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The system is optimised for standard compliant tests to BS EN 12697-39-2004; ASTM 6307-10 and AASHTO T308-10 standard test methods for determining the asphalt content of HMA, applying the ignition method.
The quality of an asphalt road depends on the correct mixture of aggregate and bitumen and the standard compliant tests pinpoint the proportion of bitumen holding together the aggregate in the road surfacing materials.
“The ABA 7/35B’s intuitive touch-screen interface is easy to use even when wearing gloves, for fast simple error-free operation,” says Carbolite which is based in County Derbyshire, England.
“Test recipes are easily stored, recalled and transferred between furnaces. And with English, French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese (simplified Mandarin) and Russian languages as standard, the control interface is suitable for widespread use around the world.”
Carbolite says its system provides automatic collection of weights and correction factors that help to reduce errors, and automatic end-point detection and results calculation increases testing speed and accuracy. Test specific, end of test detection methods (percentage or absolute), aggregate correction factors and print outputs can all be selected using the analyser in order to comply with the standard test methods. Permanent result reports can be printed or output to a USB flash drive.
A central controller takes weight measurements from the internal balance and is able to upload weights from compatible external balances. It also manages temperature control in both the main chamber and the afterburner. During the test process the door is locked.
Carbolite’s test furnace comprises a main chamber with durable heating elements able to run up to 750°C, and an integrated high temperature afterburner helps reduce emissions and makes the loss-on-ignition technique more environmentally friendly.
“The new easy-to-use ABA 7/35B asphalt binder analyser, which utilises a loss-on-ignition test method featuring an integrated weighing system that avoids the mess and chemical waste disposal issues of traditional solvent extraction-based test methods, is already entering into extended trials with some of the UK’s largest asphalt producers,” says Carbolite’s product manager Alan Street.
“Featuring intuitive touch-screen and automated calculation capabilities makes the ABA 7/35B an ideal solution for production quality assurance at a quarry or asphalt plant. The system can also support on-site quality assurance by a contractor to protect their project warranties.”
