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This report is an archived publication and may contain dated technical, contact, and link information
Publication Number: FHWA-RD-07-052
Date: September 2007

Long Term Pavement Performance Project Laboratory Materials Testing and Handling Guide

Protocol P25
Test Method for Kinematic and Absolute Viscosityof Extracted Asphalt Cement (AE05)

This LTPP protocol describes the method for the determination of the absolute and kinematic viscosities of extracted asphalt cements.

This test shall be carried out in accordance with AASHTO T201-90 (Kinematic Viscosity - 275°F [135°C]) and AASHTO T202-90 (Absolute Viscosity - 145°F [63°C]) as presented below. The test will be carried out on asphalt cement samples extracted from AC core and block specimens as well as uncompacted samples of both virgin and recycled asphalt-aggregate mixtures obtained from test sections included in the LTPP experiments.

1. SCOPE

This method covers procedures for the determination of the absolute (140°F [63°C]) and kinematic viscosity (275°F [135°C]) of asphalt cement.

2. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

In accordance with Section 2 of AASHTO T201-86.

3. SUMMARY OF METHOD

3.1. For the kinematic viscosity, the time is measured for a fixed volume of the liquid to flow through the capillary of a calibrated glass capillary viscometer under an accurately reproducible head and at a closely controlled temperature (275°F [135°C]). The kinematic viscosity is then calculated by multiplying the efflux time in seconds by the viscometer calibration factor.

3.2. For the absolute viscosity, the time is measured for a fixed volume of the liquid to be drawn up through a capillary tube by means of a vacuum, under closely controlled conditions of vacuum and temperature (140°F [63°C]). The absolute viscosity, in poise, is then calculated by multiplying flow time in seconds by the viscometer calibration factor.

4. DEFINITIONS

In accordance with Section 4 of AASHTO T201-86.

5. APPARATUS

5.1 Viscometer, capillary-type, made of borosilicate glass, annealed, suitable for the kinematic viscosity test as described in Annex A2, figure A2 (Zeitfuchs Cross-Arm Viscometer) of AASHTO T201-86. Details regarding calibration of the viscometer are given in Annex A3 of AASHTO T201-86.

5.2 Viscometer, capillary-type, made of borosilicate glass, annealed, suitable for the absolute viscosity test as described in Annex A2.1 and A2.2 (Asphalt Institute Vacuum Capillary Viscometer) of AASHTO T202-84. Details regarding the calibration of the viscometer are given in Appendix A4 of AASHTO T202-84.

5.3 Thermometers - In accordance with Section 5.3, 5.3.1 and 5.3.2 of AASHTO T201-86.

5.4 Bath - In accordance with Section 5.4 of AASHTO T201-86.

5.5 Timer - In accordance with Section 5.5 of AASHTO T201-86.

5.6 Vacuum System - In accordance with Section 6.4 of AASHTO T202-84.

6. PREPARATION OF SAMPLE

6.1 Heat 30-40 ml (1.8-2.4 in3) of the extracted asphalt cement 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.

6.2 Transfer a minimum of 20 ml (1.2 in3) into a suitable container and heat to 275 ± 10°F (135 ± 5.6°C) stirring constantly and taking care to avoid the entrapment of air.

7. PROCEDURE

7.1 Kinematic Viscosity - In accordance with sections 7.1 through 7.8 of AASHTO T201-86 utilizing the Zeitfuchs Cross-Arm Viscometer.

7.2 After step 7.1, recombine the sample from step 6.1 and that recovered after step 7.1 and reheat the test 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. The maximum temperature shall not exceed 180 °F (82°C) above the expected softening point.

7.3 Transfer a minimum of 20 ml (0.67 oz) into a suitable container and heat to 275 ± 10°F (135 ± 5.6°C) stirring occasionally and taking care to avoid the entrapment of air.

7.4 Absolute Viscosity - perform in accordance with Sections 8.1 through 8.2 of AASHTO T202-84 utilizing an Asphalt Institute Vacuum Capillary Viscometer.

8. CALCULATIONS

8.1 Kinematic Viscosity - In accordance with Section 8 of AASHTO T201-86.

8.2 Absolute Viscosity - In accordance with Section 9 of AASHTO T202-84.

9. REPORT

Record the following on Form T25.

9.1 Sample identification shall include: Laboratory Identification Code, Region, State, State Code, SHRP ID, Field Set Number, Sample Area Number, Layer Number, Location Number and LTPP Sample Number.

9.2 Test identification shall include: LTPP Test Designation, LTPP Protocol Number, Laboratory Test Number and the Test Date.

9.3 Test Results:

Kinematic Viscosity

9.3.1 Calibration constant of the viscometer (c) in centistokes per second.

9.3.2 Efflux time (s) in seconds.

9.3.3 Kinematic viscosity at 275°F (135°C) in centistokes.

Absolute Viscosity

9.3.4 Selected calibration factor (K) in poises per second.

9.3.5 The flow time (S) in seconds.

9.3.6 Vacuum pressure in inches of mercury.

9.3.7 Absolute viscosity in poise.

9.4 Comments shall include LTPP standard comment code(s) as shown in Section 4.3 of this LTPP Laboratory Materials Testing Guide, and any other note as needed.

LTPP LABORATORY MATERIAL HANDLING AND TESTING
LABORATORY MATERIAL TEST DATA
KINEMATIC AND ABSOLUTE VISCOSITY
TEST DATA SHEET T25

ASPHALT CONCRETE LAYER (ASPHALT CEMENT PROPERTIES)
LTPP TEST DESIGNATION AE05/SHRP PROTOCOL P25

LABORATORY PERFORMING TEST:______________________________________________________________PRIVATE

LABORATORY IDENTIFICATION CODE: __ __ __ __

REGION _________________ STATE ___________________ STATE CODE __ __

EXPERIMENT NO _____ SHRP ID __ __ __ __

SAMPLED BY: ______________________________________________ FIELD SET NO. __ __

DATE SAMPLED: __ __-__ __-__ __ __ __ SAMPLING AREA No: SA- _____

1. LAYER NUMBER (FROM LAB SHEET L04 AND FORM T01B) __

2. LOCATION NUMBER __ __ __

3. LABORATORY TEST NUMBER __

4. LTPP SAMPLE NUMBER __ __ __ __

5. KINEMATIC VISCOSITY

      (a) CALIBRATION CONSTANT (C), centistokes/sec __ __ __.__

      (b) EFFLUX TIME (s), seconds __ __ __ __.__

      (c) KINEMATIC VISCOSITY @ 275 °F, centistokes __ __ __ __ __ __.

6. ABSOLUTE VISCOSITY

      (a) CALIBRATION FACTOR (K), poises/sec __ __ __ __ __.__

      (b) FLOW TIME, seconds __ __ __ __. __

      (c) VACUUM PRESSURE, In. of Hg __ __ __. __

      (d) ABSOLUTE VISCOSITY @ 140 °F, poises __ __ __ __ __ __ __.

7. COMMENTS

      (a) CODE __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

      (b) NOTE _______________________________________________________

8. TEST DATE __ __-__ __-__ __ __ __

GENERAL REMARKS:___________________________________________________________________________
SUBMITTED BY, DATECHECKED AND APPROVED, DATE
____________________________________________________________
LABORATORY CHIEF
Affiliation______________________
Affiliation______________________

 

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