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: D7173 − 20

Standard Practice for

Determining the Separation Tendency of Polymer from
Polymer-Modified Asphalt1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7173; 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 D36/D36M Test Method for Softening Point of Bitumen

1.1 This practice describes a laboratory procedure for de- (Ring-and-Ball Apparatus)
termining the tendency of polymer to separate from polymer- D3666 Specification for Minimum Requirements for Agen-
modified asphalt under static heated storage conditions. The cies Testing and Inspecting Road and Paving Materials
results of testing on material prepared according to this practice D7175 Test Method for Determining the Rheological Prop-
may be used as a guideline when formulating products or to erties of Asphalt Binder Using a Dynamic Shear Rheom-
establish field handling procedures. Large differences in test eter
results between top and bottom specimens indicate that there is D7405 Test Method for Multiple Stress Creep and Recovery
a degree of incompatibility between the polymer and the base (MSCR) of Asphalt Binder Using a Dynamic Shear
asphalt. Rheometer
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
iTeh Standards
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
3. Summary of Practice
3.1 A measured quantity of polymer-modified asphalt in a
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1.3 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes
which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes
sealed aluminum tube is conditioned in a vertical position for
48 h at a temperature of 163 6 5 °C. At the end of the

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(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered conditioning period, top and bottom portions are separated and
as requirements of the standard. subjected to further testing to determine the degree of separa-
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the tion. Tests chosen for this purpose depend on the polymer
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the modification system being evaluated and the type of informa-
ASTM
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish D7173-20
appro- tion desired by the user. Softening point (Test Method D36/
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priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- D36M) and DSR (Test Method D7175) are the most common
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. tests used for this purpose. MSCR (Test Method D7405) is an
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor- alternate test.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the 4. Significance and Use
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical 4.1 Purchasers of polymer-modified asphalt need guidelines
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. on proper storage and handling procedures to maintain the
integrity of material they have purchased. This practice pro-
2. Referenced Documents vides a significant tool for understanding the characteristics of
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 these materials as well as comparing various sources of supply.
NOTE 1—The quality of the results produced by this standard are
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D04 on Road and dependent on the competence of the personnel performing the procedure
Paving Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D04.47 on and the capability, calibration, and maintenance of the equipment used.
Miscellaneous Asphalt Tests. Agencies that meet the criteria of Specification D3666 are generally
Current edition approved May 1, 2020. Published May 2020. Originally
considered capable of competent and objective testing, sampling,
approved in 2005. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as D7173 – 14. DOI:
10.1520/D7173-20. inspection, etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Specification D3666 alone does not completely ensure reliable results.
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM Reliable results depend on many factors; following the suggestions of
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Specification D3666 or some similar acceptable guideline provides a
the ASTM website. means of evaluating and controlling some of those factors.

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1
 D7173 − 20
5. Apparatus 6.2 If the sample is not already hot, heat it in the oven at 163
5.1 Aluminum Tubes—25 mm diameter by 125 mm to 6 5 °C until sufficiently fluid to pour. Stir the sample thor-
140 mm length aluminum separation tubes, used to hold the oughly and pour 50 6 0.5 g into the vertically held tube.
test sample during conditioning.3 Depending on the type of tube used, either fold the excess tube
over two times and crimp tightly, screw on the cap, insert a
5.2 Balance—Capable of being read to the nearest 0.1 g. cork stopper wrapped in aluminum foil, or seal it in some other
5.3 Oven—Capable of maintaining a temperature of 163 6 way to prevent the introduction of air.
5 °C. 6.3 Place the sealed tube assembly in the 163 6 5 °C oven
5.4 Freezer—Capable of maintaining a temperature of –10 (other temperatures may be used if deemed more appropriate
6 10 °C. by all parties). Allow the tube to stand undisturbed in the oven
5.5 Rack—Capable of supporting the aluminum tubes in a for a period of 48 6 1 h. At the end of the conditioning period,
vertical position in the oven and freezer. remove the tube from the oven and place it immediately in the
freezer at –10 6 10 °C, taking care to keep the tube in a
5.6 Containers—Metal or glass, 100 6 20 mL capacity. vertical position at all times. Leave the tube in the freezer for
5.7 Hammer and Cutting Tool—The cutting tool must be a minimum of 4 h to solidify the sample completely.
rigid and sharp to allow cutting of the tube containing the 6.4 Remove the tube from the freezer and place it on a hard,
sample when at a low temperature. flat surface. Cut the section of the tube containing the specimen
NOTE 2—A tool known as a 6-in-1 painter’s tool has been found ideal into three portions of approximately equal length. A hammer
for this purpose. and cutting tool are normally used, but other means are
appropriate if they can make a clean separation. Discard the
6. Procedure
center asphalt section, and place the top and bottom portions of
6.1 Place the empty aluminum tube in the rack, with sealed the tube into separate covered 100 6 20-mL containers. Place
end down, or support it some other way in a vertical position. the covered containers in the 163 6 5 °C oven until the asphalt
is sufficiently fluid to remove the pieces of the aluminum tube,

iTeh Standards but not longer than 30 min.

3
Aluminum tubes suitable for this purpose may be obtained from R/H Specialty
& Machine, Inc., P.O. Box 10187, Terre Haute, IN 47801, (812) 232-0781, as Part
6.5 Stir the samples thoroughly before pouring them up for
No. 100-550; from HMA Lab Supply, 3407 W. Leigh St., Richmond VA 23230,

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comparative testing of the top and bottom portions.
(888) 569-0499, as Part No. SC-4200; or from Freund Container, 11535 S. Central
Ave., Alsip, IL, (800) 363-9822 as Part No. 6219T11. If you are aware of alternative
suppliers, please provide this information to ASTM International Headquarters.
7. Keywords
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Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible
technical committee,1 which you may attend. 7.1 modified asphalt; polymer; separation; storage

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ASTM D7173-20
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.
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