This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: D6521 − 19a

Standard Practice for

Accelerated Aging of Asphalt Binder Using a Pressurized
Aging Vessel (PAV)1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6521; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope means of evaluating and controlling some of those factors.

1.1 This practice covers the conditioning of asphalt binders 1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
to simulate accelerated aging (oxidation) by means of pressur- safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
ized air and elevated temperature. This is intended to simulate responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
the changes in rheology which occur in asphalt binders during priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
in-service oxidative aging, but may not accurately simulate the mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
relative rates of aging. It is normally intended for use with 1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
residue from Test Method D2872 (RTFOT), which is designed dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
to simulate plant aging. ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
NOTE 1—PAV conditioning has not been validated for materials mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
containing particulate materials.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.2 The aging of asphalt binders during service is affected
by ambient temperature and by mixture-associated variables, 2. Referenced Documents
such as the volumetric proportions of the mix, the permeability 2.1 ASTM Standards:2
of the mix, properties of the aggregates, and possibly other D8 Terminology Relating to Materials for Roads and Pave-
factors. This conditioning process is intended to provide an ments
evaluation of the relative resistance of different asphalt binders D2872 Test Method for Effect of Heat and Air on a Moving
to oxidative aging at selected elevated aging temperatures and Film of Asphalt (Rolling Thin-Film Oven Test)
pressures, but cannot account for mixture variables or provide D3666 Specification for Minimum Requirements for Agen-
the relative resistance to aging at in-service conditions. cies Testing and Inspecting Road and Paving Materials
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Bal-
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this ances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and
standard. Construction Materials Testing
1.4 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes D6373 Specification for Performance Graded Asphalt
which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes Binder
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered D8239 Specification for Performance-Graded Asphalt
as requirements of the standard Binder Using the Multiple Stress Creep and Recovery
(MSCR) Test
NOTE 2—The quality of the results produced by this standard are E1137/E1137M Specification for Industrial Platinum Resis-
dependent on the competence of the personnel performing the procedure
and the capability, calibration, and maintenance of the equipment used.
tance Thermometers
Agencies that meet the criteria of Specification D3666 are generally 2.2 AASHTO Standards:3
considered capable of competent and objective testing, sampling, M 320 Specification for Performance-Graded Asphalt
inspection, etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Binder
Specification D3666 alone does not completely ensure reliable results.
Reliable results depend on many factors; following the suggestions of M 332 Specification for Performance-Graded Asphalt
Specification D3666 or some similar acceptable guideline provides a
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D04 on Road and contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Paving Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D04.46 on Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Durability and Distillation Tests. the ASTM website.
3
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2019. Published November 2019. Originally Available from American Association of State Highway and Transportation
approved in 2000. Last previous edition approved in 2019 as D6521 – 19. DOI: Officials (AASHTO), 444 N. Capitol St., NW, Suite 249, Washington, DC 20001,
10.1520/D6521-19A. http://www.transportation.org.

