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Performance-Graded Asphalt Binders: A Guide to Tests and Testing Equipment

April 08, 2025

<div><a href="/blog/performance-graded-asphalt-binders-article"><img loading="lazy" src="/Content/Images/uploaded/blog/2025/april/asphalt-binder-hero.jpg" alt="Performance-Graded Asphalt Binders Article" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 100%; max-width: 715px;" /> </a></div><p>Knowing how to properly test and verify asphalt binders is essential to understanding how asphalt will react to various climate conditions. This guide covers the methods used to classify asphalt binders and how to perform these tests to ensure optimal pavement performance and longevity.</p>

Tags: Testing Insights , Resource Guide , Asphalt Testing , Asphalt , Asphalt Binder Testing

Balanced Mix Design: A New Way Forward

March 08, 2023

<div><a href="/blog/balanced-mix-design-article"><img loading="lazy" src="/Content/Images/uploaded/blog/2023/march/balance-mix-design-blog.jpg" alt="BMD for Asphalt Pavement" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 100%; max-width: 715px;" /> </a></div><p>Balanced Mix Design is a practical and common-sense approach to constructing long-lasting asphalt pavements. The design of asphalt mixes traditionally follows a prescriptive, volumetric path. Materials are selected and combined to meet the requirements of the specification with little evidence of what their real performance will be in a localized application or a certain environment. Researchers and practitioners alike have concluded that just mixing the specified ingredients in the stated volumes is a poor predictor of long-term asphalt pavement performance. As one prominent paving engineer put it, “Let’s stop using the recipe to determine if the cake is good.”</p>

Tags: Resource Guide , Asphalt Testing , Asphalt , Asphalt Binder Testing , Pavement Design

Rheology and Viscosity Tests for Asphalt Binder: Methods and Equipment

July 07, 2022

<div><a href="/blog/rheology-viscosity-testing"><img loading="lazy" src="/Content/Images/uploaded/blog/2022/july/rheology-viscosity-tests-blog.jpg" alt="Rheology and Viscosity Tests for Asphalt Binder" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 100%; max-width: 715px;" /> </a></div><p>Asphalt binder is a fundamental and surprisingly complex component in the design of modern asphalt pavement mixes. Of the many properties of bitumen that affect its performance in a modern asphalt paving mixture, two are crucial to the long-term success of pavements, viscosity, and rheology. This blog post will explore binder viscosity tests and rheology tests, their applications, benefits, and testing equipment.</p>

Tags: Testing Insights , Resource Guide , ASTM D2170 , AASHTO T 202 , ASTM D2171 , AASHTO T 201 , ASTM D4402 , AASHTO T 316 , Asphalt Testing , Asphalt Binder Testing , Viscosity Testing , Rheology Testing

Archive

Asphalt Oxidation and Aging: Sample Prep with the Pressure Aging Vessel

February 29, 2016

<a href="/blog/asphalt-oxidation-with-pressure-aging-vessel-test"><img src="/Content/Images/uploaded/blog/2016/February/asphalt-oxidation-hero715x396.jpg" alt="Why a Pressure Aging Vessel is Valuable" width="100%" /></a><p>A method to simulate long-term, oxidative aged asphalt binder is important for predicting distress in asphalt as it ages. A Pressure Aging Vessel is a great solution and this blog post will highlight the background and benefits of these powerful machines.</p>

Tags: Pressure Aging Vessel , Asphalt Binder Testing , Asphalt Oxidation , PAV , Testing Insights , How-To , Asphalt Testing , Pavement Design

Rolling Thin Film Oven Test Method for Evaluating Asphalt Binder Performance

January 28, 2016

<div><a href="/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-asphalt-rolling-thin-film-ovens"><img src="/Content/Images/uploaded/blog/2016/january/rtfo-blog.jpg" alt="All You Need to Know About RTFO" width="100%" /></a></div><p>If you need to accurately measure the effect of heat and air on asphalt binder, a good option to consider is a Rolling Thin Film Oven (RTFO). This blog post outlines everything you need to know from the procedure to benefits and equipment recommendations.</p>

Tags: RTFO , Rolling Thin Film Oven , Asphalt Testing , Asphalt Binder Testing , Pavement Design , How-To , Testing Insights

Asphalt Content Testing: Solvent Extraction vs Ignition Furnace (Infographic)

August 21, 2015

<div><a href="/blog/asphalt-content-testing-solvent-extraction-vs-ignition-furnace-infographic"><img loading="lazy" src="/Content/Images/uploaded/blog/2015/august/extractors-hero.jpg" alt="Solvent Extraction vs. Furnace Ignition" width="100%" max-width:="" 715px="" /> </a></div><p>Comparing the pros and cons of solvent extraction vs. the furnace ignition method for asphalt content testing will help you select the best procedure for your application.</p>

Tags: Solvent Extraction , Ignition Furnace , Infographic , Ignition Oven , Asphalt Binder Testing , Asphalt Content , Asphalt Mix Design , Hot Mix Asphalt , HMA , Asphalt Testing , Asphalt , Resource Guide , Equipment Selection Guide , Centrifuge Extractor , Comparison Guide , Pavement Design