Bitumen Testing

Enhancing durability and weather resistance through advanced rheological testing of bitumen

Bitumen, a product of a crude oil refining process, is a mixture of various hydrocarbons that occur naturally. Bitumen is used in roofing, sealing, and insulation, but its most common application is in road pavement. Bitumen serves as a binder for the mineral components (rocks) in the upper asphalt (also called bituminous concrete) layers of roads, parking lots, runways, etc. Roads are exposed to heavy traffic and a wide range of weather conditions, leading to undesired effects such as the formation of grooves or cracks. New asphalt formulations that are more durable and can withstand increasing traffic loads as well as extreme weather conditions are needed.

The rheological properties of bitumen binder play an important role in the development of new formulations. A set of rheological testing protocols has been defined over the past several decades to help ensure consistent quality control of bitumen binder materials.

Thermo Fisher Scientific offers solutions that help materials scientists and engineers to develop formulas that meet or exceed those standards, and to help them innovate at a faster pace, produce more reliable and better performing bitumen materials and processes, reduce costs, and shorten the time to discoveries. Explore bitumen testing technologies and instruments below.

Featured products for bitumen rheology

HAAKE MARS iQ Rotational Rheometer

The Thermo Scientific HAAKE MARS iQ Rotational Rheometers help ensure intuitive, reliable and flexible rheological measurements. Everything about this QC rheometer is designed to provide intuitive handling and fast, reliable results. A sophisticated touchscreen enables standard operating procedures to be run right from rheometer itself. Connect Assist functionality guides users for failure-free measurement.

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HAAKE MARS Rheometer

Meet the demands of advanced quality control and applied R&D with the Thermo Scientific HAAKE MARS Rheometer. This highly flexible Modular Advanced Rheometer System (MARS) provides accuracy, easy handling, and many application-oriented solutions for comprehensive material characterization. New Connect Assist functionality allows for effortless, error-free exchange of measuring geometries and temperature modules to speed up your workflow.

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Advanced bitumen compliant testing methods

SHRP Superpave Performance Grading

Used for asphalt binder specification according to AASHTO M320/ AASHTO T315 or ASTM D7175/ ASTM D6373
Measuring geometry: 8 or 25 mm parallel plates
Temperature range: between 4°C and 88°C
Measuring mode: oscillation test within linear-viscoelastic range at a frequency of 10 rad/s (1.59 Hz)
Performed on original and RTFOT / PAV aged asphalt binder
Information obtained:
- IG*I/sinδ as a measure to estimate rutting at high temperatures (high temperature stiffness)
- IG*I · sinδ as a measure to estimate fatigue cracking at intermediate temperatures (intermediate temperature stiffness)

Multiple Stress Creep Recovery Test

According to AASHTO T350, ASTM D7405, DIN EN 16659 or FGSV AL 723
Measuring geometry: 25 mm parallel plates
Temperature range: between 50°C and 80°C
Measuring mode: multiple creep and recovery tests at two different stress values (0.1 and 3.2 kPa)
Performed on original and RTFOT / PAV aged asphalt binder (RTFOT aged sample for performance grading)
Results can be used for performance grading according to AASHTO M332
Information obtained:
- Determination of the average percent recovery, non-recoverable creep compliance and percent difference between non-recoverable creep compliance at two stress levels
- Results can be correlated with the ability to resist rutting and identify the influence of modifier

Viscosity Determination of Asphalt Binder at Elevated Temperatures

According to AASHTO T316, ASTM D4402, DIN EN 13702
Measuring geometry: coaxial cylinder
Temperature range: up to 200°C*
Measuring mode: shear viscosity determination at constant rotational speed
Testing is performed with unaged original binder
Information obtained:
- Viscosity provides information about behavior during mixing, pumping, and application of asphalt binder

*Higher temperature possible with electrical temperature control module

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Other bitumen-compliant testing standards

Other standard compliant testing methods

AASHTO TP 123 (Measuring asphalt binder yield energy and elastic recovery)
Two types of tests with either monotonic shear for an extended period or a shorter period of monotonic shear followed by an extended relaxation process.
DIN EN 14770 (Determination of complex shear modulus and phase angle)
Oscillatory tests over a wider range of frequencies and temperatures.
FGSV AL 720 (Binder fast characterization test)
Measurement of the complex shear modulus and the phase angle in a temperature range from 20°C to 90°C.
FGSV AL 722 (Testing with constant shear rate)
Rotational test at constant shear rate in a temperature range from 150°C to 70°C.
FGSV AL 724 – Temperature Sweep
Determination of the complex shear modulus and phase angle at different temperatures 30°C and 90°C.

Rheology beyond the standards

Understand the rheological behavior of bitumen at the molecular level.

Simultaneous rheological and FTIR spectra measurements
ATR (attenuated total reflection) principle
Analysis of structural changes on the molecular level under shear/deformation and temperature
All standard-compliant bitumen measurement routines are also available