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

&RS\ULJKWE\$670,QW
ODOOULJKWVUHVHUYHG7XH0DU*07
1
'RZQORDGHGSULQWHGE\
8QLYHUVLW\RI7H[DVDW$XVWLQ8QLYHUVLW\RI7H[DVDW$XVWLQSXUVXDQWWR/LFHQVH$JUHHPHQW1RIXUWKHUUHSURGXFWLRQVDXWKRUL]HG
 D6521 − 19a
Binder Using Multiple Stress Creep Recovery (MSCR) 6. Apparatus
Test 6.1 An equipment system consisting of a pressure vessel,
2.3 CGA Standard:4 ovens, pressure controlling devices, temperature controlling
CGA G-7.1–1997 Commodity Specification for Air, Fourth devices, pressure and temperature measuring devices, and a
Edition temperature and pressure recording system (see Fig. 1).
6.1.1 Pressure Vessel—A stainless steel pressure vessel
3. Terminology designed to operate at 2.1 6 0.1 MPa between 90 and 110 °C,
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: with interior dimensions adequate to hold ten PAV pans and a
3.1.1 Definitions of terms used in this practice may be found pan holder. The pan holder shall be capable of holding ten PAV
in Terminology D8, determined from common English usage, stainless steel pans in a horizontal (level) position, such that the
or combinations of both. asphalt binder film thickness is reasonably uniform. The holder
3.1.2 Terms related to standardization, calibration, and veri- shall be designed for easy insertion and removal from the
fication are defined in Specification D3666. vessel when the holder, pans, and asphalt binder are at the
conditioning temperature. A schematic showing a possible
4. Summary of Practice configuration of the vessel, pan holder and pans, and specifying
4.1 Asphalt binder is normally first conditioned using Test dimensional requirements is shown in Fig. 2.
Method D2872 (RTFOT). Residue from the RTFOT is then NOTE 4—The vessel may be a separate unit to be placed in a
placed in standard stainless steel pans and conditioned at the forced-draft oven for conditioning the asphalt binders or an integral part
temperature and pressure specified in Section 10. The residue of the temperature control system (for example, by direct heating of the
may then be vacuum degassed. The applied high pressure is vessel or by surrounding the vessel with a permanently affixed heating
unit, forced-air oven, or liquid bath). For practical purposes, it is
intended to improve diffusion of air into the asphalt binder with recommended that the vessel have the dimensions of 250 mm in diameter
a focus on oxygen as the reactive component of interest. and 265 mm in height.
NOTE 3—For more information on selecting the conditioning 6.1.2 Pressure and Temperature Controlling Devices:
temperature, see the applicable specification on performance-graded 6.1.2.1 A pressure relief valve that prevents pressure in the
asphalt binder. Examples include Specifications D6373 and D8239,
AASHTO M 320, and AASHTO M 332. vessel from exceeding the design pressure of the vessel, but in
no case exceeding 2.5 MPa during the conditioning procedure.
5. Significance and Use 6.1.2.2 A pressure regulator or regulating system capable of
5.1 This practice is designed to simulate the in-service controlling the pressure within the vessel to 60.02 MPa, and
oxidative aging that occurs in asphalt binders during pavement with a capacity adequate to reduce the pressure from the source
service. Residue from this conditioning practice may be used to of compressed air, so that the pressure within the loaded
estimate the physical or chemical properties of asphalt binders pressure vessel is maintained at 2.1 6 0.1 MPa gauge (relative)
after several years of in-service aging in the field. pressure during the conditioning process.
6.1.2.3 A slow-release bleed valve or pressure controller
5.2 Binders conditioned using this practice are normally that allows the pressure in the vessel at the completion of the
used to determine specification properties in accordance with conditioning procedure to be reduced from 2.1 MPa to local
Specification D6373 or D8239, or AASHTO M 320. atmospheric pressure within 8 to 15 min.
5.3 For asphalt binders of different grades or from different 6.1.3 Temperature Controlling Device—A digital tempera-
sources, there is no unique correlation between the time and ture control device as described in 6.1.4.1 or 6.1.4.2 for
temperature in this conditioning practice and in-service pave- maintaining the temperature during the conditioning procedure
ment age and temperature. Therefore, for a given set of within the pressure vessel at the conditioning temperature
in-service climatic conditions, it is not possible to select a 60.5 °C.
single PAV conditioning time, temperature, and pressure that 6.1.3.1 A heating device (forced-draft oven or fluid bath)
will predict the properties or the relative rankings of the capable of restoring the conditioning temperature within the
properties of asphalt binders after a specific set of in-service vessel after loading the pans and the pan holder and prior to
exposure conditions. pressurizing the vessel within 2 h of placing the loaded vessel
5.4 The relative degree of hardening of different asphalt in the heating device. The device shall be capable of maintain-
binders varies with conditioning temperatures and pressures in ing the temperature within the pressure vessel at the condition-
the PAV. Therefore, two asphalt binders may age at a similar ing temperature 60.5 °C. If an oven is used, the oven shall
rate at one condition of temperature and pressure, but age have sufficiently large interior dimensions to allow forced air to
differently at another condition. Hence, the relative rates of freely circulate within the oven and around the pressure vessel
aging for a set of asphalts at PAV conditions may differ when the vessel is placed in the oven. The oven shall contain
significantly from the actual in-service relative rates at lower a stand or shelf that supports the loaded pressure vessel in a
pavement temperatures and ambient pressures. level position above the lower surface of the oven.
6.1.3.2 A pressure vessel with an integral temperature con-
trol system that is capable of restoring the pre-conditioning
4
Available from Compressed Gas Association (CGA), 4221 Walney Rd., 5th temperature, as determined in 9.3, within the vessel after
Floor, Chantilly, VA 20151-2923, http://www.cganet.com. loading the pans and the pan holder, prior to pressurizing the

