Department of Planning, Transport & Infrastructure
Field Services Section
Technical Services Group
Procedure
Binder Content by Ignition Method
TP473
Revision: 1.10
1.0
Date: May 2012
Page 1 of 5
SCOPE
This procedure describes a method for the preparation and determination of the binder
content of asphalt samples by the ignition method and is complementary to oven
manufacturers instructions.
2.0
REFERENCES
ASTM D6307 - Standard Test Method for Asphalt Content of Hot Mix Asphalt by Ignition
Method.
AS 2891.1. - Method of Sampling and Testing Asphalt,
AS 2891.2.1 - Sample preparation/mixing, quartering and conditioning of asphalt in the
laboratory,
AS 1141.11.1.- Particle size distribution by dry sieving,
3.0
DEFINITIONS
Nil.
4.0
APPARATUS AND MATERIALS

Laboratory balance: range 1 to 10kg + 0.1g.

Ovens and other mixing equipment as per AS 2891.2.1.

Ignition oven specifically designed for incineration and capable of maintaining
temperatures up to and above 580o C. The oven shall not emit any smoke (or ignition byproducts) during the ignition process. The oven manufacturers installation instructions
must be conformed with.
The oven may or may not be fitted with an inbuilt electronic balance and data collection
system.
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File Location: Q:/Quality Management
Department of Planning, Transport & Infrastructure
Field Services Section
Technical Services Group
Procedure
Binder Content by Ignition Method
TP473
Revision: 1.10
Date: May 2012
5.0
SAMPLE PREPARATION AND CALIBRATION
5.1
Calibration
Page 2 of 5
Initial preparation by determining the aggregate calibration factor.
5.1.1.
The ignition process occurs at a sufficiently high temperature to cause mass losses in
the constituent aggregates and fillers in the asphalt mix. This additional mass loss
occurs across aggregate types, source location and individual mix design
components. It can be compensated for by applying an empirically determined
algebraic calibration factor to the total mass loss of the sample.
5.1.2.
Ensure the mix design aggregate components have been dried according to
AS 2891.2.1-1995.
5.1.3.
Set the furnace temperature to 560oC, (this assumes that the furnace temperature
rises by approximately 60oC during the ignition process when the burn temperature is
500oC).
5.1.4.
Prepare a sample of the blended binderless mix with the same aggregate
composition as the mix to be tested.
5.1.5.
Determine and record the mass of the sample tray (or tare the balance).
5.1.6.
Determine the mass of the sample and record the initial mass, (mi), (The mass
should be nominally 1500g).
5.1.7.
Heat the sample and tray to approximately 105oC before placing it in the ignition
oven.
5.1.8.
Heat the aggregate calibration sample in the furnace to 560oC for at least 20 minutes
(or until the mass does not vary by more the 0.1g over three consecutive one minute
intervals if using an inbuilt balance).
5.1.9. After removal from the oven allow the sample to cool to approximately room
temperature then measure and record the mass of the sample after firing, (mf) in g.
5.1.10
Calculate the measure percentage mass lost (CF1) as follows:
 mi  m f 
C F1  
 x 100
 mi 
Where CF1 = the measured mass loss of the calibration
sample (%).
mi =
the mass of the aggregate before ignition (g)
mf =
the mass of the aggregate after ignition (g)
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File Location: Q:/Quality Management
Department of Planning, Transport & Infrastructure
Field Services Section
Technical Services Group
Procedure
Binder Content by Ignition Method
TP473
Revision: 1.10
5.1.11
Date: May 2012
Page 3 of 5
Repeat the above steps for two aggregate calibration samples. The reported dry
calibration factor (or Blank Value BV) is the average of these two results, ie
BV = CF1 + CF2
2
Note: Individual aggregates from mixes can have their measured mass losses performed.
The mass loss of any combination of these individual aggregates can then be
calculated.
5.2.
Preparation of samples
5.2.1.
The asphalt mixes to be tested for binder content using the ignition oven can be
either cores, unlaid production mixes or prepared laboratory samples.
5.2.2.
If the sample mass is greater than the recommended amount as advised by the oven
manufacturer it shall be split by coning and quartering on a heated table after the
sample has been heated to approximately 105oC and separated.
5.2.3.
Weigh the sample in a clean dry tray and record the initial mass, (mi) (refer to the
manufacturers instructions as to the recommended asphalt mass limits for to oven).
5.2.4.
Spread the sample evenly over the ignition tray ensuring that all asphalt particles
have been transferred.
5.2.5.
According to the manufacturers instructions, go through the ignition routine from preheating to the final timed ignition phase. Set the temperature on 700oC. This
procedure is the same as that used to determine the mass loss of the binderless mix
as described in 5.1 except for the lower temperature.
5.2.6.
Remove the sample from the oven and allow it to cool to approximately room
temperature. Measure and record the mass (mf) of the sample after carefully
transferring it from the ignition trays to a tared tray.
6.0
CALCULATIONS
The Binder Content (BC) can then be calculated as follows:


 Mf

Mi  

 1  BV  
  100  
BC 
x 100
Mi
where
BC
M
Mf
BV
= the binder content of the asphalt mix (%).
= the mass of the asphalt mix before ignition (g).
= the mass of the asphalt mix after ignition (g).
= the average measured mass loss of the calibration sample (%).
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File Location: Q:/Quality Management
Department of Planning, Transport & Infrastructure
Field Services Section
Technical Services Group
Procedure
Binder Content by Ignition Method
TP473
Revision: 1.10
7.0
Date: May 2012
Page 4 of 5
PRECISION
The uncertainty of measurement has been determined as + x.x of the test result, at
a confidence limit of 95% with a nominal coverage factor of 2, when calculated in
accordance with the accreditation requirements as detailed in AS/ISO 17025.
8.0
REPORTS AND DOCUMENTATION
Report form TP473-1
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File Location: Q:/Quality Management
Department of Planning, Transport & Infrastructure
19 Bridge Road Walkley Heights Ph (08) 8260 0230, GPO Box 1533, Adelaide SA 5001
Technical Services Group
Procedure
BINDER CONTENT BY IGNITION METHOD
TP473 / AST-04
Date: ........................................... Tested By: ........................................................…......
Job No: ....................................... Client: ...............................................…......................
SAMPLE
NO.
LAB. NO.
WH-
INITIAL Mi
MASS (g)
FINAL Mf
MASS (g)
LOSS ON
IGNITION
(%) BV
BINDER
CONTENT (%)




Mf

Mi  
BV  

1



% Binder Content
100  

 x 100

Mi
where Mi is the initial mass (g)
Mf is the final mass (g)
BV is loss on ignition (%)
Comments.......................................................................................................................
Calculated by: ………………………. Checked by: ………………………. Date: ……………
Form TP473-1, Revn. 1.10
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