Dropping and Softening Point Instrument | METTLER TOLEDO

Dropping / Softening Point Apparatus

Automatic Dropping Point and Softening Point

A dropping point system is an analytical instrument used to determine the dropping point and softening point 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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Advantages of the Dropping / Softening Point Apparatus

Simple, Efficient and Trustworthy

METTLER TOLEDO's Excellence Dropping Point Systems offer many ways to optimize and simplify your dropping and softening point analysis so that you complete measurements faster for higher throughput. Watch the video and learn more about our outstanding dropping point instruments.

Dropping / Softening Point Apparatus

Unmatched Measurement Principle

With the visual camera observation and digital image analysis, highly accurate dropping and softening point temperatures are obtained fully automatically. High-resolution videos of the measurement can conveniently be replayed.

Dropping / Softening Point Apparatus

Compliance with Industry Specific Standards

With the Excellence Dropping Point Systems, full compliance with national and international standards is ensured so you don't need to worry your measurements will pass audit. Standard compliant cups and measurement methods provide comparable results.

Dropping / Softening Point Apparatus

Measurements Made Easy

With simple operating routines and an intuitive touchscreen user interface, measurements can be performed quickly and easily. Just one click is needed to start the analysis, and the instrument does the rest.

Dropping / Softening Point Apparatus

Fast and Accurate Sample Preparation

Sample preparation can be time-consuming. Our innovative sample preparation tools enable a simple, quick and precise sampling process. Disposable cups and glassware eliminate the need for tedious cleaning.

Dropping / Softening Point Apparatus

User Management for Safe and Easy Operation

Instrument settings can be personalized with shortcuts and the selected operator language. The user management system allows different levels of access to be defined, protecting critical data.

Dropping / Softening Point Apparatus

Five-Star Support – Wherever You Are

You can count on us. Our Service Technicians and application experts are ready to support you to ensure maximum uptime, quality results and efficiency.

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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 of 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.

Dropping point and softening point is 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 is shining 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.

What are common samples to be tested with dropping point systems?

Dropping point testers are used to determine the dropping and softening points of ointments, synthetic and natural resins, rosins, edible fats, greases, waxes, fatty acid esters, pitch, asphalt, tars, bitumen, and many more materials.

Get useful tips and hints for correct sample preparation of different dropping point and softening point samples.

How do I measure dropping point correctly at sub-ambient temperatures?

Edible oils, fats and organic solvents can be solidified and measured at low temperatures. Substances often need to be cooled or frozen for a sufficient amount of time prior to the dropping point measurement. The METTLER TOLEDO Excellence Dropping Point System DP90 performs dropping point measurements down to -20 °C. Place the separate DP90 measurement cell, the furnace and the optical detection system, in a refrigerator or a freezer till the required temperature is attained.

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.