&RS\ULJKWE\$670,QW
ODOOULJKWVUHVHUYHG7XH0DU*07
2
'RZQORDGHGSULQWHGE\
8QLYHUVLW\RI7H[DVDW$XVWLQ8QLYHUVLW\RI7H[DVDW$XVWLQSXUVXDQWWR/LFHQVH$JUHHPHQW1RIXUWKHUUHSURGXFWLRQVDXWKRUL]HG
 D6521 − 19a

FIG. 1 Schematic of PAV Test System

vessel within 2 h of placing the loaded vessel in the heating of stainless steel and shall have a metal thickness of approxi-
device, and maintaining the temperature within the pressure mately 0.6 mm (0.024 in.).
vessel at the conditioning temperature 60.5 °C. NOTE 6—Stainless steel pans, rather than aluminum pans, are required
NOTE 5—Preheating the pressure vessel may be necessary to achieve for use in the PAV because they provide a safer environment for
the conditioning temperature within the required 2-h period. hydrocarbons under elevated temperatures and pressures and they are not
as easily warped or bent.
6.1.4 Temperature and Pressure Measuring Devices: NOTE 7—Pans have a tendency to become warped or bent with use.
6.1.4.1 A platinum resistive thermometric device (RTD) Although tests show that a slight degree of warping does not significantly
accurate to the nearest 0.1 °C and manufactured in accordance affect the results, frequent inspection to eliminate warped or damaged
with Specification E1137/E1137M (IEC 751), or equal, for pans is advisable. The indicated metal thickness has been found to provide
adequate rigidity.
measuring temperature inside the pressure vessel. The RTD
shall be calibrated as an integral unit with its respective metre 6.3 Balance—A balance that is in accordance with Guide
or electronic circuitry. D4753, Class G2.
6.1.4.2 Temperature Recording Device—A strip chart re- 6.4 Vacuum Oven—A vacuum oven capable of maintaining
corder or other data acquisition system capable of recording temperature up to 180 °C with an accuracy of 65 °C and 15 6
temperature throughout the conditioning process to within 1.0 kPa absolute pressure shall be used (see Note 8).
60.1 °C at a minimum interval of once per minute. As an 6.4.1 Temperature and Vacuum Measuring Devices:
alternative, an electronic device capable of reporting only 6.4.1.1 Temperature Measuring Device—A temperature
maximum and minimum temperatures (accurate to 60.1 °C) sensor capable of measuring the vacuum oven chamber tem-
may be used. perature to within 65 °C.
6.1.4.3 A pressure gauge capable of measuring the pressure 6.4.1.2 Vacuum Measuring Device—A vacuum gauge, ab-
in the pressure vessel to within 60.02 MPa during the solute pressure gauge, or digital vacuum measuring system
conditioning process. capable of measuring the absolute pressure in the chamber to
6.2 Stainless Steel Pans—Cylindrical pans, each 140 6 within 60.5 kPa (61.0 in. Hg).
1 mm (5.5 6 0.04 in.) in inside diameter and 9.5 6 1.5 mm (3⁄8 6.5 Vacuum System—A vacuum system capable of generat-
6 1⁄16 in.) deep, with a flat bottom. Pans shall be manufactured ing and maintaining pressure below 15 kPa absolute. Suitable

&RS\ULJKWE\$670,QW
ODOOULJKWVUHVHUYHG7XH0DU*07
3
'RZQORDGHGSULQWHGE\
8QLYHUVLW\RI7H[DVDW$XVWLQ8QLYHUVLW\RI7H[DVDW$XVWLQSXUVXDQWWR/LFHQVH$JUHHPHQW1RIXUWKHUUHSURGXFWLRQVDXWKRUL]HG
 D6521 − 19a

NOTE 1—Distance “a” controls the levelness of the pan. The assembly shall be supported at three or more support points. The distance “a,” measured
from each assembly support point to the bottom of the pan (top of shelf or pan support point), shall be controlled to 60.05 mm.
NOTE 2—Distances “b1” and “b2” shall be such that any active portion of the temperature transducer is ≥10 mm from any adjacent surface.
NOTE 3—Distance “c” shall be ≥12 mm.

