Tests on Asphalts

Consistency- degree of resistance to deformation. ”Thickness or “firmness” are qualitative aspects of

consistency.

1. Penetration test
2. Viscosity Test
a. Kinematic viscosity
b. Absolute viscosity
c. Saybolt Viscosity Test
3. Softening Point test
4. Float test
5. Thin Film Oven test
Composition Test
Solubility test
Distillation Test
Physical Characteristics
Density test
Flash Point
a. Cleveland Open Cup test
b. Tag Open Cup
A. Consistency Test
A.1 Penetration test (ASTM D5)- a consistency test on asphalt cement in which the penetration of a
standard needle under standard conditions is measured.

Penetration
W measured in
0.1 mm
W

Asphalt
cement Asphalt
cement
25° C After 5 sec

100
Standard needle- The needle shall be made from fully hardened and tempered stainless steel. The
standard needle shall be approximately 50mm (2 in.) in length, the long needle approximately 60
mm (24 in.).
Paving asphalts have penetrations of 40-300 mm.

A.2 Kinematic viscosity test (ASTM D445) – measures the viscosity in units of centistokes (cst).
kinematic viscosity(ν) is the ratio of the dynamic viscosity (η) to the density (ρ) of a material at the
same temperature and pressure.
𝑣 = 𝜂/𝜌
where:
ν = kinematic viscosity (m 2 /s)
η= absolute or dynamic viscosity (N s/m 2 )
ρ = density (kg/m 3 )
1 stoke = 1cm2/s ; centistoke=mm2/s.
• The time for a fixed volume of liquid to flow under gravity through the capillary of a calibrated
viscometer at a known temperature.
• The kinematic viscosity (determined value) is the product of the measured flow time and the
calibration constant of the viscometer.

B. Absolute viscosity test – measures the viscosity in units of poise(P) at standard temperatures
𝑑𝑦𝑛𝑒 − 𝑠𝑒𝑐
𝑃𝑜𝑖𝑠𝑒 = = 0.1𝑃𝑎 − 𝑠
𝑐𝑚2
To convert centistoke to poise

stoke x spec. gravity =poise

cst x spec. gravity = centi-poise

 A.3 Saybolt Viscosity Test-The efflux time in seconds of 60 mL of sample, flowing through a
calibrated orifice, is measured under carefully controlled conditions. This time is corrected by an
orifice factor and reported as the viscosity of the sample at that temperature.

A.3.1 Saybolt Furol viscosity—the corrected efflux time in seconds of 60 mL of sample flowing
through a calibrated Furol orifice under specified conditions. The viscosity value reported in
Saybolt Furol seconds, abbreviated SFS, at a specified temperature. Furol—an acronym of “Fuel
and road oils.” Standard test temperatures for measuring Saybolt Furol viscosities are 25.0, 37.8,
50.0, and 98.9°C

A.3.2 Saybolt Universal viscosity—the corrected efflux time in seconds of 60 mL of sample

flowing through a calibrated Universal orifice under specified conditions. The viscosity value is
reported in Saybolt Universal seconds, abbreviated SUS, at a specified temperature. Standard
test temperatures for measuring Saybolt Universal viscosities are 21.1, 37.8, 54.4, and 98.9°C.

A.4 Softening point test- measures the temp at which the asphalt reaches a certain consistency
(softness).The softening point shows the temperature at which the bitumen gains a certain
degree of softening under the specifications of the test. This test is carried out by using the Ring
and Ball apparatus. The softening point helps to determine the temperature up to which
bitumen can be heated for different road use applications.

It is also known as the Ring and ball Test. This is because ring and ball apparatus is major
equipment used for determining the softening point of bitumen.

This is utilized while using bitumen as a binder for road construction. Softening point value gives the
temperature at which the bitumen should be heated before using it for pavement construction.
Procedure

The bitumen sample is heated in a vessel at 75-

100 °C- above the approximate softening point
of bitumen till it is completely melted into a
fluid.

