Troxler ICO 4740, Manual Of Operation And Instruction, Page: 16 / 171

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INTRODUCTION
The two major components of HMA are the asphalt binder and
the aggregate. Thus, accurate measurements of the percent
asphalt content (%AC) and aggregate gradation are required for
HMA quality control and assurance. The ICO allows safe, quick,
and reliable measurement of the %AC of HMA samples and
creates samples for aggregate gradation measurements.
The oven employs a method developed by the National Center
for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) called
pyrolysis
, or ignition. In
this method, an HMA sample of known mass is prepared. The
asphalt binder in the sample is then burned. The change in
sample mass indicates the %AC. Standard sieve analysis of the
remaining clean aggregate provides the gradation.
The ignition oven test method is covered by the provisions of
ASTM D6307 (
Standard Test Method for Asphalt Content of
Asphalt Mixture by Ignition Method
) and AASHTO T 308
(
Determining the Asphalt Binder Content of Hot Mix Asphalt
(HMA) by the Ignition Method
).
The oven can also be used in conjunction with a nuclear asphalt
content gauge, such as Troxler Models 3241–D, 3241 USS, and
3242. The nuclear gauge provides a fast method of measuring
the %AC when the aggregate gradation is not needed. The oven
can be used when a job requires aggregate gradation.
The nuclear gauge test method is covered by the provisions of
the ASTM Standard D 4125,
Standard Test Method for Asphalt
Content of Bituminous Mixtures by the Nuclear Method
. For more
information on Troxler's asphalt content gauges, contact your
Troxler representative.