Dropping / Softening Point Apparatus

Automatic Dropping Point and Softening Point

A dropping point system is an analytical instrument used to determine the dropping points and softening points of substances such as greases, pitch, polymers, and more. The dropping point is the temperature at which the first drop of molten substance precipitates. The softening point is the temperature at which the molten substance flows a defined distance. With the dropping point system by METTLER TOLEDO, both the dropping point and softening point are obtained fully automatically.

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FAQs

What is a digital dropping point apparatus?

A digital melting dropping instrument uses a furnace and video camera to automatically detect the drop point and softening point event. This measurement is done digitally, reducing operator influence considerably. Two samples can be measured simultaneously with a temperature accuracy down to 0.2 °C and short heating and cooling times. The layout of the furnace and the video image analysis respectively allow two samples to be measured simultaneously. METTLER TOLEDO Excellence Dropping Point Systems DP70 and DP90 work both as automated dropping point apparatuses and automated softening point apparatuses.

Click here to learn everything you need to know about softening and dropping point measurements

How does a digital dropping point apparatus work?

A METTLER TOLEDO dropping point system is represented in the schematic diagram below.

This system is a combination of a furnace and a video camera.

The dropping point and softening point are determined by heating the sample. The furnace is used to control the temperature during an analysis. Temperature control and recording is ensured by a digital platinum sensor.

In the Dropping Point Excellence Systems from METTLER TOLEDO, a white-balanced LED light shines on the test assembly, which consists of the cup and holder inside the furnace. The reflection image is recorded by a video camera.

For the automated dropping point determination, the entire drop point test is video-recorded and image analysis is used to detect the first drop that escapes the sample cup when it passes through a virtual white rectangle located underneath the cup orifice. While detecting this, the furnace temperature is measured and recorded at a resolution of 0.1 °C.

For the automated softening point determination, the leading edge of the softened sample is marked with a stepping line in the video. Once the stepping line has passed a virtual line that is located 19 mm below the cup orifice, the corresponding furnace temperature is measured and recorded at a resolution of 0.1 °C.

Can a METTLER TOLEDO dropping point apparatus help me comply with ASTM, AOCS, IP, ISO, and similar regulations?

The METTLER TOLEDO dropping point instruments fully comply with the following standards for dropping point and softening point determination:

  • ASTM D3104 for automatic softening point determination of pitches
  • ASTM D3461 for automatic softening point determination of bitumen, pitch, and asphalt
  • ASTM D3954 for automatic dropping point tests of waxes
  • ASTM D6090 for automatic softening point determination of resins
  • AOCS Cc 18-80 for automatic dropping point detection of edible fats and edible oils
  • European Pharmacopeia Ph.Eur. 2.2.17 for drop point
  • IP 396 for automatic dropping point detection of lubricating grease
  • ISO 4625 for softening point determination of paints and varnishes
  • DIN EN 51920 for softening point determination of carbonaceous material


International standards ASTM D3104, ASTM D3461, ASTM D3954, ASTM D6090, and AOCS Cc 18-80 are specifically based on automatic dropping point and softening point determinations made on METTLER TOLEDO instruments.