A PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF CHROMATOGRAPHIC METHODS IN EVALUATING THE PERFORMANCE OF BITUMINOUS BINDERS

Knowing the limitations of empirical specifications, new chemical test methods have been taken into use in order to assist contractors in controlling and "fingerprinting" binders as well as evaluating the performance of new unknown binders. Two methods are frequently in use, one is Gas Chromatography, GC, the other is the Gel Permeation Chromatography method with the use of HPLC equipment, GPC (HPLC). The GC-method is used to characterize the low boiling fraction of binders such as volatile compounds from admixtures of petroleum, oils and softeners, but also waxes and the light end of bitumens. Very often the chromatogram of a binder can be used as a fingerprint in the quality control. Contamination in binders as well as mixes can very easily be detected. The GPC (HPLC)-method is used to determine the molecular size distribution. A bitumen should have a reasonable well distribution of small, medium and large size molecules to be able to perform satisfactorily. The method is also used to study aging and excessive hardening since the large size molecules increase according to the degree of hardening. Examples of practical applications are given in the report. The methods are used mainly as supplementary aids together with other available data or experiences when new unknown binders (for the contractor) are investigated. The results are further based upon comparing chromatograms from known bitumen, oils etc, as a reference when new materials are tested. (A) For the covering abstract see IRRD 885061.

• Corporate Authors:

  European Asphalt Pavement Association

  P.O. Box 175
  3620 AD Breukelen,   Netherlands 

  EUROBITUME (EUROPEAN BITUMEN ASSOCIATION)

  PLACE MADOU 1, TOUR MADOU, 25TH FLOOR
  BRUSSELS,   Belgium  1030
• Authors:
  • RUUD, O E
• Conference:
  • EURASPHALT & EUROBITUME CONGRESS, STRASBOURG, 7-10 MAY 1996. VOLUME 3. PAPER E&E.5.138
• Publication Date: 1996

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 9 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aging (Materials); Aromatic hydrocarbons; Binders; Chemical composition; Chromatography; Concrete hardening; Conferences; Hardness; Properties of materials; Standards
• ITRD Terms: 5292: Ageing; 7358: Aromatic compounds; 4948: Binder; 7153: Chromatography; 8525: Conference; 4722: Hardening; 5925: Properties; 187: Specification (standard); 5937: Structure (physicochem)
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00738168
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Jul 30 1997 12:00AM