RECOVERY OF ASPHALT FROM METHYLENE CHLORIDE AND TRICHLOROETHYLENE BY THE ABSON METHOD. FINAL REPORT

The objective of this in-house study was to determine if methylene chloride (CH2Cl2) can be used to recover asphalts using the Abson Method (AASHTO T 170 and ASTM D 1856), and to compare its effects on recovered binder properties to those of trichloroethylene (C2HCl3). Current nationally standardized test procedures (AASHTO and ASTM) do not allow methylene chloride in the Abson Method. Virgin paving grade asphalts and hardened asphalts were used in this evaluation. Hardened asphalts consisted of paving grade asphalts aged by the thin film oven procedure, paving grade asphalts extracted from aged loose mixtures and cores, and coating grade roofing asphalts. The following tests were performed before and after recovering the asphalts from trichloroethylene or methylene chloride: (1) penetration at 25 deg C, (2) viscosity at 60 deg C, (3) viscosity at 135 deg C, (4) high pressure gel permeation chromatography, and (5) infrared spectral analysis. The data indicated that methylene chloride can be used to recover asphalts from mixtures using the Abson Method. Both solvents had some statistically significant effects on some asphalt properties, but neither solvent could clearly be recommended over the other. The properties which were affected indicated hardening or increased molecular structuring. Methylene chloride may be a slightly better solvent because replicate asphalt samples recovered using this solvent provided more consistent data from sample to sample. For practical purposes, such as quality control testing and evaluating aged pavement properties, both solvents appear suitable for recovering asphalts.

• Corporate Authors:

  Federal Highway Administration

  Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center, 6300 Georgetown Pike
  McLean, VA  United States  22101
• Authors:
  • Stuart, K D
  • Kumari, D
  • Tran, K T
• Publication Date: 1989-11

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 52 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asphalt; Gel permeation chromatography; Infrared analysis; Pendulum tests; Viscosity
• Uncontrolled Terms: Recovery; Trichloroethylene
• Old TRIS Terms: Abson method; Methylene chloride
• Subject Areas: Highways; Materials; I31: Bituminous Binders and Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00494505
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-RD-89-207, NCP 2E1b2141
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: May 31 1990 12:00AM