance sensor; the middle empty slot is the sample chamber, for putting into the sample combination: including the fat cup clamp head, the fat cup with the sample, the lower slit of the fat cup.

There is a light source under the heating body, the light through the slit of the slit hole, shines on the signal sensor. When the sample sofand blocks the optical hole, the signal sensor sends the signal and the instrument records the temperature.

（2） Sample combination: the middle is the fat cup for placing the sample; the top is the clamp for holding the upper end of the fat cup and connecting the handle; the bottom is the slit sleeve for passing the light and catching the dripping sample when it reaches the dropping or softening point.

（3） Inspection of the composite slit sleeve: click the "Test" button on the main interface, set the preset temperature to no more than 40 degrees, and click the "Automatic Detection" button to enter the automatic test interface.

The sample combination of the empty fat cup is put vertically into the furnace sample chamber, so that the lower observation mouth of the slit sleeve is parallel in front, and the light hole of the furnace body and the light hole of the slit sleeve are parallel to ensure that the detection hole can penetrate light.

2. Methods of sample preparation

2.1 Dropping point sample preparation using a grease cup with a drop hole diameter of 2.8 mm:

Droplet determination samples are mostly paste, samples are generally not pretreated, can be filled in the following two methods:

Method 1: When measuring the grease according to ASTMD566-64 (73), the accessory sample rod rotates along the upper and lower ports of the grease to remove the middle cone grease. Figure 14 below:

graph 14

Method 2: According to the DIN51801-1 (72), the fat cup should be filled and leveled with a scraper.

2.2 Drop hole diameter 6.35mm fat cup:

The softening point measurement is mostly solid fast samples, need to be broken after the container heating melting, do not use open flame. At the same time, during the heating process, the water in the sample is removed at the higher temperature, until the sample is not foaming phenomenon.

Preheat the fat cup on the copper plate, then pour in the melted sample until overflow. After the sample is cooled and solidified, flatten the surface with a superheated spatula. Do not create voids or bubbles in the fat cup.

Follow the ASTMD3461-86 or (GB8728-88) standard, and a heavy ball (3 / 8 steel ball) shall be placed in the center of the fat cup of the filled sample. Or to be measured according to other relevant standards.

3. Method of Operation

Step 1: turn on the power switch and preheat the instrument for 10 minutes.

Step 2: Enter the main interface and select the test. For example, the drop point softening point of the sample to be tested is about 65℃, and input the sample name: sample 01, starting temperature 55℃, heating rate 1℃ / min, and stop temperature 75℃.

Step 3: When the temperature stabilizes to 65℃ (there will be a buzzer prompt above 4 sounds), put the sample combination with the sample. Make the lower gap of the slit sleeve stuck in the furnace to locate on the frame.(Note: the slit sleeve and the furnace body can ensure light transmittance, refer to the inspection of the combined slit sleeve on page 15 (3))

Step 4: After releasing the sample, the temperature is stabilized to 60℃. (Note: after adding the sample, the temperature of the furnace body decreases slightly, so it is recommended for the buzzer to press heating above 4 sounds after the temperature is stable.) Press the [heating] key. When the measured sample reaches the titration point or softening point, the corresponding temperature will be displayed after the "drop / softening point" on the screen.

Step 5: After showing the temperature of the drop point softening point, take out the sample immediately. Observe whether there is a sample drop, if no sample drop covers the slit sleeve light hole, indicating that the test failed.

If the sample drops to block the slit hole hole, the test value is valid. You can press [save] to save the data or press [print] to print the data. If you want to change the tested sample, press [Return] and retreat to the test interface for the corresponding parameter setting.