It is stirred if needed to prevent the formation

of air bubbles.

Glycerine and dextrin are mixed together in equal

proportions.

Glycerine and dextrin mixed together are

coated on a metal or glass plate to prevent the
bitumen from sticking to it.
Bitumen is poured into a convenient vessel so that
it can be poured into the rings properly.

Rings are preheated to approximate the same

temperature as that of the molten bitumen and
then placed on the glass plate.

Melted bitumen is poured into it.

The rings are allowed to cool at room

temperature in air for 30 minutes.
Excess bitumen above the ring surface is cut off by
a hot, sharp-edged knife and a leveled surface is
obtained at the top.

The ring are fixed to the support frame

The ring is fixed to the support frame.

Place the assembly of rings attached to the

support frame in the water bath maintained at 5
° for 5 minutes.

Freshly boiled distilled water is filled in the

water bath.

The steel balls are precooled to 5 ° C and are

placed on top of the ring guide with the help of
forceps.
This assembly is kept in a beaker filled with
distilled water such that the distance between
the water level and the top of the steel ball
is 50 mm.

The beaker is put on a hotplate and is allowed

to heat at the rate of 5 ± 0.5 °C/min.

Stirring is done continuously so that water is

uniformly heated.

The bitumen starts to melt and the steel ball starts

to sink due to its own weight.
 The temperatures at which each ball touches the
bottom plate are noted.

Result

The average of the softening point value for both

The softening point of the sample
the balls

A.4 Float test (ASTM D139) – measures the time for water to break through a plug of asphalt in the
bottom of a float in a water bath at standard temp. The float test of bitumen gives us an idea about how
the bitumen sample behaves in temperature changes and resistance to flow. A plug of bitumen is cast in
a tapered collar. The assembled float and collar is then floated in the testing bath at the specified
temperature. The time, in seconds, between placing the apparatus on the water and the water breaking
through the material shall be taken as a measure of the consistency of the material under examination.

1. Melt the sample completely at the lowest possible temperature that will bring it to a sufficiently
fluid condition for easy pouring, which shall be mixed and poured at a temperature of 100 to
125°C.
 2. Stir the sample thoroughly until it is homogeneous and free from air bubbles. Then pour it into
the collar in any convenient manner until slightly more than level with the top.
3. Cool asphalt and asphalt products to room temperature for 15 to 60 min, then place them for 5
min in the water bath at 5°C, after which trim the surplus material flush with the top of the collar
by means of a spatula or steel knife that has been slightly heated.
4. Then place the collar and plate in the water bath at 5°C and leave them in this bath for 15 to 30
min.
5. Heat the water in the testing bath to the temperature at which the test is to be made.
6. Determine the temperature by immersing the thermometer with the bottom of the bulb at a
depth of 40 ± 2 mm below the water surface.
7. After the material to be tested has been kept in the water bath at 5°C for 15 to 30 min, remove
the collar with its contents from the plate and screw into the aluminum float.
8. Completely immerse the assembly for 1 min in the water bath at 5°C. Then remove the water
from the inside of the float and immediately float the assembly on the testing bath. Lateral drift
of the assembly shall be permitted, but no spinning motion shall be intentionally imparted
thereto.
9. As the plug of material becomes warm and fluid, it is forced upward and out of the collar until
the water gains entrance into the saucer and causes it to sink.
10. Determine the time, in seconds, between placing the apparatus on the water and the water
breaking through the material by means of a stop watch, and take as a measure of the
consistency of the material under examination.

A.5 Rolling Thin Film Oven Test Method (ASTM D 2872)-Rolling Thin Film Oven (RTFO) Test measures
the effect of heat and air on a moving film of hot mix asphalt binder, simulating short-term aging that
occurs during production and paving operations. This is important for investigating and predicting early
age HMA pavement behavior and distress.

