EFFECT OF THE BOILING POINT OF A FLUX OIL ON ITS EVAPORATION FROM BITUMEN

The life of a chip seal is directly related to the viscosity of the chip seal's binder. In an attempt to keep the binder softer for longer periods the current practice on rural roads is to add flux oil to the binder. Results of recent research have shown that this is not effective, because the commonly used flux oil is lost from a chip seal after only a few months. In the current work the relationship between the distillation range of hydrocarbon solvents and their diffusion in bitumen was investigated. The aim was to provide a rational basis for manufacturing a flux oil which would be retained in the chip seals' binder for several years and would consequently increase the seal's life. Rates of evaporation from bitumen for a series of narrow distillation range of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbon solvents were measured in a laboratory. The results showed that for a flux oil to be effective, irrespective of whether the solvent is aliphatic or aromatic, its boiling point should be at least 250 degrees Celsius. The findings of this research indicate that the practice of using diesel fuel as a flux oil be discontinued and the specifications for the use of flux oils in chip seals be revised along with the revision of AS 3568-1989. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see IRRD abstract no. E200099.

• Corporate Authors:

  Australian Asphalt Pavement Association

  Level 2, 5 Wellington Street
  Kew, Victoria  Australia  3101
• Authors:
  • MEYDAN, A
• Publication Date: 1998-9

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 14 p.
• Serial:
  • FOCUSSING ON PERFORMANCE: AAPA PAVEMENTS INDUSTRY CONFERENCE, 1998, SURFERS PARADISE, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA
  • Publisher: Australian Asphalt Pavement Association

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Binders; Bitumen; Chippings; Conferences; Evaporation; Field tests; Flux oil; Laboratories; Seal coats; Softening point; Solvents; Tests; Viscosity
• ITRD Terms: 4948: Binder; 4963: Bitumen; 4585: Chippings; 8525: Conference; 7183: Evaporation; 4915: Flux oil; 6226: In situ; 6237: Laboratory (not an organization); 5272: Softening; 4519: Solvent; 2984: Surface dressing; 6255: Test; 5936: Viscosity
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Geotechnology; Highways; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00780626
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ITRD, ATRI
• Created Date: Jan 7 2000 12:00AM