FIG. 2 Schematic Showing Location of Pans and RTD Within PAV

vacuum systems include a vacuum pump, an air aspirator, or a 9. Calibration and Standardization
house vacuum system.
9.1 Temperature Sensors:
NOTE 8—A vacuum gauge provides the difference in pressure between 9.1.1 PAV Thermometric Device—Verify the calibration of
ambient atmospheric pressure and the absolute pressure within the
vacuum oven. At sea level, where the atmospheric pressure is equal to
the thermometric device to within 60.1 °C at least every six
101.3 kPa (29.9 in. Hg), and with an absolute pressure inside the oven months using a calibrated thermometric device traceable to a
equal to 15.0 kPa (4.4 in. Hg), the vacuum gauge will read 86.3 kPa national standard. Verification shall be performed near the
(25.5 in. Hg). At an altitude of 1000 m (3281 ft) where the ambient temperature of use within a range of 90.0 to 110.0 °C.
atmospheric pressure is 89.7 kPa (26.5 in. Hg), the vacuum gauge reading
will be 26.5 in. Hg minus 4.4 in. Hg or 22.1 in. Hg. A temperature- NOTE 10—The sensors for the thermometric devices in commercially
corrected altitude conversion for relative pressure gauge indication is to manufactured PAV vessels cannot, or to avoid damage to the sensors and
subtract 0.85 in. Hg for each 250 m of altitude (subtract 0.52 in. Hg for fittings, should not be removed for verification. A suitable verification
each 500 ft of altitude). technique is to: (1) bring the probe of the calibrated thermometric device
6.6 Oven—An oven capable of maintaining a temperature of into intimate contact with the sensor mounted in the PAV vessel, (2) place
the cover over the vessel, allowing the leads for the thermometric device
168 6 5 °C, readable to 1 °C. to exit the vessel under the cover without securing the cover, (3) allow the
vessel to come to thermal equilibrium so that the temperature is constant
7. Materials to 60.1 °C, (4) after equilibrium is reached, simultaneously record the
temperature of the two thermometric devices at 1-min intervals until the
7.1 Commercial bottled air meeting at least the minimum temperature differential readings differ by no more than 0.1 °C for three
requirements of the CGA for Grade D air, and having a consecutive readings, and (5) record the average of the three readings for
maximum dew point to –40 °C. each device. The difference in the average readings for the two devices is
the correction factor to be applied when selecting the conditioning
NOTE 9—In North America, CGA Grade D air is commonly referred to temperature. Post and date a notice on the PAV apparatus that contains the
as OSHA breathing air. CGA Publication G-7.1–1997 defines Grade D air correction to be applied when setting conditioning temperature.
as containing 19.5 to 23.5 % oxygen, balance being predominantly Alternatively, if the PAV thermoelectric device so allows, adjust the
nitrogen. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is limited to 1000 ppm (v/v), carbon calibration of the device so that the indicator and the calibrated tempera-
monoxide is limited to 10 ppm, and oil (condensed) to 5 mg/m3 at NTP. ture measuring device indicate the same temperature.
NOTE 11—If the sensor in the PAV is oriented in a horizontal direction,
8. Hazards a block of brass with dimensions approximately 25 mm × 25 mm ×
8.1 Use standard laboratory safety procedures in handling 25 mm, with holes drilled in two adjacent faces to accommodate the
sensors, may be used to thermally couple the two sensors.
the hot asphalt binder when preparing and conditioning speci-
mens and removing the residue from the pressure vessel. Use 9.1.2 Vacuum Oven Thermometric Device—Verify the cali-
special precaution when lifting the pressure vessel. bration of the thermometric device used in the vacuum oven to

