ASPHALT
with water in the bath.
Reporters : Mirabella Di Bastida
Xenia M. Santillan
Date presented :
ASPHALT TESTING
Thermoplastic materials such as asphalt are classified by their
consistency at different temperatures.
Consistency describes the fluidity or plasticity of an
asphalt at a particular temperature. Since the
characteristics and behaviors of thermoplastics vary with
temperature, it is important that all tests be performed at
standard test temperatures.
Generally tests are performed on asphalts to measure:
Consistency Rate of hardening
Serviceability Durability
Ability to be effective in hostile environments
ASPHALT CEMENTS
1. PENETRATION TEST - empirical measure of asphalt
consistency and determines the relative hardness or
consistency of an asphalt cement. Based on penetration
ranges at 77 F (25), 40-50 range is the hardest asphalt
cement, harder than this range is produced for special uses.
The softest are in 200-300 range;a gentle finger pressure will
indent the surface of a sample.
PROCEDURES
A. Place the sample in the water bath for one hour at around
25.
B. Examine the needle holder and guide to establish
the absence of water and other extraneous materials.
C. Clean the penetration needle with toulene or other
suitable solvent, dry with dried clean cloth and
inserted in the penetrometer.
D. If test are to be made with penetrometer bath, place
the sample container directly on the submerged stand
of the penetrometer and keep it completely covered
E. If the tests are to be made with the penetrometer
outside the bath, place the sample container in the
transfer dish, cover the container completely with
water from the constant temperature bath and place the
transfer dish on the stand of the penetrometer.
F. Position the needle by slowly lowering it until its
tip just makes contact with the surface of the sample.
G. Either note the reading of the penetrometer dial
or bring the pointer to zero.
H. Quickly release the needle holder for the specified
period of time and adjust the instrument to measure
the distance penetrated in tenth of a millimeter.
I. Make at least three determinations at points on the
surface of the sample not less than 10mm from side of
the container and not less than 10mm apart.
J. If the transfer dish is used, return the sample and
transfer dish to the constant temperature bath
between determinations. Use a clean needle for each
determination.
2. VISCOSITY TEST -To provide control of asphalt cement
consistencies at temperature ranges more closely associated
with construction uses, viscosity of asphalt cements is tested
at 275 F(135) and 135 F (57.2). The Viscosity of asphalt
can be determined by either the Kinematic Viscosity test at
275 F, or the Saybolt Furol test at 135 F.
SAYBOLT FUROL VISCOSITY TEST
the corrected efflux time in seconds of 60 mL of sample
flowing through a calibrated Furol orifice under specified
conditions. The viscosity value is reported in Seconds-Saybolt
Furol, abbreviated SSF, at a specified temperature.
Furolan acronym of Fuel and road oils.
PROCEDURES
A. Establish and control the bath temperature at the selected
test temperature.
B. Standard test temperatures for measuring Saybolt Furol
viscosities are 25.0, 37.8, 50.0, and 98.9C (77, 100, 122, and
210F).
C. Insert a cork stopper, having a cord attached for its easy
removal, into the air chamber at the bottom of the
viscometer. The cork shall fit tightly enough to prevent the
escape of air, as evidenced by the absence of oil on the cork
when it is withdrawn later as described.
D. Stir the sample well; then strain it through the 150-m (No.
100) wire cloth in the filter funnel directly into the viscometer
until the level is above the overflow rim.

E. Stir the sample in the viscometer with the appropriate

viscosity thermometer equipped with the thermometer
support (Fig. 3). Use a circular motion at 30 to 50 rpm in a
horizontal plane. When the sample temperature remains
constant within 0.03C (0.05F) of the test temperature
during 1 min of continuous stirring, remove the
thermometer.

F. Immediately place the tip of the withdrawal tube (Fig. 2) in

the gallery at one point, and apply suction to remove oil until
its level in the gallery is below the overflow rim. Do not touch
the overflow rim with the withdrawal tube; the effective
liquid head of the sample would be reduced.

G. Check to be sure that the receiving flask is in proper

position; then snap the cork from the viscometer using the
attached cord, and start the timer at the same instant.

H. Stop the timer the instant the bottom of the oil meniscus
reaches the graduation mark on the receiving flask. Record
the efflux time in seconds to the nearest 0.1 s.

KINEMATIC VISCOSITY TEST

Kinematic Viscosity - the ratio of the viscosity to the

density of a liquid. It is a measure of the resistance to flow of
a liquid under gravity. The SI unit of kinematic viscosity is m2
/s; for practical use, a submultiple (mm2 /s) is more
convenient. The cgs unit of kinematic viscosity is 1 cm2 /s and
is called a stoke (symbol St). The centistokes (1 cSt 5 102 St)
is 1 mm2 /s and is customarily used.

PROCEDURES

A. Heat the sample with care to prevent local overheating

until it has become sufficiently fluid to pour,occasionally
stirring the sample to aid heat transfer and to assure
uniformity.

B. Maintain the bath at the test temperature