ASTM_D_4125_-_D_4125M_-_10.pdf

Designation:D4125/D4125M10Standard Test Methods forAsphalt Content of Bituminous Mixtures by the NuclearMethod1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4125/D4125M;the number immediately following the designation indicates theyear of original adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of lastreapproval.A superscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 These test methods cover the procedures for determin-ing the asphalt content of samples of uncompacted bituminousmixtures(Test Method A),and of laboratory compactedspecimens of bituminous mixtures(Test Method B)by exam-ining a test sample with an apparatus that utilizes neutronthermalization techniques.1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound unitsare to be regarded separately as standard.The values stated ineach system may not be exact equivalents;therefore,eachsystem shall be used independently of the other.Combiningvalues from the two systems may result in non-conformancewith the standard.1.3 A precision and bias statement for Method B in thisstandard has not been developed at this time.Therefore,Method B should not be used for acceptance or rejection of amaterial for purchasing purposes.1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.See Section 6 and8.4.2,8.5.6,and Note 4,for specific hazards.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statementsfor Test Methods for Construction MaterialsD75 Practice for Sampling AggregatesD140 Practice for Sampling Bituminous MaterialsD979 Practice for Sampling Bituminous Paving MixturesD1461 Test Method for Moisture or Volatile Distillates inBituminous Paving MixturesD1559 Test Method for Resistance to Plastic Flow of Bitu-minous Mixtures Using Marshall Apparatus(Withdrawn1998)3D1561 Practice for Preparation of Bituminous Mixture TestSpecimens by Means of California Kneading CompactorD3387 Test Method for Compaction and Shear Properties ofBituminous Mixtures by Means of the U.S.Corps ofEngineers Gyratory Testing Machine(GTM)D4013 Practice for Preparation of Test Specimens of Bitu-minous Mixtures by Means of Gyratory Shear Compactor(Withdrawn 2013)33.Significance and Use3.1 These test methods are useful as a rapid,nondestructivetechnique for determination of asphalt content of bituminousmixtures.3.2 These test methods are suitable for quality control andacceptance testing for construction and for research anddevelopment applications.The test method is used for deter-mination of asphalt content only as it does not provideextracted aggregate for gradation analysis.3.3 The non-destructive nature of the test allows repetitivemeasurements to be made on a single test sample for statisticalanalysis of test data.3.4 These test methods determine the asphalt content of atest sample by comparing the measured asphalt content withpreviously established calibration data.3.4.1 The asphalt content of a material expressed as apercentage,is the ratio of the mass of asphalt in a given massof material to the total mass of the sample or to the mass of thesolid material particles.4.Interferences4.1 The fundamental assumptions inherent in this testmethod are that the material under test is homogeneous and1These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D04 onRoad and Paving Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D04.25on Analysis of Bituminous Mixtures.Current edition approved Dec.1,2010.Published December 2010.Originallyapproved in 1983.Last previous edition approved in 2005 as D4125 05.DOI:10.1520/D4125_D4125M-10.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced onwww.astm.org.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 that hydrogen present is in the form of asphalt or has beenotherwise accounted for in the calibration process.4.2 Accurate results will be dependent upon proper calibra-tion of the apparatus to the material being tested.4.3 This apparatus measures the total amount of hydrogen inthe sample including hydrogen present in the form of water.Unless the test sample is free of water,such percentage must bedetermined in accordance with the provisions of Test MethodD1461 and the percentage determined subtracted from theasphalt percentage as measured by the apparatus.4.3.1 Alternatively,the sample may be dried to a constantmass in an oven at 110 6 5C 230 6 9F,thereby nullifying