&RS\ULJKWE\$670,QW
ODOOULJKWVUHVHUYHG7XH0DU*07
4
'RZQORDGHGSULQWHGE\
8QLYHUVLW\RI7H[DVDW$XVWLQ8QLYHUVLW\RI7H[DVDW$XVWLQSXUVXDQWWR/LFHQVH$JUHHPHQW1RIXUWKHUUHSURGXFWLRQVDXWKRUL]HG
 D6521 − 19a
within 61 °C at least every six months using a calibrated temperature and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
thermometric device traceable to a national standard. Verifica- preheating the pressure vessel.
tion shall be performed at a temperature that is within 10 °C of
NOTE 12—If conditioning asphalt binders for conformance to Specifi-
the use temperature. cation D6373 or AASHTO M 320, select the appropriate conditioning
9.2 Pressure and Vacuum Gauges: temperature from Table 1 or 2 of Specification D6373 or Table 1 or 2 of
AASHTO M 320.
9.2.1 PAV Pressure Gauge—Verify the calibration of the NOTE 13—For vessels placed in an oven, preheating the vessel 10 to
pressure gauge or digital pressure measurement system to 15 °C above the conditioning temperature can be used to reduce the drop
within 60.02 MPa at least every six months using a calibrated in PAV temperature during the loading process and minimize the time
pressure indicator traceable to a national standard. Verification required to stabilize the system, after loading, to attain the required
shall be performed near the pressure of use within a range of temperature.
NOTE 14—Conditioning temperature in the PAV is selected to account
2.00 to 2.10 MPa. for different climatic regions. Temperatures in excess of approximately
9.2.2 Vacuum Oven Vacuum or Absolute Pressure Gauge— 115 °C can result in changes in the final binder properties of the PAV
Verify the calibration of the chamber vacuum or absolute residue that are inconsistent with results obtained when those elevated
pressure gauge or digital vacuum measurement system to temperatures are avoided.
equate to a reading within 60.5 kPa (60.2 in Hg) absolute 10.2 If required, condition the asphalt binder in accordance
pressure at least every six months using a calibrated vacuum or with Test Method D2872 (RTFOT).
pressure indicator traceable to a national standard. Verification
shall be performed near the absolute pressure of use within a 10.3 Combine the hot residue from the RTFOT bottles into
range of 12.5 to 17.5 kPa. (See Note 8.) a single container, stir to blend, and then transfer to PAV pans
in accordance with 10.4. Alternatively, allow the hot residue in
9.3 Levelness—The relative levelness of samples is impor- the container to cool to room temperature and cover and store
tant to the outcome of the conditioning process. at room temperature for PAV conditioning at a later date. If
9.3.1 Verify the levelness of the sample rack itself by conditioned asphalt binder is allowed to cool to room
placing it on a measured level surface and measuring the temperature, heat it until it is sufficiently fluid to pour and stir
levelness of the top shelf of the rack. A spirit level, circular it before pouring it into the PAV pans.
with a “bullseye,” is preferred. However, a small (approxi-
10.4 Place each PAV pan on a balance and add 50 6 0.5 g
mately 150 mm or 6 in.) machinist’s level may be used, but
mass of asphalt binder to the pan. This will yield approxi-
levelness must be verified in more than one plane (that is, at
mately a 3.2-mm thick film of asphalt binder.
right angles).
9.3.2 Verify the levelness of the sample rack as it rests in the NOTE 15—The mass change is not measured as part of this procedure.
pressure vessel. The pressure vessel and rack should both be Mass change is not meaningful because the asphalt binder absorbs air as
heated to normal operating temperature before performing this a result of pressurization. Any loss in mass as a result of volatilization is
masked by air absorbed by the binder as a result of the pressurization.
verification. Verification is similar to that described in 9.3.1,
except that the PAV oven supports or PAV system leveling 10.5 If an oven-heated vessel is preheated to other than the
supports must be adjusted according to the manufacturer’s desired conditioning temperature, reset the temperature control
recommendations to provide levelness. on the oven to the conditioning temperature.
9.4 Standardization—For those vessels or PAV systems 10.6 Perform the operations described in 10.7 – 10.9 as
where pressurization is operator controlled, use the following quickly as possible to avoid cooling of the vessel and pan
procedure to determine the optimum temperature at which to holder.
apply pressure to the pressure vessel. Several conditioning runs 10.7 Remove the pan holder, conditioned to test
should be conducted. With the vessel loaded with pan rack and temperature, from the pressure vessel or other (separate) ovens
empty pans, increase the temperature inside the vessel to the set to the conditioning temperature.
conditioning temperature. When the temperature inside the
vessel is within 10 °C of the conditioning temperature, apply 10.8 Place the filled pans in the pan holder. Pans containing
an air pressure of 2.1 6 0.1 MPa. Record the temperature asphalt binders from different sources and grades may be
increase when the pressure is applied. Perform the procedure at placed in the pressure vessel during a single conditioning run.
least three times and use the average temperature increase to Place the pan holder with filled pans inside the pressure vessel
establish the temperature at which to apply pressure to the and close the pressure vessel. Unused slots in the pan holder
vessel for performing the conditioning procedure. This infor- need not be filled with empty pans.
mation will be useful in 10.10. 10.9 If an oven is used, place the loaded and closed pressure
vessel in the oven. Connect the temperature transducer line and
10. Procedure the air pressure supply line to the loaded pressure vessel’s
10.1 Place the pan holder inside the pressure vessel or a external connections as required by the vessel design and oven
separate oven set to the conditioning temperature. If an oven is configuration.
used, place the pressure vessel inside the oven, select a 10.10 For pressure vessels placed in an oven, wait until the
conditioning temperature, and preheat the pressure vessel to temperature inside the pressure vessel reaches the temperature
the conditioning temperature selected. If an integrated tem- determined by the lab in accordance with Note 13, apply an air
perature control pressure vessel is used, select a conditioning pressure of 2.10 6 0.1 MPa, and then start timing the