RTFO Test Procedure

1. A sample of asphalt binder is heated and dispensed into special glass specimen bottles
2. The bottles are mounted horizontally in a carousel in the oven
3. Bottles are rotated at 15rpm for 85 minutes as a jet of 325°F heated air is directed into them
4. At the completion of the RTFO test, the mass change, viscosity, and other rheological properties
are measured
5. Measurements are then compared to values from unheated samples
B. COMPOSITION TESTS

B.1 Solubility Test (ASTM D2042)- The sample is dissolved in trichloroethylene and filtered through a
glass fiber pad. The insoluble material is washed, dried, and weighed. The portion that is soluble in
trichloroethylene represents the active cementing constituents.

Calculate either the total percentage of insoluble matter or the percentage of the sample soluble in the
solvent used as follows:
𝐶−𝐴
%𝐼𝑛𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑏𝑙𝑒 = ( ) 𝑥100
𝐵
𝐵 − (𝐶 − 𝐴)
%𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑏𝑙𝑒 = ( ) 𝑥100
𝐵

where:
A = mass of crucible and filter,
B = mass of sample, and
C = mass of crucible, filter and insoluble material.
B.2 Distillation test (ASTM D402) – determines the relative amount of distillate at various temp. The
residue of a distillation test ( at 360°C) is asphalt cement. Two hundred ml of the sample are distilled in a
500-mL flask at a controlled rate to a temperature in the liquid of 360°C (680°F) and the volumes of
distillate obtained at specified temperatures are measured. The residue from the distillation, and also
the distillate, may be tested as required.

Asphaltic Residue—Calculate the percent residue to the nearest 0.1 as follows:

𝑅 = [(200 − 𝑇𝐷)/200]𝑥100
where:
R = residue content, in volume percent, and \
TD = total distillate recovered to 360°C (680°F), mL.
Total Distillate— Calculate the percent total distillate to the nearest 0.1 as follows:

𝑇𝐷% = (𝑇𝐷/200)𝑥100

C. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

C.1 Density test-(ASTM D2041/D2041M-19)- This test method covers the determination of the
theoretical maximum specific gravity and density of uncompacted bituminous paving mixtures at 25°C
(77°F). Maximum specific gravity is used
(1) in the calculation of air voids in the compacted asphalt mixture,
(2) in calculating the amount of asphalt binder absorbed by the aggregate, and
(3 ) to provide target values for the compaction of asphalt mixtures.
Procedure:

1. Heat and dry sample to constant mass of 110±5°C

2. Separate the sample particles up to 6mm size
3. Place sample directly to the bowl
4. Weight the bowl + sample
5. Add water at 25°C temp to cover sample completely
6. Place the cover board or stopper
7. Vacuum the bowl and agitate until residual pressure of 3.7±0.3 kPa
8. Gradually release the pressure using valve
9. Suspend the bowl without lid in water for 10 min.
10. Fill the bowl with water to the brim at 25 C
11. Place the cover board
12. Weight the mass of bowl+sample under water
13. Fill the empty bowl with water at 25C and weight

Calculation:
A = mass of dry sample
B = Mass of bowl + water
C = mass of bowl + sample + water

𝐴 2275
𝐺𝑚𝑚 = = = 2.519
𝐴 − (𝐶 − 𝐵) 2275 − (7504 − 6132)

Density of asphalt cement = 1.00 – 1.05 Mg/m3

Density of cut-back = 0.92 – 1.0 Mg/m3

C.2 Flash Point-Temperature to which an asphalt can be safely heated in the presence of open
flames.
C.2.1 Cleveland Open Cup test (ASTM D92)- Approximately 70 mL of test specimen is filled
into a test cup. The temperature of the test specimen is increased rapidly at first and then at a
slower constant rate as the flash point is approached. At specified intervals a test flame is passed
across the cup. The flash point is the lowest liquid temperature at which application of the test
flame causes the vapors of the test specimen of the sample to ignite. To determine the fire point,
the test is continued until the application of the test flame causes the test specimen to ignite and
sustain burning for a minimum of 5 s.
Viscosity Grading
In the early 1960s an improved asphalt grading system was developed that
incorporated a rational scientific viscosity test. This scientific test replaced the
empirical penetration test as the key asphalt binder characterization. Viscosity
grading quantifies the following asphalt binder characteristics:

