ring-and-ball test

ring-and-ball test

[¦riŋ ən ¦bȯl ‚test]

(chemical engineering)

A test for determining the melting point of asphalt, waxes, and paraffins in which a small ring is fitted with a test sample upon which a small ball is then placed; the melting point is that temperature at which the sample softens sufficiently to allow the ball to fall through the ring. Also known as ball and ring method.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.