&RS\ULJKWE\$670,QW
ODOOULJKWVUHVHUYHG7XH0DU*07
5
'RZQORDGHGSULQWHGE\
8QLYHUVLW\RI7H[DVDW$XVWLQ8QLYHUVLW\RI7H[DVDW$XVWLQSXUVXDQWWR/LFHQVH$JUHHPHQW1RIXUWKHUUHSURGXFWLRQVDXWKRUL]HG
 D6521 − 19a
conditioning run. If an integrated temperature control pressure 10.14.1 Remove the pan holder and pans from the PAV, and
vessel is used, follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding place the pans in an oven set to 168 6 5 °C for 15 6 1 min.
the desired preheating temperature to pressurize the vessel to 10.14.2 Preheat the vacuum oven to 170 6 5 °C.
2.1 6 0.1 MPa and start timing the conditioning run. If the 10.14.3 Remove the pans from the oven and scrape the hot
temperature inside the vessel has not reached the desired residue from all pans containing the same sample into a single
temperature for applying pressure within 2 h of loading the pan container. Select a container of dimensions such that the depth
holder and pans, discontinue the procedure and discard the of the residue in the container is between 15 and 40 mm. After
asphalt samples. the last pan of a sample has been scraped, and if additional
containers are to be prepared, transfer the container to the
NOTE 16—Pressures in excess of 2.1 MPa do not substantially increase
the rate of aging. Therefore, higher pressures are not warranted.
168 °C warming oven. After all of the containers have been
NOTE 17—Once pressurized, the temperature inside the pressure vessel prepared, transfer them to the vacuum oven within 1 min. Once
will equilibrate rapidly. The time under pressure, not to include any the last container has been placed in the vacuum degassing
preheating time at ambient pressure, is the conditioning time. Relatively oven, maintain the temperature at 170 6 5 °C for 15 6 1 min.
little aging occurs at ambient pressure during the time that the vessel is
being preheated to the conditioning temperature, given that the asphalt NOTE 18—It is imperative that the binder be heated before it is
binder residue being aged has normally already been exposed to 163 °C in subjected to a vacuum. Once the vacuum is applied, there will be little heat
the RTFOT. transferred to the sample.
10.14.4 Open the valve to the vacuum system as rapidly as
10.11 Maintain the temperature and air pressure inside the
possible to reduce the pressure to 15 6 2.5 kPa absolute.
pressure vessel for 20 h 6 10 min.
Maintain the absolute pressure at 15 6 2.5 kPa for 30 6 1 min.
10.12 If the temperature indicated by the temperature re- Release the vacuum and remove the container. If any bubbles
cording device rises above or falls below the target condition- remain on the surface, remove them by flashing the surface of
ing temperature 60.5 °C for more than a total of 60 min during the PAV residue with a torch or hot knife.
the 20-h conditioning period, declare the conditioning process 10.15 If tests to determine the properties of the degassed
invalid and discard the material. Further, if the temperature PAV residue are not performed immediately, it is permissible to
indicated by the temperature recording device varies from the cover and store the samples in their containers at room
target aging temperature by more than 5 °C for a total of temperature for future testing. No studies have been performed
10 min, declare the conditioning process invalid and discard to determine the best point in the practice to pause if not all of
the material. If the pressure at the end of the conditioning the conditioning and subsequent testing is to be completed in
period is outside the range designated in 10.10, declare the one continuous sequence. Therefore, it is also acceptable to
conditioning process invalid and discard the material. If a scrape the aged residue from the PAV pans into the containers
device capable of recording only minimum and maximum to be used for degassing, and then: (1) allow the sample to cool,
temperatures was used and if either the maximum or the and degas on another day, or (2) degas the aged material and
minimum temperature recorded during the 20-h period varies then allow the sample to cool. The critical steps before testing
by more than 60.5 °C from the conditioning temperature, the conditioned samples are: (1) reheating the aged asphalt to
declare the conditioning process invalid and discard the mate- 168 6 5 °C for a maximum of 30 min prior to using the sample
rial. for subsequent tests, and (2) stirring the sample to ensure
10.13 At the end of the 20-h conditioning period, begin the homogeneity.
slow reduction of the internal pressure of the PAV, using the air 11. Report
pressure bleed valve. The bleed valve should be preset to an
opening that requires 8 to 15 min to equalize the internal and 11.1 Report the following information:
external pressures on the PAV, thus avoiding excessive bub- 11.1.1 Sample identification.
bling and foaming of the asphalt binder. Alternatively, the 11.1.2 Conditioning temperature, nearest 0.5 °C.
pressure controller can be programmed to release the pressure 12. Keywords
slowly over 15 min. Do not include the pressure release and
12.1 accelerated aging; conditioning; elevated temperature;
equalization time as part of the 20-h conditioning period.
in-service aging; PAV; pressure aging; pressure aging vessel;
10.14 Vacuum degas the aged samples. vacuum degassing