• Viscosity at 60°C (140°F)

• Viscosity at 135°C (275°F)
• Penetration depth of a 100 g needle applied for 5 seconds at 25 C (77 F)
• Flash point temperature
• Ductility at 25°C (77°F)
• Solubility in trichloroethylene
• Thin-film oven test (accounts for the effects of short-term aging):
o Viscosity at 60 C (140 F)
o Ductility at 25 C (77 F)

Viscosity grading can be done on original (as-supplied) asphalt binder samples

(called AC grading) or aged residue samples (called AR grading). The AR viscosity
test is based on the viscosity of aged residue from the rolling thin film oven test.
With AC grading, the asphalt binder is characterized by the properties it possesses
before it undergoes the HMA manufacturing process. The AR grading system is an
attempt to simulate asphalt binder properties after it undergoes a typical HMA
manufacturing process and thus, it should be more representative of how asphalt
binder behaves in HMA pavements. Table 1 lists key advantages and disadvantages
of the viscosity grading system.

Table 1. Advantages and Disadvantages of Viscosity Grading (from Roberts et

al., 1996[1])

Advantages Disadvantages

Unlike penetration depth, viscosity is a fundamental The principal grading (done at 25° C (77° F)) may not accurately reflect
engineering parameter. low-temperature asphalt binder rheology.

Test temperatures correlate well with: When using the AC grading system, thin film oven test residue viscosities
- 25° C (77° F) – average pavement temp. can vary greatly with the same AC grade. Therefore, although asphalt
- 60° C (140° F) – high pavement temp. binders are of the same AC grade they may behave differently after
- 135° C (275° F) – HMA mixing temp. construction.

Temperature susceptibility (the change in asphalt binder The testing is more expensive and takes longer than the penetration test.
rheology with temperature) can be somewhat determined
because viscosity is measured at three different temperatures
(penetration only is measured at 25° C (77° F)).

Testing equipment and standards are widely available.

Viscosity is measured in poise (cm-g-s = dyne-second/cm2, named after Jean Louis

Marie Poiseuille). The lower the number of poises, the lower the viscosity and thus
the more easily a substance flows. Thus, AC-5 (viscosity is 500  100 poise at 60 C
(140 F)) is less viscous than AC-40 (viscosity is 4000  800 poise at 60 C (140 F)).
Table 2 shows standard viscosity grades for the AC and AR grading systems from
AASHTO M 226 and ASTM D 3381. Typical grades used for HMA paving in the U.S.
are AC-10, AC-20, AC-30, AR-4000 and AR 8000.
 Table 2. AASHTO M 226 and ASTM D 3381 Viscosity Grades

Standard Grading based on Original Asphalt (AC) Grading based on Aged Residue (AR)

AASHTO AC- AC- AC- AC- AC- AC- AR- AR- AR- AR- AR-
M 226 2.5 5 10 20 30 40 10 20 40 80 160

ASTM D AC- AC- AC- AC- AC- AC- AR- AR- AR- AR- AR-
3381 2.5 5 10 20 30 40 1000 2000 4000 8000 16000

Kinematic Viscosity
The kinematic viscosity of a liquid is the absolute (or dynamic) viscosity divided by
the density of the liquid at the temperature of measurement. The 135 C (275 F)
measurement temperature was chosen to simulate the mixing and laydown
temperatures typically encountered in HMA pavement construction.

The basic kinematic viscosity test measures the time it takes for a fixed volume of
asphalt binder to flow through a capillary viscometer under closely controlled
conditions of head and temperature (ASTM, 2001[2]).