&RS\ULJKWE\$670,QW
ODOOULJKWVUHVHUYHG7XH0DU*07
6
'RZQORDGHGSULQWHGE\
8QLYHUVLW\RI7H[DVDW$XVWLQ8QLYHUVLW\RI7H[DVDW$XVWLQSXUVXDQWWR/LFHQVH$JUHHPHQW1RIXUWKHUUHSURGXFWLRQVDXWKRUL]HG
 D6521 − 19a
ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentioned
in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the risk
of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.

This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years and
if not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standards
and should be addressed to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the
responsible technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you should
make your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the address shown below.

This standard is copyrighted by ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959,
United States. Individual reprints (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the above
address or at 610-832-9585 (phone), 610-832-9555 (fax), or [email protected] (e-mail); or through the ASTM website
(www.astm.org). Permission rights to photocopy the standard may also be secured from the Copyright Clearance Center, 222
Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, Tel: (978) 646-2600; http://www.copyright.com/

&RS\ULJKWE\$670,QW
ODOOULJKWVUHVHUYHG7XH0DU*07
7
'RZQORDGHGSULQWHGE\
8QLYHUVLW\RI7H[DVDW$XVWLQ8QLYHUVLW\RI7H[DVDW$XVWLQSXUVXDQWWR/LFHQVH$JUHHPHQW1RIXUWKHUUHSURGXFWLRQVDXWKRUL]HG